2002 Jeep Liberty Complaint Log

SEAT BELT HOOK FOR DRIVER'S SIDE IS NOT POPPING BACK UP. THE BUTTON STAYS PUSHED DOWN AND MUST BE PRIED UP. *NM

LOWER RIGHT HAND BALL JOINT CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED ON 2002 JEEP LIBERTY 4WD WITH APPROX. 68K MILES. (THIS VEHICLE HAD THE LOWER BALL JOINT RECALL WORK PERFORMED AT 33K MILES.) WHEN LBJ FAILURE OCCURRED, VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING APPROX. 10 MPH. TOTAL DAMAGE INCLUDED BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT NEEDING TO BE REPLACED, A DRIVE AXLE REPLACEMENT, AND A RIGHT FRONT FENDER REPLACEMENT. *NM

WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 JEEP LIBERTY, THE PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM THE STEERING KNUCKLE AND THE WHOLE SIDE OF CAR HIT THE GROUND AND MY JEEP SKIDDED ABOUT 30 FEET THEN CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I COULDN'T TURN THE VEHICLE IN ANY DIRECTION WHILE IT WAS SKIDDING. I WAS LUCKY I WAS ONLY GOING 20 MPH! CHRYSLER IS FIXING MY CAR AT NO CHARGE, BUT MY CONCERN IS OF SAFETY. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT A FASTER SPEED, ON A TURN, THE CAR WOULD HAVE GONE OFF THE CLIFF, ROLLED, AND I WOULD NOT BE HERE TODAY. THIS IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE: AFTER THE INCIDENT, I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. ON ARRIVAL, THEY LOOKED UP THE VIN, AND INFORMED ME THAT THE RECALL (#03V460000) HAD ALREADY BEEN 'PERFORMED' BACK IN 2004. IF THEY "FIXED" IT IN 2004->WHY DID IT BREAK IN 2006???!!!! AND WHY ARE THEY SO QUICK TO FIX AND PAY FOR IT???? SEEMS TO ME THEY KNOW THAT THERE ARE STILL MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR"FIX" BACK IN 2003. SCARY!!! PEOPLE THAT HAD IT "FIXED" RIGHT AFTER THE RECALL CAME OUT, MAY STILL BE IN DANGER!! THE PARTS USED IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE!!!! HERE IS THE WHOLE STORY: 1. RUBBING/GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT OF CAR. VERY RANDOM AND INCONSISTENT. HAPPENED WHILE TURNING STEERING WHEEL AT A STOP, WHILE DRIVING, HEARD NOISE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, ETC. NOISE STARTED AROUND MARCH '05. 2. NUMEROUS TRIPS TO MECHANIC, COULDN'T FIND PROBLEM. REPLACED BRAKES, RESURFACED DRUMS, CLEANED OUT POWER STEERING, ETC. 3. JUNE '06, DID GOOGLE SEARCHES TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY KNOWN ISSUES WITH THE '02 JEEP LIBERTY. FOUND THERE WERE "BALL JOINT" PROBLEMS. ALSO FOUND RECALL #03V460000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). 4. SCHEDULED APPT. WITH DEALERSHIP TO GET RECALL #03V460000 PERFORMED. 5. BALL JOINT BROKE BEFORE APPT. WITH DEALERSHIP. 6. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. 7. DEALERSHIP SAID RECALL WAS ALREADY PERFORMED. 8. REP. TOLD DEALERSHIP CHRYSLER WILL EXTEND WARRANTY TO COVER THIS WORK. *NM

DRIVER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE RECALL WAS PERFORMED IN 2004, BALL JOINT FAILED JUNE 25, 2006. *JB

2002 JEEP LIBERTY, LOWER LEFT BALL JOINT FAILED. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT APPROX. 35 MPH GOING STRAIGHT AHEAD WHEN THE BALL JOINT SEPARATED. THE JOINT SETTLED INTO THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT WHEEL DAMAGING THE WHEEL AND THE WHEEL CONTACTED THE REAR OF THE INNER FENDER DAMAGING THE FENDER LINER. NO OTHER APPARENT DAMAGE, DRIVER WAS ABLE TO GET THE LIBERTY STOPPED OFF THE ROAD WAY. TOWED THE JEEP TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED BOTH FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE, ORDERED A REPLACEMENT WHEEL AND INNER FENDER ALSO TO BE INSTALLED FOR FREE. THIS VEHICLE HAD THE LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED ONCE BEFORE UNDER THE INITIAL RECALL. ABSOLUTELY NO FAITH IN THE MANUFACTURER TO ACTUALLY RESOLVE THESE FAILURES. I FULLY EXPECT TO HAVE THEM REPLACED AGAIN IN THE FUTURE. *NM

