Page 30 of 37 · complaints 1,451–1,500 of 1,808

2002 Jeep Liberty complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2002 record →

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Oct 3, 200549,000 milesMI

DRIVERS SEAT BELT DOES NOT CLIP INTO THE FEMALE PORTION OF THE MECHANISM. THE RED RELEASE BUTTON STAYS DEPRESSED NOT BEING ABLE TO RE-ACCEPT THE MALE PORTION OF THE MECHANISM. *NM

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Sep 29, 200532,306 milesPR

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE 2002 JEEP LIBERTY HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT BELT LATCHING. THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE MALFUNCTIONED. THECONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE VEHICLE FIXED. THE APPROXIMATE COST TO THE CONSUMER WAS $151.72 FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK UPDATD 01/04/06. *JB

Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)
Filed Sep 23, 200537,400 milesNJ

TRANS CASE ON MY 2002 LIBERTY WENT WITH 37,000 MILES ON CAR CALLED MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT SINCE CAR WAS DRIVEN UNDER 10 MILES A DAY IT WAS CONSIDERED SEVERE DRIVING AND SINCE AUTO TRAN FLUID NOT CHANGED AT 30000 IT WAS A NORMAL THING IF I DROVE 50 MILES A DAY ON HIGHWAY IT WAS CONSIDERED NORMAL AND BASED ON THEIR SCHEDULE THE FLUID NEVER HAS TO BE CHANGED CHRYSLER REFUSED TO LISTEN SAID IT WAS MY PROBLEM. *JB

Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod AssemblyCrash
Filed Sep 17, 200556,700 milesCA

THE JEEP WAS BEING DRIVEN BY A FAMILY MEMBER. SHE WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON HWY 99 AND FELT THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE DROP A LITTLE AND HEARD A SQUEALING TIRE. IT THEN BEGAN TO SWERVE SIDE TO SIDE GROWING INCREASINGLY OUT OF CONTROL UNTIL IT SPUN AND HIT THE CENTER MEDIAN COMING TO REST IN THE FAST LANE. THE BODY SHOP FOUND A BROKEN TIE ROD END LOWER BALL JOINT AND BOUND KNUCKLE IT THE FRONT. SOME OF THAT WOULD BE FROM THE IMPACT ON THE GUARD RAIL. CHP IDENTIFIED THE CAUSE OF COLLISION AS MECHANICAL FAILURE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE LOWER BALL JOINTS AND I HAD THAT WORK DONE AT THE DEALER. ALL WORK ON THE JEEP WAS DONE BY THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE CONTACTED DAIMLER CHRYSLER AND THEY ARE SENDING SOME ONE TO LOOK AT IT. *JB

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Sep 13, 200529,000 milesWI

DRIVER SEAT BELT WOULD NOT LATCH PART REPLACED. *NM

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Sep 8, 200551,788 milesIL

ON JUNE THURSDAY 9:00 AM 16TH I CALL THE DEALER TO LOOK AT MY JEEP LIBERTY BECAUSE THE STEERING WAS VERY STIFF AND HARD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT I COULD NOT GET MY CAR IN UNTIL MONDAY THE 20TH THREE DAYS LATER. I TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT I NEEDED TO TRAVEL TO OHIO ON BUSINESS AND THAT I COULD NOT WAIT. HE HAD NO RESPONSE OTHER THAN I SHOULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL SOMEONE HAD LOOKED AT IT. I THEN CALL A LOCAL GARAGE WHO TOLD ME THAT COULD GET MY CAR THAT MORNING. THEY FOUND AND DOCUMENTED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS SEEM TO BE THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THEY COULD SEE THROUGH THE CHRYSLER RECALL WEBSITE THAT I HAD TAKEN THE LIBERTY IN GREGORY CHRYSLER PLYMOUTH JEEP PRIOR TO THIS FOR THE RECALL WHICH SHOULD HAVE FIXED THIS PROBLEM. I THINK MAYBE THIS WORK WAS BILLED BUT NEVER DONE AND I HAVE NO WAY TO PROVE THIS. (I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY LIBERTYS HAVE SEEN THIS RECALL PROBLEM TWICE) THEY GREASED THE BALL JOINT SO THAT I COULD DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN. ON SEPT 7TH I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE JEEP DEAL WHO TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BALL JOINTS BECAUSE I HAD SOMEONE ELSE HELP ME OUT WHEN THEY COULD NOT. SO THE QUESTION REMAINS, DOES THE LOWER BALL JOINT RECALL REALLY FIX THE PROBLEM OR IS THIS DEALER JUST SCANNING PEOPLE ON THE WORK THAT IS SUPPOSE TO BE COVERED? IT IS EITHER ONE OR THE OTHER. *NM

