2006 Jeep Liberty Steering 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

Right stering arm broke when I hit a pot hole

NHTSA ID

11446691

Incident

Jan 1, 2022

My back rear control arms/suspension/alignment were recalled, I had them replaced. Now My front control arms/suspension/alignment are very unsafe to drive. Wobbly, unstable, loose, noises, screeching. It Feels like it’s going to break/snap/fall off. Yes my vehicle is available for inspection. I feel unsafe on turns especially. It could snap at any moment and my Jeep could roll injuring me or others. I had a tire/allignment center check the status. No warning lights or messages. The sound and issue has been going on since I got my jeep recall fixed. The dealership hit the front of my Jeep in the parking lot and still has not taken responsibility for their actions and damages done to my Jeep. It was evaluated from Jeep’s body/auto shop estimating at outer damage 1,500$ + and they have not inspected the damage caused to the control arm/suspension/alignment from the employee hitting me Jeep into something moments before returning my Jeep from a recall-fix. Jeeo still has yet to take responsibility for the damages caused. I have not felt safe since then. The steering has been wobbly, the turns make noise and shudder like the wheel is going to break off/fall off or worse snap. I have tried numerous attempts to get these issues resolved with Jeep Liberty of San Diego Camino del rio s. With no responsibility taken from them for the damages they have caused making me Jeep unsafe to drive.

NHTSA ID

11439944

Incident

Jul 25, 2018

UNKNOWN - TESTING FOR ODI

NHTSA ID

11396657

Incident

Feb 4, 2021

SPONTANEOUS BALL JOINT SEPARATION

NHTSA ID

11253116

Incident

Sep 4, 2019

Mileage

167,894 mi

I OWN A 2006 JEEP LIBERTY THAT HAD A RECALL REPAIR COMPLETED ON THE FRONT BALL JOINT PRIOR TO THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE IN 2012. SINCE THAT TIME, THE VEHICLE AGAIN HAD A PROBLEM WITH A BALL JOINT CORROSION IN THE SAME LOCATION RIGHT PASSENGER SUSPENSION. JERRY ULM REFUSED TO REPAIR THE BALL JOINT UNLESS I PAID FOR THE UPPER AND CONTROL ARM.. I HAD TO REPAIR THE ISSUE AT A LOCAL SHOP FOR $500. NOW IT IS MAKING A TERRIBLE SOUND AND I TRIED TO GET ANOTHER DEALER TO REPAIR IT ON A RECALL BUT THEY REFUSED.

NHTSA ID

11230414

Incident

Jul 9, 2019

Mileage

163,000 mi

FRONT LEFT LOWER BALL BROKE CAUSING TIRE AND WHEEL BLOWOUT AND LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AT 60 MPH. WAS ON HIGHWAY ON RIGHT HAND CURVE.

NHTSA ID

11220166

Incident

Jun 13, 2019

Mileage

193,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 JEEP LIBERTY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY STEERED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AFTER CAUSING THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE TO DETACH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS, BALL JOINTS, AND TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 285,000.

NHTSA ID

11190009

Incident

Nov 1, 2018

Mileage

285,000 mi

SO BASICALLY I'M DRIVING MY MOM TO WORK AND ABOUT TO REACH AND LIGHT AND ACCELERATION ISN'T WORKING AND I'M LIKE WHATEVER IT'S A RED LIGHT ILL JUST BRAKE SO I BRAKE THEN THE LIGHT TURNS GREEN I PRESS THE ACCELERATION AND NOTHING IT'S NOT MOVING SO THEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP LITERALLY COULDN'T TURN IT I MISS THE LIGHT TURN OFF THE CAR TURN IT ON IT'S WORKING I GET TO A STOP SIGN THE SAME THING HAPPENS BUT THE OIL LIGHT COMES ON SO I'M LIKE OK MAYBE THIS THEN I BUY OIL THEN I'M ON MY WAY HOME MAKING A RIGHT ONTO A MAIN ROAD I'M LIKE OK I'LL MAKE IT AND AGAIN THE ACCELERATION STOPS WORKING AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP SO BEFORE IT LOCKS ALL THE WAY I PULL UP AND THEN TURN IT OFF BACK ON AND DRIVE ALL THE WAY HOME WITH THE HAZARDS YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW TERRIFYING IT WAS TO BE ON A MAIN ROAD AND THE ACCELERATION STOPS LIKE I PRESSED ALL THE WAY AND IT WOULDN'T INCREASE THE SPEED THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED COULDN'T EVEN SLIGHTLY TURN SO IT WAS SO SCARY I'M SO SCARED TO DRIVE IT AND IDK WHAT TO DO OR HOW TO FIX IT THAT'S WHY I NEED HELP

NHTSA ID

11172385

Incident

Jan 27, 2019

Mileage

145,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 JEEP LIBERTY. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000.

