JeepLiberty20082.8L/jeep/liberty/2008/2-8l/
KK platform

2008 Jeep Liberty — 2.8L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Liberty 2.8L.

Body SUVEngine 2.8LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2008 Jeep Liberty is a KK-platform SUV powered by a 2.8L engine and an automatic four-speed transmission, carrying an EPA rating of 16/22/18 mpg. With 540 owner complaints on record, its top reported issue area is the fuel system, gasoline, and the model year carries five recalls. Within the 2000–2012 model run, this year registers far below the 2002 peak of 1,807 complaints yet well above the 2000 low of six, positioning it between the generation's extremes.

Model year201220112010200920082007200620052004

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque95 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/22/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 34 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 04781452BF. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 34 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225-75R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04781452BF
Engine air filter68037059AA
Spark plugSPZFR6F11G
BatteryBB34F101AA
Front wiper blades68003937AB alt 68003941AB
Thermostat68174083AA
Cabin air filter68535612AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length176.8 in
Overall width72.4 in
Overall height71.3 in
Wheelbase105.9 in
Curb weight4127 lb
Track (front / rear)61 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)52/48

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 22 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 API engine oil, Front: 80W- in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 95 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-6-5-4-3-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilFront: 80W-
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.6 Pints
Differential Gear OilFront: 80W-
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.8 Pints
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts129 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts70 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts8.8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs21 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts95 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub100 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-6-5-4-3-2

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.12 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test16 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief18-21 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature195 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)56-60 psi
Injector Primary Resistance11.4-12.6 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression170-225 psi
Engine Oil Pressure25-110 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket28 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle100 ft-lbs / 75 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.040 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.040 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.00035 in / 0.000035 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0008 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.039 in / 0.409 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.038 in / 0.408 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9020 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Install the bedplate retaining bolts, making sure to place the stud bolts in the correct location, Torque the bolts in the sequence shown.

1Hand tighten bolts 1D, 1G and 1F until the bedplate contacts the block.
2Tighten bolts 1A - 1J to 40 ft. lbs.40 ft. lbs
3Tighten bolts 1 - 8 to 5 ft. lbs.5 ft. lbs
4Turn bolts 1 - 8 an additional 90 degrees.90 degrees
5Tighten bolts A - E 20 to 20

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant at 102,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 102,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 12,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 12,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 18,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level)
Every 24,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 90,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
At 102,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 120,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2008 Jeep Liberty occupies a transitional point in the federal record, showing 540 complaints and 5 recalls, which is a marked decrease from the 2002-2006 period where annual complaints consistently exceeded 1,100. This downward trajectory continues from the 703 complaints logged in 2007, yet the 2008 figures remain significantly higher than the 108 complaints recorded for the 2009 model year. Specific federal data for 2008 highlights Fuel System, Gasoline as the primary concern with 90 complaints, followed by Structure with 53, alongside 4 reported fire complaints. While the volume of investigations drops to just 1 in 2008 compared to 10 in 2002, the data does not specify the root cause of these fuel and structure issues. Therefore, while the 2008 model represents a clear improvement over the 2002-2006 peak, the data indicates it is not the most reliable option in this generation, suggesting buyers prioritize the 2009 model if availability allows.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
49
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
540
Owner complaints
11 involved a crash · 4 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 540 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel System, Gasoline90
Structure53
Fuel/Propulsion System49
Electrical System43
Unknown Or Other32
Visibility32
Air Bags23
Visibility/Wiper10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08V455000Visibility:WindshieldReported 09/09/2008

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 494 MY 2008 JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLES. THE WINDSHIELD AND/OR FIXED REAR QUARTER GLASS MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED USING INCORRECT URETHANE ADHESIVE. THIS COULD AFFECT GLASS RETENTION. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD AND/OR FIXED REAR QUARTER GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

13V121000Power Train:Driveline:DriveshaftReported 03/04/2013

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Dodge Nitro 4X2 vehicles manufactured March 21, 2006, through March 1, 2008; and 2008 Jeep Liberty 4X2 vehicles manufactured February 15, 2007… Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add a bracket to support the rear of the heat shield, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on May 29, 2013. Owners…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 49 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
1074182025-09-18Service BrakesSWITCH - CLUTCH STARTER INTERLOCK & MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY - CLUTCH
91002262023-09-15Electrical SystemConnector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
91002262023-09-15Electrical SystemConnector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
90040092021-04-07Power TrainTransmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles…
90017842021-02-22Power TrainMechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Liberty. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 Liberty 2.8L take?

5 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 API MEETING CHRYSLER SPECIFICATION MS-6395, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 Liberty have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.8L get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg.