2006 Jeep Liberty Powertrain (other) Problems

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

Hello, my name is Jamie Woodley. I'm filing this complaint on my 2006 Jeep Liberty Sport. Currently, there's a recall for the Suspension Rear lower control arms. I've read the previous recalls on it, which I saw this vehicle has been reprogrammed before. I've only had the vehicle for a few months and I've had an oil leak, bad thermostat, and the transmission is busted. I can't reverse or drive over 10 mph. I heard the transmission may be in Fail Safe mode. I had Midas do a full inspection, but they failed to acknowledge the lower control arms by suggesting brakes. I knew it wasn't the brakes. The technician drove the vehicle after the brakes were done, but I still heard/felt a problem with the Suspension. There is a recall for that from 2018. I purchased the vehicle last year in March 2020. Also, the rear lift gate was dented when I bought it like the vehicle may have been in an accident. This was a vehicle I purchased for my 2 kids and I. This vehicle has been giving me problems since I bought it. The back driver's side window won't go all the way up. I have to keep a stick in between just to keep the window from falling all the way in the door. Definitely not a safe vehicle. My Engine stalled out on the free way while I was on my way to pick up my kids. After my oil change, no oil light came on. I am seeking help with any buy back programs or a valued trade in appraisal. I have a quote from Conrad's on how much it's going to cost to fix it and the price is over $3,000. I have extended warranty, but am unsure if it will cover any service requests. That is pretty outrageous that it's going to cost that much to fix it. I've been at Take 5 to keep up on the maintenance and was told I had an oil leak somewhere. On top of the brakes, I've spent money on 4 new tires, 6 ignition coils, an O2 Sensor, and I bought a New PCM/ECU computer I have yet to have installed. Feel free to contact me at the information I've provided. I'd be truly grateful for any assistance. Thanks!

NHTSA ID

11442526

Incident

Aug 5, 2020

UNKNOWN - TESTING FOR ODI

NHTSA ID

11396657

Incident

Feb 4, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 JEEP LIBERTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE, THE GEAR SHIFTER CEASED IN PARK. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE CENTER CONSOLE AND SIMULTANEOUSLY TURNED THE IGNITION KEY WHILE MANUALLY ADJUSTING THE SHIFTER CABLE TO SHIFT FROM PARK INTO DRIVE. THE CONTACT CONTACTED FITZGERALD CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (187 BENJAMIN H HILL DR W, FITZGERALD, GA 31750, (229) 423-5720) AND INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 213,000.

NHTSA ID

11325319

Incident

May 19, 2020

Mileage

213,000 mi

MY LIGHTS ARE TURNING ON DASH. IT GRABS REAL BAD AND ACTS LIKE IT GOING TO DIE IN TRAFFIC. DANGEROUS. MY 4 WHEEL DRIVE WILL NOT WORK.

NHTSA ID

11270928

Incident

Oct 1, 2019

Mileage

10 mi

I THE VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD THE LEFT SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT GOING BAD. THE TRANSMISSION MODULE IS TRIPPING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOWS (FRONT AND BACK) MAKES AWFUL SOUND GOING UP. THE AC COMPRESSOR HAS STOPPED WORKING.

NHTSA ID

11266541

Incident

Sep 7, 2019

GEAR SHIFTER INDICATES JEEP I IS IN PARK, BUT VEHICLE ROLLS AND WILL NOT START IN THIS POSITION. MUST "WIGGLE" FOUR WHEEL DRIVE SHIFTER TO GET CAR INTO NEUTRAL TO RESTART CAR. VEHICLE ROLLS UNLESS HELD IN PLACE BY EMERGENCY BRAKE.

NHTSA ID

11257612

Incident

Sep 18, 2019

Mileage

54,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 JEEP LIBERTY. THE KEY SEIZED IN THE IGNITION HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT HOME THE SHIFTER CABLE FRACTURED THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER IN THE PARK POSITION, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. SIMI VALLEY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM LOCATED AT 2350 FIRST ST, SIMI VALLEY, CA 93065, (805) 581-9090 WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE FOR AN ESTIMATE ON THE COST OF THE PART FOR THE SHIFTER CABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURED WAS CONTACTED AND NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000. PIIR=Y.

