Hello Everyone, I am new to this forum, I currently own a 2004 Jeep Liberty Sport which I think is the greatest, I also have an '03 chevy cavalier which we need to get rid of because the dirt roads we live on are destroying that poor little car. I would really like to get a 2006 Liberty CRD, they have the same great gas milage as my '03 chevy cavalier, and can go places where my poor little chevy would not make it. I actually went through the process of purchasing one from a local dealership, until they backed out of the deal. Here is why (forgive the long story):

The first day after a test drive on city streets going no more than 35 mph, being told it was given a one hundred and something point inspection and was in great shape I signed all the paperwork, and drove the '06 CRD home. About a mile down the road I had the check engine light come on and about 8 miles more it felt like the transmission was slipping out of gear at highway speed (in new mexico thats 75 mph, the jeep would not go faster than 53 mph). New Mexico has a lemon law in place and even if the vehicle is "as is" there is a 5 day/500 mile implied warranty per state law. In saying that, the next day I took it back to the dealership and explained what happened. They admitted they could not do a proper diagnostic on it when it first came in because their equipment was unable to read the CRD computer (first red flag). The dealership sent the CRD to their jeep dealership a few miles away to get a diagnostics done. 2 days later they told me the repairs were done and I can come pick up the jeep (I later found out all they did was reflash the computer to turn the check engine light off). So I leave the dealership and not a half mile from the dealership same issue happened; check engine light came on, transmission felt like it was slipping, and would not go over 53 mph. so I took the nearest exit turned around and took it back. They again shipped it off to their jeep dealership to find out the issue.

3 days later I get a call from the salesman who sold me the CRD telling me they are very sorry but they found issues with the turbo, transmission, and the computer and because of the expense of repairing it they did not want to sell me the vehicle any longer, and they are backing out of the sale.

So now my husband is extremely leery of the CRD, and this one vehicle has pretty much ruined his impression of this model. I personally would love to have one, and I am still willing to give the CRD a shot, but my husband on the other han has expressed his concern about the mechanical issues with the one and only impression we've had with the CRD.

My questions:
Are the issues I described above common with the CRD?
What kind of steps can be taken to prevent these issues from happening?

Mind you, I am by no means mechanically inclined, neither is my husband, we depend on the local mechanic shop for everything from a simple oil change to major repairs. I just want to know if with regular maintanance would these issues still arise, or is the issue we experienced with the CRD at the dealership just lack of care/mainanance?

Thanks in advance for any advice provided

Hello Jeep N.M. Welcome to the forum

Myself, and my father both own CRD's! I enjoy, and am emphatic about the jeeps capabilities. For the most part these CRD's are great vehicles, and are very capable on/off road, and (towing).

The CRD has several known issues which are discussed thought this forum. Just to name a few; window regular(s), Torque converter, fuel filter head/assembly, glow plugs, etc.. Not to mention the normal maintenance items such as battery, brakes, oil(s)/filters, etc..

The CRD is unique, so much so that some parts have been on a national back order. Having said that, I would not trade or sell my jeep for any other vehicle.



Read through the the forum in the CRD section. This forum is an invaluable resource when you own a jeep CRD. Most of the knowledgeable members on this forum will help diagnose and trouble shoot problems with the jeep.

If you, and your husband are not mechanically inclined, and depend on a local shop for all the work, I don't think this vehicle would be the best choice for you.

_________________
2005 Jeep Liberty Limited CRD, JBA coilovers-4.5 Arms, 5xMoab's with 265-75-16 Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ, Safari snorkel, Suncoast T/C, GDE Hot tune, Mandrel bent CAC Tubes, EHM to airbox, Mopar skid's, Fumoto Drain Valve, 3% Tint, ARB front bumper, Full set of Miller tools (9599) to loan within my immediate vicinity.

Clogged fuel filter?

Did you hammer it by any chance, it sounds as if it ran fine at first, but if the fuel system starves from a plugged filter you can get these kinds of symptoms, I have hammered mine before and it went into limp mode because it was not getting enough fuel.

_________________
2006 LTD Bright Silver loaded with all the needed mods, CCV intact.
Proudly supporting CRD vendors, and their development of quality parts and accessories.
Equipped with HDS thermostat, plenty of heat, faster warm-ups, increased fuel mileage.

