341 of the 11,711 complaints filed about the Jeep Liberty are about the steering — 3% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2002.
341
Complaints
3%
Share of all complaints
60
Crashes
2
Fires
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The lower ball joint on passenger side failed. Didn't notice any symptoms prior to it breaking. I understand that it was apparently under recall. It was repaired around the recall date but it failed again and is considered recurring failure.
NHTSA complaint #11748340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while turning the steering wheel to the left or the right, the steering wheel was difficult to turn due to a loss of power steering assist. There was a grinding sound while turning the steering wheel. The sound was loud enough to hear outside of the vehicle. There was an unknown orange warning light displayed briefly. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact found information online related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V119000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #11723481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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Vehicle: 2006 Jeep Liberty VIN: [XXX] Summary: The front lower ball joint on my 2006 Jeep Liberty failed while the vehicle was in normal use. This failure matches the defect described in NHTSA Recall 06V288000 (Chrysler F23), which involves corrosion and separation of the front lower ball joints. My VIN does not currently show this recall as open, but the failure occurred exactly as described in the recall documentation. Details: In November 2025, the front end of the vehicle collapsed due to a lower ball joint separation. The joint failed without warning, causing loss of steering control. The vehicle had to be towed home by AAA. The failure is consistent with the recall condition involving water intrusion, corrosion, and separation of the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle. The vehicle still has other open recalls (fuel tank and rear lower control arms), but the front lower ball joint recall does not appear as open in the NHTSA VIN lookup. I believe the recall may have been incorrectly marked as completed in the past, or the original repair was not performed or not performed correctly. The defect has clearly recurred. Safety Concern: This is a serious safety hazard. The ball joint separation caused sudden loss of steering and could have resulted in a crash. The defect is identical to the condition described in Recall 06V288000. Requested Action: I am requesting that NHTSA review this case and require Chrysler/Stellantis to perform the recall repair for the front lower ball joints, as the defect has reoccurred and the recall never expires. I also request verification of whether the recall was ever properly completed on this VIN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11713720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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Subject: Inquiry Regarding Ball Joint and Control Arm Issues on My 2007 Jeep Liberty Dear support tech, I am writing to express my concerns regarding recurring issues with my 2007 Jeep Liberty, specifically with the driver-side ball joint and control arm. In 2019, I had the driver-side ball joint replaced at Firestone. However, on [XXX], I experienced a serious issue when the wheel became stuck while reversing out of a parking space. Fortunately, it occurred at low speed, and the vehicle was towed through my insurance. A family member was able to fix it temporarily. More recently, on February 25, 2025, I had new wheels installed at Firestone, where I was informed that there is an issue with both the front control arm and the left and right ball joints. Given that I don’t drive at high speeds and use the vehicle less frequently now, this seems unusual and concerning. I’ve seen reports about similar issues with same model and year (Reddit, jeep forums). Could this be a recurring problem specific to the Liberty model as I have seen there’s a recall for 2002-2006? I genuinely love my vehicle, but I’m growing frustrated with the ongoing repairs and costs. I would appreciate your insight into whether this is a known issue and what steps I can take to resolve it permanently. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11660275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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I have a 2004 Jeep Liberty and while DRIVING AND MAKING TURNS, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. THE NOISE WAS ALSO HEARD WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. I got woke up this morning with the alarm going off.. no one was around the Jeep.. I know this because I have security cameras.. my husband check the fuse box and inside they were water in the fuse box..which it rain last night and I don’t know how it is getting wet.. my lights are wanted to stay on. And when I turn the ignition off my Jeep off wants to continue running.. I have had it to several different mechanics and no one seems to know exactly what the problem is.. please help me fix this problem..
NHTSA complaint #11586050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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Well my 2002 jeep liberty has been messed up lately,it will just not crank so I thought it was the battery but it turned out to be the ignition switch also it did this off an on for about 6months ,the heat went out when I bought it and it will act as if it is overheating but it won't do anything for while then all of my windows have problems with the motor s in them the suspension, control arms I've had to change ,and the cruise control button will stick and keep going while you are driving it almost caused me to wreck on the interstate you have to turn the vehicle completely off once you get it to stop if you can get it to stop. out of all the vehicles I've had this is the first to take off by itself
NHTSA complaint #11570910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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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?