BOTH REAR POWER WINDOWS ON MY 2002 JEEP LIBERTY HAVE FAILED TO OPERATE. THEY JUST FALL DOWN INTO THE DOOR AND I HAVE TO PROP THEM UP WITH DIFFERENT DEVICES. SO FAR WINDOWS HAVE FAILED 2 TIMES ON ONE SIDE AND 1 SIDE ON THE OTHER. THE SAFETY ISSUE TO ME IS SOMEONE GETTING INTO MY CAR WHEN THE WINDOW FALLS INTO THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL REMEDY REPAIRS PERFORM ON THE VEHICLE TWO YEARS AGO FOR THE BALL JOINTS. THE REPLACEMENT BALL JOINT BECAME FRACTURED BLOWING OUT A TIRE AND DESTROYING THE RIM. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THE REPLACEMENT BALL JOINT WER ALSO DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER FIXED THE LOWER BALL JOINT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HOWEVER THE CONTACT EXPRESSED REPLACEMENT OF THE OTHER BALL JOINT WAS ALSO NEEDED BECAUSE IT MAY BE DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER DECLINED THE REQUEST; THE RECALL WORK HAS ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED OVERTIME THE RUBBER SEAL ON THE REAR GLASS CAME LOOSE. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE GLUE BETWEEN THE RUBBER SEAL AND GLASS DETACHED. THE ENTIRE REAR WINDOW NEEDED REPLACED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 JEEP LIBERTY. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR BECAME INOPERABLE AND WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. IN ADDITION, THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE REPEATED FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

1. I HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE ALL DAY PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT WITHOUT ANY NOTICEABLE IRREGULARITIES. ON THE MORNING OF THE FAILURE, MONDAY, JUNE 12TH, 2006, I HAD JUST STARTED THE MORNING COMMUTE TO THE BABYSITTERS WITH MY 1-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER AND HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY FOR ABOUT A MILE DRIVING BETWEEN 55 AND 65 MPH WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. 2. THE FAILURE WAS INITIALLY THOUGHT TO BE A FLAT TIRE (FRONT DRIVER SIDE), ALTHOUGH I HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED A FLAT TIRE THAT SLOWED A VEHICLE SO FAST AND JERKED THE CAR SO SUDDENLY. I HONESTLY FEARED THAT THE VEHICLE MIGHT FLIP OR ROLL OVER, AND SEEING OTHER CARS NEARBY IN MY REARVIEW MIRROR, THE SAFETY OF MYSELF, MY DAUGHTER, AND OTHER DRIVERS WAS MY INITIAL CONCERN. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW BAD THIS MIGHT HAVE TURNED OUT IN THE WINTER ON A SNOWY SURFACE OR EVEN JUST A RAIN SOAKED SURFACE. ONCE I GOT THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN AND ONTO THE SHOULDER, I ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE THE DESTROYED TIRE. IT WASN'T UNTIL AFTER GETTING ALL OF THE LUG NUTS OFF OF THE WHEEL THAT I REALIZED THERE WAS A BIGGER PROBLEM. THE WHEEL WOULD NOT BUDGE. 3. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST LOCAL TIRE STORE (TIRES PLUS). THAT IS WHEN THEY DIAGNOSED THE BROKEN LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT WHICH HAD SEPARATED AND BECAME LODGED INTO THE WHEEL AND DESTROYED THE WHEEL. I HAD TIRES PLUS REPLACE THE BALL JOINT, ORDER A NEW (CONDITIONED) WHEEL, AND REPLACE THE TIRE. LATER THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE LOWER RIGHT BALL JOINT WAS LOOSE/HAD MOVEMENT AND ADVISED ME TO HAVE IT REPLACED ALONG WITH A SECOND NEW TIRE AS WELL. I AM ASSUMING THIS STEERING/SUSPENSION ISSUE CAUSED EXCESSIVE WEAR TO THE TWO FRONT TIRES. I AUTHORIZED THE REPAIRS AND AM NOW OUT A LITTLE OVER $1200. INTERNET RESEARCH TODAY LED ME TO MANY INCIDENTS INVOLVING JEEP LIBERTY LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURES AND AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION. NO HELP/CONSOLATION/REIMBURSEMENT WAS OBTAINED ON THE PHONE WITH DAIMLER CHRYSLER. THEY BASICALLY SAID "SORRY, THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO". *JB

