2005 Jeep Liberty Steering Problems

Today 6/16/2025 I’m having trouble turning to the right and left leaving from a stop sign we checked to be sure power steering fluid is full and it is. The person who checked the power steering fluid level, said that there is rubber grommets under the hood with the suspension and staring that look like they are all decayed or dry rotted. I have not had a problem with it breaking yet, but I’m sure that’s coming. Not sure it’s safe to drive.

NHTSA ID

11667311

Incident

Jun 16, 2025

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?

NHTSA ID

11566413

Incident

Jan 15, 2024

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

NHTSA ID

11490828

Incident

Oct 25, 2022

I was traveling on the highway at about 60 mph, hit a small bump in the highway and nearly lost total control. Pulled over and came to a complete stop. Re-entered the highway and nearly lost control even at a slower speed, 55mph.

NHTSA ID

11447418

Incident

Jan 13, 2022

Drivers side lower ball joint catastrophic failure with no warning signs evident except split boot(s). Separation/break from upper control arm, tie rod and steering assembly at low speed reverse. NHTSA Recall ID: 06V288000 (Daimler-Chrysler Notification Code: F23) of lower ball joints performed by Chrysler authorized dealer/repair station 2007. Dealer contacted two (2) weeks prior to incident to coordinate possible re-repair and/or consideration of faulty OEM parts used in original recall. Consumer stated gas smell around his car and inside. *JB

NHTSA ID

11429217

Incident

Aug 14, 2021

Mileage

193,000 mi

The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the steering wheel would shake with the vehicle wobbling. The contact stated that the vehicle was out of alignment. The contact informed the original owner of the failure, who then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ball joint was faulty, but only performed an alignment. The failure recurred. The dealer was made aware of the failure but did not diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was 98,500.

NHTSA ID

11422769

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

Mileage

98,500 mi

The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while reversing and making a left turn, the front driver’s side ball joint fractured and the lower control arm detached. The steering wheel also shook and jerked while driving approximately 50 mph. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was a recall repaired in 2006, for the ball joints. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 102,000.

NHTSA ID

11421252

Incident

Jun 16, 2021

Mileage

102,000 mi

MY FRONT BALL JOINT AND CONTROL ARM BROKE WHY DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD

NHTSA ID

11397044

Incident

Feb 17, 2021

Mileage

240,000 mi

BUSHING AND BODY BUSHING ON FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, SQUEAK VERY LOUDLY ANYTIME THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, OR WHEN SOMEONE ENTERS OR EXITS THE VEHICLE, THE ADDED WEIGHT TO THE VEHICLE, CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SQUEAK FROM THE FRONT UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, EVERY BUMP OR RUFF SPOT IN THE ROAD, TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL EITHER DIRECTION, EVEN THE SLIGHTEST CAUSES VERY LOUD SQUEAKING, THE SQUEAKING IS PRESENT WITH SIMPLE ROCKING OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING FEELS TIGHTER AND SIMPLE TURNS REQUIRE MORE BODY MUSCLE USE, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BOTH IN MOTION AND STATIONARY. THE SQUEAKING/RUBBING IS PRESENT, AT ALL TIMES, WHEN EVEN THE SLIGHTEST AMOUNT OF MOVEMENT OR POSITION CHANGES FROM DRIVER/PASSENGERS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. FEELS LIKE THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE IS ABOUT TO FALL OUT, OR THAT THE FRICTION FROM THE RUBBING OR PIECES IN THE FRONT/ FRONT SUSPENSION, IS GOING TO CAUSE SOMETHING TO WEAR DOWN AND BREAK, WHICH COULD CAUSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE TO BE LOST, AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT, THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE FATAL. WHEN I DO A GENERAL SEARCH FOR RECALLS ON MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL, IT SHOWS 2 REGARDING THE FRONT SUSPENSION, AND BALL JOINTS, HOWEVER WHEN I SEARCH RECALLS USING MY VEHICLES VIN NUMBER, IT SHOWS '0 UNREPAIRED RECALLS' BUT I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY RECALLS REPAIRED ON MY VEHICLE, AND THE RECALLS THAT SHOW ACTIVE, FIT THE ISSUES GOING ON WITH MY VEHICLE, AND I'M NOT SURE WHY MY 2005 JEEP LIBERTY RENEGADE, FITS INTO THE VEHICLES WITH THE RECALL CONCERNS PRESENT AND ACTIVE, BUT MY VEHICLE DOESN'T SHOW AND ONE THAT NEED TO BE REPAIRED BASED ON THE ACTIVE RECALLS. *TR