NHTSA ID

11161906

Incident

Nov 1, 2018

Mileage

172,000 mi

KEEP LIBERTY LIMITED EDITION 2006 ISSUE WITH FRONT AND BACK CONTROL ARMS ALONG WITH SUSPENSION ISSUES. I HAVE FIXED THIS 2 TO 3 TIMES IN ABOUT 2 YEARS.

NHTSA ID

11156112

Incident

Nov 29, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 JEEP LIBERTY. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK AND RATTLED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

NHTSA ID

11150389

Incident

Nov 1, 2018

Mileage

130,000 mi

THERE IS ONLY ONE WINDOW THAT WILL COME DOWN AND IT'S THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE, THEY ALL CAME DOWN AND WOULD NOT COME BACK UP. I REPLACED A REGULATOR IN THE RIGHT BACK WINDOW AND IT WENT AGAIN SO I JUST HAD THEM ALL PINNED UP. I'VE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE AC COMPRESSOR TWICE AND JUST PUT IN 07/06/2018. I HAD TO HAVE A TRANSMISSION PUT IN 3 YEARS AGO. AND NOW THE TRUCK IS JUST SHUTTING DOWN WHEN I COME TO A STOP BUT IT WILL START BACK UP. I HAD A DIAGNOSIS TEST DONE AND IT DIDN'T SHOW ANY PROBLEMS, BUT IT'S STILL SHUTTING DOWN AND I DON'T KNOW WHY. THE MECHANIC SAID IT IS PROBABLY SOMETHING ELECTRICAL OR HAS TO DO WITH THE COMPUTER.

NHTSA ID

11110579

Incident

Jul 6, 2018

THE TILT FUNCTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL FREQUENTLY COMES UNLOCKED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE UP AND DOWN. THIS IS PARTICULARLY BAD WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR WHEN REVERSING. THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE AN EASY WAY TO TIGHTEN THE TENSION ON THE ADJUSTMENT LEVER.

NHTSA ID

11066631

Incident

Feb 2, 2018

Mileage

135,000 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

BALL JOINTS BROKE ON DRIVERS SIDE. IT STARTED RUMBLING THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT TURNS OUT IT WAS BALL JOINT HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED FROM OFF SIDE OF ST ANDREWS ST TARBORO NC PLEASE HELP MY ADDRESS [XXX][XXX] [XXX] *DL INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*JB

NHTSA ID

10958730

Incident

Mar 5, 2017

Mileage

100,000 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

JEEP WOULD NOT START -HAD LIGHTS, RADIO, HORN ETC. BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER AT ALL. TOWED TO DEALER. TECH PERFORMED DIAGNOSIS AND FOUND THE PROBLEM - STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. TOTAL COST $798.00. I WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AND IGNITION SWITCH WERE PROBLEM ISSUES IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL BUT NO RECALL WAS IN PLACE TO REPAIR. IGNITION SWITCH RECALL REPLACE IN 2006 JEEP LIBERTY MANUAL TRANSMISSION BUT NOT IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

NHTSA ID

10811696

Incident

Dec 7, 2015

Mileage

100,000 mi

MY DAUGHTERS FRONT WHEEL BROKE LOOSE FROM HER CAR WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT. THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF ABOUT 2 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE LEFT WHEEL COMING OFF. BOTH SIDES HAD BROKEN LOWER BALL JOINTS. JEEP DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE CAR WAS NOT COVERED SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE. IF THIS HAD HAPPEN GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE OR HIGHWAY IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER. THE CAR HAD TO BE REPAIR ONSITE, BECAUSE BOTH TIMES THE WRECKER COMPANY SAID IT MAY DAMAGE THE FINDER IF MOVED.

NHTSA ID

10749441

Incident

Aug 15, 2015

Mileage

120,000 mi

WHILE DRIVER IS PARKING CAR, THE IGNITION RELEASED THE KEY WHILE THE CAR WAS IN GEAR, CAUSING CAR TO ROLL AND CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