FAILURE OF FRONT RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT ON MY 2002 JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLE. *JB

AT 35,000 MILES THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE WORN BEYOND SPEC AND REPLACED UNDER RECALL. AT 40,000 MILES DRIVER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT WORN TO THE POINT OF COLLAPSE AND FAILURE. *NM

SPEED SENSOR CONNECTOR WIRES BREAK AT DIFFERENTIAL FROM FRICTION FROM THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE RESUTING IN NO SPEEDOMTER OR ODOMTER READINGS. *JB

I BOUGHT MY 2002 JEEP LIBERTY IN 2006. SEVERAL WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED IT I NOTICED THAT IF I PLACED HEAVY OBJECTS IN THE TRUNK, OR WENT OVER A LARGE BUMP, THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD FLICK DOWN TO ZERO, AND IN SOME CASES, STAY AT ZERO UNTIL I REMOVED THE ITEMS FROM THE TRUNK. I DIDN'T PAY MUCH ATTENTION TO IT AS I GENERALLY DON'T PUT HEAVY THINGS IN THE TRUNK AND AFTER A WHILE I FORGOT ABOUT IT. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER I NOTICED IT AGAIN, AND THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER FLICKED DOWN TO ZERO, EVEN WHEN DRIVING 70. THIS TIME I MENTIONED IT TO SOME FRIENDS AND THEY SUGGESTED THAT IF THESE THINGS DON'T WORK THEN THE CORRECT NUMBER OF MILES DRIVEN IS NOT RECORDED ON THE ODOMETER. I TOOK IT TO THE CARYARD WHERE I PURCHASED IT TO GET ADVICE, BUT SEEING AS THOUGH I DIDN'T BUY IT FROM A JEEP DEALER THEY WEREN'T HELPFUL AND WERE EXPECTING SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS JUST TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. I TOOK IT TO A JEEP DEALER AND THEY WERE ALSO NOT MUCH HELP AND WANTED A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS JUST TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. SO BASICALLY, I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PROCEED AS EITHER WAY IT'S GOING TO COST ME AT LEAST SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS (ON WHAT WAS A 4 YEAR OLD VEHICLE WHEN THE PROBLEM FIRST HAPPENED) TO GET THE THING FIXED. *TR

4 COLLEGE FRESHMAN COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IN A 2002 JEEP LIBERTY SPORT DUE TO BALL JOINT FAILURE. WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AT AN EXTREMELY LOW RATE OF SPEED THE LEFT DRIVERS SIDE BALL JOINT SNAPPED CAUSING THE TIRE TO BUCKLE INWARD WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO TIP AND THE AXLE TO BREAK. AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE COVERED THE BALL JOINT, AXLE AND RIM. WHAT WAS ALSO DAMAGED BECAUSE OF THIS MALFUNCTION WAS THE MOLDINGS THAT ARE AROUND THE TIRE AND THE WASHER FLUID TANK, WHICH CHRYSLER WILL NOT COVER. THESE DAMAGES WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURED IF THIS VEHICLES FRONT END DID NOT FAIL. ALSO THIS VEHICLE IS MAINTAINED PROPERLY AND TIMELY FASHION. IT WAS A PARENTS NIGHTMARE COMING HOME FROM DINNER AND HAVING 3 FRANTIC MESSAGES FROM A DAUGHTER IN COLLEGE IN ANOTHER STATE 10 HOURS AWAY FROM HOME. I THINK THE LEAST CHRYSLER COULD HAVE DONE WAS TO COVER THESE ITEMS. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 10 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FELL TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME UNDER RECALL. A NHTSA RECALL, #03V460000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONCERNING, THE LOWER BALL JOINT HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM.

