Recall 12V085 covers 346,900 2004-2007 Jeep Liberty SUVs for rear lower control arm corrosion. Repair is free at any franchised Jeep dealer.
Jeep is recalling 346,900 2004-2007 Liberty vehicles in road-salt states because corrosion can fracture the rear lower control arms. A broken rear lower control arm can cause loss of vehicle control and lead to a crash; the dealer repair will be free once Jeep makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The rear lower control arms on 2004-2007 Jeep Liberty SUVs are suspension links that help hold the rear axle in position. They let the rear suspension move while keeping the wheels aligned with the body and the road.
On affected Liberty SUVs, road salt used in winter weather attacks these arms over time. Excessive corrosion weakens the metal until a rear lower control arm fractures. When that link breaks, the rear axle is no longer held in its normal position, which affects how the SUV tracks, steers, and responds to bumps.
Jeep did not list a warning sign before the arm breaks. There is no warning sign before failure, so a Liberty that looks normal still needs repair if its VIN is included in recall 12V085.
Who's affected?
Spans 4 model years of the Liberty, all tied to the rear suspension.
| 2004 Jeep Liberty | rear suspension |
|---|---|
| 2005 Jeep Liberty | rear suspension |
| 2006 Jeep Liberty | rear suspension |
| 2007 Jeep Liberty | rear suspension |
| Units affected | 346,900 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
In NHTSA campaign 12V085, a rear lower control arm fracture can cause loss of vehicle control and lead to a crash. If your 2004-2007 Liberty is included, drive cautiously and arrange recall service promptly. Repair will be free at any franchised Jeep dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2004-2007 Jeep Liberty is included in this recall.
- Look for the Jeep owner notice mailed for this recall, since eligibility also depends on sale or registration in the listed road-salt states.
- Contact a franchised Jeep dealer with recall number 12V085 and ask whether your VIN is approved for the free repair.
- Schedule the rear lower control arm replacement that fixes the corrosion-related fracture risk in the rear suspension.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and stop driving if the rear suspension feels loose, unstable, or makes new clunking noises.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Jeep technician replaces the rear lower control arms on included Liberty vehicles that were originally sold or are currently registered in the listed road salt states and the District of Columbia. The repair addresses corrosion that can lead the rear suspension lower control arm to fracture. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall.
Timeline
| March 5, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 26, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V085?
Recall 12V085 covers 346,900 2004-2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles with rear lower control arms that can fracture from road-salt corrosion. A fractured arm can cause loss of vehicle control and lead to a crash. Jeep dealers replace the rear lower control arms for free.
What should I do if my 2004-2007 Jeep Liberty is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Liberty is included in recall 12V085. If it is, call a franchised Jeep dealer and ask for the rear lower control arm replacement. Reference recall number 12V085 when you schedule. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the recall remedy says dealers replace the rear lower control arms free of charge. The safety recall began on March 26, 2012.
Is it safe to drive my Jeep Liberty before the repair?
The recall does not include a do-not-drive order. The risk is still serious: a rear lower control arm fracture can cause loss of vehicle control and lead to a crash. Check your VIN, then ask the dealer how soon the free repair can be completed.
What if I bought my Jeep Liberty used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Liberty is included, then contact a franchised Jeep dealer and reference recall number 12V085 when you call.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V085000 |
|---|---|
| Jeep customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V085 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V085000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →