2012 Jeep Liberty: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jun 25, 2023 · Electrical · OR · fire

I was driving on the roadway when suddenly the front driver side power switch (which controls the automatic windows, doors and mirrors), caught fire and started smoking. Unsure of what to do, I pulled over and tried to investigate. When the smoke subsided I drove to an oil change store, which had serviced my vehicle in the past, and asked for assistance from a technician on duty. While investigating, the power switch started smoldering again. The tech had no other option but to disconnect the power switch, by cutting the wires, to prevent future fire damage - as the wires and power switch had melted together. I contacted Jeep to share my concern but they declined assistance. I performed a Google search and found instances of two incidences similar to my experience. NOTE: I have a brief video but couldn’t upload it - photo option was the only option provided.

Filed Jun 10, 2020 · Body · 123,380 miles · NY

Heat shield/blanket between exhaust and body .almost started on fire. I smelt something burning like paper/plastic. I crawled under jeep to see what it was. I saw smoke and red embers in that padding.

Filed Mar 16, 2020 · Brakes · 109,000 miles · NY · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 jeep liberty. The contact stated after purchasing and driving from the dealer bi auto sales (1431 church st, bohemia, ny 11716) an abnormal noise was heard, the brakes failed without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the contact was informed that the brakes were replaced. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred as the vehicle was towed back to the dealer. The contact stated that the failure has occurred at least five times. The contact state that failure was do to the brake calipers not working correctly. The contact stated that while driving she was alerted by another driver that the driver's side front tire was on fire. The contact had to extinguish the flames and had the vehicle towed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the diagnosis was the brake calipers had failed. The contact also mentioned that the vehicle fails to start. The manufacture was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000.

Filed Jan 21, 2019 · Electrical · 86,000 miles · TN · fire

My driver's side door to my 2012 jeep liberty caught fire. The door started to smoke once I started the ignition. I smelled a burning smell and then I notice smoke coming out of the driver side window seal. I pulled off to the side of the road, and turned off the ignition. I notice the smoke continued to worsen even though I turned off the ignition. The smoke became small flame quickly. I crawled to the passenger side of the car to exit. I called 911 the fire dept was dispatched to put out the fire. Once they got there they removed the battery cables from the battery under the hood sprayed the whole entire jeep inside and out. Its was scary to know something I work so hard to have and pay for caught on fire like that. I can't believe that I was driving around in something that was a fire hazard and unsafe. Thank god I survived through something so dangerous. All of this took place on a city street. I wasn't able to recover much of my belongings because of all the water that was used by the fire department to put the fire out.

Filed Jan 22, 2018 · Engine · 69,400 miles · MA · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2012 jeep liberty. While driving 60 MPH, the contact was alerted by another motorist to evacuate the vehicle. Upon exiting the vehicle, the contact noticed that vehicle was engulfed in flames. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard where it was deemed destroyed. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 69,400. *bf

Filed May 6, 2015 · Engine · 47,000 miles · MO · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 jeep liberty. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the engine warning light illuminated and there was smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle ignited into flames. The fire department extinguished the fire and a police and a fire report were filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000.

Filed Jul 16, 2014 · Body, Electrical · 36,000 miles · LA · fire

I was coming home from work, as I turned onto my exit there was a pop sound and then it started hissing and smoking. I slowed down and pulled over and got out of the vehicle. It started to smoke, caught on fire and burned totally up before my eyes. I have only had this vehicle for six (6) months.

Filed Jun 10, 2014 · Electrical · 29,000 miles · PA

October 2013 ceiling lights came on and would not go out. Headliner got hot enough that I thought it might catch on fire. In march of 2014 electrical problem. Headlights went out with only a reddish cast for lights. No heater fan, no radio no light inside doors lock on their own without car running (good way to lock keys in) after a couple of days everything went back to normal. Its like there is a dead short somewhere. And the eco system I don't believe is working. Gas mileage is atrocious.