DRIVERS SIDE SAFETY BELT WILL NOT RETURN AFTER BEING DEPRESSED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY BUTTON REMAINED DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 7/13/2006 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #06V288000 ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/19/07. *JB

2002 LIBERTY LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION COLLAPSED ONTO THE WHEEL. *TS ***NAR*** THE DEALER REPLACED THE LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT, UPPER CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINT AND CV AXLE. THE CONSUMER LEARN OF A RECALL ON THE BALL JOINT AND REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER.

I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT MY 2002 JEEP LIBERTY RECALL ON THE FRONT BALL JOINTS. LUCKILY I JUST PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 5 MILES PER HOUR AND THE BALL JOINT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FELL OUT. I HEARD A BIG CLUNK AND THEN COULDN'T MOVE THE CAR, THE INSIDE RIM WAS ALL GOUGED. HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD ABOUT THE RECALL ON IT. I PURCHASED MY JEEP IN DEC 03 AND THIS RECALL WAS NOV 03, THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THEM PRIOR TO SELLING IT. *NM

I HAVE A 2002 JEEP LIBERTY. WITH ONLY 24,000 MILES AND LITTLE OFF-ROAD USE, BOTH UPPER(NOT LOWER--WHICH HAVE ALREADY BEEN THE SUBJECT OF RECALLS) BALL JOINTS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR. I COULD HEAR SEVERE CLUNKING NOISE ON TURNS AND BUMPS. THEY WERE DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED BY A JEEP DEALER. *NM

WE HAD A RECALL FOR THE BALL JOINTS OF OUR 2002 JEEP LIBERTY. IT TOOK NEARLY 2 YEARS TO GET THEM REPLACED. THEY WERE DAMAGED BY THE TIME I DID AND I HAD TO GET A TEMPORARY REPAIR ON THEM WHILE WE WAITED FOR THE PARTS. THEY WERE REPAIRED AT THE END OF FEBRUARY EARLY MARCH OF THIS YEAR. AT THE END OF MAY I NOTICED A SIMILAR NOISE TO WHAT I HAD BEEN HEARING WHEN THE ORIGINAL BALL JOINTS HAD MADE BEFORE THEY WERE REPLACE. AS IT TURNED OUT THEY HAD GONE BAD ALREADY. IT SEEMS THAT THE NEW BALL JOINTS ARE DEFECTIVE TOO. I HAVE HAD SOME OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES FOR THIS ISSUE AND I AM NOT HAPPY AT HOW I HAVE BEEN DEALT WITH BY THE DEALER AND DAIMLER CHRYSLER. I SENT A COMPLAINT TO DAIMLER AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT THEY WERE SORRY I WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH MY VEHICLE AND WOULD FILE IT IN A CONSUMER SURVEY FILE. I AM NOT UNHAPPY WITH THE VEHICLE. I AM UNHAPPY WITH HOW HARD IT HAS BEEN TO GET THIS RECALL ISSUE FIXED AND HAVING TO PAY FOR SERVICE ON THE BALL JOINTS. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM GLENN E THOMAS DODGE. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP WITH DAIMLER WAS A WOMAN NAMED ALISON. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN OUT OF USE THIS TIME FOR OVER A MONTH BEFORE THE FINAL REPAIRS WERE MADE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE CAME OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE LOWER BALL JOINT FRACTURED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V460000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONCERNING, THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER A SECOND REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE UNDER THE RECALL.

