Jeep Liberty harsh shifting problems

Filed Apr 13, 2026 · Suspension · 87,803 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was loose, with a clunking sound coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken for inspection and failed the inspection. The vehicle was diagnosed by a certified mechanic, and the contact was informed that the driver's side ball joint was detaching and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to another certified mechanic to be repaired. Two years later, the steering was loose again. The vehicle was taken for inspection, and it failed the inspection again. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched and found information about the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 06V288000 (Suspension); and associated the failure with the recall. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 87,803.

Filed Oct 29, 2020 · Brakes, Transmission · 157,284 miles · MO

I was driving down hardy st in kcmo on my way home start heading clunking rattling noise then a pop and jeep came to a sudden gault. Car in back me swirved into resident yard to avoid accident I put car in park then back in drive car engage forward but front wheels appears locked as if park brakes were on I did the same with reverse jeep engage backward but couldn't move I was stuck in the middle of the street I put jeep in neutral but front wheels remained locked and stayed locked even when towed off.

Filed Dec 23, 2019 · Airbags, Suspension · FL

Two issues as follows; 1) the lower front ball joints had deteriorated and make a loud popping and clunking noise when turning at low speeds. Our mechanic says the lower front ball joints have completely failed, creating a very dangerous safety issue. 2) the airbag light stays on, does not turn off.

Filed Nov 15, 2019 · Suspension · 212,000 miles · KY

I was leaving my parking lot when I heard a clunk and my driver side of the jeep lowered. I got out and looked and my tire was tilted at an angle. A couple of my neighbors looked under the jeep and said that it was the ball joint and that the axle was on the ground.

Filed Nov 27, 2018 · Electrical, Transmission · 172,000 miles · SC

I have several different issues with my 08 jeep liberty. The locks randomly lock and unlock. When I use the lock button on the transmitter, it'll unlock the doors sometimes right after or at some point when parked. The headlights randomly come on and go off when parked. The traction control light comes on intermittently while driving. The traction control system also randomly activates on dry pavement and even throws the front end out of alignment because it will brake one wheel. I've almost had several accidents because of this engaging. Also, when the traction/stability control engages there's a noise from the brake system followed by smoke at whatever wheel it's trying to brake. I took it into dealer and they replaced my front brakes and rotors and that hasn't fixed the problem. Now they are saying I need a new draft shaft, tie rods and a couple other front end pieces. I don't believe that's where the problems are coming from. It's a scary situation driving this because I don't know if I'm going to make it where I'm going because the steering can lose control because of the traction system. Also, it's developed a major leak in the hatch area by the top plastic pieces where it rains and the back floor looks like a swimming pool after it rains. I told the dealer but they have yet to tell me if they found out why it's leaking. I also replaced the blower fan and relay for the AC thinking that it will fix an issue where the air in the vents are barely blowing. No fix. Ac is weak. The heat works best when in motion. Heat will heat up while driving and I feel like I'm being boiled alive. Have to keep on high to get any air out of the vents, however. The transmission is clunky shifting and the fluid has been changed. Power steering is difficult to turn.

Filed Aug 9, 2017 · Suspension · 156,000 miles · NE

While driving down the highway, I heard a big clunk and then the vehicle began to go back and forth on the road making it difficult to control. Upon inspection the passenger rear control arm fractured. It was very corroded as was the drivers side.it was just in for an alignment.why was my state not included in the recall,we use salt too.

Filed Jul 19, 2017 · Steering · 156,623 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 jeep liberty. While driving 21 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal clunking noise and the steering failed without warning. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer (hill-kelly dodge, chrysler, jeep, ram located at 6171 pensacola blvd pensacola, fl 32505) where it was diagnosed that the lower ball joint and lower suspension needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but did not offer assistance. The failure mileage was 156,623.

Filed Jan 28, 2017 · Acceleration · 126,897 miles · CA · crash

On 10/1/16 I was pulling into my driveway to park my 2002 jeep liberty when the vehicle suddenly accelerated at a high rate of speed, crashing through my garage door. With both feet on the brake pedal and the hand brake applied the jeep would not stop. It smashed into my wife's car parked in the garage, slamming it into the garage refrigerator. With brakes still applied I attempted to shift to neutral to shut off engine when it slammed into reverse and at great speed careened out of the garage and down the street. At no time did I feel I had control of my vehicle. It finally stopped when it hit shrubbery and small boulders. When I start my jeep when engine cold,the RPM's are high as though I pushed doen on accelerator. On 6-13-15 while at a traffic light waiting for the green light (foot on brake)the jeep suddenly accelerated and smashed the car in front of us, causing extensive damage. The insurance co has totaled my wife's car, we have a damaged refrigerator, we need a new garage door and have a jeep liberty that we are now afraid to drive. I have read many, many identical complaints on this site regarding 2002-2008 jeep liberty-I could have written their stories-and I have little faith that I will ever drive my jeep again. How many complaints and injuries before chrysler admits they have a problem? Didn't read about any deaths so I guess there's your answer.

Filed Oct 27, 2016 · Suspension · 111,000 miles · NE

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 jeep liberty. While driving various speeds, the contact heard an abnormal clunking noise under the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle lost control and veered into another lane. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear passenger side control arm corroded and fractured. The mechanic stated that the rear driver side control arm would soon fail as well. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v085000 (suspension). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.

Filed Feb 2, 2016 · Suspension · 200,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 jeep liberty. The contact stated that while making a turn and driving approximately 2 MPH, a loud clunking noise emitted from the front end as the vehicle collapsed towards the ground. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed that the front lower ball joint assembly fractured. In 2006, the vehicle was serviced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 03v460000 (suspension) however, failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.