Suspension complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 5 | 1% | 140,000 miles |
| 2011 | 6 | 3% | 36,000 miles |
| 2010 | 5 | 3% | 70,000 miles |
| 2009 | 7 | 6% | 74,000 miles |
| 2008 | 20 | 4% | 85,000 miles |
| 2007 | 79 | 11% | 108,000 miles |
| 2006 | 196 | 14% | 104,000 miles |
| 2005 | 262 | 23% | 89,000 miles |
| 2004 | 456 | 41% | 53,000 miles |
| 2003 | 437 | 32% | 55,000 miles |
| 2002 | 494 | 27% | 70,000 miles |
| 2001 | 1 | 10% | — |
| 2000 | 2 | 33% | 25,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the contact became aware of an abnormal wobbling coming from the front end of the vehicle. Additionally, there were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the local tire shop where the four tires were replaced and an alignment was performed; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that several days later while driving at an undisclosed speed, the gear shifter seized, and the vehicle turned off unintendedly. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, parked, and inspected the vehicle. The contact called a local mechanic who drove to the scene to diagnose the vehicle. The contact was informed that the VCM software needed to be updated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. …
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, there was a loud banging sound coming from the suspension on the driver's side rear of the vehicle. The contact became aware that the rear end of the vehicle was loose and was falling apart onto the roadway. The contact pulled to the side of the road. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Low speed head on collision with Jeep Liberty 2011 no airbag deployment, all forces came thru steering column resulting in partial internal amputation of right hand, breking of left hand...no recall repairs ever done, am 3rd owner of vehicle,,,recalls specified in 2011,2013,and after crash in 2016
Brought to dealer for the same noises I've been complaining about for the past 9 months. The old tires were balanced and rotated prior to the second (noise/suspension) complaint to the dealer 5/10/12. Immediately prior to this jan 2013 appointment I replaced scalloped tires with 4 brand new tires, balanced and I paid for the alignment. I still get helicopter sounding noise at high speed and asked that the suspension which was verified as not the problem back in May 2012 be checked again. A technician went for a drive with me and heard it. The dealership said that two tires were unbalanced. Back where I bought the tires, I had them re-do the balance and align. Still not happy with the same noise. I again brought the car back to the dealer mar 2013 and I told them to send a repo truck to my house if the noise is not found. …
Jeep Liberty sport 2010, every time I drive my car up hill slips or looses power in the wheels very easily when it encounters few gravel or crushed stones and small wet areas. It is a very scary experience, to help my car to go up hill more easily I drive the car extremely slow, it does help but I wish I could drive it up hill a little bit faster, the normal way.
Operating my 2010 Jeep Liberty on the highway and the rear suspension snapped nearly causing me to lose control of my vehicle. Also vehicle has an over abundance of rust unknown reason. Single owner, purchased in 2010 this is a serious defect.
The contact owns a 2009 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, he heard abnormal banging sounds coming from the rear of the vehicle and the vehicle was shuddering violently. The contact veered to the side of the road and exited the vehicle to determine the cause of the failure. The contact noticed that the rear tires had moved forward and were close to the wheel well. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that all four rear control arms were fractured. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V278000 (Suspension). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000.
While driving I heard a popping sound and felt the vehicle sway slightly. The vehicle continued to making intermittent banging noises towards the rear passenger side. Upon stopping and investigating I found the rear control arm had failed on the passenger side. I also examined the driver side rear control arm. It was intact but has significant rust, which likely contributed to the passenger side failure, as it also has significant rust. Car has been parked since the incident. I would like to know if the manufacturer/dealer will replace both components free of charge. There was a safety bulletin for the same issue for the 2004-2007 model year of the vehicle (18V-278). A search on the internet found the same failures in my model year for the lower control arms.
Related recalls (5)
Suspension › Rear
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2004-2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles. The rear suspension lower control arms can fracture due to excessive corrosion, causing a loss of vehicle control.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lower control arms, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Suspension › Rear
In June 2012, Chrysler expanded this recall to include model year 2006 and 2007 Jeep liberty vehicles, representing an additional 137,176 vehicles. This recall now concerns certain my 2004-2007 Jeep liberty vehicles. The total number vehicles being recalled is now 346,900.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lower control arms on all affected vehicles originally sold in, or currently registered in, connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland,…
Suspension › Front › Control arm
Chrysler is recalling 42,469 my 2002-2003 Jeep liberty vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in salt belt states of connecticut, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, kentucky, massachusetts, maine, maryland, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island,…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front upper control arm assemblies free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or about April 24, 2010. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
On certain trucks, the constant tension front lower ball joints May experience contamination. If the vehicle is operated for an extended period with this condition, the ball joint May eventually experience wear and looseness.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front lower ball joints free of charge. The recall began on September 11, 2006. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
On certain sport utility vehicles, the lower control arm ball joints can experience a loss of lubrication that can lead to corrosion, accelerated wear, and possible separation from the steering knuckle.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front lower control arm ball joints with modified assemblies and heat shields on vehicles built between January 2, 2001 and October 4, 2002.
NHTSA investigations
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
During Preliminary Evaluation (PE11-013), the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) conducted an analysis of consumer field data from its Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) database and from complaint data submitted to ODI by Chrysler.
Upper ball joint separation
Odi has received 22 complaints of upper ball joint separation on model year 2002 and 2003 Jeep liberty 4x4 vehicles.the separation of an upper ball joint on either of the front wheels can result in the affected front wheel collapsing, possibly resulting in vehicle disablement and causing a loss of vehicle control.there is one complaint of a failure at 75 MPH, 1 failure at 60 MPH, 3 failures at 40 MPH, 2 failures at…
Upper ball joint separation
On April 7, 2009, Chrysler llc submitted to odi a defect information report indicating that it would recall approximately 42,469 model year 2002 through 2003 Jeep liberty vehicles to remedy a defect that can result in upper ball joint separation while driving (09v-119).the affected vehicles were built from May 2002 through September 2002 and originally sold or currently registered in connecticut, delaware, district…
Front suspension ball joint separation
On January 6, 2006, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation to investigate alleged front suspension lower ball joint separationin certain model year (my) 2004 Jeep liberty vehicles.odi sent a letter to the manufacturer on February 7, 2006 requesting information about these and other Jeep liberty vehicles.consequently, the investigation was upgraded to an engineering analysis on May…
Front suspension ball joint separation
On January 6, 2006, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation to investigate alleged front suspension lower ball joint separation while driving in certain model year (my) 2004 Jeep liberty vehicles.odi sent a letter to the manufacturer on February 7, 2006 requesting information about these and other Jeep liberty vehicles.odi is aware of 93 non-duplicative complaints that allege…
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
In a letter dated March 2, 2012 Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) submitted a Defect Information Report (NHTSA recall No. 12V-085) to the NHTSA identifying a safety defect regarding rear suspension lower control arm corrosion in approximately 210,000 model year (MY) 2004 and 2005 Jeep Liberty vehicles, originally sold or currently registered in a Salt-belt state (Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky,…
Frequently asked questions
Which Jeep Liberty years have suspension problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2002 (494), 2004 (456), 2003 (437), 2005 (262) and 2006 (196) model years. Suspension complaints make up 27% of all complaints for the 2002.
Is there a recall for Jeep Liberty suspension problems?
Yes — 5 recalls, including 18V-278 (rear, May 1, 2018); 12V-085 (rear, Mar 5, 2012); 09V-119 (control arm, Apr 9, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Jeep Liberty suspension problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles; 34% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front › control arm › lower ball joint (966 mentions), followed by the front › control arm › upper ball joint (120).
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.