Howdy New Mexico

The biggest issue from day one has been the lack of technicians who know anything about the diesel.

The folks at the dealership got a 45min video..... and it was the only diesel Jeep was selling, and the factory cut corners building it.

running properly, CRD's are great, nothing else on the market compares.

if you're willing to learn how to work on it, there are problems with known fixes, documented here on LOST.

if you want a mechanic to fix it, you'll spend a lot of money training them, even if they're good.

(and based on your description - I'd bet it has an early fuel head that was leaking - went into limp mode - the dealership killed the ECU trying to reflash it - the Tranny and Turbo are fine, CAC hoses probably need to be replaced)

_________________
2005 CRD
stuff
Skeptic quod gratis asseritur, gratis negatur

Yeah, you didn't mention smoke out the back so that seems to leave out turbo. It still ran so that leaves out timing belt and valves and such. If it drove fine first then started acting up that leaves out trans. It's my understanding from my brother the Chrysler trans calibrator that once it goes it goes for good. I bet it is the fuel issue.

_________________
2005 Black KJ Sport CRD,
GDE Full Torque ECO TUNE, GDE Transmission ECO Tune,
Samco British Racing Green Hoses
Build Date 1/05
200k miles.
Original Owner

I agree with everyone else. KJ CRD at this point is only for VERY motivated people who have well above average skills. This easily could have been a much more expensive experience. Before you buy a used vehicle out of warranty, find a local shop with a GREAT reputation. Then, buy what they like to work on and support.

DOC

_________________
2005 KJ CRD Ltd Detroit TrueTrac Bilsteins G2 GDE "HOT" ECU GDE TCM "Tow Tune" "euro" TC SEGR Weeks Elbow New HG at 130K ARPs Clean CAT aFe Filter Magnaflow Exhaust EHM Cumminos In-Tank Lift Pump Hayden Fan Clutch Nylon Fan VH Enabled with GDE lower shutoff point Recalibrated Temp Gauge Tekonsha Prodigy Sears P-1 ZDDP

I totally agree with doc. Due to very poor dealer support for this model, crd is a car mainly for people that know some mechanical basics and are willing to do a lot of DIY work or have a very good trusted mechanic. Probably, for those that don't know a good mechanic, a Vw dealer may also work, since Vw came with diesels long ago. But overall, this is not a car for a person that wants a hassle free vehicle IMO.

_________________
2005 kj CRD, samco, suncoast tc, provent, Kennedy lift pump, GDE ECO full torque, 2nd gen filter head, 245/70/16 a/t tires, mopar light bar, fumoto oil valve, OEM Skid Plates, ARB Front bumper and HD OME, tru cool LPD47391 40k GVW tranny cooler (stock cooler delete), FF Dynamics e-fan and shroud, rocker arms replaced, HDS2 190F thermostat.

Thanks for the input everyone.

It's not that I don't want a hassle free vehicle, I never said that... I do have an excellent mechanic who knows his way around a diesel, and is very reasonable with pricing. I had a feeling the dealership didn't know what they were doing, and the CRD wasn't nearly as bad as they were making it out (at first). I have been reading a lot of the tech areas of the forum and am pretty confident we can do a lot of the easy fixes ourselves (changing hoses, filters etc...). My only concern is how often do these things need to be repaired/replaced, that question really hasn't been answered.

I don't mean to offend anyone, however I understand the forum is for hardcore gearheads who pride themselves with their understanding of their Jeeps, and who probably have no confidence with people like me who would need to learn how to do the basics. I am not really looking for opinions on whether or not I am capable of owning a CRD, I just want to know how often does the CRD require maintenance during normal use, and if the issues I described are something that will continue to happen after they have been addressed?

Don't downplay yourself at all, we all started somewhere.

That being said, most of the issues that these Jeeps experience can be handled personally in your garage, even if you are an amateur. The hardest part of repair is willingness to learn, understanding your shortcomings, and the ability to start in the first place stops more people than you would believe.

If you rectify all the problems this Jeep will run forever with the correct maintenance. I had 105k trouble-free miles entirely before any single thing started going wrong, and had I come here from the beginning I'd still be running trouble-free today.

You have a big leg up coming here and reading up, more than most.

This vehicle can be very dependable, it's all in when you get to it. If you find a low mileage one and disable the EGR with a GDE tune etc. then you stand a much better chance of trouble-free longevity.

There isn't a vehicle you can drive that really compares to this little tractor, and that's why all of us are such avid fans!

Don't let this discourage you, a lot of what shops will say is due to ignorance, it's like someone who says there is a dinosaur named the Brontosaurus. (Google it if you don't know)

Don't be put off by 1 bad experience, you could've had the same happen with a Ford, GMC, Toyota, Nissan, etc.

To answer your original question: The Oil is 6250 Miles per the Manual, most of us do 6k. (Keep in mind our oil change is about 2x as expensive because of the Mobil 1 0W40 oil but you have to do it 1/2 as much so it balances out, but you'd be best served getting a Fumoto Valve like most of us have so you can do your own oil change in your driveway in 15 minutes with no tools, or maybe an oil filter wrench). The air filter every 12,000 miles. Brakes/Battery/Lights/Alternator are pretty much standard maintenance on any vehicle and would need to be replaced as needed, but the standard stuff is really no big deal.

It's not the same as it was even 3-4 years ago with these diesels, now there are outlets like this, and places like The VM Specialist in England, Jeep Alakikantika(sp?), IDParts, and the knowledgeable folks here. With the proliferation of the VM 3.0L into the new Dodge Rams in 2014 and the Jeep Cherokees again this year I think we'll see more and more support for these vehicles in the future.

Just my opinion, do what makes the most fiscal sense to you and your family.

_________________
Silver 2006 KJ 2.8L CRD Limited:
GDE ECO Tune / Fumoto Valve / E-Tecno GX3123 7v Glow Plugs / 2nd Gen Fuel Head / Mishimoto RED Hoses / Rockers/Lifters @ 114k / Hayden FC + 11 Blade Nylon / Sears P1 Battery / Transgo 45RFE-HD2 Reprogramming Kit / Timken Front Bearings

Given the lack of dealer support and the complexity of the vehicle you must either have or be willing to learn the requisite skills, or be willing to spend the time and money for a good mechanic's time.

I really like the performance of the first one we bought despite the transmission problems we had similar to yours, but we have other vehicles to drive when the Liberty is out for repairs. I am in the process of rebuilding a motor for the second one.

The point here is that folks who depend on a vehicle for regular transportation must either be willing to spend the needed time or money to keep this on the road.

Short answer, find something else.

_________________
Grid power- the one true essential

2005 Liberty CRD- ARP studs, Fumoto, Hayden FC, inline Tstat, ETechno 7v GP, Platinum P1, in-tank lift pump.
1983 Volvo D24T
1981 Volvo D24
Dodge Cummins TD
Case 580B
Mitsubishi MT180 diesel
Kubota BX25 diesel

My money is on either the leaky fuel filter head introducing air, or the fuel filter being past-time for replacement and clogging. There are a couple similar possible causes. It is definite that the dealership to which they took it knows nothing whatever about what they are doing, or what's wrong with that CRD.

But the others are right: you will need a good mechanic with this vehicle. It is a great one, but parts are hard to find sometimes and mechanics willing and able are even harder. You say you've got a good one . . . that's the guy who should have been looking at this one, but sadly that seems to be out of the question now. You would do the original seller a favor by telling them that the dealer to which they took it is an idiot and about to throw thousands of dollars of parts at a $200 (max) problem in a futile attempt to fix it. They'd be wise to get it back before they let that happen.

It needs maintenance like every other vehicle, break downs?, the mill in my 2 have been pretty reliable, or course I do not keep on fixing it until it breaks. The only thing the engine needs is the GDE tune, then get in it, drive it, enjoy it, and change the fuel filters and oil as needed.

_________________
2006 LTD Bright Silver loaded with all the needed mods, CCV intact.
Proudly supporting CRD vendors, and their development of quality parts and accessories.
Equipped with HDS thermostat, plenty of heat, faster warm-ups, increased fuel mileage.

I would say that's been my experience too.

_________________
2005 Black KJ Sport CRD,
GDE Full Torque ECO TUNE, GDE Transmission ECO Tune,
Samco British Racing Green Hoses
Build Date 1/05
200k miles.
Original Owner

I can only comment based on my experience. This vehicle has required more repairs in a given time interval than any other vehicle I've ever owned. The cost of parts it higher than average. Parts availability can be an issue especially for dealer only parts. If you rely on it as a daily driver and can't afford to have it of the road for a month because that doohicky is on backorder then this mightn't be the vehicle for you. The "stock faults" and basic design flaws are more than most other vehicles.