NHTSA complaint #11566413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The ball joint and cv axle broke making me wreck. I had no control of the steering.
NHTSA complaint #11503737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle lurched to the right out of the lane. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality and excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle back into the lane. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated the failure had become constant and had stopped driving the vehicle. The contact towed the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rack and pinon, power steering kit, and brakes needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred after retrieving the vehicle from the dealer. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.
NHTSA complaint #11492909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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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
NHTSA complaint #11490828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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AIRBAG LIGHT ON AIRBAG MAKING NOISE DOORS AND WINDOWS UNLOCK ON ITS OWN STEERING WHEEL
NHTSA complaint #11477474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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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.
NHTSA complaint #11447418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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Right stering arm broke when I hit a pot hole
NHTSA complaint #11446691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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My back rear control arms/suspension/alignment were recalled, I had them replaced. Now My front control arms/suspension/alignment are very unsafe to drive. Wobbly, unstable, loose, noises, screeching. It Feels like it’s going to break/snap/fall off. Yes my vehicle is available for inspection. I feel unsafe on turns especially. It could snap at any moment and my Jeep could roll injuring me or others. I had a tire/allignment center check the status. No warning lights or messages. The sound and issue has been going on since I got my jeep recall fixed. The dealership hit the front of my Jeep in the parking lot and still has not taken responsibility for their actions and damages done to my Jeep. It was evaluated from Jeep’s body/auto shop estimating at outer damage 1,500$ + and they have not inspected the damage caused to the control arm/suspension/alignment from the employee hitting me Jeep into something moments before returning my Jeep from a recall-fix. Jeeo still has yet to take responsibility for the damages caused. I have not felt safe since then. The steering has been wobbly, the turns make noise and shudder like the wheel is going to break off/fall off or worse snap. I have tried numerous attempts to get these issues resolved with Jeep Liberty of San Diego Camino del rio s. With no responsibility taken from them for the damages they have caused making me Jeep unsafe to drive.
NHTSA complaint #11439944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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Drivers side lower ball joint catastrophic failure with no warning signs evident except split boot(s). Separation/break from upper control arm, tie rod and steering assembly at low speed reverse. NHTSA Recall ID: 06V288000 (Daimler-Chrysler Notification Code: F23) of lower ball joints performed by Chrysler authorized dealer/repair station 2007. Dealer contacted two (2) weeks prior to incident to coordinate possible re-repair and/or consideration of faulty OEM parts used in original recall. Consumer stated gas smell around his car and inside.
NHTSA complaint #11429217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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Control arm just instantly broke while I was driving down the highway. I didn't know about the recall till I seen it on web site so no authorities were contacted.
NHTSA complaint #11425600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the steering wheel would shake with the vehicle wobbling. The contact stated that the vehicle was out of alignment. The contact informed the original owner of the failure, who then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ball joint was faulty, but only performed an alignment. The failure recurred. The dealer was made aware of the failure but did not diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was 98,500.
NHTSA complaint #11422769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while reversing and making a left turn, the front driver’s side ball joint fractured and the lower control arm detached. The steering wheel also shook and jerked while driving approximately 50 mph. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was a recall repaired in 2006, for the ball joints. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 102,000.
NHTSA complaint #11421252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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MY VEHICLE IS A 6 YR OLD LOW MILEAGE CHEVY EQUINOX THE STABILITRAK LIGHT CAME UP AS WELL AS THE SERVICE POWER STREERING. IT HAS ALSO LOST POWER IN THE HIGHWAY AND STALLS OR WON'T ACCELERATE AT TIMES WHICH MAKES IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE I COULD GET HIT BY SOMEONE IN THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE REPLACED O THEN SENSOR WHICH COST ME $400 BUT NOT FIXED I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND THEY REPLACED SOME FUSES AND SENSORS ANOTHER $500 STILL NOT FIXED. THE CAR IS NOW BACH AT THE DEALERSHIP AND IT HAS BEEN A FEW DAYS. THIS SEEMS TO BE. VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE EQUINOX AS I HAVE SPOKEN TO A FEW PEOPLE WHO OWN ONE AND THEY JUST ENDED UP TRADING THEIR CAR. I DON'T WANT ANOTHER CAR PAYMENT AND FOR A 6 YEAR OLD CAR WITH LOW MILEAGE THIS IS NOT NORMAL
NHTSA complaint #11402726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.