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Sep 1, 200552,000 milesGA

SEAT BELT ON DRIVERS SIDE IS AT TIMES HARD TO UNLATCH. I REPORTED IT TO MILTON RUBEN JEEP TODAY AND WAS TOLD IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $130.00. I TOLD THEM IT WAS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT SHOULD NOT REQUIRE ME PAYING FOR IT AND I DID NOT HAVE THE ITEM REPLACED AT THIS TIME. I ASKED IF IT WAS A RECALL ITEM AND WAS TOLD NO.

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Aug 31, 200521,000 milesMI

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED TO LATCH, HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB

Seat Belts › Rear/Other
Filed Aug 31, 200555,414 milesIL

FIRST PROBLEM: ON MARCH 31, 2004, WE TOOK MY 2002 JEEP LIBERTY TO THE JEEP DEALER DUE TO A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE IN THE FRONT. THEY DIAGNOSED A BAD LOWER BALL JOINT ON THE LEFT FRONT SIDE AND REPLACED IT. NOTE - MY JEEP HAD THE LOWER FRONT BALL JOINTS SERVICED UNDER A RECALL NOTICE AT THE END OF 2003. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE HAD THE LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED AND A HEAT SHIELD INSTALLED. SECOND PROBLEM: WITHOUT WARNING ON JULY 28, 2005, THE FRONT RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE JEEP INTO OUR GARAGE, AND THE FRONT END COLLAPSED ONTO THE PAVEMENT AND THE DISCONNECTED WHEEL. THERE WAS NO NOISE OR ANY INDICATION OF A PROBLEM BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS: I STARTED UP THE ENGINE, BACKED THE JEEP UP A FEW FEET TO STRAIGHTEN MY APPROACH, AND ATTEMPTED TO PULL IT INTO THE GARAGE. HOWEVER, I NOTICED A STRONG RESISTANCE TO ROLL FORWARD SO I STOPPED, GOT OUT AND LOOKED AROUND TO MAKE SURE I WASN'T RUNNING OVER SOMETHING. AFTER SEEING NOTHING IN THE WAY OR UNDER THE VEHICLE, I TRIED AGAIN TO PULL FORWARD, BUT IT WOULDN'T ROLL AND THE WHEEL SKID. SO I PUT IT INTO REVERSE AND TRIED TO BACK UP. THAT IS WHEN THE FRONT END DROPPED WITH A LOAD CRUNCH ONTO THE WHEEL THAT HAD CAME OFF. THE JEEP DEALER PAID FOR THE NEW BALL JOINT AND SEVERAL OTHER PARTS THAT WERE DAMAGED DUE TO THE INCIDENT. ANOTHER PROBLEM: ON DECEMBER 12, 2003, THE RIGHT REAR SEAT BELT LATCH HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE RELEASE BUTTON WAS JAMMING (SOMETIMES IT WOULD WORK AND SO

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Aug 28, 200578,778 milesOH

MY WIFE LOST CONTROL OF OUR "2002" JEEP LIBERTY. THE LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM ITSELF. RECALL SERVICE FOR LOWER BALL JOINTS WAS ALREADY PERFORMED BY TOM HARRIGAN JEEP OF DAYTON OHIO ON JAN 10TH OF "04"*JB

