2005 Jeep Liberty problems, complaints & recalls

2005 Jeep Liberty recalls (3)

• Recall 18V278000May 1, 2018239,904 vehicles
  SUSPENSION:REAR

  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.

• Recall 13V252000Jun 19, 20131,560,000 vehicles
  FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY · STRUCTURE

  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).

• Recall 12V085000Mar 5, 2012346,900 vehicles
  SUSPENSION:REAR

  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.

NHTSA defect investigations

• EA12005Opened Jun 12, 2012Closed Nov 14, 2014led to recall 13V252000

  Crash Related Fuel Tank Fires

  ODI has completed an extensive analysis of rear crash fuel tank system integrity data for the subject Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Liberty vehicles (SVs).As of June 2013, ODI knew of 56 post-collision fatal fires, 28 non-fatal fires, and 6 fuel leak incidents (totaling 90 incidents, 75 fatalities and 58 injuries) involving the SVs.Based on this analysis, ODI issued a Recall Request Letter (RRL) on June 3, 2013 requesting that Chrysler recall the Grand Cherokee and Liberty vehicles due to the rate of fatal, non-fatal fire, and fuel leak incidents when compared to peer vehicles (compact and…

• EA11013Opened Sep 15, 2011Closed Mar 14, 2012led to recall 12V085000

  Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure

  In a letter dated March 2, 2012 Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) submitted a Defect Information Report (NHTSA recall No. 12V-085) to the NHTSA identifying a safety defect regarding rear suspension lower control arm corrosion in approximately 210,000 model year (MY) 2004 and 2005 Jeep Liberty vehicles, originally sold or currently registered in a Salt-belt state (Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the Dist…

• PE11013Opened Apr 18, 2011Closed Sep 15, 2011

  Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure

  During Preliminary Evaluation (PE11-013), the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) conducted an analysis of consumer field data from its Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) database and from complaint data submitted to ODI by Chrysler. ODI's analysis of VOQ data identified 13 complaints alleging failure of either the right or left rear lower control arm due to excessive corrosion.All of these complaints were associated with vehicles originally sold or registered in a salt belt state (for the purposes of this investigation, 'salt belt' includes Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Mai…

• PE07041Opened Aug 8, 2007Closed Dec 7, 2007

  Diesel fuel leak

  Overheating of the electrical connector at the fuel heater on the fuel filter / water separator assembly can cause a fuel leak through the electrical connection.operators report the smell of diesel fuel, smoke, difficulty starting and/or poor engine operation.the fuel leakage is reported by some operators as seepage, wetness, several drops, and an oz per minute.evidence of overheating of the connection was observed by some operators and reported as burned or discolored electrical connection at the fuel heater.seven operators report smelling or seeing smoke.one reported a vehicle engine compart…

• EA06008Opened May 31, 2006Closed Aug 24, 2006led to recall 06V288000

  Front suspension ball joint separation

  On january 6, 2006, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation to investigate alleged front suspension lower ball joint separationin certain model year (my) 2004 jeep liberty vehicles.odi sent a letter to the manufacturer on february 7, 2006 requesting information about these and other jeep liberty vehicles.consequently, the investigation was upgraded to an engineering analysis on may 31, 2006 and the range of subject vehicles under investigation was expanded to include all my 2002-2006 jeep liberty vehicles.odi is aware of 566 non-duplicative complaints alleging…

Recent 2005 Jeep Liberty complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Mar 22, 2026CAOther / Unknown

   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?

   NHTSA complaint #11726196 · source
2. Filed Oct 1, 2025200,000 miVATowedSuspensionTransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11690719 · source
3. Filed Jun 16, 2025NJSteering

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11667311 · source
4. Filed Jun 16, 2025NJSuspension

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11667307 · source
5. Filed Jan 19, 2024TNCrashSteeringSuspensionWheels & Tires

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11566413 · source
6. Filed Dec 20, 2023225,000 miTXTowedSuspension

   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.…

   NHTSA complaint #11561064 · source
7. Filed Jul 15, 2023TXWheels & Tires

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11532507 · source
8. Filed Nov 5, 2022NCSeats & Seat Belts

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11492431 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology