2005 Jeep Liberty
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2001 | 10 |
| 2002 | 1808 |
| 2003 | 1350 |
| 2004 | 1100 |
| 2005 | 1118 |
| 2006 | 1371 |
| 2007 | 703 |
| 2008 | 541 |
| 2009 | 108 |
| 2010 | 197 |
| 2011 | 180 |
| 2012 | 385 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
24% of complaints: suspension — 272 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing lower ball joint and rear.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240119
Also filed under STEERING and WHEELS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP LIBERTY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. NO ONE WAS INJURED DURING THE CRASH.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120309
17% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 192 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY16% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 184 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tank assembly and delivery.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
A MINOR IMPACT INTO THE REAR OF A 2005 JEEP LIBERTY BY A MID SIZE LEXUS SUV TRAVELING ABOUT 15 TO 20 MPH CAUSED THE POORLY DESIGNED AND POORLY LOCATED PLASTIC GAS TANK OF THE JEEP TO RUPTURE AND LEAK PROFUSELY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20060201
12% of complaints: structure — 137 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and underbody shields.
CRASH INJURY9% of complaints: power train — 98 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and torque converter.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP LIBERTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REVERSING IN A PARKING SPACE, THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED AND HE EXITED THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171205
Also filed under ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP LIBERTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE REAR WHEELS SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A CURB.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120316
SAFETY TIMELINE
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 SH
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 DAIMLE
Campaign 05V460000 — check if this car was fixed
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 S
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.
Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed
FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT SEPARATION
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 EXPE
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.
Campaign 06V288000 — check if this car was fixed
DIESEL FUEL LEAK
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 INSTE
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 1-518-270-98
Campaign 09E039000 — check if this car was fixed
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
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
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, IOW
Campaign 12V085000 — check if this car was fixed
Crash Related Fuel Tank Fires
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 desi
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 a
Campaign 12E047000 — check if this car was fixed
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
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
Campaign 13V252000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 18V278000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2005 Jeep Liberty — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (272 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (192 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (184 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 05V460000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06V288000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E039000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 12V085000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 12E047000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V252000 (fuel system, gasoline, structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V278000 (suspension) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2005 Jeep Liberty reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Jeep Liberty is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Jeep Liberty?
The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 Jeep Liberty have?
8 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.