Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Jeep Liberty owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
2017 their was a recall on the 2010 jeep liberty oil pump and we were not notify at all, [redacted] the engine seized and the oil light came on and then the engine just stopped, It was full of oil and the oil was very clean, the mechanic look at it and said that the oil pump went out I am [redacted] the jeep stop in the middle of the road me my husband could have got kill cars almost hit us we have witnesses that can testify to this, we never receive a letter from your company at all about the recall. Thank you.
2010 Jeep Liberty spontaneously caught on fire and exploded on Friday April 15, 2016. My stepdad and I were out and we stopped and picked up a pizza on the way home and everything was just fine the whole drive home, no smell, no driving issues, no smoke, no overheating dings, no funky sounds. We pulled into the driveway to park and turned off the car, my stepdad got out first, and when I opened my door I said 'ooh it smells like fall!' (I thought the neighbors were having a bonfire or something.) then I saw it and told him 'the car is smoking!' and I got out of the car and got away from it. He tried to open the hood thinking it was a radiator or something but it was so hot it burned his fingers and then he lifted it a bit with a screwdriver as we went to get the fire extinguisher and we saw the fire start shooting out of the sides. It was so hot and so fast. …
Daughter pulled out of driveway turned left onto street and immediately heard a loud noise and observed the entire dashboard instrumentation panel light up. Wipers came on, doors locked, engine cut off, alarm went off, wiper fluid started spraying and smoke started pouring from under the hood. Fortunately she was able to unlock the doors and get out of the vehicle. Electrical wiring was still smoking 45 minutes after the power finally drained from the battery. Tow truck refused to move the vehicle until a mechanic came to disconnect the battery. Local shop said all the electrical circuitry was burned up or compromised, including the wiring harnesses, ground wires, fused box, TIPM, etc. Took vehicle to dealership where it was pronounced unfixable. …
My 2010 Jeep Liberty sport went on fire. I was stopping at a stop sign and all of a sudden the car started to completely malfunction. The care shut off at the stop sign, the horn went off for about 5 minutes, the windsheild wippers went off, all of the doors locked and I saw smoke from the hood. I didnt know what to do and maybe after about 3 minutes of trying to get doors to unlock they finally did I got out and opened the hood and the whole hood was up in flames. Now its a total loss they are only paying off my loan and I am stuck with trying to come up with my own money to buy a new car now I think I should be entilted to a lawsuit I could of died if those doors did not end up unlocking. Every Jeep should be recalled.
When we drive to greatclip hair cut store from dollars store thru freeway, Jeep didn't warning anything that willing to break down, I started smelled little oil burn and we parked Jeep by greatclip to drop wife there and I turned engine to going and it's smell stronger burns . I checked it out that valve cover got cracked and little hole. I asked wife to start up and I saw a lot of oil come out of valve cover hole . We called tow to come pick up to avoid get engine seizures and I thought it's valve cover then I went to autozone to buy valve cover and gasket and went home to work on Jeep. I removed valve cover and found a rocker broke the metal of engine head in passages side. I heard a lot of people who work at dealership shop and other shop said all 3.7 liter v6 isn't good engine for Jeep because it's keep blew or problems. It's only 170,000 miles on engine. …
The check engine light flashes (critical error - cylinder misfire) and my car vibrates/shakes whenever I accelerate or go up any incline on a highway. I went to see a certified mechanic today (in michigan) and the mechanic said that the 3.7l engine has a design flaw that allows a large amount of carbon buildup in the cylinders, which leads to misfire issues. It will cost over $2,000 to repair this issue (12 hours worth of work - they have to take apart the cylinders and whole ignition/intake system, clean the parts, and replace gaskets). The mechanic says that my car is no longer safe for highway driving and can break down at any time. This car only has 104,000 miles. Jeep should not get away with such a horrible design flaw that will cause my car to break down.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Jeep Liberty. While driving unknown speeds, the front end of the vehicle shook and an abnormal fuel odor was noticed inside the vehicle. Also, the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (nyle maxwell Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of austin, 13401 ranch rd 620 n, austin, tx 78717, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the o2 sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired six times; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the catalytic converter and 02 sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 35221828. The failure mileage was 79,355. The VIN was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Jeep Liberty. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle jerked and decelerated. Also, the check engine indicator illuminated. The failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to nyle maxwell Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of austin [phone], located at 13401 ranch rd 620 n, austin, tx 78717) where the technician diagnosed and replaced the o2 sensor. The contact stated that the failure recurred every six months, especially when fuel was placed in the vehicle. The manufacturer was called, but no one answered the phone. The failure was not remedied. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000. Fold that dealer in austin, tx put company the vehicle repair information under tow gilberts.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Jeep Liberty. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the temperature gauge fluctuated up and down and the temperature icon illuminated. The vehicle was taken to pallies auto sales [phone], located at 540a delsea dr, sewell, nj 08080) where the technician topped off the engine coolant and informed the contact to leave the vehicle at the shop for observation. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine was failing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to call the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.
Coolant leak- took to carmax service in hillside,il for diagnosis informed that the coolant was leaking from water pump. Service consultant informed me that he spoke to a guy from jack phelan dealership in countryside, il and was informed that by searching my VIN number in there database that there is a recall on the water pump for my 2010 Jeep Liberty. States that coolant leaks from weep hole in water pump, was then informed that I can bring my vehicle in to be service at no charge because of this recall. Could not find any info online or NHTSA website so that's why I am filing a complaint so a recall can be administered to inform other Jeep Liberty owners of this issue.
Engine complaints in other Liberty years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2010 Jeep Liberty?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2010 Jeep Liberty, 13% of the model year's 197 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Jeep Liberty engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2010 Jeep Liberty, though it has 2 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 2010 Jeep Liberty engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.