2006 Jeep Liberty

ODI has completed an extensive analysis of rear crash fuel tank system integrity data for the subject Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Liberty vehicles (SVs).As of June 2013, ODI knew of 56 post-collision fatal fires, 28 non-fatal fires, and 6 fuel leak incidents (totaling 90 incidents, 75 fatalities and 58 injuries) involving the SVs.Based on this analysis, ODI issued a Recall Request Letter (RRL) on June 3, 2013 requesting that Chrysler recall the Grand Cherokee and Liberty vehicles due to the rate of fatal, non-fatal fire, and fuel leak incidents when compared to peer vehicles (compact and medium SUVs) built during the same time period.In the RRL, ODI described how the location of the aft-mounted fuel tank made the SVs vulnerable to rear impact crash fuel tank failures.During the analysis, besides the high speed/high severity crashes present in both the SV and peer vehicles, ODI observed a significant number of low and moderate speed rear impact crash related fires and leaks, particularly in the Liberty.The data also demonstrated that SVs originally equipped with towing hitch receivers (trailer hitches) appeared to be under-represented in rear-impact related fuel tank failures.In the RRL, ODI requested that Chrysler provide its response by June 18, 2013, otherwise NHTSA might proceed to an Initial Decision that the SVs contain a safety-related defect.Chrysler responded to the RRL on June 4, 2013 and vigorously disputed the tentative findings of the RRL.Among other things, Chrysler argued that the SVs had an overall safety record superior to their peers, met or exceeded all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) and only experienced fires in severe high energy rear impacts.Nonetheless, while continuing to maintain that the SVs did not contain a safety-related defect, Chrysler proposed a recall (13V-252) of approximately 2.5M (1.6M currently registered) model year (MY) 1993 - 1998 Grand Cherokee (ZJ) and MY 2002-2007 Liberty (KJ) vehicles on June 18, 2013.The recall remedy submitted by Chrysler would employ a hitch receiver assembly consisting of a steel cross-member behind the fuel tank with forward-projecting arms bolted to the frame rails on either side of the fuel tank.For the MY 1999 - 2004 Grand Cherokee, Chrysler indicated it would conduct a customer satisfaction campaign and inspect vehicles equipped with aftermarket tow hitch receivers, and if necessary, replace any such hitch receivers whose conditionmay increase the risk of fuel system failure in rear crashes.Examination of the available data established that the MY 1999 - 2004 Grand Cherokee did not pose the same magnitude of safety risk as the MY 1993 - 1998 Grand Cherokee and MY 2002-2007 Liberty, particularly in low and moderate speed rear impacts.Because the agency has concluded that the vehicles do not present an unreasonable risk to safety, ODI is closing its investigation of the MY 1999 - 2004 Grand Cherokee.Although it was not within the scope of the Petition initiating this investigation or the Preliminary Evaluation preceding this EA, ODI also examined the performance of the MY 1993 - 2001 Cherokee as part of this investigation.NHTSA's assessment of the available data for the Cherokee did not establish an unreasonable risk in comparison to peer vehicles.ODI does not approve proposed defect remedies.While offering to install hitch receiver assemblies on the MY 1993-1998 Grand Cherokees and 2002-2007 Liberty, Chrysler did not, in ODI's view, provide enough evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed remedy in rear impacts.The Complete Summary for this Closing Resume (EA12-005) can be seen by

On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.RMD queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.Analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.The rental car companies representing the largest market share in the industry were then queried as to their respective policies for the rental, lease, and sale of vehicles with open recalls.The data and responses from the manufacturers and the rental car companies can be found in the document repository by accessing the ?Associated Documents link above.In December 2015, Congress enacted the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.One section of the Act prohibits rental car companies from renting, leasing, or selling motor vehicles subject to open safety recalls.With the passage of the FAST Act and its prohibition, there is no continuing need for the agency to investigate rental car recall completions.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The agency reserves the right to open any future investigations, including audits of individual recalls, or groups of recalls, or rental car companies, to examine more closely safety recalls performance and completion issues in this area.

OVERHEATING OF THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AT THE FUEL HEATER ON THE FUEL FILTER / WATER SEPARATOR ASSEMBLY CAN CAUSE A FUEL LEAK THROUGH THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION.OPERATORS REPORT THE SMELL OF DIESEL FUEL, SMOKE, DIFFICULTY STARTING AND/OR POOR ENGINE OPERATION.THE FUEL LEAKAGE IS REPORTED BY SOME OPERATORS AS SEEPAGE, WETNESS, SEVERAL DROPS, AND AN OZ PER MINUTE.EVIDENCE OF OVERHEATING OF THE CONNECTION WAS OBSERVED BY SOME OPERATORS AND REPORTED AS BURNED OR DISCOLORED ELECTRICAL CONNECTION AT THE FUEL HEATER.SEVEN OPERATORS REPORT SMELLING OR SEEING SMOKE.ONE REPORTED A VEHICLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE HOWEVER THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT IDENTIFIED, AND LINKAGE OF THE FIRE CAUSE TO THIS ISSUE IS NOT LIKELY TO BE ESTABLISHED.THE LOCATION OF THE FUEL FILTER / WATER SEPARATOR ASSEMBLY IS NOT NEAR THE LOCATION OF THE TURBO CHARGER WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ENGINE.THE TURBO CHARGER WOULD PRESENT A POTENTIALLY HOT SURFACE HOWEVER DUE TO THE LAYOUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ITS COMPONENTS, DIESEL FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION WOULD NOT LIKELY MIGRATE TO THE TURBO CHARGER.AT THIS TIME, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON NOVEMBER 21, 2006 BASED ON TWO OWNER REPORTS AND ONE E-MAIL REPORT ALLEGING AN INTERIOR FIRE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AREA OF THE DASH PANEL.DAIMLERCHRYSLER (DCC) HAS IDENTIFIED A DEFECT IN THE BLOWER MOTOR OF THE HVAC SYSTEM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND IN CERTAIN 2007 MODEL YEAR LIBERTY VEHICLES.THE DEFECT REPORT STATES, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS THE HEATING, VENTILATION AND AIRCONDITIONING (HVAC) BLOWER MOTOR MAY OVERHEAT AND CAUSE AN INTERIOR FIRE.DCC WILL RECALL 149,065 VEHICLES TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL HVAC BLOWER MOTOR WITH ONE OF A NEW DESIGN.THE VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ARE ALL 2006 MODEL YEAR AND 2007 MODEL YEAR JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLES BUILT FROM START OF PRODUCTION THROUGH AUGUST 15, 2006.SEE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 07V089 FOR DETAILS.

Two of my sons were involved in a rollover accident. Thankfully, they are ok with minor injuries and bruising. However, none of the airbags deployed.

NHTSA ID

11754588

Incident

Aug 1, 2026

ball joint recall was issues and done on paper in August 2006 on the Jeep liberty. Both ball joint have failed on this vehicle at different times this year while driving the vehicle and Jeep has declined to take any responsibility in any way. This is a major safety concern as any kind of speed while this occurs would be catastrophic. I suspect that Jeep submitted that the recall was fixed when in fact it was not and documents were falsified.

NHTSA ID

11751878

Incident

Jul 15, 2026

Mileage

163,911 mi

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 NHTSA 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.

NHTSA ID

11730737

Incident

Apr 13, 2024

Mileage

87,803 mi

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2006 Jeep Liberty on January 16, 2026, from a used car dealer. While attempting to obtain insurance for the vehicle, the insurance company discovered a mileage discrepancy. The insurance company informed the contact that the vehicle could not be insured due to the mileage discrepancy. The dealer was contacted however, while attempting to retrieve a Carfax report; Carfax could not provide the report. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 143,000; however, the insurance company discovered that the mileage was 168,000 in 2020.

NHTSA ID

11722911

Incident

Mar 6, 2026

Mileage

168,000 mi

The front lower ball joints have repeatedly failed under recall. The dealer says I now have to pay to have it repaired properly, under recall

NHTSA ID

11716426

Incident

Jan 25, 2026

Vehicle: 2006 Jeep Liberty VIN: [XXX] Summary: The front lower ball joint on my 2006 Jeep Liberty failed while the vehicle was in normal use. This failure matches the defect described in NHTSA Recall 06V288000 (Chrysler F23), which involves corrosion and separation of the front lower ball joints. My VIN does not currently show this recall as open, but the failure occurred exactly as described in the recall documentation. Details: In November 2025, the front end of the vehicle collapsed due to a lower ball joint separation. The joint failed without warning, causing loss of steering control. The vehicle had to be towed home by AAA. The failure is consistent with the recall condition involving water intrusion, corrosion, and separation of the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle. The vehicle still has other open recalls (fuel tank and rear lower control arms), but the front lower ball joint recall does not appear as open in the NHTSA VIN lookup. I believe the recall may have been incorrectly marked as completed in the past, or the original repair was not performed or not performed correctly. The defect has clearly recurred. Safety Concern: This is a serious safety hazard. The ball joint separation caused sudden loss of steering and could have resulted in a crash. The defect is identical to the condition described in Recall 06V288000. Requested Action: I am requesting that NHTSA review this case and require Chrysler/Stellantis to perform the recall repair for the front lower ball joints, as the defect has reoccurred and the recall never expires. I also request verification of whether the recall was ever properly completed on this VIN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11713720

Incident

Nov 5, 2025

The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20-25 MPH, the front control arm fractured. The front wheel seized, and the vehicle drove into a driveway. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The local dealer was contacted and suggested an appointment, and that the rear control arm was not covered under warranty. The contact was informed about NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V252000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Structure) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V278000 (Suspension). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the local dealer for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

NHTSA ID

11699001

Incident

Nov 5, 2025

Mileage

180,000 mi

Every time I pump gas it spits back out at me. No matter what I do. This is completely unacceptable and dangerous

NHTSA ID

11685852

Incident

Sep 1, 2025

Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number 06511385A$) are one-time usage. Vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires Service Kit PN 68461214AA; includes Transmission Isolator PN 68264483AA, and Adaptation Bracket 68264479AA and Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA Vehicles built after on or after 10/23/2015 will require only the Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. 2. All 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the vehicle you are repairing has a crack in the flex plate or failed pump bushing inspect and confirm that both (2) dowel pins are present in the engine block, which align the transmission center line to the crank shaft centerline and visually inspect the dowel alignment holes in the transmission case. If the holes are damaged or elongated the transmission should be replaced to prevent further damage to the transmission/flexplate or pump bushing due to the inability to properly align the engine to the transmission during the repair. 3. All 62TE equipped vehicles. If pump bushing is scored or damaged and the dowel pin alignment holes are ok, replace the pump assembly as opposed to complete transmission. 4. All 62TE equipped vehicles. If vehicle is jerking/slipping with MIL code(s) P0740 or P2764, check TCC Solenoid operation. If TCC Solenoid is ok, the codes are indicative of a torque converter failure. Replace the torque converter.

Mechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio.

Mechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio.

KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty.

KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty.

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