Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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 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.
I was in stop-and-go commute traffic traveling approximately 15 MPH. Traffic started moving a little faster when the car in front of me brake hard, I pressed hard on the brake pedal and my Jeep lurched forward before braking hitting the car in front of me. The road was dry and there were no skid marks.the way the Jeep lurched forward it felt like the brake pads were worn out or the rotors were warped or the shocks were faulty. We had bought the Jeep Liberty new less than one year earlier. I was able to drive the Jeep home. That was a Friday and by Monday my stomach became so distended I could barely move. I had been in contact with kaiser advice nurses throughout the weekend and that Monday I was hospitalized. 2 weeks in the hospital resulted in the first of 3 surgeries that changed my life and my families life permanently. …
ABS, bas/ESP, TCS indicator lights illuminate, vehicle loses power, brakes are applied ( most likely right front as car pulls to right) releasing throttle cancels the braking. As throttle is reapplied same action is repeated. So far it has only occurred at speeds< 35 MPH. Should it occur in slippery road conditions it most likely result in loss of control.in researching the problem on the internet, it seems to be or is becoming a more common occurence which FCA is not addressing. If you read the other complaint of the same problem it dates back a few years, yet there doesn't seem to be anything done to correct it. Some complainants say they have been unable to have it corrected even at Jeep dealerships, others report it's something called the clock spring that is causing the problem and the parts to repair it aren't available. …
Yesterday my ABS and esb lights came on. I did notice a bit of grinding type noise approximately twice in a full day of driving. Today, same thing, but lights went off a couple of times right after start up. My brakes and tires were replaced in late August. The repair shop said my brakes were in good order but the right rear wheel speed sensor is bad. If this doesn't correct issue, a wheel alignment and reset the steering angle is recommended. None of these issues would warrant the odd grinding noise when breaking and only occassionally does this happen and it did not occur when the technician drove it. This was all on city streets and driving straight in good weather. A quick google search indicates this is a problem with many owners of the 2006 Jeep Liberty. Many people have replaced the brakes, sensors, rotors and all things brakes but still experience the lights and the noise. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that an independent mechanic diagnosed that the undercarriage had rusted extensively. The ABS sensor lights remained on because the undercarriage was sagging toward the tires setting off the sensors. The mechanic stated that when he touched the undercarriage rust fell off in his hands. The mechanic refused the fix the vehicle and referred the contact back to the manufacturer. The manufacturer stated that similar vehicle were subjected to a recall. The manufacturer was provided the VIN however, there was no recall associated with the vehicle. The contact was informed to contact the NHTSA hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 94,000. Consumer stated the "arm" was recalled and replaced but has rusted. Consumer's mechanic is willing to answer any questions regarding the issue.
At 44,143 in dec 2009 I had 4 new tires and rear disc pads replaced. In July 2012, about mileage 54000, while driving in town, the left rear wheel speed sensor failed causing loss of ABS, ESP, and cruise control. I had dealer repair. At 67,642,in April 2016, I noticed the rear disc rotors were caked with a crusty rust and it appeared that the brake pads were worn out.. The rear brakes could not have been working. The dealer put on new rotors, calipers, pads, and flushed the system. The rusty rotors could not be turned to reuse, the calipers were both "stuck" and the brake fluid was "black". I also had the front rotors turned and new pads installed. The ABS, ESP, and cruise control still lights up on the dash for a minute then goes out by itself, leading me to totally distrust the system. I have never seen brake rotors so rusted in my 65 years.
I've had lower ball joints, bushing and control arms already replaced once in 2017 and now they are out again. I've been told by mopar that my 2006 Liberty was made 5 weeks after the last one involved in the recall.this is inexcusable. I've had 3 window regulators replaced. This is a fatality waiting to happen if I drive. I started hearing and feeling the ball joints going bad about 2 weeks ago. I hardly have driven it since I work from home now. Can Chrysler see all these complaints about the ball joints and still not add these 06 Jeep's to that recall. This is not good business at all. Also just had front brakes done 1 year ago and they need replaced already. Ignition - my key will not come out of the ignition unless I push on the ignition cable. Please help me to get these problems fixed. This is unacceptable from Chrysler.
The vehicle was in need of new brakes, rotors, parking brake shoes and hardware at 93000 miles. A grinding noise from the rear drivers side braking system was present when in motion and assumed to be warped rotors. When the rotors were removed it was found that the parking brake backing plate and the bolts that secure it have rusted to the extent that the plate is loose and no longer secured, which makes the parking brake defective and is a serious safety concern. This appears to be a very common problem and for a vehicle under 10 years old and 100000 miles to have parts rust so severely that they fail is an issue that Chrysler should address, as it is obvious that this part was not made to last.
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.
Brake complaints in other Liberty years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2006 Jeep Liberty?
NHTSA has 56 complaints about the brakes of the 2006 Jeep Liberty, 4% of the model year's 1,372 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Jeep Liberty brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 28% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes 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.