Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 electrical system fails from winter to summer causing miscellaneous information to the computer, the auto can overheat, it can also clear down and open failure of gasoline. The ball joints fail truly. It happened to me in three occasions when I circulated by the city when crossing on a street, while passing a tumble, and on a terrace street. The front brake system breaks causing brake liquid leaks this is caused by the warming of parts and dirt. I saw the stain in the soil when I park in my garage and check.
The manual transmission slips out of 1st gear. It's dangerous when trying to make a left turn, or merging into traffic, red lights uphill. It is unsafe for the car to drop out of gear and looses power when it is most important to get out of the way. This transmission issue leads to a lot of 'near misses' from drivers behind who expect to roll forward as normal or flowing traffic who don't expect a car to stop in front of them. Mechanics say this is a known issue for this model. I took the car into the dealership when the problem first started, and while they know of the problem they were not able to fix it under the warranty (which at the time it was still under). In various Jeep forums, I've seen other users complain of the same safety issue. At one point there was talk of a class action suit - but nothing happened. There is undoubtedly data around this. …
While driving the vehicle in a busy highway the steering becomes heavy and some fluid splashed on the front windshield and suddenly lost steering and gearing .I forced the vehicle to the shoulder and stepped out of it to check what went wrong. There was no light indicator or overheating. As soon as I stepped out of the car it starts rolling backward, so it lost braking as well..I was panicking and picturing how many accidents and toll death would have happened on the scene. One moving car had collided with my vehicle while it was rolling backward and two people got injured. The police have been notified and my Jeep got towed as it is not drivable. I have contact Chrysler and they return my call and promise to send their engineer to investigate and find out what went wrong without warring and it could have caused a total disaster on 95 north .
Another issue my Jeep Liberty renegade has, the vehicle will not go all the way into park position, and allow the ignition to be turned completely to the off position so the key can be removed. I have to push very hard on the gear shifter to get it to go into park, in order to remove the key. This could cause the vehicle not to be completely in the park position, or the vehicle to jump out of park and roll away, which could cause a serious accident, or fatal injury. When I do a search on active recalls for 2005 Jeep I berry renegade, it shows one active for this issue, regarding transmission, and improper park anchor installation, which could cause the vehicle to not be in park and/or come out of park. However, when I search my vehicle VIN it doesn't show this recall active per my VIN number.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Jeep Liberty diesel crd. The contact stated that the vehicle caught on fire twice, in June 2011 and again five weeks later, for the same related failure. The contact stated that the fires were caused by the transmission vent that released fluid onto the exhaust pipe. The transmission failed and while driving, caused the fluids to leak and cause a fire under the hood. There were no injuries during either fire. A fire report was filed. The insurance company was contacted and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and a complaint was filed. The failure was a reported as a mechanical problem and the vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 45,500 and the current mileage was 46,000.
When shifting my Jeep from 1st to 2nd it sometimes makes a grinding noise. I brought it to my mechanic today and he took it for a ride. He told me that he thinks it's a little ball inside the transmission that is covered with nylon, and a couple of forks make it move. He is going to try changing my transmission fluid to a synthetic brand in hopes that will slow down the wear on the nylon ball, but eventually I will need a new transmission. I asked him what will happen when the ball finally breaks, and he told me the vehicle will cease to move, rather I am driving it or not. He also told me that this problem is a known problem with jeeps. If this is a known problem with jeeps then why haven't they been recalled and/or fixed?
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Jeep Liberty diesel engine purchased new April 2005. While attempting to park the vehicle he could smell a burning odor. Upon exiting the vehicle, he noticed smoke coming from both the driver's and passenger's side rear wheels. He then attempted to move the vehicle , but it would not engage into drive mode. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and he was awaiting the diagnosis of the vehicle. He speculated that his failures are identical to the description referenced in recall campaign id number 06V341000 (power train:automatic transmission). No repairs were made to the vehicle to date. The failure and current mileages were under 40,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the transmission independently shifted out of four-wheel drive mode without warning. The contact maneuvered to the side of the road as flames ignited from under the hood. The contact exited from the vehicle safely and the fire department extinguished the massive flames. A police report was filed of the incident. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a salvage facility. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000....updated 02-28-14 the consumer stated the e-mail address is incorrect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Jeep Liberty. While driving at any speed, unusual squeaking noises were heard coming from the ball joints. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the recall repair was previously performed and would not be done a second time. The contact was referred to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The dealer was not notified. The failure was not repaired. The failure mileage was 145,000. The consumer stated the seatbelt connector fails and 4x4 fails to engage.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
On certain pickup trucks, sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with 42rle automatic transmissions, the cup plug that retains the park pawl anchor shaft May be improperly installed. If the shaft moves out of position, the vehicle May not be able to achieve 'park' position.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transmissions and install a bracket to ensure the park pawl anchor shaft is retained in the proper position. The recall began on November 28, 2005.
Transmission complaints in other Liberty years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2005 Jeep Liberty?
NHTSA has 97 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2005 Jeep Liberty, 9% of the model year's 1,118 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (36 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Jeep Liberty transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-460 (automatic transmission, Oct 6, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Jeep Liberty transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 39,000 miles, and 35% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 5 fires and 3 injuries and 1 death to transmission & drivetrain 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.