Total Complaints
1460 filings
JEEP LIBERTY · model year
1460 NHTSA complaints, 104 crash reports, and 8 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2005JEEPLIBERTY carries 1460 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 104 crashes, 36 fires, 76 injuries, and 11 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 LIBERTY is fuel/propulsion system with 192 filings, followed by fuel system, gasoline (175) and suspension (147). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 8 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 5 investigation files overlapping the 2005 LIBERTY. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
1460 filings
Crashes Reported
104 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 192 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 175 |
| SUSPENSION | 147 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT | 94 |
| STRUCTURE | 69 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 61 |
| VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 58 |
| STEERING | 53 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 50 |
| POWER TRAIN | 40 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 36 |
| SEAT BELTS | 35 |
| AIR BAGS | 32 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 30 |
| ENGINE | 30 |
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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 D
SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB
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 wh
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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.
SUSPENSION
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 LOS
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
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 MAN
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
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.
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.
The ball joint broke while I was driving I lost all control of vehicle
The ball joint broke while I was driving I lost all control of vehicle
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.
Mileage: 200,000
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.
Mileage: 200,000
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.
Today 6/16/2025 Iâm 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 Iâm sure thatâs coming. Not sure itâs safe to drive.
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?
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?
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?
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 driverâs 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.
Mileage: 225,000
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.
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.
Lower ball joints gave out on driverâs 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
Lower ball joints gave out on driverâs 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
Lower ball joints gave out on driverâs 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
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 construc
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.
Mileage: 157,000
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 cus
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.
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.
Occupant Restraint Controller Failure
UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION
FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT SEPARATION
FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT SEPARATION
FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE MALFUNCTION
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.