2005 Jeep Liberty

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 1,118 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the fuel/propulsion system. It has been recalled 8 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

764 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,00090,000 miles; the median is 69,985 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Fuel/Propulsion System171
201
Fuel System, Gasoline158
111
Suspension118
701
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint92
604
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls51
000
Steering34
504
Structure › Body31
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission31
120
Power Train28
322
Electrical System28
141

8 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Suspension › Rear18V278000
Filed May 1, 2018239,904 vehiclesChrysler (fca Us Llc)

Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2004-2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles. The rear suspension lower control arms can fracture due to excessive corrosion, causing a loss of vehicle control.

Risk. A fractured control arm can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lower control arms, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U38. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 12V-085. Vehicles included in that campaign are not included in this recall.

Structure13V252000
Filed Jun 19, 20131,560,000 vehiclesChrysler Group Llc

Defect. Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles. The fuel tanks in these vehicles are at risk of failure and leakage in certain rear impacts.

Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Remedy. Owners may take their vehicles to dealers and the dealers will perform a free inspection of the rear structure. On vehicles in the recall that are not equipped with a tow hitch, Chrysler will install a Chrysler designed tow hitch free of charge, provided the condition of the vehicle can support proper installation. On vehicles in the recall that are equipped with an aftermarket tow hitch, Chrysler will assess whether the hitch and surrounding areas show evidence of sharp edges or other puncture risks. If so, Chrysler will replace the tow hitch with a Chrysler designed tow hitch free of charge, provided the condition of the vehicle can support proper installation. On vehicles already equipped with a Chrysler designed tow hitch, Chrysler will inspect the area around the tow hitch installation, and if any installation issues are identified, they will be repaired free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign numbers are N45 (for the Grand Cherokee vehicles) and N46 (for the Liberty vehicles).

Suspension › Front › Hub12E047000
Filed Oct 22, 2012892 vehiclesTimken Corporation

Defect. Timken is recalling certain non-formed, front wheel hubs, part number HA599467, which were sold to retail and automotive distributors in the automobile aftermarket as front wheel hub replacements designed only for use on certain 2002 through 2005, 4X4, non-ABS, Jeep Liberty vehicles. These front wheel hub units can be mistakenly sold to owners and installed on 4X2 versions of the Jeep vehicles.

Risk. If the non-formed hub unit is installed on a Jeep Liberty 4x2 model (which does not use an axle nut for hub retention), the vehicle wheel will not be secure and a front wheel separation may occur, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Timken has notified retail stores that have received the subject parts. The front wheel hubs will be replaced free of charge. Owners who may have purchased the affected units should contact Timken at 1-330-471-3693 for more information. This recall is being conducted by Timken, not Chrysler/Jeep.

Suspension › Rear12V085000
Filed Mar 5, 2012346,900 vehiclesChrysler Group Llc

Defect. IN JUNE 2012, CHRYSLER EXPANDED THIS RECALL TO INCLUDE MODEL YEAR 2006 AND 2007 JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLES, REPRESENTING AN ADDITIONAL 137,176 VEHICLES. THIS RECALL NOW CONCERNS CERTAIN MY 2004-2007 JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLES. THE TOTAL NUMBER VEHICLES BEING RECALLED IS NOW 346,900. THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 3, 2003 THROUGH JUNE 29, 2007. THE RECALL ADDRESSES THOSE VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS THAT CAN EXPERIENCE A REAR SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURE DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION DUE TO APPLICATION OF ROAD SALTS DURING WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Risk. A FRACTURE OF THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND MAY LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 26, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Suspension09E039000
Filed Jun 19, 200944 vehiclesRock Krawler/Pure Performance Group, Inc

Defect. ROCK KRAWLER IS RECALLING 44 PERFORMANCE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE. THESE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS WERE PRODUCED WITH GRADE 2 CARRIAGE BOLTS INSTEAD OF THE PROPER GRADE 5 CARRIAGE BOLTS. THE IMPROPER GRADE 2 CARRIAGE BOLTS COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF CLAMPING FORCE FOR THE BOTTOM STRUT FORK.

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF EFFECTIVE LIFT AND LOWERING OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLE, POSSIBLY CREATING THE DRIVER TO PANIC WHICH COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. ROCK KRAWLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15. 2008. ALL THE AFFECTED UNTITS HAVE BEEN REMEDIED. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ROCK KRAWLER AT 1-518-270-9822.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint06V288000
Filed Aug 3, 2006826,687 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE CONSTANT TENSION FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS MAY EXPERIENCE CONTAMINATION. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD WITH THIS CONDITION, THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE WEAR AND LOOSENESS.

Risk. WHEN THE DRIVER CONTINUES TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE WITH THIS CONDITION, THE CONTAMINATION CAN LEAD TO CORROSION, ACCELERATED WEAR AND POSSIBLY SEPARATION FROM THE STEERING KNUCKLE CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Exterior Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission05V460000
Filed Oct 6, 2005256,409 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 42RLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE CUP PLUG THAT RETAINS THE PARK PAWL ANCHOR SHAFT MAY BE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. IF THE SHAFT MOVES OUT OF POSITION, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE 'PARK' POSITION.

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS AND THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED, THE VEHICLE MAY ROLL AWAY AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSIONS AND INSTALL A BRACKET TO ENSURE THE PARK PAWL ANCHOR SHAFT IS RETAINED IN THE PROPER POSITION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 28, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 22, 2026CA

I recieved the car from a private party and he stated no issues but since older car and now registration is due it states theres still an open recall is this vehicle still covered for it?

Power TrainCrash
Filed Oct 20, 2025KY

The ball joint broke while I was driving I lost all control of vehicle

Suspension
Filed Oct 1, 2025200,000 milesVA

The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle was shaking erratically. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transfer case and transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transfer case and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The contact researched NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V278000 (Suspension). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to submit the repair documents regarding the failure. In addition, the contact was informed that the replacement of the transfer case and the transmission replacement were not covered under the recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline and report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Suspension
Filed Jun 16, 2025NJ

I was driving on a bridge and my ball joint broke. Blew a hole through my tire and my rim and the fender flare blew off. I had had that same ball joint replaced approximately two years prior maybe sooner. I got this Jeep in 2017 and I have replaced the driver side ball joint twice the passenger side ball joint once and the ball joints look bad again.

Steering
Filed Jun 16, 2025NJ

Today 6/16/2025 I’m having trouble turning to the right and left leaving from a stop sign we checked to be sure power steering fluid is full and it is. The person who checked the power steering fluid level, said that there is rubber grommets under the hood with the suspension and staring that look like they are all decayed or dry rotted. I have not had a problem with it breaking yet, but I’m sure that’s coming. Not sure it’s safe to drive.

SuspensionCrash
Filed Jan 19, 2024TN

About 6 months ago the passenger side front end to hit the ground, just after going 60 miles an hour thankfully turning in daughter's driveway. Lower ball joint passenger side came apart. On Monday doing 35 mph the driver side hits the pavement hard! Luckily I ditched in a driveway on the left! The tire slammed into the fender well breaking the plastic there and the piece that goes back under the doors? Ball joint broke completely into? I'm on my third day of working in the rain alongside a road repairing this?

Suspension
Filed Dec 20, 2023225,000 milesTX

The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle swerved to the left across three lanes of traffic and the contact turned the steering wheel to the right to prevent the vehicle from veering to the left. The contact then stopped on the shoulder of the highway. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the Police were on scene and determined that the vehicle could not be driven. The contact stated the Police Officer picked up the ball joint that had detached from the driver’s side front suspension of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle had not been taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 06V288000 (Suspension). The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 225,000.

Tires
Filed Jul 15, 2023TX

P235/70R16 The car was parked, when I left on the morning of July 14 to go to work, it had already exploded. I thought it was the excess heat but the strange thing was the separation that occurred.

Seats
Filed Nov 5, 2022NC

While driving on a long trip, a burning smell was noticed. The heated seats had not been turned on, as they are rarely used & the indicator light for the heated seats was not on. When the driver stopped to inspect, the back of the seat had burned through the lumbar support pillow. The seat is severely charred and damaged through the inner foam layer of the seat. The seat will need to be replaced. The driver could have been seriously injured if the seat had caught fire. Jeep was notified, but expressed absolutely no concern & offered no assistance. An online review revealed that this is a known problem for Chrysler/Jeep (in particular Jeep Liberty) and there have been severe injuries. How many instances must occur before a safety recall occurs? We had no idea that this safety concern existed prior to our own experience.