NHTSA ID

11329073

Incident

Dec 15, 2019

Mileage

98,500 mi

PURCHASED A 2005 JEEP LIBERTY IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN, A STATE THAT HAS EXCESSIVE COLD AND ICY WEATHER, STREETS ARE HEAVILY SALTED. THE JEEP I PURCHASED HAS HAD SEVERAL RECALLS, MAJOR WAS THE REAR END CONTROL ARM, WHICH THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED. 2005 JEEP LIBERTY ALSO HAS MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE COOLING FAN TO SHORT OUT. HAVING IT TO BE FREQUENTLY REPLACED ONCE A YEAR. 2ND MAJOR PROBLEM IS THE FRONT RIGHT CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY FRONT UPPER LEFT AND RIGHT. ALONG WITH WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY, BOTH CORRODES AND CAN CAUSE THE STEERING TO BRAKE INTO, RESULTING IN A LOST OF STEERING CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING. THESE MAJOR MECHANICAL PROBLEMS NEEDS SHOULD BE RECALLED, SO THEY CAN BE REPLACED OR REPAIRED. I'VE TAKEN THE JEEP TO DIFFERENT REPAIRS SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE JEEPS ARE KNOWN FOR SAFETY ISSUES INCLUDING ELECTRICAL AND CONTROL ARM PROBLEMS AND TO CHECK FOR RECALLS. *TR

NHTSA ID

11328648

Incident

Jun 13, 2020

WHEN I TURN SHARPLY BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT THE CAR STOPS, THE WHEELS ARE HITTING SOME BAR UNDER THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11308753

Incident

Feb 1, 2020

Mileage

77,000 mi

THIS HAS TO DO WITH RECALL F23 FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS. BY JEEPS WEB SITE THE WORK WAS DONE, BUT ON FEB 6TH OF THIS YEAR THE FRONT END FAILED JUST AS I LEFT MY PARKING SPACE. A FEW MINUTES LATER I WOULD BEEN ON NJ 295 TRAVELING AT 65 MPH. I DID NOT KNOW THERE WAS AN OLDER RECALL ON THIS CAR, I HAD THE WORK DONE BY AN OUTSIDE SHOP, SEE ATTACHED BILL.

NHTSA ID

11074622

Incident

Feb 6, 2018

Mileage

116,901 mi

CONSTANT GRINDING, SQUEAKING WITH MOVEMENT OF STEERING WHEEL, WAS TOLD IT WAS BALL JOINT AND ARM, ALSO THERE WAS A RECALL ABOUT THIS...HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING.....WAS THERE A RECALL REGARDING THIS?

NHTSA ID

11055425

Incident

Oct 12, 2017

LOWER BALL JOINT ON BOTH SIDES OF VEHICLE HAVE BROKEN, AFTER THEY WERE REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN REPLACED UNDER A PREVIOUS RECALL. THE BREAK CAUSED DAMAGE ALSO TO THE TIRES AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED

NHTSA ID

11033445

Incident

Oct 14, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID

11006425

Incident

Jul 15, 2017

Mileage

156,623 mi

LOWER FRONT RIGHT BALL JOINT SNAPPED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. CALLED JEEP AND THEY SAID IT WAS RECALLED AND REPLACED. I ASKED FOR A LOCATION AND A SERVICE ORDER AND THE WOULD NOT GIVE IT TO ME. THEY KEEP TELLING ME TO TAKE IT TO THE JEEP DEALER WHICH I CANT BECAUSE IT IS BROKE. THESE BALL JOINTS WHERE RECALLED FOR BREAKING. NOW FOR A SECOND TIME IT BROKE AND I CANT GET ANY PROOF THAT IT WAS EVER REPLACED

NHTSA ID

10914973

Incident

Sep 29, 2016

Mileage

140,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP LIBERTY. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION ARM FRACTURED ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID

10764588

Incident

Sep 16, 2015

Mileage

130,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING NOTICED DRIVING WHEELS SLOPPY. THERE IS TO BOLTS IN FRONT FRAME CONNECTED TO STEERING,WHEN TURN WHEELS ONE SIDE STAYS AND REST PIVOTS AS NEED TO TURN STEERING. ON OTHER SIDE BOLT AND WHOLE BOLT AND MECHANISM PIVOTS AND MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. MAKES A POPPING SOUND AS WELL. HAVE NOTICED RECENTLY THAT IF HIT A BUMP STEERING GET VERY SHAKY.

