Jeep has a long military history. They were designed exclusively for military usage during WWII and Jeep was a nickname at the time. The government were looking for a car that would replace motorcycles and army mules. The Willys company got the contract and the military Jeep was born in 1941. When Willys was unable to meet military demand, Ford stepped in to assist in the production of Jeeps for the war effort. The CJ (civilian Jeep), which evolved into the Wrangler we know today, was born out of civilian (ex-military) passion.

On July 17th, 1945, the first CJ-A2, often known as the Universal Jeep because it could accomplish everything, rolled off the assembly line in Toledo. However, recently, Jeep became a Stellantis branch and has been an American automotive brand since 1987, when Chrysler purchased the Jeep brand, together with its remaining assets, from its former owner, American Motors Corporation.

Before the creation of the Jeep Liberty, there were other Jeeps like the CJ-5, SJ Wagoneer, Jeep Wrangler, and Chevrolet among others.

RELATED: A Look Back At The Evolution Of The Jeep Cherokee​​​

The Jeep Liberty

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Via: Kbb

The Jeep Liberty was released in 2002 as part of Jeep's vehicle lineup, and it acted as a replacement for the Jeep Cherokee in the United States. The Liberty was priced in the middle of the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee ranges.

Until the car-based 4-door Compass and Patriot came in 2007, it was the smallest of the Jeep SUVs with four doors. The Liberty, like the XJ Cherokee, was built on a unibody chassis. It was built in the United States at the Toledo North Assembly Plant, as well as in other nations such as Egypt and Venezuela.

According to NADA Guides, Jeep designed the Liberty for the model years 2002 through 2012 with the goal of improving the Cherokee's best characteristics, improving the interior, and adding additional safety features to make the Liberty more desirable to buyers. Jeep continued to produce this model with modifications and redesigns until 2012, when it was finally phased out.

The first-generation Jeep Liberty was available in two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive, with a variety of engines including a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder, a 3.7-liter V-6, and a 2.8-liter diesel four-cylinder from 2005 to 2006. The diesel engine was phased out in 2007 due to pollution concerns.

RELATED:Watch These Off-Road SUV Road Racing: 2021 Ford Bronco Vs Jeep Wrangler 4xe

Interior

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Via: Kbb

Utilitarian is what best describes an automobile like the Liberty on the inside. While that does make a lot of sense for the tough adventurer, the extensive use of simple and hard-touch plastics truly gives off an uninteresting and cheap appearance.

The steering column is only tiltable, which, along with the driver's seat's limited adjustment, will make it difficult for some to achieve a comfortable driving position. Up to five persons can sit in the Liberty.

Behind the rear bench, there is at least some usable cargo space. The 31.5 cubic feet is just big enough for a few bags and some light camping gear. When the back bench is folded down, an additional 30-odd cubes become available.

Exterior

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Via: Wikipedia

Despite the 2005 refresh, the Liberty's look hasn't changed significantly. The body features prominent trapezoidal wheel flares, while the front is highlighted by a characteristic seven-slot Jeep grille.

In order to convey a sense of forward motion, the vehicle was built lower in the front and higher in the back. Tires come in 16-inch and 17-inch sizes.

It measures 176.9 inches in length, 71 inches in height, and 72.3 inches in width. Its 106.1-inch wheelbase and 7.8-inch ground clearance help it a lot when it comes to trail-climbing. Its outmoded powertrain and all of its equipment, on the other hand, make it somewhat heavy, with curb weights ranging from 4,000 to 4,500 lbs.

Engine

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Via: Flickr

Across the board, a 3.7-liter V6 engine paired to a four-speed automatic transmission is standard. The mill sends 210 hp and 235 lb-ft of torque to a front or all-wheel-drive system, with the latter being an option.

The fuel tank and transfer case are protected by available skid plates, and the Trailer Tow Package adds a 5,000 lbs towing capacity. Renegades are equipped with a redesigned, flatter hood, larger grille, offroad fog lamps, and taillight protectors.

Competitors To The Jeep Liberty

Subaru Forester

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Via: Wikipedia

Subaru has been producing the Subaru Forester, a compact crossover SUV (sport utility vehicle), since 1997. The Forester has been available in Japan since 1997, and it has the same platform as the Impreza. The Forester was one of the first crossover SUVs to hit the market. It was designed to look like a car, but with a higher stance, higher h-point seating, and an all-wheel drive system. This popular small SUV has a spacious interior, superb visibility, good fuel economy, straightforward controls, smooth ride, and snappy handling.

Toyota RAV4

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Via: Edmunds

The Toyota RAV4 is a tiny crossover SUV manufactured by Toyota in Japan. This was the world's first compact crossover SUV, debuting in Japan and Europe in 1994 and in North America in 1995, with a launch in January 1996. The vehicle was created for customers who wanted the benefits of SUVs, such as more storage space, better vision, and the option of full-time four-wheel drive, but with the maneuverability and fuel economy of a small car.

The acronym RAV4 used to stand for "Recreational Activity Vehicle: 4-wheel drive," but it has since been modified to "Robust Accurate Vehicle: 4-wheel drive." The RAV4 is equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission regardless of trim level. All-wheel drive is optional on the LE, XLE, XLE Premium, and Limited versions, but standard on the Adventure and TRD Off-Road.

Why We Don't Miss The Car

via: Pinterest

The Liberty was a popular vehicle in its day, but it was not without flaws. Some of its flaws includes;

Engine Misfire

For both models of the Liberty, engine misfire is a prevalent issue. When shifting gears, drivers have reported experiencing engine knock, harsh idling, and excessive vibration. Faulty intake valves were the most common cause. Vehicles having more than 100,000 miles on them had blown engines that needed to be replaced. This has been a major source of annoyance for Liberty owners, especially since an engine replacement may cost more than the vehicle is worth.

RELATED:Here’s How Much A First Generation Jeep Wrangler YJ Costs Today

Problems With The Fuel Tank And The Brakes

Gas has splattered across the vehicle's exterior after drivers let their tanks fill up before the pump shuts off. The front brakes have been known to lock up while the vehicle is in motion, according to some reports. Some drivers were only able to reverse their vehicles during these occurrences. Despite the fact that parts such as brake pads, brake calipers, and master cylinders have been replaced, a lot of people have been unable to fix this problem.

Transmission Problems

Some Liberty owners complained their vehicles burst out of first gear when accelerating between 2002 and 2010 (excluding the 2013 redesign), which was caused by a defective synchronizer assembly. Some automatic Jeep Libertys from 2003, 2006, and 2010 have also been reported to remain in default mode, which keeps the car locked in one gear. Reprogramming the powertrain control module (PCM) helped some people fix the problem.

Unusual Noise From The Exhaust Manifold

Owners of 2002-2010 Libertys have complained about strange noises coming from the exhaust manifold. Ticking noises from the exhaust manifold, as well as tapping noises around the muffler or gas tank, have been reported by drivers. Gaskets and bolts that are loose or broken are most likely to blame.

Conclusion

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Via Wikimedia Commons

When it comes to affordable midsize SUVs, the Jeep Liberty is one of the first names that springs to mind. However, despite being a good off-roader, several model years of this vehicle have had their share of issues. Due to the fact that Jeep liberty were unable to fix the problems it had, the business returned to making the Jeep Cherokee, a vehicle that had continued to be built outside of the United States.

NEXT:Here’s How Much A Used Jeep Liberty Costs Today