I WAS DRIVING MY 02 JEEP LIBERTY DOWN THE INTERSTATE PASSING A 18 WHEELER AT 75 MPH WHEN MY HEADLIGHTS, SPEEDOMETER, AND INTERIOR LIGHTS TURNED OFF. I ENDED UP SLAMMING ON MY BRAKES AND MOVING MY CAR TO THE SIDE. I THEN HAD TO DRIVE 50 MILES WHILE HOLDING MY BRIGHTS IN, AND MY FLASHERS ON. AFTER THE FACT, I REPLACED A FEW FUSES, AND THAT WORKED FOR ABOUT A MONTH. THEN, ONCE A GAIN, THE SAME THING HAPPENED, AND THIS TIME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE FUSES. TO THIS DAY, MY CAR IS PARKED. *JB

SEAT BELT RELEASE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WILL NOT "POP" BACK OUT AFTER RELEASING THE SEAT BELT. WHICH WILL NOT ALLOW THE SEAT BELT TO LATCH BACK AFTER RELEASING. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 25 MPH UP A HILL ON WET ROAD CONDITIONS WHEN THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL CRASHING INTO A RETAINING WALL. THE ACCIDENT RESULTED IN MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE'S BODY. THE CONTACT AND AN ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD PASSENGER WERE BOTH WEARING SEATBELTS AT THE TIME, HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL FOR THE MINOR INJURIES. THE POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO SENT TO A BODY SHOP FOR BODY WORK. AFTER RECEIVING THE VEHICLE BACK FROM THE BODY SHOP, THE DEALER INSPECTED AND DETERMINED THAT BOTH THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS AND REAR COIL SPRINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND WERE COMPLETELY DAMAGED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT BUT INDENTIFIED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THESE COMPONENTS IN 2004. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED WHO SENT OUT AN INSPECTOR TO EXAMINED THE VEHICLE. THE INSPECTOR DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS RELATED TO A DEFECT.

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, SOMETHING IN THE FRONT END DIFFERENTIAL BROKE. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. I'M ON MY 3RD SET OF TIRES. THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. IT'S IN THE SHOP MORE THAN IT IS OUT. *JB

2002 JEEP LIBERTY LIMITED TRAVELING AT 50 MPH HEARD A LOUD BANG AND VEHICLE APPEARED TO HAVE A BLOW OUT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. MAINTAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OFF ROAD. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO REPLACE WHEEL, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A NEAR JEEP DEALER, THE FULL DAMAGE WAS IDENTIFIED INCLUDING NEW WHEEL, TIRE, SEALS AND MECHANICAL PARTS. TOTAL COST ESTIMATED AT $ 1400 THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED UNDER A FACTORY RECALL AUG 27, 2004, 20 MONTHS AND APPROXIMATELY 29000 MILES EARLIER THAN THIS INCIDENT JUDGING BY THE NUMBER OF SIMILAR REPEAT FAILURES POSTED WITH NHTSA, THIS APPEARS TO BE A GENERIC ISSUE WITH THE REPLACEMENT PARTS USED DURING THE RECALL OR THE DESIGN. THE DEALER, NOT OUR NORMAL SERVICE DEALER, WILL NOT REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH THE BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED DURING THE RECALL. ATTEMPTING TO GET DAIMLER CHRYSLER JEEP CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPEAT FAILURE AND REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY BUT NOT SUCCESSFUL YET. IN THE INTERIM, HAVE PERSONALLY APPROVED REPAIRS AS NEED VEHICLE. *JB

A RECALL WAS ASSURED ON 2002 JEEP LIBERTY'S IN 2003, ON THE LOWER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY. THE INFORMATION I HAVE, SHOWS MY JEEP LIBERTY TO HAVE THIS FIXED IN MARCH OF 2004. I DO NOT HAVE INFORMATION ON THE MILEAGE AT THAT TIME, BUT IN FEB. OF 2005 IT HAD 35341 MILES. I FOUND OUT TODAY THAT THE JEEP IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, WITH THE REPLACEMENT THEY USED FROM THE FIRST RECALL. THE JEEP HAS ONLY 46770 ON IT CURRENTLY. IT SEEMS UNREAL THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WOULD GO BAD TWICE UNDER 50000 MILES UNLESS THERE IS STILL IS A PROBLEM. *JB

WHILE TURNING RIGHT INTO A PARKING LOT AT ABOUT 5 MILES PER HOUR IN MY 2002 JEEP LIBERTY, I EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE LOWER BALL JOINT ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THE BALL JOINT DROPPED AND THE BOLT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BALL JOINT STRUCK AND SEVERELY DUG INTO MY 5 MONTH OLD JEEP CHROME ALLOY WHEEL. THIS ALL TOOK PLACE AT TRAVELING ABOUT 5 MILES PER HOUR AND TRAVELING ONLY ABOUT 10 FEET. I JUST HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY FOR REPAIR. PLEASE NOTE THAT I DID HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT 20,005 MILES IN RESPONSE OF THE LOWER BALL JOINT RECALL, AT WHICH TIME THE BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AND HEAT SHIELDS INSTALLED TO AVOID FUTURE FAILURE OF THE BALL JOINTS. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 38,600 MILES, WHICH MEANS THESE NEW BALL JOINTS ONLY LASTED 18,600 MILES, WITH ABSOLUTELY NO OFF ROAD DRIVING! I WILL BE CALLING THE JEEP DEALERSHIP THIS MONDAY MORNING FOR THEIR INPUT AND HOPEFULLY SUPPORT OF MAKING GOOD ON THIS SEVERE FAILURE. I THANK GOD THAT THIS FAILURE TOOK PLACE AT 5 MILES AN HOUR AND NOT WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AS I KNOW THAT I MAY VERY WELL HAVE BEEN KILLED. *NM

WE WERE RETURNING HOME TO CANADA FROM A HOLIDAY IN CALIFORNIA THROUGH THE REDWOOD FOREST AND SEVERAL OTHER MOUNTAINOUS/CLIFF SIDE HIGHWAYS. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN WASHINGTON STATE WE HEARD A THUMP AND THEN THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TRUCK WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER OFF THE ROAD. WHEN WE TRIED TO JACK UP THE TRUCK, TO CHANGE THE TIRE, WE REALIZED IT WAS SOMETHING FAR MORE SERIOUS. THE LEFT BALL JOINT STEM WAS STUCK THROUGH THE ALUMINUM RIM. THE CONTROL ARM WAS ALSO BROKEN. THERE WAS OVER 200 FEET OF RUBBER LAID WHILE TRYING TO STOP AND CORKSCREWS OF ALUMINUM FROM THE WHEEL ALL OVER THE HIGHWAY. THIS ALL HAPPENED WITH 22,377KM DRIVEN. THE BALL JOINTS WERE THEN REPLACED AGAIN WITH THE RECALL IN NOV/2003. ON MAY 4/06 THE BALL JOINT SEPARATED AGAIN WHILE PULLING ONTO THE STREET FROM A PARKING LOT. THIS TIME WE ARE OUT OF WARRANTY @145,534KM. THE REPAIRS/TOWING AMOUNTED TO APPROX. $700. THE BILLS HAVE BEEN FORWARDED TO DAIMLER CHRYSLER CANADA FOR REIMBURSEMENT. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN OFF ROAD. *JB

