Questions about Liberty Diesel (CRD)

[MazdaMatt]

I'm looking at an '06 Jeep Liberty Diesel (CRD).

Does anybody own one of these?
Know someone that owns one?
Have any experience in a Jeep dealership repairing these?

Some people that I know have given me some really bad feedback, but have absolutely no personal experience other than "Jeeps are gay". They say that the Diesel is expensive to repair.

On the other hand, I scour the net (and I'm no dummy when it comes to google) and I find some pretty minor issues that are mostly in the 05's, and apparently this motor is widely used in Europe (in various vehicles) and known to run for a million miles.

It has a 4cyl turbo diesel, good gas mileage and can tow 5000 pounds. It seems to me to be *statistically* better than every other possible tow vehicle for my person needs (towing a honda on an open trailer and daily driver for the wife who commutes on 99% country roads). The traction control and 4wd are a plus for her and it looks nice.

[MazdaMatt]

Seriously, 73 views and nobody has any input?

[ONdriver]

Rarely see a CRD driving around, I doubt they're that common.
I'd check out the jeep forums (which you've probably done) and see what they have to say.
I would think the challenge would be finding someone who knows how to fix the engine, the rest must be regular jeep running gear.
That's my 2¢!
Perry

[gearhead]

Originally Posted by MazdaMatt

Seriously, 73 views and nobody has any input?

They make a diesel?Never seen one in a Liberty!Grand Cheroke Yes!

[MazdaMatt]

Okay, so parts a options for service locations seem to be in shortage.

Yeah, they do make one! 05 and 06 only. Jeep wanted to test the waters on Diesels in North America, outsold expectations for 2 years, then emmisions rules changed and squashed it. (Methinks some people want to keep selling guzzling V8's and have sway in the emissions rules, because there's no way that this little 4banger emits more pollution than a hemi or a 7L V8 diesel)

It really looks like an awesome tow vehicle. People are reporting 29-30mpg highway and 22 city and it tows 5000 pounds and appears to have plenty of room inside.

[Burnsey]

Originally Posted by MazdaMatt

Seriously, 73 views and nobody has any input?

Can't speak for the diesel, but the gas versions I've driven (as rentals) were quite reasonable (ride, comfort, braking, etc). Reminded me of the '92 4.0L Cherokee I bombed around in years ago.

To speculate about the CRD...I agree it would be a kick-ass little tow vehicle. Perfect mix of decent towing ability in a small package. Too bad emissions rules killed it

[John Powell]

This Goggle search has some info you may want to look at. The first two hits are road tests and they have some reservations about the diesel engine. http://www.google.ca/search?q=%2706+Jeep+Liberty+Diesel+%28CRD%29&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-GBfficial&client=firefox-a

[MazdaMatt]

Those links were much appreciated. From what I gather the "reservations" were regarding the diesel-like sound of the diesel engine (not for everybody, i suppose. I'll have to test drive it for my own oppinion) and the lack of power. Well since I'm not a speed-racer on the highway, I'm sure the power is just fine for me. 99% of its life will be booting around town or cruising at 85. Highway use will mostly be with a trainer of some sort behind it and I won't be fast-lane driving anyway.

Aside from that the reviews seemed positive.

Is there any TRUSTWORTHY source of reliability information on cars? If you call up a dealership and ask "What are the common problems with... " you'll always get the answer "Oh, there's been nothing so far". (such as my prot5 which has common egr failure and rust at the rear emblem). Lieing is so much more profitable than honesty.

[DT Racer]

Matt, when checkin something out I find the Consumer Guide site interesting and usually gives good in depth info. Its like 11 or so pages If you haven't already seen it, check it out: http://consumerguideauto.howstuffwor...ep-liberty.htm

GL with purchase, what ever it is.

[Rich]

I've got an 09 Liberty (Gas) and love it - tows very well. great in snow (with wnter tires). Not the best in gas mileage, but then I never expected it to be.

Checkout www.jeepforum.com, one of the best sources of jeep info I found.

[MazdaMatt]

DT Racer,

Thanks for the link. That's definitely good information. I'm gathering the same pros and cons from car reviewers in general. I'm surprised by CG's rating of hte mileage. I've never heard of anybody getting such low stats. They must be hammering it around to test out the handling and acceleration and generally not driving it like an owner would. Most reports I"ve read from owners are better than EPA.

The information that I'm missing is reliability. I can't seem to find any serious statistics on the engine reliability, which is my main concern. There's no question that this engine will be expensive to repair, but if it just doesn't break then it isn't a problem.

Rich, input appreciated.

[DaveCotie]

The older Liberty's had some of the most uncomfortable seats that I ever sat on in my life. My mom was looking for a vehicle in 2004 and we test drove one. I took it back in 20 minutes.

Any Chrysler product - watch out for trannies. I don't know if the higher torque of a diesel would be good or bad for a transmission.

[DT Racer]

Found some on problems. Read 3 of the links and found interesting stuff. One of the ones is the 6th link down the page about the EGR problems. Seems to be the biggest in reading so far. Grab a coffee n have fun.

http://www.google.ca/#hl=en&source=h...13605ac3a20ebf

[blue92HB]

I work at a Dodge dealership and have seen a few of these come through. EGR issue's also possible MAF sensor problems related to the EGR codes. The big issue I have seen with alot of Liberty's is wiring issues under the floor. Wiring runs front to rear on the left floor in a passage way that collects water and rots out wiring causing various electrical issues. Also have seen one come in with a no start condition caused by a faulty cam sensor. Other then that they seem OK, not my cup of tea but to each their own.

[MazdaMatt]

Blue, that kind of advice is very valuable. Thanks.