I wouldn't place much weight on fuel efficiency because it isn't really that great and any savings you do make will be quickly eaten into by higher than average maintenance costs.

_________________
Share your ideas freely at https://www.facebook.com/groups/libertydiesels/

Flman is correct, if you do the proper maintenance, the crd isn't less reliable than other average cars (except few people that really had bad luck from this forum but I'd say that is not a representative number to define a pattern imo). I'd say the oil change intervals is less than your average cars, if you want your peace of mind... Due to the fact we really don't have an easily available true diesel oil for this engine specs (like European markets) and also due to less quality of American diesel. Dirtmover is also correct, parts availability sucks, I ordered a thermostat a while back and it had been on back order for few weeks. Point is, you need to stock few parts or order them well in advance. This engine is way higher maintenance than a regular gas engine (well, honestly all diesels engines are...), and if I compare it with my 4.0 from the xj, it's a lot "picky-er" and harder to work at (an example is the 4.0 doesn't have a timing belt, so less to worry about, replacing a water pump doesn't require removal of timing belt -in fact it's probably 1/3-1/4 work time, etc). When you draw the line, cost for 1000 miles of the crd is about the same as the 4.0. But... The "feel" of driving the crd definitely surpasses the 4.0... All this considered, I'd get a crd, but there are things to be carefully considered before. A Vw tdi is way easier to maintain(even though costs could be similar, aside of possible way better mileage for a smaller 2.0 tdi, but that engine doesn't come on a 4wd...), due to better dealer support, better test of the tdi for American markets (better adapted and tested to our fuel and oils).

_________________
2005 kj CRD, samco, suncoast tc, provent, Kennedy lift pump, GDE ECO full torque, 2nd gen filter head, 245/70/16 a/t tires, mopar light bar, fumoto oil valve, OEM Skid Plates, ARB Front bumper and HD OME, tru cool LPD47391 40k GVW tranny cooler (stock cooler delete), FF Dynamics e-fan and shroud, rocker arms replaced, HDS2 190F thermostat.

Thanks for all the info everyone, after reading the tech areas of the forum I am almost positive there was an issue with the fuel filter/head, and the dealership had no clue what to do. Since this debaucle, I have educated myself on the CRD, and also found a really nice '06 that has the GDE eco tune already installed, we asked for all the service records, had it checked by our mechanic and he gave it the OK, and we are getting ready to purchase it. Once we get it I will definately be coming back here often to get refreshers on it.

Thanks again everyone, I really do appreciate your input. I love the Jeep Liberty, we've had our '04 for about 3 years now and it's been a great vehicle. That one will be passed along to our daughter, who will be starting college soon. The chevy cav we have will go to my sister, who actually lives on nice paved roads, and the new addition of the CRD is going to make a good little workhorse for our driving/hauling needs.

Great news, welcome to the gang! Good luck with your crd!

_________________
2005 kj CRD, samco, suncoast tc, provent, Kennedy lift pump, GDE ECO full torque, 2nd gen filter head, 245/70/16 a/t tires, mopar light bar, fumoto oil valve, OEM Skid Plates, ARB Front bumper and HD OME, tru cool LPD47391 40k GVW tranny cooler (stock cooler delete), FF Dynamics e-fan and shroud, rocker arms replaced, HDS2 190F thermostat.

Good for you, you have met your goal and you will not regret it.

_________________
2006 LTD Bright Silver loaded with all the needed mods, CCV intact.
Proudly supporting CRD vendors, and their development of quality parts and accessories.
Equipped with HDS thermostat, plenty of heat, faster warm-ups, increased fuel mileage.

Suggest that you keep a spare vehicle for those times the CRD is down. I say that really liking the performance but recognizing the cost of operation.

_________________
Grid power- the one true essential

2005 Liberty CRD- ARP studs, Fumoto, Hayden FC, inline Tstat, ETechno 7v GP, Platinum P1, in-tank lift pump.
1983 Volvo D24T
1981 Volvo D24
Dodge Cummins TD
Case 580B
Mitsubishi MT180 diesel
Kubota BX25 diesel