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 19, 200536,000 milesUT

ON FEBRUARY 16, 2005 WHILE TRAVELING EASTBOUND I-80 IN SALT LAKE CITY I HIT SOME BLACK ICE AND LOST CONTROL OF MY 2002 JEEP LIBERTY. I WAS TRAVELING FREEWAY SPEEDS AND HAD A FRONT IMPACT ALONG WITH A DRIVER SIDE ROLLOVER AND A SLIDE OF APPROXIMATELY 100 YARDS. ALL OF THE EMERGENCY PERSONNEL THAT RESPONDED TO MY ACCIDENT VOICED SHOCK AND CONCERN THAT NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. FURTHER, I HAVE HEARD THAT IF THE G-FORCE WAS NOT GREAT ENOUGH TO DEPLOY THE SIDE AIRBAGS, THE JEEP SHOULD NOT HAVE ROLLED (I HAVE NO IDEA IF THAT IS TRUE). I HAD, AND STILL HAVE, SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT WHY MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND DO NOT TRUST THAT IN THE EVENT OF ANOTHER ACCIDENT THEY WOULD DEPLOY, REGARDLESS OF THE SEVERITY. I CONTACTED JEEP AND ASKED THEM TO LOOK INTO IT. THEY DID DO SOME INVESTIGATION. HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE MY JEEP WAS NOT PRESERVED FOR THEIR INSPECTION THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I HAVE SENT THEM SEVERAL E-MAILS EXPLAINING THAT I DO HAVE PHOTO THAT DOCUMENT THE DAMAGE AND SHOW THAT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THEY HAVE JUST DISREGARDED MY COMPLAINTS. I ALSO HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE EASE IN WHICH MY JEEP ROLLED OVER. THIS CONCERN HAS ALSO BEEN DISMISSED. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THAT MY FAMILY IS GOING TO BE SAFE IF ANTHER UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT OCCURS.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Aug 17, 200531,913 milesOH

DT: CALLER HAD RECALL WORK DONE ON THE BALL JOINTS O LAST YEAR. NOW SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND SHE WAS TOLD THE BALL JOINTS WERE BAD AGAIN. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER SAID A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF PLAY WAS ACCEPTABLE, AND THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS UNTIL THERE WAS COMPLETE FAILURE.*AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Aug 13, 200539,527 milesIN

THE FRONT END OF MY 02 JEEP LIBERTY (39,527 MILES) VIN # [XXX] BEGAN TO MAKE LOUD NOISES FROM THE FRONT END. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE NOISE AS UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE. THE REPAIR COST $655.20 AND CAR RENTAL $89.99. PREVIOUSLY, THIS JEEP MODEL WAS FACTORY RECALLED FOR A BOTTOM BALL JOINT DEFECT WHICH WAS PERFORMED AT 26,887 MILES. I CONTACTED THE DIAMLER CHRYSLER CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER WHO REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. I HAVE A HARD TIME BELIEVING THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE NOT DEFECTIVE LIKE THE BOTTOM ONES. A HEAVY DUTY JEEP SHOULD HAVE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS WHICH LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. *JB UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor ShiftFire
Filed Aug 5, 200547,380 milesTX

2002 JEEP LIBERTY WAS BEING TOWED BEHIND MOTOR HOME, ALERTED BY PASSING MOTORISTS I PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT OF THE RV. SMOKE WAS PORING OUT OF THE LIBERTY FIRE TRUCKS ARRIVED JUST AS FLAMES WERE SHOOTING OUT OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT..THEY MANAGED TO FREE THE JEEP FROM THE MOTOR HOME AND USED FIRE HOSES ON THE JEEP..JEEP IS A TOTAL LOSS..AS YET NO EXPLANATION FOR CAUSE OF FIRE. *NM

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Aug 2, 200582,000 milesPA

SEPT. 9, 2004: THE VEHICLE (2002 JEEP LIBERTY) WENT THE DEALER FOR A SAFETY RECALL REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS PER THE SAFETY RECALL. AUG. 1, 2005: THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT ON THE RIGHT-FRONT WHEEL FAILED. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, THE BALL PORTION OF THE BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM THE SOCKET CAUSING THE RIGHT-FRONT WHEEL TO SEEMINGLY FALL OFF. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, IT WAS NOTED ON JULY 31, 2005 THAT THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT SLIGHTLY WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE BALL JOINT FAILURE OCCURRED ON A FLAT, SMOOTH PARKING LOT AT LOW SPEED. NO BODILY INJURIES OCCURRED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURERS REPRESENTATIVE HAVE AGREED TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINT AND REPAIR THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE FAILURE. HOWEVER, THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURE WILL NOT CERTIFY IN ANY WAY THAT THE NEW PARTS HAVE BEEN INSPECTED AND ARE FREE FROM DEFECT. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT IT IS THE SAFETY RECALL REPLACEMENT PART THAT FAILED. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT DIAMLER CHRYSLER HAS RESOLVED THE PROBLEM(S) THAT LED TO THE INITIAL RECALL. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE WITH THEIR PROPOSED FIX TO MY VEHICLE. *NM

