516 of the
11,711 complaints filed about the Jeep Liberty
are about the transmission —
4% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2005.
516
Complaints
4%
Share of all complaints
41
Crashes
15
Fires
Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year
Always had Transmissions / power train problems with it until now my mechanic and his Transmissions specialist said that I need a new transmission. They and all other mechanics and people who owned these jeeps or known people who owned these jeeps said they have major Transmissions / power train problems that eventually require new Transmissions on short timings compared to all other vehicles.
NHTSA complaint #11720288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11690719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle gears slipped into neutral but back to drive without assistance on my part. Once at a stop sign when I resumed driving. Once turning a corner. Once getting ready to back up. / I took it to have the transmission fluid level checked and it checked out ok. There have been no transmission recalls reported on the 2012 Jeep Liberty. The pan and filter had had a leak and was replaced a couple of weeks before this slippage happened
NHTSA complaint #11621238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the contact became aware of an abnormal wobbling coming from the front end of the vehicle. Additionally, there were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the local tire shop where the four tires were replaced and an alignment was performed; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that several days later while driving at an undisclosed speed, the gear shifter seized, and the vehicle turned off unintendedly. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, parked, and inspected the vehicle. The contact called a local mechanic who drove to the scene to diagnose the vehicle. The contact was informed that the VCM software needed to be updated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
NHTSA complaint #11617342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2007 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the fuel gauge failed to operate as intended. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle the fuel gauge failed to provide the proper fuel level. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with fuel injector failure. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated the failure occurred frequently after the vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was unavailable.
NHTSA complaint #11593891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY JEEP HAS BEEN BACK TO DEALER FOR OVER 23 SERVICES FROM RECALLS, DEFECTIVE PARTS, ALTERED PARTS, ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, REAR END, BRAKING AND MANY MORE ISSUES TO INCLUDE SHARP ITEMS PUSHES THRU SEATS HARMING PEOPLE
NHTSA complaint #11552038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the contact heard a clicking sounding and the vehicle lunged forward. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed by a dealer. The contact was referred to the dealer. The dealer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 73,000.
NHTSA complaint #11526969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2007 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 141,483.
NHTSA complaint #11511776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2004 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that after making a left turn, the front driver-side wheel detached and no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lower ball joints, the upper control arms, and the axle had to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 85,439.
NHTSA complaint #11489029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
.The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle delayed getting up to speed while making abnormally loud sounds. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond and stalled while making a turn. The check engine warning light and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road but could not restart the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. Then, the vehicle was towed to an independent transmission specialist, where it was diagnosed that the transmission torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11451004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My heater takes 45-60 mins to heat up my car, and it doesn’t blow full force when it’s on the highest setting. On cold days I literally have to start my car up 45 before I need to leave just to have a slight warmth inside. Once I’m moving, it barely blows any heat through the vents. The highest setting feels like it’s on the lowest setting.
NHTSA complaint #11450106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hello, my name is Jamie Woodley. I'm filing this complaint on my 2006 Jeep Liberty Sport. Currently, there's a recall for the Suspension Rear lower control arms. I've read the previous recalls on it, which I saw this vehicle has been reprogrammed before. I've only had the vehicle for a few months and I've had an oil leak, bad thermostat, and the transmission is busted. I can't reverse or drive over 10 mph. I heard the transmission may be in Fail Safe mode. I had Midas do a full inspection, but they failed to acknowledge the lower control arms by suggesting brakes. I knew it wasn't the brakes. The technician drove the vehicle after the brakes were done, but I still heard/felt a problem with the Suspension. There is a recall for that from 2018. I purchased the vehicle last year in March 2020. Also, the rear lift gate was dented when I bought it like the vehicle may have been in an accident. This was a vehicle I purchased for my 2 kids and I. This vehicle has been giving me problems since I bought it. The back driver's side window won't go all the way up. I have to keep a stick in between just to keep the window from falling all the way in the door. Definitely not a safe vehicle. My Engine stalled out on the free way while I was on my way to pick up my kids. After my oil change, no oil light came on. I am seeking help with any buy back programs or a valued trade in appraisal. I have a quote from Conrad's on how much it's going to cost to fix it and the price is over $3,000. I have extended warranty, but am unsure if it will cover any service requests. That is pretty outrageous that it's going to cost that much to fix it. I've been at Take 5 to keep up on the maintenance and was told I had an oil leak somewhere. On top of the brakes, I've spent money on 4 new tires, 6 ignition coils, an O2 Sensor, and I bought a New PCM/ECU computer I have yet to have installed. Feel free to contact me at the information I've provided. I'd be truly grateful for any assistance. Thanks!
NHTSA complaint #11442526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2007 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated while driving 32 mph, the "digital movement of the steering wheel instead of analog" warning message was displayed. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed needing the ball joints to be replaced. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 06V341000 (POWER TRAIN), however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000.
NHTSA complaint #11432272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
We had a fire in the engine compartment. Fire started at the engine manifold ! We took pictures of the damage! This could have killed my son in law ! We gifted the vehicle to him so it could be used as a station vehicle. A dangerous situation Exist ! There is no recall or acknowledgment of this problem being identified!
NHTSA complaint #11420737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT ON RIGHT SIDE HAS FELL OUT TWICE, 8 MONTHS APART. BOTH TIMES THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, GOING LESS THE 20 MPH. ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY, AND ON ON REGULAR PAVED ROAD. I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON THE ROAD BOTH TIMES. THE FIRST TIME IT BROKE, IT CAUSE MY WHEEL TO BREAK AND FLATTER MY TIRE, SECOND TIME IT DAMAGED MY WHEEL BUT DIDN'T NOT BUST THROUGH IT. MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE BROKE 2 TIMES AS WEEK 1 WEEK AFTER REPAIRED IT BROKE THE 2ND TIME. TRANSMISSION MOUNT HAS ALSO BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #11406562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.