Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 117 | 30% | 57,000 miles |
| 2011 | 42 | 23% | 52,000 miles |
| 2010 | 41 | 21% | 70,000 miles |
| 2009 | 19 | 18% | 52,000 miles |
| 2008 | 124 | 23% | 90,000 miles |
| 2007 | 67 | 10% | 68,000 miles |
| 2006 | 147 | 11% | 60,000 miles |
| 2005 | 60 | 5% | 70,000 miles |
| 2004 | 80 | 7% | 94,000 miles |
| 2003 | 72 | 5% | 70,000 miles |
| 2002 | 118 | 7% | 92,000 miles |
| 2001 | 1 | 10% | 50,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I was driving on the roadway when suddenly the front driver side power switch (which controls the automatic windows, doors and mirrors), caught fire and started smoking. Unsure of what to do, I pulled over and tried to investigate. When the smoke subsided I drove to an oil change store, which had serviced my vehicle in the past, and asked for assistance from a technician on duty. While investigating, the power switch started smoldering again. The tech had no other option but to disconnect the power switch, by cutting the wires, to prevent future fire damage - as the wires and power switch had melted together. I contacted Jeep to share my concern but they declined assistance. I performed a Google search and found instances of two incidences similar to my experience. NOTE: I have a brief video but couldn't upload it - photo option was the only option provided.
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front windshield wipers inadvertently activated. The contact turned the windshield wipers on and off to deactivate the windshield wipers. Additionally, the headlights inadvertently illuminated, and the doors locked and unlocked independently while the vehicle was unoccupied, parked, and turned off in the driveway. The vehicle occasionally hesitated while starting. The contact stated that the failure had caused the battery to drain. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact associated the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V530000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
While driving the window driver side suddenly dropped and smoke came out of the driver door panel. Smoke increased rapidly and he began to emanate from the door. Once pulled over flames began coming through the plastic portion of the door where the window and door lock controls are located.
My airbag light came on a few weeks ago and hasn't stopped going on and off it makes that annoying sound the whole trip every time I drive, the heat won't cut on it blows cold air I've had it looked at and repaired allegedly but it still won't blow hot air, the car keeps stalling and it has completely shut off on me 3 times while I have been driving once on a busy freeway I was luckily by grace of god able to turn the wheel off to the side of the road before it locked I have a 2 year old daughter and I'm currently pregnant this is insane and nobody can tell me what's wrong with it or how to fix any of these problems I got a loan for this car so now I'm stuck with this death trap, and now I'm seeing all these complaints about the same thing I'm baffled by the neglect and lack of concern or care for customers and there families who ride in their vehicles safety, I would think it would be …
The contact owns a 2010 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated while her husband was driving approximately 60 MPH, the driver lowered the driver's side window when a smoke odor was present. The driver saw a flame burst from the door-mounted electrical panel with the door lock and window controls. The contact blew the flames out and then returned to the residence. The contact mentioned that her husband's clothes had a strong smoke odor due to the failure. No warning light was illuminated. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that before the electrical fire, during brake work on the vehicle, a mechanic had advised that a wire harness on the tow hitch had melted and had warned the contact not to use the tow hitch. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 166,000.
Daughter pulled out of driveway turned left onto street and immediately heard a loud noise and observed the entire dashboard instrumentation panel light up. Wipers came on, doors locked, engine cut off, alarm went off, wiper fluid started spraying and smoke started pouring from under the hood. Fortunately she was able to unlock the doors and get out of the vehicle. Electrical wiring was still smoking 45 minutes after the power finally drained from the battery. Tow truck refused to move the vehicle until a mechanic came to disconnect the battery. Local shop said all the electrical circuitry was burned up or compromised, including the wiring harnesses, ground wires, fused box, TIPM, etc. Took vehicle to dealership where it was pronounced unfixable. …
On Friday, 07.07.2017, as I was driving into a turn lane from the hwy, I had slowed way down for traffic then picked up speed slightly, not even 10 MPH, to follow cars in the turn lane when the accelerator became sluggish and the Jeep came to a stop. As I pressed the accelerator again there was a very loud pop from under the hood. Everything quit, the engine, the electric, the starter would not turn over when I tried to start it again or the emergency flashers. Just before this happened the engine light and, what I found out later, the electronic throttle control light came on. I was confused at what just happened. Thinking what I saw next was steam coming from under the Jeep was steam I popped the hood to go look. There was traffic all around on the hwy. …
The Jeep Liberty had an option called the sky-slider roof. I have seen many, many problems with the roof and I am positive that Chrysler corporation is well aware of the defect with this sky-slider roof that malfunctions, locks and will not work. Our roof was stuck closed and taken to a Jeep dealership for repair. They had to break a part to check what needed repair. It turns out that our extended warranty expired at 75,000 miles, but due to the weather, this roof cannot be opened, according to the owners manual unless the temperature is below 40 degrees f. With that, we could not get the Jeep in to be looked at until April, thus the vehicle at time of inspection of the roof was at 75,249 miles, over the warranty. They could not repair at this time and now I had to tape the roof closed so it does not open while driving or leak if raining. …
Related recalls (2)
Electrical system
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with valeo heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), the blower motor May overheat.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the HVAC blower motor free of charge. The recall began on May 28, 2007. Owners May contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
On certain two wheel drive sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.7 liter engines, the left oxygen sensor wiring harness May contact the exhaust pipe.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the oxygen sensor wiring harness takeout for damage. If the takeout is damaged, the wiring will be repaired and a tie wrap installed to secure the excess length of wiring harness.
NHTSA investigations
Interior fire, passenger side dash area
This investigation was opened on November 21, 2006 based on two owner reports and one e-mail report alleging an interior fire in the passenger side area of the dash panel.daimlerchrysler (dcc) has identified a defect in the blower motor of the HVAC system in the subject vehicles and in certain 2007 model year liberty vehicles.the defect report states, under certain conditions the heating, ventilation and…
Totally Integrated Power Module Failure
In a letter dated August 21, 2014, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) installed in Chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year.
Jeep Liberty Door Fires
The driver's side power master window switch (PMWS) evaluted during this investigation controls the power windows for all four doors, the power mirrors and door locks.The PMWS is located on the driver's side door panel.Chrysler advised that the PMWS was used on multiple vehicle platforms including model year (MY) 2011 Dodge Nitro, MY 2011-2012 Jeep Liberty and MY 2011 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan for a…
Frequently asked questions
Which Jeep Liberty years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (147), 2008 (124), 2002 (118), 2012 (117) and 2004 (80) model years. Electrical complaints make up 11% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Jeep Liberty electrical problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 07V-089 (electrical system, Mar 9, 2007); 06V-036 (front underhood, Feb 9, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Jeep Liberty electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles; 32% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the ignition (28 mentions), followed by the instrument cluster/panel (18).
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.