2005 Jeep Liberty: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Jan 21, 2021 · Engine, Transmission · 142,000 miles · CA

My car had been driving fine when I was on my way to work this morning I felt a pop under the car and then my car lost power and now it won't go into gear.. But it still turns on.

Filed Jul 31, 2015 · Transmission · 146,000 miles · NJ

After driving my jeep for about 20 minutes it will start going in and out of limp mode then it will downshift hard to 3rd gear and will rev the engine until it is shut off and started again. I am no longer driving it and am debating on whether or not to fix it as I just dumped over $3000. For engine. This car seems to be a walking time bomb

Filed Oct 9, 2012 · Transmission · 43,000 miles · FL

The plastic bushing in the transfer case shifter cable broke and the transfer case could not be shifted (4wd, neutral, 2wd). Ours got stuck in 2wd so we able to drive it. This could happen without warning and apparently often does. This is a problem if the unit gets stuck in neutral the vehicle could not be moved out of the way of oncoming objects or if 4wd is needed it may not be able to be shifted into 4wd. Apparently this same plastic bushing is at both ends of the shifter cable and is used in most other 4wd jeeps. The problem is common enough that at lest one after market company is marketing a redesigned shifter cable that does not use the plastic bushings.

Filed Dec 2, 2011 · Transmission · 87,450 miles · VA

Shift cable failed when we rolled to a stop. Went to put the jeep in park. Would not go. Would not go into reverse. Managed to force it into neutral but that was it. Had to manually push the jeep backwards to try to turn it around to take it to a shop. Key would not come out as a result making battery go dead. Very unsafe because if that shifter cable broke at a higher speed it may or may not have messed the transmission up or allowed us to shut the vehicle off. For instance it were in drive and could not be shut off what would we do? Found out from local jeep dealers that they have to replace several of these a week. My personal mechanic was unable to secure one for several days because they were sold out all in our region. Suspect this is a big problem. No word from jeep on this! Mechanic was stunned how poorly made the cable is and was surprised it lasted as long as it did!

Filed Jul 4, 2009 · Fuel system · 57,200 miles · CA

Slow start was noted prior to incident (most likely due to air in the system). Jeep liberty crd went into limp mode on highway causing vehicle to slow below 40 MPH. Fuel/water separator was leaking fuel from pre-heater plug, which shorted out heater plug. Heater plug was scorched on the inside, no fire noted. Parts on order (approx cost $120 for part) intend to replace fuel/water separator assembly and heater plug wiring when it arrives. Old part will be available.

Filed Mar 28, 2007 · Transmission · 16,210 miles · TX

Transmission issues- 2005 jeep liberty manual transmission, would not stay in reverse and had to be forced in. Then would not shift and ground in first gear going 5 MPH. In shop 5 times all parts replaced still makes noise in reverse a thudding sound and only in reverse. Makes other noises not natural going from 1st to 2nd and back to first. Dealership replaced synchros twice, still not fixed.

Filed Oct 14, 2006 · Transmission · 22,303 miles · CA

I almost lost my life on a cliffside corner on hwy 1 when my 2005 jeep liberty crd (common rail diesel) torque converter failed causing both rear wheels to lock up at 55 MPH. Happened again a couple miles later and then continued to repeat itself as I was attempting to get it to the dealership. It has been at the dealer 5 times to date for the initial problems (stalling at highway speeds and going into limp modes). I knew it was the torque converter preparing to go out because I had researched consumer reportings of similar problems online. The dealership, however, explained that they would only follow chrysler corporate's rules and corporate wasn't allowing them to replace the converter. Instead the dealership replaced transmission solenoid, then transmission control module, then called to tell me it was my aftermarket installation problem (twice). Each time this meant that they sent me out in a "fixed" vehicle that stalled on me and caused me to put emergency hazards on and drive in limp mode in right hand lane or on shoulder. Then when the dealership service manager drove it and personally felt what a "safety issue it was", has now looked at the postings and is befuddled why corporate wasn't advising them of this problem. I believe that this is a design defect with these 2005 and 2006 jeep liberty crds and that chrysler is aware of it but doesn't know how to fix it. Chrysler is putting its consumers at grave risk for loss of life. Please keep in mind that (1) chrysler has stopped production of them in the u.s. And maybe we now understand why and (2) only 11,000 were sold in the u.s. I am a lawyer and will exercise lemon law right as this vehicle cannot be repaired because it is a design defect. However, all 11,000 of these vehicles will most likely fail and the potential for loss of life and property exists 11,000 times.