Recall 13V121 covers 62,578 2007-2008 Liberty and Nitro vehicles for a heat shield that can break the drive shaft. Repair is free at Jeep dealers.
Jeep is recalling 62,578 2007-2008 Liberty and Nitro 4X2 vehicles because the transfer case heat shield can drop and rub the drive shaft, weakening it until it breaks. A broken drive shaft can trigger unintended airbag deployment or cause loss of motive power, increasing crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The transfer case heat shield is a metal barrier mounted near the driveline on affected 2007-2008 Jeep Liberty and Nitro SUVs. Its job is to keep exhaust and drivetrain heat away from nearby parts while leaving the drive shaft clear to spin underneath the vehicle.
In this recall, the heat shield can drop out of position. When it hangs too low, it rubs against the drive shaft, the rotating tube that carries power toward the rear wheels. That contact weakens the shaft over time. If the shaft breaks, the driveline loses its normal connection and the vehicle no longer behaves as designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem develops underneath the SUV, and the filing does not identify a dashboard light, sound, or other reliable notice before the drive shaft breaks.
Who's affected?
The included Liberty and Nitro SUVs are tied to air bag, body-structure, and driveline components across the 2007 and 2008 model years.
| 2008 Jeep Liberty | air bag system |
|---|---|
| 2008 Dodge Nitro | body or structural component |
| 2008 Dodge Nitro | air bag system |
| 2008 Dodge Nitro | driveline |
| 2008 Jeep Liberty | body or structural component |
| 2008 Jeep Liberty | driveline |
| 2007 Dodge Nitro | body or structural component |
| 2007 Dodge Nitro | air bag system |
| 2007 Dodge Nitro | driveline |
| Units affected | 62,578 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the drive shaft breaks, part of it can hit the transfer case tunnel hard enough to trigger airbag deployment. The same failure also causes loss of motive power. Either condition increases crash risk. Check your VIN, and if it is included, schedule the recall repair. Repair will be free at any franchised Jeep dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2007-2008 Jeep Liberty or Nitro is included in this recall.
- Watch for the owner notice, then contact a franchised Jeep dealer about the free heat-shield bracket repair.
- Reference recall number 13V121 and Jeep recall N10 when you call the dealer.
- Schedule the heat-shield bracket repair that keeps the shield from rubbing the drive shaft and weakening it.
- Drive carefully until the repair is complete, and stop driving if you hear scraping or vibration from under the vehicle.
What happens at the repair
The dealer repair will be free once available. At the dealer, a Jeep technician adds a support bracket at the rear of the transfer case heat shield so the shield stays clear of the drive shaft. That repair addresses the loose heat shield described in recall 13V121 and keeps it from rubbing the drive shaft. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. The owner letter was mailed on May 29, 2013, so use campaign number N10 when you call the dealer.
Timeline
| April 3, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 27, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V121?
Recall 13V121 covers 62,578 2007-2008 Jeep Liberty and Nitro vehicles with a transfer case heat shield that can drop and rub against the drive shaft. The damaged drive shaft can break, trigger airbag deployment, or cause loss of motive power, increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2007-2008 Jeep Liberty or Nitro is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 13V121. If it is, contact a franchised Jeep dealer and ask for the heat shield support bracket repair. Reference recall number 13V121 or Chrysler campaign N10 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 13V121, the dealer adds a bracket to support the rear of the transfer case heat shield free of charge.
Is it safe to drive with recall 13V121 open?
The recall does not include a do-not-drive order. The risk is still real: if the drive shaft breaks, it can cause airbag deployment or loss of motive power and increase crash risk. Confirm your VIN and schedule the free dealer repair.
What if I bought this Jeep Liberty or Nitro used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. If you never received the owner letter mailed on May 29, 2013, check your VIN and call a franchised Jeep dealer with recall number 13V121.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V121000 |
|---|---|
| Jeep customer service | 1-800-247-9753 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V121 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V121000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →