Model year guide

2005 Jeep Liberty

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2005 Jeep Liberty is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 274 on record.

2005 Jeep Liberty — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2005 Jeep Liberty at a glance

Safety recalls8
Owner complaints1,118
Combined18 mpg
Typical price$4,226

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2005 Jeep Liberty recalls 8

Suspension:rear NHTSA Campaign #18V278000 · 01/05/2018

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.

Fix: 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. Chrysler's number for this recall is U38. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 12V-085. Vehi…

Suspension:rear NHTSA Campaign #12V085000 · 05/03/2012

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. THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 3, 2003 THROUGH JUNE 29, 2007. THE RECALL ADDRESSES THOSE VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY R…

Fix: 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, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YO…

Suspension:front:hub NHTSA Campaign #12E047000 · 22/10/2012

Timken is recalling certain non-formed, front wheel hubs, part number HA599467, which were sold to retail and automotive distributors in the automobile aftermarket as front wheel hub replacements designed only for use on certain 2002 through 2005, 4X4, non-ABS, Jeep Liberty vehicles. These front wheel hub units can be mistakenly sold to owners and installed on 4X2 versions of the Jeep vehicles.

Fix: Timken has notified retail stores that have received the subject parts. The front wheel hubs will be replaced free of charge. Owners who may have purchased the affected units should contact Timken at 1-330-471-3693 for more information. This recall is being conducted by Timken, not Chrysler/Jeep.

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly NHTSA Campaign #13V252000 · 19/06/2013

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles. The fuel tanks in these vehicles are at risk of failure and leakage in certain rear impacts.

Fix: Owners may take their vehicles to dealers and the dealers will perform a free inspection of the rear structure. On vehicles in the recall that are not equipped with a tow hitch, Chrysler will install a Chrysler designed tow hitch free of charge, provided the condition of the vehicle can support pr…

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint NHTSA Campaign #06V288000 · 03/08/2006

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.

Fix: 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 NHTSA Campaign #09E039000 · 19/06/2009

ROCK KRAWLER IS RECALLING 44 PERFORMANCE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE. THESE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS WERE PRODUCED WITH GRADE 2 CARRIAGE BOLTS INSTEAD OF THE PROPER GRADE 5 CARRIAGE BOLTS. THE IMPROPER GRADE 2 CARRIAGE BOLTS COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF CLAMPING FORCE FOR THE BOTTOM STRUT FORK.

Fix: ROCK KRAWLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15. 2008. ALL THE AFFECTED UNTITS HAVE BEEN REMEDIED. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ROCK KRAWLER AT 1-518-270-9822.

Power Train:automatic Transmission NHTSA Campaign #05V460000 · 06/10/2005

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.

Fix: 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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E026000 · 23/03/2006

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2005 Jeep Liberty common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 1,118 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Wheels
Inspect wheels for bends, cracks and curb rash, and feel for vibration at highway speed.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2005 Jeep Liberty safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2005 Jeep Liberty 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2005 Jeep Liberty MPG & running costs

Combined18 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway21 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,486

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2005 Jeep Liberty worth?

Low
$1,900
Typical price
$4,226
High
$6,600

From 273 comparable 2005 Jeep Liberty listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2005 Jeep Liberty costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,430
Depreciation (5 yrs)$3,100
Total$20,530
Per mile$0.27

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($4,226) with the same model 3 model-years older ($2,379), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2005 Jeep Liberty trims & engines on record

Trims
Sport · Limited · Renegade
Engines
3.7L 6-cyl · 2.8L 4-cyl · 2.4L 4-cyl

2005 Jeep Liberty vehicles on record

Other Jeep Liberty model years

2005 Jeep Liberty — frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Jeep Liberty have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls for the 2005 Jeep Liberty. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Jeep Liberty?

Based on 1,118 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are suspension, steering, power train.

What is the 2005 Jeep Liberty safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2005 Jeep Liberty crash-test ratings of frontal 5★, side 5★, rollover 3★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2005 Jeep Liberty get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2005 Jeep Liberty at about 18 mpg combined (17 city / 21 highway).

How much is a 2005 Jeep Liberty worth?

Comparable 2005 Jeep Liberty listings run roughly $1,900–$6,600, typically around $4,226 (from 273 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.