NHTSA ID

11230150

Incident

Jul 6, 2019

Mileage

137,000 mi

MY 2006 JEEP JUST STOP WORKING, CAME OUT OF WORK AND WOULD NOT TURN OVER,ECM BOX WENT BAD ON MY JEEP. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM PER MY MECHANIC THE ON BOARD ( BRAIN ) COMPUTER ECU, ECM AND EC BOX MUST BE RECALLED OR ELSE THIS ISSUE IS ON THE PURCHASERS LIKE US. FORDS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM BACK IN 96. YOUR PART FOR MAY 2006 JEEP ECM CAN NOT BE LOCATED ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATES, HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE????????

NHTSA ID

11218801

Incident

Jun 7, 2019

Mileage

97,000 mi

RECALL THE WHOLE CAR SHAKES WHEN IT'S JUST START TO MOVE AND WHEN YOU START TO PUSH DOWN ON THE BRAKES TOO

NHTSA ID

11208181

Incident

May 1, 2019

Mileage

91,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 JEEP LIBERTY. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED SUSPENSION FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICES FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V222000 (POWER TRAIN) AND 18V278000 (SUSPENSION). IN ADDITION, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH GREENWAY CHRYSLER, JEEP, DODGE, RAM (9051 E COLONIAL DR, ORLANDO, FL 32817). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

NHTSA ID

11096523

Incident

May 15, 2018

Mileage

109,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 JEEP LIBERTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS ABLE TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED TYSON CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE (1 SW FRONTAGE RD, SHOREWOOD, IL 60404, (815) 741-5530) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BY THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11084721

Incident

Apr 11, 2018

Mileage

120,000 mi

THE CLUTCH IGNITION, POWER SWITCH OF MY TRUCK KEEPS STALLS. THE VEHICLE DON'T START, WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS PUSHED DOWN. ALSO THE ENGINE CRANK AND START WITHOUT THE CLUTCH PEDAL BEING PUSHED DOWN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO UNEXPECTEDLY LURCH. I WAS NOTIFIED BY A DEALER AFTER INSPECTION THAT SAID PROBLEM IS A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM, THAT WAS ON RECALL. HOWEVER SAID MY VEHICLE VIN# COULD NOT BE LOCATED WITH THE RECALL. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER ON 1-800-992-1997, AND WAS TOLD I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. I WILL HIGHLY APPRECIATE YOUR IMMEDIATE INTERVENTION.

NHTSA ID

11054982

Incident

Dec 2, 2017

Mileage

14,736 mi

CAR CAN NOT BE PLACED IN PARK AND HAVE IT STAY THERE, KEY WILL NOT COME OUT

NHTSA ID

10957233

Incident

Feb 25, 2017

Mileage

80,000 mi

SHIFTER MOVES FREELY BETWEEN PARK-REVERSE-NEUTRAL-DRIVE-2ND-1ST GEARS. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED ON AND OFF; AND WITH OR WITHOUT A KEY IN THE IGNITION. IF THE SHIFTER IS BUMPED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE CAN BE THROWN INTO REVERSE AND/OR PARK. WHEN I CONTACTED THE JEEP DEALER IN SPRINGFIELD MISSOURI, I WAS TOLD THAT JEEP HAS SINCE REDESIGNED THE SHIFTER CONTROL AND THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED. COST FOR THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLE IS APPROXIMATELY $480 PLUS LABOR. IF THE PROBLEM IS SO APPARENT THAT IT CAN BE FOUND THOUSANDS OF TIMES USING GOOGLE, AND IF THE MANUFACTURER HAS SINCE REDESIGNED THE ENTIRE SHIFTER CONTROL SYSTEM; THEN ONE WOULD THINK THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE ISSUED A RECALL.

NHTSA ID

10907989

Incident

Sep 10, 2016

Mileage

80,000 mi

ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH TO 70 MPH, THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY, WITHOUT WARNING, WITH THE LOSS OF ALL STEERING OR CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY, WITHOUT WARNING, WITH THE LOSS OF ANY STEERING OR CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE, AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY AND ENTERING CITY TRAFFIC. THAT IS A TOTAL OF FOUR ENGINE SHUT DOWNS OR STALLS WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. WE JUST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, AND THIS IS NERVE-WRECKING AND DANGEROUS TO SAY THE LEAST. THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN AFTER DRIVING LONG DISTANCES, AND HAS HAPPENED FROM DRIVING DISTANCES OF APPROXIMATELY 90 MILES TO 160 MILES. IF YOU WAIT APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR, THE VEHICLE WILL THEN START UP AGAIN AND RUN. BUT IT WILL STALL AGAIN WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. OTHERS ON THE INTERNET HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM WITH JEEP 3.7 AND 4.7 POWERTECH JEEP MOTORS. OUR JEEP IS A 3.7 MOTOR. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM AS JEEP EXPERIENCED WITH JEEP COMMANDER AND JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE MODELS, WHICH WERE RECALLED. THIS SITUATION CAN OBVIOUSLY BE LIFE THREATENING. CHRYSLER JEEP SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO PUT LIFE TREATING VEHICLES ON THE MARKET AND THESE JEEPS MUST BE RECALLED. WE ASK FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED.

