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2005 Jeep Liberty: ball joint or control arm failure

223 of the 1,118 complaints about the 2005 Jeep Liberty describe ball joint or control arm failure.

owner complaints
223
of this car's complaints
20%
typical repair cost reported
$600
typical mileage
84,045
recalls
3
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls and 1 service bulletin for this area of the car. See below

Ball joint or control arm failure by model year

What owners say

Filed Oct 20, 2025 · Suspension, Transmission · KY · crash

The ball joint broke while I was driving I lost all control of vehicle

Filed Jun 16, 2025 · Suspension · NJ

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.

Filed Jan 19, 2024 · Steering, Suspension · TN · crash

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?

Filed Dec 20, 2023 · Suspension · 225,000 miles · TX

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 driver’s 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 the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 06V288000 (Suspension). The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 225,000.

Filed Oct 25, 2022 · Steering, Suspension · IN

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

Filed Mar 2, 2022 · Suspension · 157,000 miles · NJ

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.

Filed Dec 13, 2021 · Suspension · MS

Slowly crossed railroad tracks ball joint came disconnected forcing disconnection of the front drive shaft

Filed Nov 12, 2021 · Suspension, Wheels · IN

I have a 2005 Jeep Liberty Sport. I was backing out of my driveway when I heard a crunching sound. I got out of the car and saw that the passenger side of my car was much lower than the driver's side. I noticed that their was windshield wiper fluid pouring out of the front end. Upon inspection, I noticed that the ball joint had snapped and the control arm was almost on the ground. Had I been able to get to the freeway as planned, I could have been seriously injured. I called to verify recall information and was informed that the ball joint recall issue had been resolved. However, with further investigation, it seems that this issue is happening after the repairs as well. I have attached pictures. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Oct 26, 2021 · Suspension · 9,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated the recall repair of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V278000 (Suspension) was completed. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, she heard abnormal sounds coming from the rear-end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 9,000.

Filed Sep 27, 2021 · Suspension · SC

In the past 15 months (recently as last week) I've had to replace the ball joints in the front end. We are the original owner and have the same address when purchased. I see there was a recall notice but i was never informed. the federal safety agency Recall #06V288000. The repair on 9/210/21 repair was a total of $516.00. The repair in 6/2020 was $516.00 as well. Lower ball joint - $136 Upper control arm - $130 Labor - $250

Filed Sep 16, 2021 · Suspension · TN

Reversing out of a driveway went to turn wheel heard loud pop snap front passenger side went to ground fender popped lose discovered by tow that the lower ball joint had snapped and possible lower control arm

Filed Aug 30, 2021 · Suspension, Wheels · NV

Right upper ball joint control arm collapsed while in the drive-through at McDonald's could not move the car turn it or do anything it completely collapsed on the front right side due to corrosion of the lower ball joint and then I know this has been recalled however my car is not under the recall and I don't understand why because it was the same exact issue it's a Jeep Liberty

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Suspension: rearReported May 1, 2018 · 239,904 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 number 18V278000 · Recall details

Suspension: rearReported March 5, 2012 · 346,900 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 12V085000 · Recall details

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball jointReported August 3, 2006 · 826,687 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
When the driver continues to operate the vehicle with this condition, the contamination can lead to corrosion, accelerated wear and possibly separation from the steering knuckle causing a loss of vehicle steering control increasing the risk of a crash.
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.

Recall number 06V288000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2005 Jeep Liberty ball joint

Is ball joint or control arm failure a common problem on the 2005 Jeep Liberty?

223 of 1,118 owner complaints about the 2005 Jeep Liberty (20%) mention ball joint or control arm failure. The model year with the most reports is 2002.

How much does it cost to fix ball joint or control arm failure on the 2005 Jeep Liberty?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $600 (median of 11 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2005 Jeep Liberty?

There are 3 recalls and 1 service bulletin for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2005 Jeep Liberty

Power windows 62Stalling 35Check engine light 34Fuel leak 25Fire or smoke 24No deployment 21Grinding brakes 18Fuel pump 16Engine failure 14Pulling 14Loss of power 13Seat belt 13Transmission failure 13Harsh shifting 12Overheating 12Airbag light 11Fuel smell 11Jerking 11Shudder 11Won't start 10Power steering loss 9Door locks 8Fuel gauge 7Won't shift 7Sudden acceleration 7Tire blowout 6Brake failure 5Headlights 5Hesitation 5Slipping 5

All model years of the Jeep Liberty

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