Wheels
Filed Oct 25, 2022IN

Lower ball joints gave out on driver’s side while turning, snapping the wheel/tire from the car and dropping vehicle down abruptly. Dealership who fixed the lower control arm and hitch recalls, did not fix and said there was no Lower Ball Joint recall- which was a confirmed recall and lead to vehicle damage and safety hazard

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 27, 2022NY

The connection "bolt" { situated under the vehicle} between the transmission Shift lever and the rod responsible for actually shifting between park, neutral,, forward and reverse transmission gears completely` rusted away.( See attached picture) causing a complete disconnect rendering the gear shift lever useless. The component is available for inspection upon request? It was shear luck that I was in slow city driving when I realized that the vehicle was damaged and not drivable. Until a final repair is made the vehicle is "dead in the water" so to speak. If this failure occurred during a trip, in an isolated place, I would have been abandoned and helpless as soon as I stopped. The fact that the "bolt" situated under the chassis was made of metal that rusted is incomprehensible to me, especially in a vehicle that is sold as suitable for "rough riding" over rocky terrain, through streams and generally roughing it. Common sense dictates that this critical part should have been constructed of sturdier stuff , not metal that rusts. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? I can't afford to have it repaired at this time. The vehicle or component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.

Suspension
Filed Mar 2, 2022157,000 milesNJ

The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, the suspension suddenly failed, causing the front end of the vehicle to drop down and the vehicle became undrivable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front driver's side lower ball joint had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure but did not offer any assistance. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 22, 2022NJ

I have a 2005 Jeep liberty renegade, there was recall issued (N46 Trailer Hitch recall) I contacted Chrysler Customer Care. they sent me this, [XXX] Hello [XXX] Thank you for contacting Jeep Customer Care. We have received your email stating you are about to purchase this 2005 Jeep Liberty and understand your concern with a recall that has not been completed. We are happy to look into this for you. After review of the vehicle information we have found that the N46 Trailer Hitch recall has not been completed. Jeep attempts to perform recall repairs regardless of the vehicle age or the recall issue date. Any authorized dealership will be happy to repair the vehicle within the terms of the recall at no charge to you. Please contact us at [XXX] if you require additional assistance. Best wishes, [XXX] Jeep Customer Care I contacted Pine Belt of Lakewood NJ and got this response [XXX] Wed, Jan 19 at 1:13 PM We can not work on this vehicle at this time because we are not taking new customers . [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Steering
Filed Jan 13, 2022MO

I was traveling on the highway at about 60 mph, hit a small bump in the highway and nearly lost total control. Pulled over and came to a complete stop. Re-entered the highway and nearly lost control even at a slower speed, 55mph.

Suspension
Filed Dec 13, 2021MS

Slowly crossed railroad tracks ball joint came disconnected forcing disconnection of the front drive shaft

Suspension
Filed Nov 29, 202175,000 milesLA

The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, the front driver’s side wheel detached from the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 06V288000 (Suspension). The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the same symptoms. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but was unable to assist. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

Suspension
Filed Nov 12, 2021IN

I have a 2005 Jeep Liberty Sport. I was backing out of my driveway when I heard a crunching sound. I got out of the car and saw that the passenger side of my car was much lower than the driver's side. I noticed that their was windshield wiper fluid pouring out of the front end. Upon inspection, I noticed that the ball joint had snapped and the control arm was almost on the ground. Had I been able to get to the freeway as planned, I could have been seriously injured. I called to verify recall information and was informed that the ball joint recall issue had been resolved. However, with further investigation, it seems that this issue is happening after the repairs as well. I have attached pictures. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Nov 9, 2021PA

The rear window latch does not work. It will not open to latch the window closed with the back door. The window then opens when driving. I have a bungee cord holding my window closed. So anyone can enter my vehicle and it moves when I stop or go. I am ot able to use my back door due to having to redo it everytime. My driverside door also does not lock or unlock all the doors when I press the lock or unlock button. I have to open my door and shut off jeep and try numerous times for ot to work.

Suspension
Filed Oct 26, 20219,000 milesVA

The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V278000 (Suspension) was completed. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, she heard abnormal sounds coming from the rear-end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 9,000.

Suspension
Filed Sep 27, 2021SC

In the past 15 months (recently as last week) I've had to replace the ball joints in the front end. We are the original owner and have the same address when purchased. I see there was a recall notice but i was never informed. NHTSA Recall #06V288000. The repair on 9/210/21 repair was a total of $516.00. The repair in 6/2020 was $516.00 as well. Lower ball joint - $136 Upper control arm - $130 Labor - $250

20 of 1,118 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2002
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20123852140Above average
2011181320Routine
2010197240Routine
2009108120Routine
2008541540Above average
20077037120Above average
20061,37210191Fatalities reported
2005 — this page1,1188275Fatalities reported
20041,10013392Fatalities reported
20031,35113113Fatalities reported
20021,80814214Fatalities reported
200110001Fatalities reported
20006000Routine

Compare every Liberty year →

Reading this record

5 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 1, 2018. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.