Fuel System, Other › Delivery
Filed Jul 26, 200560,000 miles00

TOTAL ENGINE SHUT DOWN AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 50 MILES PER HOUR RESULTING IN NEAR LOSS OF CONTROL. DUE TO FAILURE OF CATALYTIC CONVERTER AT 60,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS A 21 DAY BACK ORDER ON THE PART AND ADVISES ONLY 14 PIECES ARE AVAILABLE NORTH AMERICA WIDE. NO WARNINGS, NO ENGINE LIGHTS, NO ROUGH IDLING. CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE IN CANADA SHOWED LITTLE REGARD FOR THE SAFETY ASPECT OF THE PART FAILURE AND APPEARS TO HAVE A PROBLEM KEEPING UP WITH DEMAND FOR THIS PART. AS A POLICE OFFICER I DONT WANT SOMEONE HAVING AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS FAILURE WITH TRAGIC RESULTS. WE HAD JUST COME OFF THE MAIN HIGHWAY AND IF THE FAILURE HAD OF OCCURRED THERE A COLLISION WOULD SURELY HAVE OCCURRED.

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Jul 26, 2005GA

DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 JEEP LIBERTY. AT 36,300 MILES THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED. JEEP TOLD CONTACT IT WAS TOO BAD. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT STAY LATCHED. ALL OTHER SEAT BELTS IN WERE WORKING PROPERLY. DRIVER COULD NOT T LATCH THE SEAT BELT IN THE BUCKLE. COULD NOT HEAR ANYTHING WHEN TRYING TO LATCH THE SEAT BELT. THE BUCKLE WAS FREE OF DIRT AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS. THE SEAT BELT WAS REPAIRED BECAUSE HE PURCHASED A REPLACEMENT AND PUT IT IN ON JULY 26, 2005.*AK PHONE INTERVIEW UPDATE: THE COMPLAINANT EXPERIENCED TROUBLE GETTING THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE TO DISENGAGE. THE PROBLEM WORSENED OVER TIME AND THE RELASE BUTTON HAD TO BE MESHED DOWN HARD TO RELEASE. EVENTUALLY, THE PROBLEM GOT SO BAD THAT MR. OR MRS. GILBERT HAD TO USE A KEY TO PRY UP THE RELASE BUTTON TO DISENGAGE THE TONGUE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 23, 2005DE

AIR CONDITIONER BLOWING OUT HOT AIR,TOOK CAR TO AUTO DEALER, THEY CHECK IT OUT CHARGE ME 74.95, AND SAID THE PROBLEM WAS CONDENSOR LEAKING, WELL THIS DIDN'T GET REPAIR DO TIL SAID THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAYEST. OF 455.00, I CALL CHRYSLER CORP AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WAS NOT PAYING TO FIX,ONLY HAVE 50,931 MILES, THEY CLAIM A ROCK HAD DID THIS, I HOPE THIS IS NOT TRUE SEEKING FOR HELP THANK'S

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Jul 15, 200570,000 milesNY

DT: CALLER SAYS HIS BALL JOINTS ARE DEFECTIVE. WITHOUT WARNING THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL FELL OFF TWO WEEKS AGO. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. DEALER FIXED IT UNDER WARRANTY. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE. RECALL WORK WAS DONE IN APRIL 2004. CALLER DOSE NOT HAVE RECALL INFORMATION. CALLER SAYS AT HIS EXPENSE HE REPLACED THE REAR BALL JOINTS.*AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Jul 12, 2005VA