I PURCHASED A USED 2002 LIBERTY WITH ONLY 45,000 MILES ON IT, 9 DAYS LATER IT HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY THEN HAD IT FOR 2 WEEKS REPLACING THE HEAD BECAUSE THE EXHAUST ROCKER SPIT OUT OF PLACE. THEY ALSO REPLACED THE TENSIONER, TAPPETS, CAMSHAFT AND A FEW MINOR PARTS ALONG WITH THOSE. I HAD THE VEHICLE BACK ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AGAIN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD THAT THEY WILL PROBABLY REPLACE THE WHOLE ENGINE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE 95 UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS THE TIRE SHREDDED FROM THE FRACTURED LOWER BALL JOINT. THE VEHICLE MANAGED TO PULLOVER TO THE SHOULDER. AFTER NARROWLY AVOIDING A COLLISION WITH OTHER TRAFFIC. UPON INITIAL INSPECTION THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT END SHREDDED THE TIRE AND WAS PRESSING ON THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE LOWER BALL JOINT FRACTURED. NHTSA RECALL #03V460000 REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE LOWER BALL JOINTS HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED A SECOND REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGING THE CONTACT UNDER THE RECALL. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT LEFT FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE DID NOT LATCH PROPERLY. EXCESSIVE FORCE HAD TO BE APPLIED TO LATCH THE SAFETY BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE BUCKLE NEEDED REPLACEMENT.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING INTO THE BANK PARKING LOT IN A SHOPPING CENTER THE FRONT WHEEL POPPED COMPLETELY OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS SHAKEN UP, AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE. ALSO CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER ABOUT NHTSA RECALL, #03V460000 CONCERNING THE SUSPENSION FRONT CONTROL ARM LOWER BALL JOINT. THE DEALER ALLEGEDLY FIXED THE PROBLEM AND CONSUMED ALL COST RELATED TO THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER RECALL REPAIRS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN. ON APRIL 29, 2006 WHILE DRIVING TO WORK TURNED INTO THE PARKING LOT AND THE SAME WHEEL POPPED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AGAIN. THE CONTACT CONTACTED CHRYSLER ABOUT THE ONGOING PROBLEM. THEY TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THEY WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLE AGAIN BUT THEY WILL NOT GIVE THE CONTACT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FELT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH MAKING A TURN THE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V460000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONCERNING, THE LOWER BALL JOINT IN 2004 HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. THIS OCCURRED ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED AND CONFIRMED THE BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING THE ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER A SECOND REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE UNDER THE RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ORDERED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS TO MAKE THE REPAIRS HOWEVER, ARE WAITING ON THE MANUFACTURER TO RETURN THEIR CALL. THE CONTACT ALERTED THE MANUFACTURER AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 JEEP LIBERTY. ON APRIL 21, 2006, WHILE DRIVING UPHILL AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SURGED AND REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS CHARGED WITH FAILURE TO YIELD. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE ROTORS FAILED. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V288000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT) IN OCTOBER OF 2006. SHE MADE FOUR ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED; HOWEVER, EACH TIME SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE DEALER WOULD CALL HER WHEN IT ARRIVED. THE CONTACT NEVER RECEIVED A CALL AND GAVE UP. A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER THE CRASH, SHE RECEIVED A SECOND RECALL NOTICE. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE CRASH OCCURRED BECAUSE THE REPAIR WAS NOT MADE EARLIER. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGES TO THE BUMPER, FOG LIGHTS, FRONT BUMPER COVER, GRILL, FRONT LAMP, HEAD LAMP, PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLY, HOOD PANEL, HOOD ASSEMBLY, FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WIRING HARNESS, PASSENGER SIDE OUTSIDE FENDER, PASSENGER SIDE FENDER BRACKET, FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR GLASS RUNNING CHANNEL, HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL, PAINT JOB, AND FENDER BRACKETS. THE COST TO REPAIR THE DAMAGES WOULD BE $3,759. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,682 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,260. UPDATED 01/07/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/31/07 *TR

I PURCHASED MY 2002 JEEP LIBERTY IN DEC. 05. I NOTICED A SHIMMY WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES IMMEDIATELY AFTER BUYING IT. IT HAD 44000 MILES ON IT. I THOUGHT THIS WAS NORMAL SINCE THE DEALERSHIP HAD DONE A SAFETY INSPECTION ON IT BEFORE SELLING IT TO ME. I NOTICED IN MID APRIL THAT THE INSIDE DRIVER TIRE WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY WORN. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL GARAGE ONLY TO FIND THAT MY LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE BAD, ALONG WITH THE FRONT ROTORS BEING WARPED BEYOND REPAIR. THIS COST ME $1100 IN REPAIRS, INCLUDING THE 3 NEW TIRES I PURCHASED! MY EXTENDED WARRANTY I PURCHASED WOULD NOT COVER THE COST TO REPAIR. I WROTE DAIMLER CHRYSLER A COMPLAINT, IN WHICH THEY DECLINED. I AM FURIOUS AFTER READING ALL THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT BALL JOINTS FAILING ON THE LIBERTIES - EVEN AFTER HAVING BEEN FIXED AFTER THE RECALL. A VEHICLE WITH THIS FEW MILES SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE PROBLEMS!!! *JB

2002 JEEP LIBERTY LIMITED 4WD. MAINTENANCE KEPT UP. ENGINE HAS BLOWN UP AT 85,000 MILES. NEED TO REPLACE AND COST IS $6,400.00. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 JEEP LIBERTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO CLOSE THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND THE WINDOW FAILED TO CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE WINDOW MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON AT VARIOUS TIMES. SOMETIMES WHEN BLINKER IS ENGAGED, SOMETIMES WHEN PUT INTO GEAR, SOMETIMES , JUST WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. AND EVEN WHEN I OPEN THE WINDOWS OR MOONROOF. ELECTRICAL IN NATURE IT IS SCARY TO HAVE INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON AT NIGHT... *NM

