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 2006 Jeep Liberty owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Hello, my name is Jamie Woodley. I'm filing this complaint on my 2006 Jeep Liberty Sport. Currently, there's a recall for the Suspension Rear lower control arms. I've read the previous recalls on it, which I saw this vehicle has been reprogrammed before. I've only had the vehicle for a few months and I've had an oil leak, bad thermostat, and the transmission is busted. I can't reverse or drive over 10 mph. I heard the transmission may be in Fail Safe mode. I had Midas do a full inspection, but they failed to acknowledge the lower control arms by suggesting brakes. I knew it wasn't the brakes. The technician drove the vehicle after the brakes were done, but I still heard/felt a problem with the Suspension. There is a recall for that from 2018. I purchased the vehicle last year in March 2020. …
Vehicle: 2006 Jeep Liberty VIN: [redacted] 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. …
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
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH up a hill, the vehicle jerked and there was a burning odor present. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 146,000.
My 21 year old daughter was driving my 2006 Liberty on the northern parkway in westbury, ny on January 2, 2008. The car was purchased in July 2006 and has approximately 15,500 miles on it. Suddenly and without warning the wheels locked up ripping out the transfer case and dropping the drive shaft on the highway. The car behind her was damaged as it ran over the drive train components. The driver of the damaged car saw flames coming out from under the Liberty and a cloud of black smoke. (probably from the gear oil). Fortunately the Liberty veered into the breakdown lane and not into another travel. No one was injured. The Liberty was towed to westbury Jeep. Initially I met with the service manager and he indicated the repairs would be made under warranty. After 12 days he phone me and said ...either the car hit something or it was driven in 4wd low on the highway. …
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. …
Shifter moves freely between park-reverse-neutral-drive-2nd-1st gears. This happens when the vehicle is turned on and off; and with or without a key in the ignition. If the shifter is bumped while driving down the road, the vehicle can be thrown into reverse and/or park. When I contacted the Jeep dealer in springfield missouri, I was told that Jeep has since redesigned the shifter control and the entire assembly must be replaced. Cost for the entire assemble is approximately $480 plus labor. If the problem is so apparent that it can be found thousands of times using google, and if the manufacturer has since redesigned the entire shifter control system; then one would think that they should have issued a recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Jeep Liberty. The key seized in the ignition happened when the vehicle was parked at home the shifter cable fractured the contact stated that on several occasions after the vehicle was parked with the gear shift lever in the park position, the contact was unable to remove the key. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. Simi valley Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram located at 2350 first st, simi valley, ca 93065, [phone] was contacted by phone for an estimate on the cost of the part for the shifter cable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufactured was contacted and notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000. Piir=y.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and the key was unable to be removed from the ignition. The contact also mentioned that the gear shifter was able to shift to neutral without starting the vehicle. The contact called tyson Chrysler Jeep Dodge (1 sw frontage rd, shorewood, il 60404, [phone]) and was informed that the VIN was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while attempting to shift from park to drive, the gear shifter ceased in park. The contact removed the center console and simultaneously turned the ignition key while manually adjusting the shifter cable to shift from park into drive. The contact contacted fitzgerald Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (187 benjamin h hill dr w, fitzgerald, ga 31750, [phone]) and informed the dealer of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 213,000.
Related recalls
Power train › Clutch assembly › Pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2006 Dodge Viper and Jeep Wrangler and Liberty vehicles manufactured July 1, 2005, to July 31, 2006. In the affected vehicles, the springs within the clutch pedal position switch that prevents the vehicle from starting unless the clutch pedal is pushed down may break.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clutch ignition interlock switch, free of charge. The recall began on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
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 2006 Jeep Liberty?
NHTSA has 76 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2006 Jeep Liberty, 6% of the model year's 1,372 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › torque converter (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Jeep Liberty transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-222 (pedal/hand lever(motorcycle), Apr 15, 2015); NHTSA recall 05V-460 (automatic transmission, Oct 6, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Jeep Liberty transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 53,000 miles, and 30% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries 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.