NHTSA ID

10892317

Incident

Jul 26, 2016

Mileage

88,500 mi

H. THIS CAR HAS REQUIRED ENGINE OIL TO BE ADDED EVERY 50 TO 100 MILES WITHOUT ANY EVIDENT SMELL OR SIGHT OF LEAKING OIL, ALSO TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED REPLACEMENT EXPERIENCED DECELERATION OF SPEED WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH.

NHTSA ID

10862664

Incident

Sep 8, 2008

Mileage

60,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 JEEP LIBERTY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V222000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

10851571

Incident

May 27, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 JEEP LIBERTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A ROARING NOISE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND STRUCK THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE BRAKES SEIZED AND THE PEDAL WAS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. THE POLICE FILED A REPORT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000. UPDATED 05/11/16*LJ *TR

NHTSA ID

10850778

Incident

Aug 11, 2015

Mileage

137,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 JEEP LIBERTY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V222000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

10838011

Incident

Jun 5, 2015

MANUAL TRANSMISSION SLAMS OUT OF 1ST GEAR INTO NEUTRAL WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THIS COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS REAR-END COLLISION BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS SUDDENLY OUT OF GEAR AT A CRITICAL POINT OF ACCELERATION. IT IS UNPREDICTABLE AND THE ONLY WAY TO PREVENT IT IS TO HOLD THE STICK SHIFT SECURELY WHILE ACCELERATING. IT HAPPENS QUITE FREQUENTLY.

NHTSA ID

10794617

Incident

Nov 13, 2015

Mileage

129,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 JEEP LIBERTY. WHILE THE DEALER WAS REPAIRING THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V252000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STRUCTURE), THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PCM WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID

10760440

Incident

Aug 29, 2015

Mileage

80,000 mi

THE PAIN ON THE OUTSIDE ROOF IS PEELING, I DO LIVE IN A STATE WHERE THE ROADS ARE SALTED HOWEVER, THERE IS NO SALT USED ON THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE, THIS, WHILE NOT A NEW VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE PEELING THE WAY IT IS. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD HAD A SEVERE CHIP & THE INSTALLER WAS BARELY ABLE TO SAND THIS AREA DOWN ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO SEAL THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH & THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ALONG WITH THE REAR WINDOW REGULATORS BOTH OF WHICH HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THE EMERGENCY BREAK & THE JEEP DEALERSHIP GIVES ONE REASON FOR THE ABS, ESP AMONG OTHER WHEEL AND BREAKING ISSUES. AND NOW THE ONE THING THAT JEEP IS FINALLY SUPPOSED TO BE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT RATHER THAN ME HAVING TO PUT MORE MONEY INTO THIS VEHICLE FOR, THE GAS TANK RECALL SEEMS TO BE A RIDICULOUS FIX, AND I HAVE BEEN ON A WAITING LIST FOR THIS FOR MONTHS AND STILL HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IT IN TO GET THIS FIXED. I SAW A NEWS STORY THAT SAID THAT CHRYSLER WAS BEING MANDATED TO FIX THESE VERY POORLY MADE VEHICLES. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL INTO THE OTHER RECALLS WHEN IT HAS BEEN HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. I HAVE BEEN HAVING BREAKING SYSTEM ISSUES AS LONG BACK AS 13 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

10759314

Incident

Aug 25, 2015

THE VEHICLE KEYS CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE SHIFT IS IN DRIVE, AND IT WAS REMOVED ON THIS DATE AND THE CAR ROLLED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE

NHTSA ID

10743949

Incident

May 12, 2015

Mileage

65,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 JEEP LIBERTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH UP A HILL, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR PRESENT. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.

NHTSA ID

10680692

Incident

Nov 16, 2014

Mileage

146,000 mi