The Lemon Index
200520071st generation (KJ)
Avoid · most complaints: visibility
257 owner complaints, first 3 years 17–21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2006 Toyota RAV4 1452006 Honda CR-V 332006 Ford Escape 95
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2006 Jeep Liberty
- Power window regulator236 complaintsmostly at 32,000–66,000 miles (51,000–106,000 km)
- Ball joint / control arm162 complaintsmostly at 70,000–140,000 miles (112,000–225,000 km)
- Engine stalling50 complaintsmostly at 13,000–81,000 miles (21,000–131,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 1,372 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Jeep Liberty (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 7,000 and 40,000 miles (11,000–64,000 km) (the middle half of the 204 complaints, of all 257 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 18V278000 (suspension), 15V222000 (transmission & drivetrain) and 13V252000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? It has 10 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Jeep sent dealers 62 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Transmission torque converter may fail”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Jeep's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 257 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 7K to 40K miles (11K to 64K km) on the car (204 of all 257 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
(1) this vehicle has been recalled numorous times for various problems. (2) twice in the last 2 months, the back windows have come off the track and slid into the door.
2006 Jeep Liberty owner · NHTSA complaint 10235501
More owner reports
Rolled the passenger window down and it just fell down. Now all I hear when I try to roll the window up is a grinding noise. Found out that it is the window regulator.
NHTSA complaint 10291827
My 2006 Jeep Liberty crd has had 4 window regulators fail in 28 months. I have 39,800 miles on the vehicle. I am the original owner.
NHTSA complaint 10261844
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 12.8M views · 2002–2007 Jeep Liberty
Most-watched topics
- Steering & suspension852K views
How to Replace Front Struts 2002-2007 Jeep LibertyLeekautorepair · 144K views · 9 videos - Cooling system794K views
2003 Jeep Liberty overheatingstanwgg · 298K views · 10 videos - Timing chain & engine479K views
2005 Jeep Liberty 3.7L P0300 Multiple Cylinder Misfire (ignition coils, shorted secondary windings)Positive Lead Diagnostics · 300K views · 4 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical393K views
How To Replace Starter 2002-2007 Jeep LibertyTRQ · 117K views · 9 videos
Show 4 more
- Intake, EGR & engine sensors293K views
2006 Jeep Liberty 3.7L Idle Air Control Valve ReplacementGearTube TV · 101K views · 5 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank203K views
How to Replace Fuel Pump and Sending Unit 2005-2007 Jeep LibertyTRQ · 85K views · 3 videos - Spark plugs & ignition coils165K views
2002 Jeep Liberty 3.7L P0306. Replacing spark plugs and coil on plug. C.O.P. Coils.Randy Templeton · 66K views · 4 videos - Death wobble & steering142K views
2002 Jeep Liberty 4WD 3.7L V-6 power steering rack and pinion replacement.Randy Templeton · 79K views · 4 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Jeep Liberty SUV 1st Generation 2002-071A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 555K views
2004 JEEP LIBERTY 3.7L V6 start up, walk around and reviewAutomotiveReview · 335K views
2002-2007 Jeep Liberty Pre-Owned Vehicle Review - WheelsTVWild About Wheels · 289K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2006 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Jeep told dealers about
Jeep sent dealers 62 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Transmission torque converter may fail
- Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 10
- Suspension · recall issued 2018
The rear suspension lower control arms can fracture due to excessive corrosion, causing a loss of vehicle control.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2015
In the affected vehicles, the springs within the clutch pedal position switch that prevents the vehicle from starting unless the clutch pedal is pushed down may break.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2013
The fuel tanks in these vehicles are at risk of failure and leakage in certain rear impacts.
Show all 10 recalls
- Suspension · recall issued 2012
IN JUNE 2012, CHRYSLER EXPANDED THIS RECALL TO INCLUDE MODEL YEAR 2006 AND 2007 JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLES, REPRESENTING AN ADDITIONAL 137,176 VEHICLES.
- Suspension · recall issued 2009
ROCK KRAWLER IS RECALLING 44 PERFORMANCE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE.
- Electrical · recall issued 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH VALEO HEATING, VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC), THE BLOWER MOTOR MAY OVERHEAT.
- Suspension · recall issued 2006
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE CONSTANT TENSION FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS MAY EXPERIENCE CONTAMINATION.
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, "DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS." AN INCORRECT RIGHT FRONT DOOR LATCH REINFORCEMENT PLATE MA…
- Electrical · recall issued 2006 3.7L engines only
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.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedCrash related fuel tank fires2012–2014
- ClosedFleet vehicle recall completion audit2010–2015
- ClosedDiesel fuel leak2007
- ClosedFront suspension ball joint separation2006
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,550–$4,400 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.8L 4-cyl, 3.7L 6-cyl.
Every Jeep Liberty year. 2006 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 3 older years (2002–2004, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 11 Jeep Liberty years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/jeep-liberty/?y=2006" title="Jeep Liberty reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="376" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/jeep-liberty/2006/">Lemon Index</a> (2006 Jeep Liberty reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2006 Jeep Liberty reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about 3 times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 305; 100 is average, lower is better). The Jeep Liberty year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2011.
What are the most common 2006 Jeep Liberty problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are visibility (33%), electrical (18%) and transmission & drivetrain (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Jeep Liberty have?
10 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Jeep Liberty get?
17 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Jeep Liberty problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 7,000 and 40,000 miles (11,000–64,000 km) (the middle half of the 204 complaints, of all 257 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2006 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2006 Jeep Liberty have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2006 Jeep Liberty cost in fuel a year?
About $3,550 to $4,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Jeep Liberty have?
2.8L 4-cyl, 3.7L 6-cyl.
What Jeep Liberty year is better than the 2006?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2011 drew the fewest (about half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works