Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Jeep Liberty owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact's husband owned a 2008 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the air bag and traction control warning lights would flash on the instrument panel. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle hydroplaned while crossing a puddle of water and landed in a ditch. The side curtain air bags deployed; however, the driver and passenger air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that an abnormal odor was emitted from the vehicle. The contact sustained bruising on the left arm but did not seek medical attention. A police report was not filed. Due to the failure, the vehicle was initially towed to the contact's home and was later towed to an independent tow yard. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was unknown.
Airbag light has been coming on and stays on. When I start my vehicle the airbag in the dash on passenger side sounds like it's trying to escape. Scary. I have a service appointment for April 2, 2026, Thursday. They can't get me in sooner. I understand the recall doesn't apply. I'm stating that it SHOULD! Please expand your recall to more Jeep models. I want this on record as I am deeply concerned about my safety.
I was on my way back to work during my lunch hour driving on alexander st. In corpus christi texas. That street has several dips. As I drove over one of the dips the Jeep suddenly accelerated in such a speed that I was unable to stop it and it hit a parked car. My car was approximately 10 feet from the parked car which made it almost impossible for me to avoid hitting the car. I firmly believe the accident was a result of "sudden unintended acceleration" there is no other way to explain this unfortunate accident. With all the dips on that street it is impossible to speed, additionally it is right in front of a school which has a speed limit of no more than 15 MPH. If this had occurred in a different area this could have been catastrophic, fatally injuring myself and family or another human being. …
This cars TIPM system is extremely faulty I've had it fixed 3 already and it still acts as of it is possessed. This happened on the freeway where the car started going off by it's self stalled and couldn't do anything about it. I almost died. There has been many complaints about this vehicles TIPM system but Jeep refuses to recall them. Also the airbags do not deploy. This is a huge safety issue
Prior to accident, the sky slider leaked water into the electrical roof light compacts dropping down into gear shift. Also leaked into trunk and back seat of Jeep from ceiling. Even after repaired by dealership twice, it continued to leak water during and after rain. The automatic driver side window since leaking issues, has shorted and failed to close (go up) on a daily basis. Deep front end collision had zero deployment of airbag in front- includes during/after passenger side rollover. Only side air bags deployed. Concussion and muscle spasms resulted from accident. Body hit against steering column, head and arm against driver window and frame. Entire week of unpaid medical leave from employer by doctors order. Total loss of Jeep. Seatbelt held me in suspense while Jeep was on it's side. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Jeep Liberty. While driving 25-30 MPH and making a turn, the driver's air bag exploded without warning or an impact occurring. The contact sustained burn injuries from the deployment, but medical attention was not received. A police report was not filed. There was no fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 59777684. The contact was referred to a local dealer. The failure mileage was 110,000
I've had my Jeep for 2.5 years now. When I first got it, everything was fine and it was inspected prior to purchase. For the past year, the airbag light will come on and off on its own. At first it was intermittent, but for the past 6 months, it is constantly on when the vehicle is running. In addition, about 6 months ago, while driving about 25 MPH on a dark, winding road, the horn started sounding and the windshield wipers began running at full speed. I put the car in park, turned it off and then on again, and it stopped. This has not happened again since.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH the steering wheel became unresponsive and the vehicle crashed into a guard rail, flipped over twice and landed in an embankment. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact had to be cut out of the vehicle. She suffered a cut on her neck, several abrasions, bruises, and various other injuries to her back. Two days after the crash she received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 13V121000 (air bags , power train , structure). The failure and current mileage was 80,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Jeep Liberty. While the vehicle was in reverse, the contact heard a grinding/popping noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. It was noticed that the transfer heat shield detached and rubbed against the driveshaft. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V121000 (air bags, power train, structure). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 194,232.
Inoperative speed control and sudden loss of instrument cluster lights/speedometer at high speed. Code read out performed. Indicated wheel sensor not communicating with control module. Had it replaced twice. Problem is not with the sensor. The control module for panel displays shuts down. Alll warning lights on dash display come on indicating ABS disabled, brake/engine failure. Also,speed cruise control lost plus speedometer drops/ freezes at zero
Airbag complaints in other Liberty years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Jeep Liberty?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Jeep Liberty, 8% of the model year's 541 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2008 Jeep Liberty airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2008 Jeep Liberty, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Jeep Liberty airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 11 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.