10747654

Incident

Jun 15, 2015

Mileage

82,000 mi

THE LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE CAUSING THE FRAME AND WHEEL TO SEPARATE. THE FRAME FELL ONTO THE TIRE. THE RIM WAS SLICED COMPLETELY IN HALF. AND THE BRAND NEW TIRE WAS BUSTED. IT CAUSED US TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FEARED OF THE ROAD AND LANDED INA DITCH. WE HAD TO HAVE A TOW TRUCK PICK UP THE VEHICLE. IT COST US 300 DOLLARS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE BROUGHT HOME. AFTER GETTING HOME WE FOUND OUT THE PIECE THAT BROKE, THE LOWER BALL JOINT, WAS PART OF THE JEEP RECALL IN 2006. I CALLED CHRYSLER AND THEY DID ADMIT THAT PART WAS A RECALL FIX IN 2006. WE ARE NOW WAITING ON CHRYSLER TO CALL US BACK TO LET US KNOW WHAT WE ARE SUPPOSE TO DO NEXT. WE ARE WITHOUT A VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

10744039

Incident

Jul 26, 2015

Mileage

200,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING THERE IS A RAMBLING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF MY FRONT OF MY VEHICLE, WHEN I PRESS ON THE BREAKS THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE, I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO SOUTHERN CHRYSLER JEEP OF GREENBRIER LOCATED IN CHESAPEAKE, VA AND THEY ADVISE THE UNIT NEED FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARMS AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. ACCORDING TO CONTACTING CHRYSLER THE MANUFACTURE I WAS ADVISE THE PART WAS INITAL CHANGE IN 2007 AND THE CURRENT PART (LOWER BALL JOINTS) IS CURRENTLY ON BACK ORDER. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER/SERVICE FACILITY THEY STATED THERE IS APPROXIMATE 500 LOWER BALL JOINTS ON BACK ORDER, I HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER VIA WEB CHAT AND THEY CONFIRM PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. I HAVE EXPRESS MY FEAR OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE DUE TO ISSUE AND ASK TO BE COMPENSATE FOR A CAR RENTAL IN WHICH I WAS DECLINE. I AM COMPLAINING DUE TO PART STOCK AVAILABILITY IS UN-ACCEPTABLE AND I FEAR OF DRIVING THIS UNSAFE VEHICLE

NHTSA ID

10734137

Incident

Jul 14, 2015

Mileage

44,567 mi

A LARGE NOISE FOLLOWED BY DETERIORATED CONTROL STEERING MY VEHICLE. AFTER FORCING IT INTO A PARKING LOT, A VIEW OF UNDERNEATH FRONT DRIVERS SIDE REVEALED A LARGE METAL OBJECT BROKEN AND JAMMED INTO MY WHEEL. THIS SOUNDS LIKE THE RECALL #09E039000 OR RECALL ID # 91163. LOCAL DEALERSHIP STATES MY VIN IS NOT IN THIS RECALL AND CANNOT FIX IT UNDER THE RECALL. MY MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR OF VEHICLE MATCHES THE RECALL AND I THINK THIS CALLS FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION INTO ADDITIONAL VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10683785

Incident

Feb 16, 2015

Mileage

115,000 mi

THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINT FAILED PER F 23 RECALL OF JEEP CHRYSLER AND DAMAGED THE TIRE AND RIM WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED. WE FILED A CLAIM WITH CHRYSLER CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE ON AUG 20, 2014 AND THEY WERE PROCESSING IT AND TOLD US THEY WOULD REIMBURSE THE $1146.83 NOT LATER THAN OCT 20, 2014. WE HAD NOT HEARD ANYTHING FROM CCASSISTANCE SO WE TELEPHONED TODAY. BRAD, THE AGENT, COULD NOT FIND ANY RECORD AND ALSO SAID THAT THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED AND THAT THERE WOULD NOT BE ANY REIMBURSEMENT TO US FOR THE REPAIRS WE HAD TO MAKE. THAT IS NOT IN ACCORD WITH THE RECALL AND FURTHERMORE, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINTS FAILED AGAIN ON AUGUST 18, 2014 AND THE SAFFORD CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE OF SPRINGFIELD VIRGINIA REPLACED THE CONTROL ARMS AND BALL JOINTS ON BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE UNDER A F23 RECALL WARRANTY AT NO CHARGE TO US. WE REQUEST THAT NHTSA CONTACT CHRYSLER AND REQUIRE THEM TO REIMBURSE US FOR THE $1146.83 WHICH WE PAID OUT OF POCKET. *TR

NHTSA ID

10663343

Incident

Feb 19, 2012

Mileage

74,760 mi

WHILE DRIVING VEH. SLOWY WENT OVER A SPEED BUMP HEARD A LOUD BANG. UPON INSPECTION NOTICED THAT REAR TRAILING / CONTROL ARM. HAD SEPARATED / RUSTED. UNABLE TO DRIVE AT SPEED OR CONTROL STEERING. DID NOT CRASH THOUGH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10662188

Incident

Dec 1, 2014

Mileage

132,000 mi