Filed Mar 15, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 15,600 miles · MO · fire · 1 injury

Februray 26, 2012 8;30 am .I had been driving jeep liberty for about 2 hours, parked in parking lot,went shopping , started up,and was driving my jeep liberty and notice smoke in the vehicle then I noticed a burning yellow smoke and flames coming from my drivers side door control panel , as quickly as I could I stopped jeep into parking lot , at that time my windows where malfunctioning and the vehicle was fully engulfed with yellow smoke ,turned vehicle off could not get seat belt unhooked,turned switch on put in park and then got seat belt unhook pulled keys out of ignition climb over to passenger side door to open door and then opened driver side door and threw snow and water on door to put fire out.. . Stood there in shock for a moment, second time I drove wifes vehicle and it caught on fire 5 months old!!! Noticed that the smoke in the vehicle was starting to dispensed and clearing out . Noticed window switches had melted and sank into door,burned fingers openening driver side door. Reached in and turned key back on ,at that point the vehicle started to smoke again , threw the window and speaker of drivers side door ,turned key off threw more water in door panel and again smoke slowly dispensed . I was moments from entering a interstate and the thought of what would have happened to myself if I would have not been able to get off the road in time !! I have been a master mechanic for 30 years and have never seen such a thing happen in any type of vehicle before.I took vehichle to dealer ,jeep chrysler was contacted ,dealership monkeys acussed me of jamming some thing in switch,what a bunch of crap.. Jeep said they could not do anything to claim it on my insurance !!!!!! Dealer ship is trying to force jeep too look at problem this vehicle is only 5 mos old and this should have never happened. I'm glad to see this problem regesterd with you... Updated 08-20-14 *bf updated 08/21/2014

Filed Feb 3, 2013 · Lights · 2,339 miles · IN

Had vehicle at dealership about 3 weeks prior for a heavy burning smell inside and out side of vehicle.smelled like burnt wiring. Was told by dealer it was a sticker on the exhaust pipe. Was told it was fine and might smell it for a short time..smell is still there and last night vehicle was on snow covered road with on coming traffic and the headlights and all interior lights were lost.. Headlight switch was moved back and fourth from auto, on, and off numerous times till lights came back on and it did it again on the way home in the morning. Going to take it back to dealer about an hour away for the second time.. Not sure why chrysler doesnt take time to look at things properly and listen to the owners. A sticker burning off doesnt smell like burnt wiring..

Filed May 20, 2012 · Electrical · 10,200 miles · NY · fire

On fri may 11, 2012 8;30 am .I was driving my jeep liberty and notice a strong odor in the vehicle then I noticed a burning black smoke coming from my drivers side door control panel , as quickly as I could I pulled off the road into a parking lot , at that time my windows where malfunctioning and the vehicle was fully engulfed with black smoke turned vehicle off and took keys out of ignition climb over to passenger side door to exit vehicle and got two children out from the back of the vehicle . Stood there in shock for a moment , and noticed that the smoke in the vehicle was starting to dispensed and clearing out . At this point I called the dealership service and told them what happened and needed emergency tow. When the tow truckdriver got to the location , he the stated he needed to put the keys in the ignition in order to put the vehicle into (n) in order to tow . Noticed window switches had melted and sank into door, at that point the vehicle started to smoke again but increased threw the window and speaker of drivers side door , tow driver pulled keys out of ignition and again smoke slowly dispensed . Tow dragged vehicle onto tow truck instead. 20 min later dealership called stated that my vehicle went on fire at their location and needed to be put out with two fire extinguishers. ?? I was moments from entering a parkway and the thought of what would have happened to myself and family if I would have not been able to get off the road in time !! Its been 9 days and at this time jeep chrysler was contacted but still has not respond to this situation? Or has contacted me , my personal insurance as given me a claim number, this vehicle is only 6 mos old and this should have never happened. *tr..updated 09-09-14 *bf updated 09/10/2014