Acceleration complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The entire dashboard set of alarm lights go ON as soon as the vehicle starts. The speedometer stops working, the hand break light is on so it appears as it actually activates it and it slows the vehicle impacting drivability, the radiator fan is constantly working, the 4WD mode is activated by default also impacting drivability, impossible to see if the car is overheating, and it could very well be that the airbags would not work if needed. This all adds to a very unsafe drive.
On 3 different occasions, first one driving on 95 from new york on December 3, 2014, I put on cruise control and car accelerated out of my control, brakes didn't work and I had to cross over lanes and tried everything to stop car, drove in to a ditch and car died, wouldn't restart for hours. The second time was March 6 2015 in florida, I was just driving along and the car just got out from under me at a very fast speed and I couldn't stop it, I threw it into park and the car died and the ignition just kept doing a clicking noise, left it over night because it wouldn't start, had to have it flatbed away, the car started the next day?? …
Sudden unintended acceleration, seatbelts failed on second impact, airbag deployed after my head broke wind shield. Car accelerated in another moving vehicle and accelerated faster into a concrete wall. All on closed circuit video I am left with a traumatic brain injury, disabled
Vehicle continues to accelerate when brakes are applied. When approaching an intersection on suburban street with stopped vehicles, brakes were applied, the car continued to accelerate causing a crash. Only by changing gear to park, did acceleration stop.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the vehicle accelerated independently and crashed into three additional vehicles. The contact was not injured. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the contact was awaiting diagnosis. The manufacturer was notified and was referred to NHTSA but offered no further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 40,000. ..updated 01/30/13 the consumer stated the vehicle was traded in to the dealer. Updated 2/4/2013
Jeep Liberty, 2010. Left house and drove ~ 100' to the first stop sign and made a full stop. Started to drive away and there was an immediate lurch and thrust of acceleration, with limited and/or loss of steering and/or braking ability. The Jeep jumped a curb and struck a pedestrian and mailbox. Causing injury to the person and damage to the car and mailbox.
I own a 2009 Jeep Liberty with 2000 miles on it. Twice it has suddenly accelerated on it's own when I was starting from a stopped position to pull into a parking space. The first time I was able to stop it using the brakes before it jumped over the curb. The second time it happened so fast I couldn't stop it in time and it hit a large concrete column in front of the parking space. The car suffered quite a lot of body damage and will be in a body shop for 3 or more weeks. I suffered several skin wounds on my hand and arm and a sprained thumb. After talking with several mechanic friends, here is what I think might have happened. In both cases I was making an extreme left turn into a right-slanted parking space from a two-lane aisle. In both cases I had just crossed over a safety bump and stopped to let oncoming traffic go by before I turned. …
While driving through a grocery store parking lot, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to 4000rpm. Thankfully, due to quick thinking, I got on the brakes, put the car in neutral and turned the ignition off. Something is seriously wrong. Thank god I didn't mow down the 4 people walking in front of me. A quick search of the internet reveals this to be a common problem with jeeps. How in the world has this issue not been a recall??!!
Frequently asked questions
Which Jeep Liberty years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2002 (43), 2006 (30), 2003 (26), 2005 (23) and 2004 (20) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 2% of all complaints for the 2002.
Is there a recall for Jeep Liberty acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for any Jeep Liberty model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Jeep Liberty acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles; 46% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the accelerator pedal (18 mentions), followed by the cruise control (9).
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.