VehicleVerdict

2005 Jeep Liberty transmission problems

The 2005 Jeep Liberty has 98 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 7% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

98

Transmission complaints

7%

Share of year

5

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Liberty transmission complaints by model year98 complaints2000: 1 complaints2002: 91 complaints2003: 65 complaints2004: 55 complaints2005: 98 complaints2006: 76 complaints2007: 41 complaints2008: 30 complaints2009: 3 complaints2010: 12 complaints2011: 10 complaints2012: 34 complaints
Liberty transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

05V460000TransmissionOctober 6, 2005 · 256,409 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THIS OCCURS AND THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED, THE VEHICLE MAY ROLL AWAY AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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

What owners report

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 JEEP LIBERTY. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND BECAME STUCK IN THIRD GEAR. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE NEAR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND FLAMES RISING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 11, 2014 · fire

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2005 Jeep Liberty have?

NHTSA has 98 complaints about the 2005 Jeep Liberty transmission — 7% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2005 Jeep Liberty transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 05V460000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.