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Jeep Liberty

2002-07 models

MODERATE OVERLAP FRONT TEST

OVERALL EVALUATION: Marginal

Structure/safety cage	Injury measures				Restraints/dummy kinematics
Structure/safety cage	Head/neck	Chest	Leg/foot, left	Leg/foot, right	Restraints/dummy kinematics

Important: Frontal crash test ratings can be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.

Good Good Acceptable Marginal Poor Poor

Test details:

The Jeep Liberty was introduced in the 2002 model year as a replacement for the Jeep Cherokee.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has evaluated the crashworthiness of the Liberty in two 40 mph frontal offset crash tests into deformable barriers. In the first test, the airbag deployed late because an airbag sensor wire shorted out early in the crash. This led DaimlerChrysler to develop a fix for this problem by shielding the wiring, and the manufacturer has initiated a recall. The Institute tested a second Liberty with the fix and the airbag inflated much earlier. Ratings of the Liberty are based on the results of the second test, except structural performance is based on both tests.

Restraints/dummy kinematics — Dummy movement was reasonably well controlled in the second test. The dummy's head leaned out the open side window during rebound, then it hit the window frame.

Injury measures — In the second test, measures taken from the chest indicate low risk of injuries to this body region in a crash of this severity. Forces on the head and neck indicate that injuries to the head and neck would be possible. Forces on the left tibia indicate that injuries to the lower leg would be possible. Head acceleration from the window frame hit was negligible.

Watch crash test footage for this vehicle on YouTube Tested model year and trim level only; see "Tested vehicle specifications" below

Left to right:

Action shot taken during the second of two frontal offset crash tests.
The driver's survival space was maintained well, as indicated by the dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the second crash test.
Forces on the head when the dummy moved into the airbag were moderately high in the second test, indicating the possibility of head injuries.
In both tests, the dummy's head moved outside the open side window after rebounding from the airbag (second test pictured).

Additional features:

Side airbags: front and rear head curtain airbags (optional)
Electronic stability control (standard beginning with 2006 models)
Antilock brakes (standard beginning with 2006 models, optional on 2002-05 models)

Tested vehicle specifications:

2002 Jeep Liberty Sport 4wd
Class: Midsize SUV
Weight: 4,100 lbs.
Side airbags: none
Wheelbase: 104 in.
Length: 174 in.
Width: 72 in.
Engine: 3.7 L V6
EPA ratings: 16 mpg city | 20 mpg highway

See all test results for Jeep Liberty

Last updated: October 6, 2006