The 2006 Liberty lasts only around 150,000 miles with engine failures and A/C system issues. At $4,878 to $8,181, it’s way too expensive given the number of problems.
Is the 2006 Jeep Liberty a Good Used SUV?
- No, 2006 is a bad year. Owner reviews complain about mechanical issues, cramped cabin, and a bad interior.
- Reliability ratings are terrible. Models from 2009 and newer offer better reliability than the older ones.
- Performance is average from the V6 engine, but it’s a bit weaker than its rivals.
- The Liberty is reasonably safe, getting 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests.
- Fuel economy is bad, only getting up to 17 MPG combined.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Jeep Liberty?
- Consumer Reports says the Liberty is jittery to drive with very low owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds gives the Liberty a 3.8/5, liking the off-road capabilities, and disliking the rough driving experience.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the Liberty 4.1/5 and enjoy the standard V6 engine, but dislike the lack of storage.
What Common Problems Does the 2006 Jeep Liberty Have?
The most common problems found on the 2006 Jeep Liberty include broken window regulators, engine failures, and air conditioning issues.
Broken window regulators are the most common problem showing up about every 55,000 miles. There is a poor design for the regulator, and it prevents the window from going up and down. New regulators are about $400 per window, and will break again due to the design flaw.
Engine failures show up on some Liberty models within the first 80,000 miles. The only solution when there’s a complete failure is to replace it with a new one, costing around $4,800.
Air conditioning system problems are another issue at around 65,000 miles. The compressor and blower both wear out quickly, and cost roughly $600 to replace.
There are 10 recalls, and many of them are serious including the engine wiring harness, steering ball joints, and the rear lower control arm, which can all increase the risk of an accident.
How Long Will the 2006 Jeep Liberty Last?
A properly maintained 2006 Liberty may last around 150,000 miles, which is half as long as top-rated competitors like the Honda CR-V. Regular annual maintenance costs are higher than rivals, according to Repair Pal, at $440 per year.
Most 2006 Liberty models will have over 100,000 miles, so buyers should be prepared to replace items including the oil pan gasket for $500, transmission mounts, which cost $80 each, and the brake booster costing $200.
Fabric on seats spotted and stained first time moisture touched it. Unable to clean. Has needed seat covers most of time we've had it.
Engine light remains on although there are no mechanical problems. I checked multiple car places and there is no problem with engine.
So far mine has been very reliable. The only thing I see being a problem in the foreseeable future are the shocks. They are very stiff and seem to be making some weird noises.
I believe it is pretty reliable. I have had some issues with it in the two years that I have had it but nothing to major or that costly to fix.
It has not had any major problems, just the basics, brake replacement rotor and oil change fluid checks etc.
Some things have had to be replaced, but because of normal wear and tear not because of poor quality or workmanship.
Aside from the window problems, the jeep liberty sport is a reliable vehicle. And the upholstery stains easily, which is another problem.
In two years, had to replace radiator, water pump twice, three batteries. Other random issues too but.
How Much Is the 2006 Jeep Liberty Worth?
Blue book values range from $4,878 to $8,181, making the Liberty about $400 more than a Subaru Forester or Ford Escape. When new, the price range was $21,290 to $26,190. Depreciation is worse than rivals, losing roughly 15% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Jeep Liberty?
There are three models of the Liberty available. Technology was last updated in 2005, with a complete redesign coming for the 2008 model year.
Sport is the entry-level model with:
- 16-Inch Steel Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Power Windows & Locks
- 6-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo System
Renegade falls in the middle of the lineup, adding:
- 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Improved Cloth Seating
- Cruise Control
- Rock Rails
- Skid Plates
Limited is the luxury model and has additional features including:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Leather Seating
- Power Driver’s Seat
- Heated Front Seats
- Infinity Stereo System
What Engines Come In the Jeep Liberty?
The engine found in the 2006 Jeep Liberty is an average 3.7L V6 engine which makes 210 horsepower and gets up to 17 MPG combined. Performance is below average, taking 9.3 seconds to go 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Jeep Liberty Come In?
How Big Is the Jeep Liberty?
The 2006 Jeep Liberty is a compact SUV, similar in size to the Honda CR-V and Chevy Equinox. Passenger room is good in the front and rear seats, with a decent amount of headroom for taller passengers.
Cargo space is good for a compact SUV with 29 cubic feet of room behind the backseats, and 69 cubic feet when folded flat.
How Does the Jeep Liberty Compare to the Competition?
The Jeep Wrangler is another competitor from Jeep costing nearly $8,000 more. Off-road performance is much better in the Wrangler, but the interior of the Liberty is nicer. We recommend the Wrangler since they last longer and hold their value better.
The Toyota RAV4 is a rival that costs about $2,500 more. Reliability ratings and technology are better in the RAV4, but the Liberty has slightly more room. We recommend going with a RAV4 since they are more affordable to own and last longer.
Do Owners Recommend the Jeep Liberty?
Yes. Very low maintenance. Good gas mileage. Exterior has maintained. Rear seat folds with either whole seat or one section.
Yes. It has a great value and still runs well despite being old. Needs frequent oil check / changes to make sure it is running well.
Yes. Great gas mileage, runs good, no mechanical problems so far. Does great in the snow and ice just has a hard time around corners because it is so lightweight.
Yes, it is very reliable. It is decent on gas mileage and gets me from point a to point b. It is a really good car in the winter because it has four wheel drive.
Yes, it is a good reliable vehicle, very spacious. Has a lot of room in the rear, not many mechanical issues but regular maintenance.
Yes, it has been very reliable and dependable. I pray it continues to be for 2 more years until I buy or lease a replacement.
The 2006 jeep liberty sport is a vehicle that will last at least 10 years, but there are some problems, including falling windows. If you can fix the windows as they fall, it is a good vehicle.
Relatively but something always goes wrong. Right now, another battery died, 3rd in three years. Just replaced second water pump.