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 JEEP LIBERTY. HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THE LOWER BALL JOINT AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS SUPPOSED TO OF FIXED THE RECALL. WHILE HE WAS PULLING OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY THE LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE AND THE VEHICLE IS RIDING ON ITS RIM RIGHT NOW. THERE IS NOT AN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER OR A MANUFACTURE NUMBER AVAILABLE. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Jul 10, 2005FL

2002 JEEP LIBERTY, WITH 40,000 MILES, A/C COMPRESSOR IS OUT AND APPARENTLY NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS A PREMATURE BREAKDOWN OF THIS ITEM. WE ARE BEING TOLD THE REPAIRS WOULD EXCEED $800.00, WHICH IN ITSELF IS EXCESSIVE.

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Jun 29, 200537,200 milesNJ

DEFECT IN DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH, AND I HAVE A CHRYSLER SERVICE CONTRACT AND THEY SAY THAT ITS NOT COVERED, ITS A FACTORY DEFECT. PHONE INTERVIEW UPDATE: THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT EASILY UNLATCH. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Jun 29, 2005CT

DT: CONSUMER HAS A 2002 JEEP LIBERTY HAD THE BALL JOINT RECALL REPAIRED. ON SUNDAY THE BALL JOINTS BECAME DISCONNECTED FROM THE WHEEL. THEY COULDN?T STEER THE VEHICLE, AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL TILTED OUTWARD. CONSUMER COMPLAINED APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIR S BECAUSE SHE HEARD FUNNY NOISES. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE LOOKED AT, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. WHEN SHE HAD THE VEHICLE AT DEALER FOR THE 60,000 MILE CHECK UP SHE WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS FINE. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER AND NEITHER OF THEM WERE WILLING TO HELP HER. THE AXLE CAME OUT, AND THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HER IT WAS $800 WORTH OF DAMAGE.*AK

Wheels
Filed Jun 20, 200535,700 milesOH

ALLOY WHEELS CORRODED BY VALVE STEM, ACTUAL HOLES IN THEM. BOUGHT ONE NEW WHEEL FROM CHRYLSER AFTER COMPLAINING OF PROBLEM. IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING NEW TIRES, MY MECHANIC NOTICED ANOTHER WHEEL HAD A HOLE. I HAVE TO PURCHASE 4 NEW WHEELS, AND NEW 4 TIRES FOR MY LIBERTY AT 37000. TIRES WERE CONSTANTLY NEEDING AIR, AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULL, AND CAUSED EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR. YES I STILL HAVE THE SECOND WHEEL WITH THE HOLE IN IT. I GUESS I'LL FIND OUT IF THE OTHER TWO WHEELS HAVE HOLES WHEN MY NEW WHEELS COME IN. VERY DISCOURAGED!

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Jun 10, 200564,700 milesWV

DT: THE SEAT BELT BUCKEL ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WILL NOT BUCKLE UNLESS THE ORANGE BUTTON IS FIRST LIFTED UP. *AK

Service Brakes, Air › Antilock
Filed May 26, 200555,000 milesNJ

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET I WENT TO USE MY BRAKES TO STOP AT A LIGHT, THEY WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I SLID INTO THE INTERSECTION. I THOUGHT MAYBE THEY WERE WET ...WENT TO NEXT TAFFIC LIGHT AND PUMPED THE BRAKES THEY DROPPED TO THE FLOOR AGAIN. I DROVE MY CAR TO THE NEAREST BRAKE PLACE. THEY TEST DROVE IT AND STATED IN MAYBE AN INTERMITTEN FAILURE IN THE MASTER CYNLINDER OR SOMETHING ELSE, THEIR IS NO WARNING, WORK SOMETIME ..DID NOT OTHER. THEY PUT THE 2002 JEEP LIBERTY 4X4 ON THE LIFT AND FOUND THAT THE REAR WHEEL CYNDLIERS HAS LEAKS IN THEM. THIS CAR HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE DAY ONE WITH MULTIPLE REPORTS TO YOU. IT HAS 55,000 MILES ON IT AND THE BRAKE PADS WHERE GOOD, WHEEL CYNDLIER IN BOTH WHEELS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. ALSO CLAIM MAY ALSO BE A INTERMITTED PROBLEM IN THE MASTER CYNDLIER. NO MASTERCYNDLIERS AVAILABE, WELL CYNDLIERS I COULD GET... LEMON

Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Filed May 23, 200540,400 milesNJ

THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER BEING DRIVEN AND PARKED FOR A FEW MINUTES. THE VEHICLE GOT A JUMP START. THE PANEL LIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO INDICATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR FAILED AND DRAINED BATTERY. THIS OCCURRED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR WITH AN UPGRADED. THIS INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE ORIGINAL ALTERNATOR. *AK *SC *JB

Steering › Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm
Filed May 14, 200539,527 milesIN

THE FRONT END OF MY 04 JEEP LIBERTY (39,527 MILES; VIN # [XXX]) BEGAN TO MAKE LOUD SQUEAKING NOISES. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE NOISE AS FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE! THE REPAIR COST $655.20 AND CAR RENTAL COST AN ADDITIONAL $89.99. PREVIOUSLY, THIS JEEP MODEL WAS FACTORY RECALLED FOR FRONT BOTTOM BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT, WHICH I HAD PERFORMED AT 26,887 MILES. I CONTACTED THE DAIMLERCHRYLER CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER WHO REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. I WROTE A LETTER TO THE SAME CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AND AGAIN I WAS REFUSED. I HAVE A HARD TIME BELIEVING THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS ARE NOT DEFECTIVE, ALSO. THIS IS A JEEP WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN OFF OF A PAVED ROAD! YOU WOULD THINK THAT THE SUSPENTION COMPONENTS ON A JEEP WOULD BE HEAVY DUTY AND WOULD LAST A VERY LONG TIME. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed May 8, 200545 milesCT

I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK, CAME UPON AN INTERSECTION THAT A TRUCK WAS COMING TO A STOP SIGN. HE STOPPED AND THAN PROCEDED TO PULL OUT IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD NO TIME TO REACT AND NOT HIT THE TRUCK. I BASICALLY T-BONED IT. IT WAS BARELY MOVING AND I WAS DOING ABOUT 45 MPH. AT IMPACT. MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I ENDED UP HITTING MY HEAD INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND 19 STITCHES INTO MY HEAD AND SLID DOWN INTO MY SEAT ENOUGH TO RAM BOTH OF MY KNEE'S INTO THE DASHBOARD. MY JEEP LIBERTY WAS A TOTAL LOSS, $8500 IN DAMAGES TO IT. I CONTACTED JEEP AND THEY RESPONDED WITH THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. I JUST DON'T BELIEVE THAT A CRASH WITH THIS MUCH IMPACT THAT WERE WASN'T A PROBLEM WITH THE SYSTEM.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed May 4, 2005107,000 milesIN

CALLER STATED SHE GOT A RECALL NOTICE TO GET THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED, WHICH SHE DID. AFTER ANOTHER 37000 MILES THE BALL JOINT SNAPPED, RESULTING IN THE TIRE FALLING OFF. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOP.*AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower ArmCrash
Filed Apr 30, 200546,000 milesCT

SINCE PURCHASING THIS 2002 JEEP LIBERTY FOR MY 23 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IT HAS PULLED TO THE LEFT WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS RELEASED. IT WAS RETURNED TO THE JEEP DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR REPAIR. EACH TIME IT WAS REALIGNED AND WAS OK FOR A TIME THEN STARTED TO PULL TO THE LEFT AGAIN. WE ALSO REPLACED THE TIRES TRYING TO ELIMINATE PROBLEM, WHICH CONTINUED UNTIL THE 3/31/05 ACCIDENT. MY DAUGHTER WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ON 3/31/05 A SUNNY DRY DAY IN NEW BRITAIN CT WHEN SHE SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF HER JEEP AND SIDE SWIPED THE JERSEY BARRIER. ALTHOUGH THIS CAN'T BE PROVED WITHOUT MORE INVESTIGATION, I BELIEVE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM , WHICH IS CASTED NOT PRESSED STEEL, HAD A PARTIAL CRACK THAT TOTALLY FAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE FAILURE CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE JEEP LIBERTY AND IT SIDE-SWIPED THE JERKY BARRIER. THERE WAS ABOUT $6,000 DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE JEEP, NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED. THE POLICE OFFICER ATTRIBUTED THE ACCIDENT TO TIRE FAILURE, SINCE THE 2 DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES WERE FLAT. WHEN EXAMINING THE JEEP AT THE BODY SHOP, I NOTICED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS BROKEN. I DIDN'T THINK THE CRASH WAS SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE THIS TO HAPPEN. ON CLOSER EXAMINATION OF THE PART IT LOOKED TO ME LIKE THE BROKEN EDGE WAS ABOUT HALF RUSTED. TO ME THIS INDICATED A PREEXISTING CRACK IN THE CASTING. I AM REPORTING THIS INCIDENT BECAUSE I CAN'T PROOF THE JEEP'S PART FAILED. THE JEEP IS ADVERTISED AS AN "OFF ROAD" VEHICLE AND AS SUCH SHOULD BE HEAVY DUTY.

