Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Jeep Liberty owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Jeep Liberty. While driving at 20 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle accelerated in excess. As a result, the contact crashed into an embankment and a tree. The contact noticed that the accelerator pedal remained depressed after the crash. The contact sustained chest, left arm, and leg injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.
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
While applying brake & shifting to reverse, car accelerated in reverse at high speed with no throttle engaged. Brake was pressed the whole time and pumped to stop vehicle, there was no braking. A pole was impacted crushing vehicle. No warnings of this issue. This has left the family in fear of ever driving a Jeep. This was a Jeep Liberty 2006 with less than 70K miles. Well kept maintained vehicle.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Jeep Liberty 4x4. When the contacts husband placed the vehicle in drive and touched the accelerator pedal, the vehicle accelerated at full speed. The contacts husband struck his wife, causing her to sustain two broken legs. The vehicle drove straight through the garage knocking out the back wall. He placed the vehicle in reverse and the engine's rpms increased. The vehicle accelerated backwards and crashed into the garage. He placed the vehicle in drive and the vehicle accelerated once more. He crashed into the fence again and then into an 400-pound milling machine that was stored in the garage. The milling machine stopped the vehicle once and for all. The contact sustained bruises on the left leg. The weather was dry and sunny at the time of failure. A police report was filed. The accelerated speed was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 300. …
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 …
On crowded city street applied brakes as someone was starting to cross street in a crosswalk. Engine started to rev up and car would not stop. I went through the crosswalk and managed to stop safely. Tried a few slow speed stops, and car seemed okay. Then a few minutes later at another crosswalk applied brakes. Engine revved up. Had both feet on brakes. Rear brakes seemed to fail. Rear tires started to burn rubber with loud squealing noise. I was able to shift into park. Engine slowed down and was able to drive off afterwards. Made it home (9 miles). Did a few slow stops on the way. Brakes worked okay and engine did not rev. Very concerned about any further driving of this vehicle. Pedestrian lives definitely were in danger.
2006 Chrysler Jeep Liberty sudden accelerating. The consumer was driving when the vehicle suddenly accelerated to 65 MPH. No amount of pushing on the brakes made the car stop. She was going down a mountain, whizzed past a stop sign, and went around another curve until she came to a major state road with lots of speeding cars. She had to make a decision either to try to merge onto the road or plow into the mountain. She plowed into the mountain and came to a stop when her car crashed a stop sign at the end of the road inches from the ongoing traffic. Both of her feet were on the brakes the entire time. The vehicle flipped on its side and the engine was still roaring.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Jeep Liberty. The contact experienced unintended acceleration and a crash occurred while traveling 40 MPH. The brakes failed to engage and the vehicle drove into an embankment and rolled over. A police report was filed. There were no serious injuries. The vehicle was taken to a body shop and then to the dealer; however, the dealer could not find any error codes for the failure. The manufacturer stated that they could not assist, but offered to send a crash investigator. After sending the investigator, the manufacturer concluded that they could do nothing more to assist. The current and failure mileages were 33,348.
The consumer was driving when the vehicle suddenly accelerated to 65 MPH. No amount of pushing on the brakes made the car stop. She was going down a mountain, whizzed past a stop sign, and went around another curve until she came to a major state road with lots of speeding cars. She had to make a decision either to try to merge onto the road or plow into the mountain. She plowed into the mountain and came to a stop where she hit a stop sign at the end of the road inches from the ongoing traffic. Both of her feet were on the brakes the entire time. The vehicle flipped on its side and the engine was still roaring.
I bought a2006 Jeep Liberty in August of 2014,been having problems with the tires ,which keep seeping air and I have to put air in it every other day. When I press on the foot pedal the car jerks and it speeds up by itself. Couldn't get my key out after it was put in park. Press on brakes and still couldn't get them out. The shift lever moves without pressing on the button that supposed to lock it in place. The date that I put in is for the shift lever which still isn't fixed yet .the other things been going on since I bought the car .
Acceleration complaints in other Liberty years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2006 Jeep Liberty?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2006 Jeep Liberty, 2% of the model year's 1,372 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Jeep Liberty acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2006 Jeep Liberty, though it has 9 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Jeep Liberty acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to speed control & acceleration 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.