2003 Jeep Liberty Review
Price Estimate: $782 - $1,315





+22
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Extremely capable off-road, creative interior design, still a Jeep at heart.
Cons
- Thirsty at the gas pump, not as "carlike" as most of its competitors.
What’s new
For the 2003 Jeep Liberty, a new overhead console, based on that of the Grand Cherokee, includes a unique interface that allows passengers to program the operation of nine convenience and safety items to their own preference. Liberty owners can now personalize several features, including which doors unlock with the first press of the remote keyless entry unlock button, the miles driven between service intervals and the amount of time the headlamps remain on when exiting the vehicle. Finally, an available six-disc in-dash CD player replaces the cargo area mounted unit. Standard four-wheel disc brakes endow the Jeep with improved brake feel on-road, decreased stopping distances and reduced brake fade. Available electrochromic interior and driver-side rearview mirrors help reduce headlight glare from traffic at night, and standard sliding sun visors have been added, which serve to keep the sun out of your eyes by providing added windshield and side glass coverage.
Edmunds says
Though a little pudgy (at nearly 4,000 pounds) and truckish, the 2003 Jeep Liberty is athletic off-road and capable on pavement.
For sale near Bloomington, IN
29 listings
- 81,985 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use only
- 6cyl automatic
- The Car Cove (92 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Rear Bench Seats
- Electronic Folding M...
- Fold Flat Rear Seats
- 5000lb Towing Capaci...
Close
Located in Muncie, IN
Rust free southern vehicle. Leather! Loaded up! 4wd. Really nice Jeep for the money
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
17 Combined MPG (15 City/20 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1J8GL58K63W726268
Stock: 726268
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 03-28-2025- 52,840 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use
- 6cyl automatic
- Oaks Automotive (120 mi away)
- Rear Bench Seats
- Electronic Folding M...
- Fold Flat Rear Seats
- 5000lb Towing Capaci...
- Audio and cruise con...
Close
Located in Cincinnati, OH
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
17 Combined MPG (15 City/20 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1J4GK58K83W590732
Stock: J590732
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2003 Jeep Liberty Sport Rwd 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.02 per gallon for regular unleaded in Indiana.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Indiana
$196/mo for Liberty Sport
Liberty Sport
vs
$162/mo
Avg. Compact SUV
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Jeep Liberty Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(65%)
4(25%)
3(8%)
2(2%)
1(0%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Straight Review
4 out of 5 starsjeepman18, 12/06/2012
2003 Jeep Liberty Sport 4WD 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
Jeep liberty 2003 V6 3.7L 4x4
This is an AMAZING vehicle! Ive read so many bad reviews on this and I have never had any problems with ine AT ALL! I have driven a wide variety of vehicles From Hyndaui accent to a Dodge Ram and this has to be my favortie!
All these people ho say they have to replace their brakes every 4000 miles are full of crap! How many times do they slam on their brakes … bc they werent paying attention to the car infront of them? Alot Im willing to bet on that.
My Experience
4.5 out of 5 starsbdarnell, 07/12/2012
2003 Jeep Liberty Renegade 4WD 4dr SUV (3.7L 6cyl 5M)
I have owned my Jeep since 2008 with no major issues.
I did have the ball joints replaced on the recall. I also had an issue with the locking mechanism on the back hatch.
In my opinion this Jeep runs great and is comfortable.
I take this vehicle to work daily for a short commute and have also taken it on long trips.
I LOVE my jeep!!
Suprising
4.13 out of 5 starscolleen, 02/04/2010
2003 Jeep Liberty Limited 4WD 4dr SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
I can't believe my jeep has 180K and still runs like new. I have not had one single mechanical issue with it. Oil changes faithfully every 5K, occasional engine tune up and some new brakes 50K back is all I've ever done for maintenance. Am I just lucky or is this actually a decently made US vehicle?