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Apr 29, 200550,000 milesMD

HAD AIR CONDITION RECHARGED 5/04 BECAUSE IT STARTED BLOWING WARM AIR. STARTED BLOWING WARM AIR AGAIN IN 04/05. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND AFTER CHECKING EVERYTHING ELSE, THEY REPLACE THE COMPRESSOR. *AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Apr 25, 200525,000 milesMD

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL CAMPAIGN 03V460000 FOR THE LOWER BALL JOINT ARM. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS AND LEAVING IT ALL DAY CONSUMER WAS NOTIFIED UPON HER ARRIVAL TO PICK THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THAT THERE WAS A SPECIAL WRENCH NEEDED TO REMOVE THE BALL JOINTS, AND THAT CONTACT WOULD BE MADE AS SOON AS THEY RECEIVED THE WRENCH. CONSUMER CURRENTLY RECEIVED A SECOND NOTIFICATION THAT THE RECALL WAS NOT PERFORMED . NO CONTACT HAS BEEN MADE BY THE DEALERSHIP. *AK *NM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 12, 200565,600 milesDE

2002 JEEP LIBERTY LIMITED 4WD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, LOSS OF THIRD GEAR DUE TO BREAKAGE OF VALVE BODY BOLTS IN TRANSMISSION ACCESSIBLE BY REMOVAL OF TRANSMISSION PAN. SHOP FOREMAN AT HERTICH JEEP/NISSAN (DOVER, DE) STATED THAT THE BOLTS WERE NOT OF THE CORRECT STRENGTH, AND THAT THE NEW BOLTS SUPPLIED WITH THE NEW VALVE BODY (STILL UNDER WARRANTEE) WOULD BE OF THE CORRECT STRENGTH.*AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Apr 7, 200525,000 milesAL

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK

SteeringCrash
Filed Mar 28, 200532,000 milesKY

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP CAUSING A VEHICLE COLLISION. UPON IMPACT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK *BF *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 28, 2005MO

WHILE DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THE ODOMETER STOPPED WORKING. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THE O-2 SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND THEY REPLACED THEM, WHICH DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK, DEALER THEN REPLACED THE COMPUTER. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Mar 23, 2005PR

2002 JEEP LIBERTY BALL JOINT SEPARATED RESULTING IN THE CONSUMER LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.*MR AFTER THE DEALER PERFORMED THE RECALL ON THE LOWER BALL JOINTS THE CONSUMER STARTED TO HEAR A NOISE COMING FROM THE TIRE. THE DEALER CLAIMED THE NOISE WAS FROM THE BRAKE AND IT WAS ADJUSTED, HOWEVER THE NOISE WAS STILL PRESENT AND THAT WAS WHEN THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE BALL JOINT SEPARATING FROM THE KNUCKLE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED WHEN THE DEALER REPLACED THE BALL JOINT IT WAS DONE INCORRECTLY.*JB

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Mar 16, 200543,500 milesNJ

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED . AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER WAS NOT RESTRAINED PROPERLY. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. *AK

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control ModuleCrash
Filed Mar 14, 2005WI

THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE IMPACT SENSOR WAS REPLACED. AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED ,AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR THE BODY WORK. CONSUMER CONTACTED CHRYSLER. HOWEVER, CHRYSLER WILL DO NOTHING TO ASSIST THE CONSUMER.*AK