NHTSA ID

10759439

Incident

Jun 6, 2013

Mileage

165,065 mi

THIS IS A SAFETY COMPLAINT ON A 2005 JEEP LIBERTY COMPLAINT FOR THE 3 RECALLS. BALL JOINTS, TRAILER HITCH AND CONTROL ARMS. ON THIS DAY I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO TRANSITOWNE IN WILLIAMSVILLE, NY FOR THE RECALLS, I NEVER RECEIVED THE BALL JOINT RECALL PREVIOUSLY. MY VEHICLE WAS SAFE, NO NOISE, NO PROBLEMS AND WAS CURRENTLY IN MINT CONDITION MECHANICALLY AND OTHERWISE. I DROPPED IT OFF THURSDAY NIGHT 5/7/2015 TO BE WORKED ON 7/8/2015. THEY CALLED THE MORNING OF 7/8/2015 TO SAY THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETE. AS I DROVE HOME THE WHEEL SHAKES AND FRONT END MAKES NOISE WHILE BRAKING AND SOUNDS LOOSE. I IMMEDIATELY RETURNED IT, THEY WERE RUDE AND AFTER MY OBVIOUS FRUSTRATION FINALLY DECIDED TO TAKE A TEST DRIVE. WHEN SAL, THE SERVICE COORDINATOR CAME BACK AND ACTUALLY ADMITTED (WITH A WITNESS) I WAS ONE IN A MILLION THAT RECEIVED BAD BALL JOINTS BUT THAT THEY DON'T HAVE ANY MORE I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT. I EXPLAINED WHEN BRAKING SOMETHING IS RUBBING, STEERING IS SHAKY AND MAKES A CLUNK NOISE FROM BALL JOINTS. THEY LET ME DRIVE AWAY WITH A VEHICLE THAT IS UNSAFE. LOOSE BALL JOINTS WITH ANY PLAY IN THEM CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THEY OFFERED NO RENTAL, NO HELP AND IGNORE ME. I HAVE MY OWN BUSINESS (SOLE) AND CANNOT DRIVE IT, I DON'T TRUST IT AND IT CANNOT BE DRIVEN TO KAYAKING. MY ENTIRE WEEKEND WAS RUINED NOT TO MENTION I CANNOT DRIVE A NOISY, DANGEROUS VEHICLE. THEY DID NOT REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH EVEN THOUGH IT'S 10 YEARS OLD (I PUT IT ON MYSELF) DID NOT COME WITH THE JEEP, AND IT'S WELDS ARE RUSTY AND BRITTLE, THEY DID NOT CARE ABOUT THAT EITHER. CHRYSLER CASE # 26946712. I FEEL LIKE NOBODY CARES ABOUT MY PROBLEM, IT CAN'T BE LEGAL FOR A DEALERSHIP TO SEND DRIVERS HOME WITH VEHICLES THAT HAVE LOOSE BALL JOINTS AND TELL THEM IT'S SAFE, THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHERE I GO AND DRIVE WITH MY VEHICLE, IT'S CONSTRUCTION SEASON AND ONE POTHOLE ON THE THRUWAY COULD KILL ME.

NHTSA ID

10715525

Incident

May 7, 2015

I WAS COMING HOME THE DAY BEFORE THE HOLIDAY. IT WAS A BUSY DAY AROUND 4:30 PM. I BEGAN HEADING DOWN THE HEEL AND THE CAR JUST TURNED OFF. I WAS UNABLE TO RESTART, STEER, BRAKE OR CONTROL ANY ASPECT OF THE CAR. UNFORTUNATELY WHEN THE CAR STOPPED, IT THREW ME FORWARD INTO THE DASH. FORTUNATELY, THE GENTLEMAN THAT WAS IN FRONT OF ME SAW ME WAVING AND YELLING I COULDN'T STOP AND RISKED HIS LIFE BY PULLING IN FRONT OF THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO ALLOW MY CAR TO CONTINUE SOARING DOWN THE HILL. ONCE I REACHED THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL, MY VEHICLE CAME TO REST BETWEEN TWO LANES OF A FOUR LANE ROAD. MIND YOU THIS ROAD HAS HILLS COMING FROM BOTH WAYS. FORTUNATELY AGAIN, A TOW TRUCK DRIVER CAME ALONG AND STOPPED TRAFFIC UNTIL HE COULD SAFELY TOW ME INTO MY DRIVEWAY (FREE OF CHARGE). WHEN I TRIED STARTING THE VEHICLE AGAIN IT RAN LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO BLOW UP AND RATTLED SOMETHING TERRIBLE. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET AND THEY EXPLAINED THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF ANY SUCH SITUATION REGARDING MY TYPE OF VEHICLE. HOWEVER, AS THE STORIES BEGAN SPILLING INTO THE MEDIA, IT WAS LIKE RELIVING THAT MOMENT OVER AND OVER AGAIN, BUT UNFORTUNATELY FOR SOME THEIR SITUATION DIDN'T TURN OUT AS WELL. HOW LONG WILL THIS MAJOR MOTOR COMPANY BE ABLE TO RISK HUMAN LIVES JUST TO MAKE A PROFIT. WHY DON'T THEY JUST ADMIT THAT THEY USED DEFECTIVE PARTS TO MAKE A BIG PROFIT AND IT HAS NOW BACK FIRED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10712800

Incident

Jul 3, 2014

Mileage

98,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP LIBERTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THERE WAS ALSO FLUID LEAKING AND THE PRESSURIZED HOSES WERE RUBBING TOGETHER. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10671272

Incident

Jan 5, 2015

Mileage

96,000 mi

MAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO A MAJOR ROUTE AT 30 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE TAKES OFF ON IT'S OWN AND BEGINS TO SWERVE PICKING UP SPEED WHILE BOTH MY FEET ARE OFF OF THE PEDALS. IT HITS ONE CONCRETE WALL ON A BRIDGE AND PROCEEDS TO CROSS YELLOW LINE PICKING UP MORE SPEED BEFORE SMASHING STRAIGHT INTO OTHER CONCRETE WALL. IT'S THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED THIS VEHICLE FROM CONTINUING ON. AIR BAGS WENT OFF AND SPLIT EXPELLING STRANGE ODOR. A JEEP DEALER COMMENTED THAT EITHER A SENSOR WENT OR ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD STUCK. I COULD NOT STRAIGHTEN THE VEHICLE OUT BY STEERING AT ALL.

NHTSA ID

10670504

Incident

Sep 13, 2014

Mileage

33,594 mi

IN A CLEAR SUNNY DAY I WAS ENTERING THE FREEWAY WHEN I HEARD A BIG BANG ON MY LOWER END FRONT OF MY JEEP LIBERTY. THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE ROAD THAT COULD HAVE DAMAGED IT. THE ROAD WAS CLEAR OF ANY DEBRIS. AFTER A COUPLE OF YEARS TAKING IT IN INTO MY JEEP DEALERSHIP THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. FINALLY NOT THIRD BUT FORTH WAS A CHARM WHEN THEY TOLD ME THE LOWER FRONT ARMS AND BUSHING NEEDED REPLACING. I HAVE HEARD FROM MANY JEEP OWNERS THAT THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS I WANT TO KNOW WHY THESE PARTS HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10660081

Incident

Jul 20, 2011

Mileage

39,999 mi

I HAD TURNED INTO THE PARKING LOT AND THE LOWER BALL JOINT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD BROKE. I HAD THIS TAKEN CARE OF BY A NON JEEP DEALER DUE TO SHORT ON FUNDS TO HAVE IT DONE BY A JEEP DEALER, AT THE TIME THIS HAPPENED DID NOT KNOW JEEP WOULD HAVE COVERED THE COST OF THE REPAIRS SINCE THIS ISSUE WAS A RECALL ISSUE THAT HAD BEEN FIX BACK IN 2007. THIS JEEP I HAD PURCHASED USED IN DEC 2013. I HAD CALLED JEEP CORP TO CHECK ON RECALLS AFTER I HAD FIRST PURCHASED. FOUND THINGS WERE FIXED BUT WAS NOT TOLD THERE WAS A 10 YEAR WARRANTY ON THAT WORK THAT WAS DONE BACK IN 2007 BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. IF I WOULD HAVE KNOW THAT AT THE TIME I HAD THIS ISSUE AGAIN ON JULY 26 2014 I WOULD HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE JEEP DEALER, BUT BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE A LOT OF MONEY I HAD IT FIXED BY ANOTHER AUTO REPAIR SERVICE. I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST AT 534.40 I HAD TO PAY IN JULY 2014 FOR ISSUES WITH THE SAME THAT WERE RECALLED AND FIXED BACK IN 2007. I HAD CALLED TODAY TO FIND OUT WHAT I COULD DO AND WAS TOLD NOTHING NOW SINCE I HAD IT FIXED BY A NON JEEP DEALER. I REALLY THINK IT SHOULD BE REIMBURSED DO TO THE FACT I HAD TO HAVE THIS FIXED AFTER IT WAS RECALL AND FIXED BY A JEEP DEALER AND IT STILL BROKE. I HAVE THE RECEIPT FOR THE REPAIRS THAT WERE DONE JULY 2014. *TR

NHTSA ID

10650262

Incident

Jul 26, 2014

Mileage

136,706 mi

WHEN DRIVING OVER METAL PLATES OR SMALL PATCHES OF ICE FRONT WHEELS LOCK AND MAKE STEERING IMPOSSIBLE IF BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED. THIS IS HAPPENING AT VERY LOW SPEED. I BOUGHT THIS JEEP USED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10627147

Incident

Dec 30, 2011

Mileage

35,000 mi