Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Jeep Liberty owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle was shaking erratically. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transfer case and transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transfer case and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The contact researched NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V278000 (Suspension). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to submit the repair documents regarding the failure. In addition, the contact was informed that the replacement of the transfer case and the transmission replacement were not covered under the recall. …
The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle swerved to the left across three lanes of traffic and the contact turned the steering wheel to the right to prevent the vehicle from veering to the left. The contact then stopped on the shoulder of the highway. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the Police were on scene and determined that the vehicle could not be driven. The contact stated the Police Officer picked up the ball joint that had detached from the driver's side front suspension of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle had not been taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 06V288000 (Suspension). …
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.
The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V278000 (Suspension) was completed. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, she heard abnormal sounds coming from the rear-end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 9,000.
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.
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.
The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, the suspension suddenly failed, causing the front end of the vehicle to drop down and the vehicle became undrivable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front driver's side lower ball joint had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure but did not offer any assistance. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.
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?
The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, the front driver's side wheel detached from the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 06V288000 (Suspension). The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the same symptoms. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but was unable to assist. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
I have a 2005 Jeep Liberty Sport. I was backing out of my driveway when I heard a crunching sound. I got out of the car and saw that the passenger side of my car was much lower than the driver's side. I noticed that their was windshield wiper fluid pouring out of the front end. Upon inspection, I noticed that the ball joint had snapped and the control arm was almost on the ground. Had I been able to get to the freeway as planned, I could have been seriously injured. I called to verify recall information and was informed that the ball joint recall issue had been resolved. However, with further investigation, it seems that this issue is happening after the repairs as well. I have attached pictures. [redacted]
Related recalls
Suspension › Rear
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2004-2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles. The rear suspension lower control arms can fracture due to excessive corrosion, causing a loss of vehicle control.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lower control arms, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Suspension › Rear
In June 2012, Chrysler expanded this recall to include model year 2006 and 2007 Jeep liberty vehicles, representing an additional 137,176 vehicles. This recall now concerns certain my 2004-2007 Jeep liberty vehicles. The total number vehicles being recalled is now 346,900.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lower control arms on all affected vehicles originally sold in, or currently registered in, connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland,…
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
On certain trucks, the constant tension front lower ball joints May experience contamination. If the vehicle is operated for an extended period with this condition, the ball joint May eventually experience wear and looseness.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front lower ball joints free of charge. The recall began on September 11, 2006. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA investigations
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
During Preliminary Evaluation (PE11-013), the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) conducted an analysis of consumer field data from its Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) database and from complaint data submitted to ODI by Chrysler.
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
In a letter dated March 2, 2012 Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) submitted a Defect Information Report (NHTSA recall No. 12V-085) to the NHTSA identifying a safety defect regarding rear suspension lower control arm corrosion in approximately 210,000 model year (MY) 2004 and 2005 Jeep Liberty vehicles, originally sold or currently registered in a Salt-belt state (Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky,…
Front suspension ball joint separation
On January 6, 2006, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation to investigate alleged front suspension lower ball joint separationin certain model year (my) 2004 Jeep liberty vehicles.odi sent a letter to the manufacturer on February 7, 2006 requesting information about these and other Jeep liberty vehicles.consequently, the investigation was upgraded to an engineering analysis on May…
Suspension complaints in other Liberty years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2005 Jeep Liberty?
NHTSA has 262 complaints about the suspension of the 2005 Jeep Liberty, 23% of the model year's 1,118 complaints. The component named most often is front › control arm › lower ball joint (94 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Jeep Liberty suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-278 (rear, May 1, 2018); NHTSA recall 12V-085 (rear, Mar 5, 2012); NHTSA recall 06V-288 (lower ball joint, Aug 3, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Jeep Liberty suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 19 crashes, 1 fire and 8 injuries and 4 deaths to suspension problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.