Steering Column problems of the 2005 Jeep Liberty

Vehicle was involved in a crash with a light pole and small tree. Driver was forced to the right side of the road to avoid a head on crash with another vehicle. Two of the front bumper sensors were hit, but the air bags failed to deploy. The drive hit the steering column that had broken off with her sternum,, and the passenger hit the windshield. There was a question involving the seat belts not holding either of the individuals in place. The 2005 Jeep had several recalls, and many shop bulletins of part failures on file though this one was checked by the dealer and certified as ok. . . Updated 09-18-13.

Failure of steering column rod to actuate ignition sense switch caused vehicle no start and driver stranded. Rod goes between key cylinder and ignition switch. Key can still be turned, but if ignition switch does not actuate engine does not start. There are no dealer serviceable components in steering column. This leads to the entire steering column needing replacement for the failure of a 3mm aluminum cast rod. Dealer estimate of $1200 for repair. Pictures are available.

On a rainy morning on 11/13/2012 while merging onto the interstate my Jeep Liberty went into a skid and I lost control of the vehicle and hit the roadside barrier. The front and back bumpers were damaged. The problem was not the skid but that the steering wheel locked in place and could not be steered to help control the truck. This had happened at least twice before when the truck went into a skid. My husband had asked our local service dealer about it and he said that this was part of the Jeep suspension and was not a defect in the vehicle operation. Based on that inquiry, I thought the first time this happened, that maybe it was just a fluke. However, now I am not so sure. I do not believe that the steering column on a vehicle should locked in place and not allow the vehicle to be controlled. Additionally, I have been waiting eight months for my local Jeep dealer to get the part for the latest safety recall, l27/NHTSA 12v-085 rear suspension lower control arms. We checked last month and the service department stated that we were still number two on the list and when they got the repair part we would get the repair part. We have been told since may 2012 that we were number two on the repair list. I need answers on why my steering wheel does this or I need to get rid of this vehicle because if this happens again I might have very different results than the past two times.

2005 Jeep Liberty. Consumer states vehicle stopped while driving and caught fire. The consumer stated the vehicle was parked when it caught on fire. According to the fire department, the fire may have started in the steering column. The consumer stated a recall was issued for the previous model and she believed that same issue may have applied to her vehicle as well.

My Jeep recently was unable to start the engine. It was fine just the night before with no indication of a problem, but in the morning I turned the key and all I got was a click at the relay; the starter never engaged and the engine would not turn over. After much diagnosis it was discovered the problem was due to the end breaking off of a small metal cylinder which rotates to engage the starter; the cylinder is located on the left underside of the steering column. I was informed by the mechanic that the cylinder, nor the housing containing the cylinder, is sold as a separate part. . . I was forced to replace the entire steering column assembly to the tune of $300 (the labor was another $200, and a new ignition cylinder an additional $30), to fix this one small part that probably cost about $5 to make. In my research online, I found that this is a common, well-known problem with Jeeps, with many people complaining on forums about the same issue. The only action I knew to take was to file a complaint here to hopefully initiate a recall of this part so that it either a) is replaced with a part made of better material so as to stop so many from breaking, and b) stops leaving people stranded with a non-working vehicle with no warning whatsoever.

The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after several attempts. The vehicle was then towed to a local mechanic where he was advised that the ignition switch and steering column would need to be replaced. There was no electrical current passing through the starter and the mechanic advised that there were aluminum pieces that fractured in the steering column and caused the failure. The vehicle was not repaired because the parts needed were on backorder. The contact believed that the manufacturer was ignoring the issue which he stated was a severe safety issue. In addition, the contact stated that the transmission was replaced twice since owning the vehicle. The failure mileage was 85,100. The VIN was not available.

The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and was towed to a local repair shop for inspection. The mechanic diagnosed that the steering column was defective and made repairs. The failure recurred within one year and the vehicle was taken back to the mechanic where the contact was advised to have the steering column replaced a second time. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 72,000 and the current mileage was 78,000.

The height adjustment on the steering column unlocks and releases often with no warning. I find the lock bar dropped down and fully released. When resetting it is not firmly held in place. It is a real challenge to control a steering wheel that moves up and down.

I have a 2005 Jeep Liberty whose ignition switch just failed. Had it towed and the ignition switch must be replaced (which is under warranty), but it entails also exchanging the steering column (which, is not under warranty). They are telling me that I have to pay $800. 00 to fix this my warranty which is still under effect that components not listed are not covered unless required as a direct result of the failure of a covered component. Having read complaint after complaint with Jeep liberties starting with year 2002 to present, it becomes obvious that this is a serious defect and it appears Jeep has done nothing to rectify this problem and is coercing people (even under warranty) to pay for this. The parts are not even immediately available. This has not been resolved yet, but I think it is serious to note the incident. Thank you.

The steering column inside where ignition switch is cracked,that what I was told the vehicle has 90000 miles on it but it was in a crash and now the insurance adjuster says it is normal wear. It will not start, and it shorted out the battery.

The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that the vehicle could not be started and the steering wheel was locked in place. The vehicle was later towed to the dealer where they advised her that the steering column needed to be replaced due to the ignition rod being fractured. The vehicle was repaired for the steering column. The failure recurred six months later. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown. The current mileage was unknown.

My 2005 Jeep Liberty 4x4 was serviced on January 11, 2007 at its place of purchase (brown daub Chrysler in easton, PA). I had described to my service tech the car was making a loud screeching noise when turning and that the car had pulled to the right off and on (every few days) while I was driving. The mechanic stated that he found a "normal noise" related to an air valve in the power steering, and there were no repairs made to the vehicle. I was operating the Jeep Liberty on Saturday, February 3rd. I had the vehicle in park at a drive-up atm. When I shifted the car back into drive, the front tires grabbed, the car kicked forward and the steering wheel pulled to the right. The Jeep rode up over a concrete curb and struck a cement pole, shattering the passenger's side front window, ripping off the door handle, causing a dent and paint damage to the passenger's side of the vehicle. Beyond this problem, the Jeep has been serviced for a broad range of mechanical problems at least seven other times since the purchase date (October 2004). The fuel sending unit has been replaced twice, the vehicle has had two recalls, and four months after I purchased the vehicle the sensor wires had "rubbed through completely" on the transmission. Right now, the vehicle is at a body shop for repair and inspection. It will then be returned to brown daub for a thorough diagnostic checkup of the power steering and/or steering column. Beyond the steering issue, this is not the first time the car has 'kicked forward' - normally this occurs after stopping on wet roads (at traffic lights) my main concern, again, is the steering issue that contributed to this accident. I believe it needs to be further investigated.

The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that the steering wheel column switch disengaged without warning and caused the position of the steering wheel to fluctuate. The vehicle has not been inspected to determine the cause of the failure, and the contact felt itwas a safety issue. The current and failure mileage were 36,000.