Good value if well looked after by previous owners
3 out of 5 starsBritInPhilly, 12/06/2016
2003 Jeep Liberty Limited 4WD 4dr SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
I have a 2003 Liberty with around 125k miles. It's been a good car for the last 18 months of ownership. It copes well with poor road conditions and has been really great in the snow. It's comfortable and the trunk space is pretty good too. My only gripes would be that the gas mileage is poor and the build quality is lacking in certain areas. The engine in these really needs regular oil … changes to keep it in good shape and be wary of a Jeep that's been driven hard as it could end up being expensive. I've driven 15k miles over the 18 months and so far had to replace 2 window regulators (more on this later), as well as rotors all round and transmission solenoids. The window regulators are a pain and a common problem on these cars. They are badly designed and manufactured with cheap materials, so you're likely to be replacing at least one a year and finding yourself with a window jammed open at the most inconvenient times. The part is around $65 and it's a fairly simple job taking around 30 minutes to replace. Otherwise, expect to pay a garage $600+ for the replacement. The paintwork on these seems to suffer with peeling clear coat, particularly with darker colored cars and mainly on the roof. Mine's peeling but doesn't bother me so I'll leave it. Overall it's a good car and always feel solid and safe.
*Update at 135,000 miles: Another window regulator at 130k miles, the O2 sensor went around the same time (which halved the average gas mileage down to around 9mpg) and wheel bearings starting to rumble recently. I took the car in for an oil change and tune up and to get an estimate for wheel bearing replacement and a new AC compressor. The repair shop seem to want to dissuade me from pouring money into the car every time, which makes me nervous. The AC compressor was damaged when another car backed into the Jeep in a parking lot, so not a build quality issue. I figured out that I'm spending maybe around $1800 annually in repairs and maintenance over the last 2 years and, assuming I'm into the same over the next 3 years then I'd still say the car hasn't been bad value at all.
2003 Liberty Highlights
Sport
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $17,910 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 19 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $196/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 29.0 cu.ft. |
rear wheel drive | |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover2 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalMarginal
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintPoor
Related Used 2003 Jeep Liberty info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Lexus GS 350 2020 Review
- Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2020 Review
- Subaru Crosstrek 2020 Review
- Volvo S60 2020 Review
- Rolls Royce Dawn 2020 Review
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Acura ILX 2015 For Sale
- Used Acura ILX 2016
- Used Acura ILX 2018 For Sale
- Used Acura ILX 2019
- Used Acura ILX 2023
- Used Acura Integra 2013
- Used Acura Integra 2021
- Used Acura Legend 2011
- Used Acura Legend 2020
- Used Acura MDX 2010
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- New Ram 1500
- New Hyundai Sonata
- 2025 Acura TLX
- New Kia Sportage
- New Kia Sportage Hybrid
- 2025 Blazer
- 2025 XC90
- 2025 G90
- 2024 Tucson
Research other models of
- 2025 Wrangler
- 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- 2024 Jeep Wrangler
- New Jeep Compass
- 2025 Grand Cherokee L
- Jeep Renegade 2024
- Jeep Grand Cherokee 2024
- New Jeep Gladiator
- 2025 Jeep Gladiator
- Jeep Wrangler 4xe 2025
Other models
- Used Chevrolet Sonic in Milledgeville, GA 2020
- Used Infiniti Q60-Coupe in Lancaster, NY 2015
- Used Toyota Venza in Inglewood, CA 2024
- Used Oldsmobile Cutlass in Waterloo, IA 1999
- Used Mazda Tribute in Wyandotte, MI 2011
- Used Honda Civic in Waterbury, CT 2025
- Used Mazda Mx-5-Miata-Rf in Coeur D Alene, ID 2025
- Used Ford F-350-Super-Duty in Moultrie, GA 2025
- Used Toyota Tundra in Torrance, CA 2025
- Used Mercury Mariner-Hybrid in Westbrook, ME 2011