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Filed Mar 10, 2005MD

VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 60 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE DRIVER FELT VIBRATION COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. DRIVER WAS SWAYING TO THE RIGHT HAND SIDE TO PULL OVER WHEN THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL FELL OFF. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SHOP FOR A CHECKUP AND RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE ALL OF THE NUTS WERE LOOSE, EXCEPT THE LUG NUT LOCK. CONSUMER WAS EXPLAINED THAT THE ALLOY WHEEL CAUSED IT TO FALL OFF IF THE TIRES WERE NOT TIGHTENED AFTER NEW TIRES WERE PURCHASED.*AK

Wheels › Rim
Filed Mar 2, 2005NJ

THE RIMS HELD WATER DURING RAIN WHICH CAUSED THE RIMS TO RUST ON THE VALVE STEM. THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE RIMS COULD DEVELOP ENOUGH RUST TO BREAK THEM OFF THE VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY OWNER.*AK THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE RIMS OFF AND PAINT THEM. *TC

Power Train › Axle Assembly
Filed Feb 16, 200550,000 milesCT

THE REAR CONTROL ARM COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM WELD SITE WITH THE REAR AXLE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THIS IS WHAT SHE WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC. *AK REAR AXLE HOUSING BROKE AWAY FROM CONTROL ARM BRACKET AND FACTORY WELD SITE. CONTROL ARM AND REAR AXLE HOUSING WAS REPLACED. MANUFACTURER DENIED CLAIM. *TT

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
Filed Feb 16, 2005DC

THE BRAKES ON THE CONSUMER'S 2002 JEEP LIBERTY LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING IN SLIPPERY CONDITIONS. *NM THE PROBLEM IS CONTINUOUS. THE BRAKES FULLY LOCKED AS THE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, EACH TIME. *SC *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 13, 200515,000 milesTX

HARD DOWNSHIFTING OF TRANSMISSION, SHIFTS TO HARD. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Torque Converter
Filed Feb 13, 20052,000 milesTX

TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTS(CLANKS) WE HAVE A JEEP LIBERTY SPORT 2 WHEEL DRIVE. DOWNSHIFTS HARD WHEN APPLYING BRAKE.(WARM OR COLD) WE HAVE HAD IT AT THE DEALERS SHOP ABOUT 10 OR 15 TIMES IN ABOUT 2 1/2 YEARS. SHOP FOREMAN TOLD US TO WAIT UNTIL 30,000. MILE CHECK UP FOR TRANS. SO I GUESS I'LL HAVE TO PAY FOR SERVICE ON IT TO GET IT FIXED. THEY HAVE KNOW IDEA WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. SO WHY DO I HAVE WAIT?? I GUESS SOME ONE HAS TO DIE TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED? OR GET BADLY HURT!!! SO IF SOME ONE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM REPORT IT BEFORE SOME ONE'S FAMILY GETS HURT. STILL NOTHING AS OF YET HAS BEEN DONE!!!!*JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum › Shoes/Linings
Filed Feb 6, 200549,914 milesMI

1.) UPON BRAKING, REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP (EXCESSIVELY ENGAGE.) ON LIGHT APPLICATION. CAUSED REAR OF VEHICLE TO WANT TO SLIDE WHEN BRAKING ON WET ROADS OR SNOW. VEHICLE HAD 49,000 MILES. 2.) INSPECTED, FOUND BRAKE SHOE RETURN SPRINGS ON BOTH REAR WHEELS BROKE. 3.) REPLACING BRAKE SHOE RETURN SPRINGS. *JB

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Feb 4, 200526,000 milesCA

DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT LATCH; WOULD NOT 'CLICK.'

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jan 27, 2005KS

BRAKES LOCKING UP IN SLIGHTEST WET CONDITION, CAR JERKING BADLY WHEN TURNING AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN (ESPECIALLY WHEN REVERSING) WHEN 4W DRIVE ENGAGED. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 25, 200540,000 milesWV

THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND HIT A METAL POLE. THE CONSUMER REFUSED MEDICAL TREATMENT, BUT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. *JB

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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