Looking at buying my first Jeep

[John P.]

Hi everyone, I am new here and looking for feedback from current Jeep owners. I am looking at purchasing a 2011 Jeep Liberty Limited with 103K on it. It has a clean carfax and shows most oil services being performed every 5k. Having never owned a Jeep I am a bit iffy as I have read a lot of issues with valve springs on the 3.7 motor. I am trading in my 2008 Chevy Colorado (That has never given me an issue in the 40k I've owned it currently at 115K) on this Jeep. I just wanted to make sure that I am not trading an apple for a lemon. The Jeep is equipped with all the options I want that my Colorado does not have. So how many miles can I expect the Jeep to last and how reliable are they really? Thanks in advance for honest and supportive comments.

 

[LibertyTC]

Welcome to the forum.
Initially the Jeep KK was introduced in 2008 and yup they had some valve train issues.
Chrysler made changes & had that sorted out well by 2011 as far as I know.
Is this a private sale or on a dealership lot?
The best protection you can offer yourself is by paying to have your own independent 150 point inspection done before purchase.
The KK section is a good representation of members posts regarding issues.
Have a browse through there, not a lot of major complaints really for 2011's.

 

[John P.]

Thanks, it’s on a dealer lot for 9,500. I’ll browse through the kk section

 

[John P.]

Bought the Jeep today. Got it for 8,500 overall pleased with it. Has everything I expected. We’ll see how it last this winter.

 

[Metalbourne]

I have a 2011 Jeep Liberty and I can tell you it got me through last winter in the Poconos with no issue. The issues I've had was a bad heater core, the AC/Heater door actuator (easy fix), trans issue that wouldn't allow me to get out of 2nd gear fixed for about $600. I have around 114,000 on mine and have owned since 2014. For me it's a love hate relationship. I love the size, the 4wd system, turning radius and the look of it. Hate the fuel mileage and the handling is rough, but it is a Jeep. I wish it was a little bigger too for more of my gear.

 

[John P.]

I have a 2011 Jeep Liberty and I can tell you it got me through last winter in the Poconos with no issue. The issues I've had was a bad heater core, the AC/Heater door actuator (easy fix), trans issue that wouldn't allow me to get out of 2nd gear fixed for about $600. I have around 114,000 on mine and have owned since 2014. For me it's a love hate relationship. I love the size, the 4wd system, turning radius and the look of it. Hate the fuel mileage and the handling is rough, but it is a Jeep. I wish it was a little bigger too for more of my gear.

Glad to hear it has served you well. I bought a 5 year 100,000 mile extended warranty with mine (expensive at $2,700) to cover any potential power train issues. Hopefully I’ll never need it. I live in Nebraska and last winter my 2 wd Colorado barely made it through. So I’m looking forward to having 4wd. The Colorado only got 17 mpg in the city so I’m already used to poor fuel economy. I was surprised at how many people here take their liberty’s off roading. I never really thought of a Liberty being a capable off road vehicle.

 

[LibertyTC]

Now that you own an extended warrantied 2011 KK Liberty, can you post a few photos? (we like pics here!)
Maybe even one from under hood, dash /interior etc

 

[John P.]

Will do, I have to clean and detail it first The dealer made no effort to do so because of the price I paid for it. It is horrible (understatement) under the hood right now. Looks like it has gone it's 103k without so much as a courtesy rinse. The carfax showed regular oil changes every 5k miles but I guess cleaning doesn't come with dealer oil changes anymore. They acted like I was ripping them a new one getting them down to 8,500. I know they still made money on it. It also has a couple of cancer spots on the rear gate I will have to address, probably next spring.

 

[LibertyTC]

I cover up the alternator, wrap cloths around each coil pack, to prevent water from entering toward spark plugs.
Also the fan, I clean by hand. I use LPS Pre-Solve orange de greaser.
A steam cleaner works well but today, I just give it a light power wash, and them dry/ clean the rest by hand.
Brasso works well for a metal polish on aluminum and steel fuel lines.
It takes time but well worth it, my engine bay on my KJ is pretty clean ! (bling bling)
Have fun detailing! I am sure it will be in much better shape soon !

You must be registered for see images attach

Then it is onto regular maintenance.Refer to owners manual for fluids & specifications.
Service Rear diff gear oil, front diff, transfer case, Hoat Coolant, check spark plugs etc.

 

[John P.]

Tried to upload a picture, but not working for me. I’ll try again some other time.