2002 JEEP LIBERTY @ 53,571 MILES.[XXX]. 4/6/06 FAILURE. THE LOWER PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT BROKE AS MY WIFE WAS WAITING FOR THE GARAGE DOOR TO OPEN. FORTUNATELY, THE JEEP WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS (UNDER THE FORMAL RECALL). THIS IS THE SECOND TIME BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE...THE FIRST TIME BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED WAS AT 26,887 MILES (ALSO UNDER THE RECALL)! BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED @ 39,527 MILES (I ORIGINALLY PAID FOR THIS BUT CHRYSLER PAID AFTER MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS)! IT APPEARS THAT REPLACEMENT BALL JOINTS WERE NOT CORRECTED AND ARE FAILING ALSO!!!! *NM UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT ON MY 2002 JEEP LIBERTY WILL NO LONGER LATCH. THERE WAS NO WARNING LEADING UP TO THIS FAILURE. WE HAVE NOT YET BEEN ABLE TO REPAIR IT. *NM

MY 2002 JEEP LIBERTY HAD A RE CALL IN 2003 FOR BALL JOINTS, I HAD THEM REPLACED IN MARCH 2004. ON APRIL 2, 2006 AT 4:00 P.M. I WAS TRAVELING EAST BOUND ON I-465 DOING 55-60 MPH, WHEN A LOUD NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THEN THE JEEP WAS STARTING TO LOOSE CONTROL AS I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN AND PROCEED TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. I GOT OUT OF MY VEHICLE AND CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, DURING MY WAIT A GENTLEMAN STOPPED TO SEE IF I NEEDED HELP, AND I INFORMED HIM THAT I THOUGHT I HAD BLOWN A TIRE, HE LOOKED UNDER MY CAR TO NOTICE THAT MY BALL JOINT HAD BROKE ALONG WITH MY AXLE AND RIM, I HAD IT TOWED TO CROSSROADS LINCOLN/JEEP MERCURY, WHERE ON MONDAY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT EXAMINED THE CAR AND CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE BALL JOINT HAD BROKE ALONG WITH THE AXLE AND THE RIM OF THE TIRE. I HAD ALREADY CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY ALONG WITH FILING A COMPLAINT TO CHRYSLER, THEY SENT OUT AN "INSPECTOR" AND AFTER HIS REVIEW CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE BALL JOINTS SEPARATED "DUE TO IMPACT", THERE WAS NO IMPACT, I CONTROLLED THE VEHICLE TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY SO THAT THERE WOULD BE NO IMPACT, CAUSING INJURY. IT HAS BEEN 24 DAYS NOW WITHOUT MY VEHICLE AND I AM IN A RENTAL VEHICLE, AMERICAN FAMILY IS REFUSING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OF THE BALL JOINTS AND SO IS CHRYSLER. I DO NOT WANT TO FILE A LAW SUIT AGAINST CHRYSLER, BUT THEY ARE LEAVING ME NO CHOICE, AS THIS WAS A COSTLY REPAIR, WHAT CAN I DO???????????*JB

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH DOES NOT ALWAYS LATCH. RELEASE BUTTON REGULARLY JAMS DOWN AND HAS TO BE PRIED UP TO LATCH SEAT BELT. LATCH HAS BEEN CLEANED AND LUBRICATED WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. *NM

WENT AROUND A CURVE AND HIT A TREE WITH THE JEEP. IT COST THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND ME $9,000.00. IS THAT THE CAST OF THE BALL JOINTS? *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A RECALL, NHTSA # 03V460000 CONCERNING THE LOWER BALL JOINTS. HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AGAIN.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING, THE ENGINE STALLED AT 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FRACTURED AND WENT INTO THE ENGINE, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE FAILURE.

THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH RED BUTTON BECOMES STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION AFTER THE SEA BELT IS RELEASED. THE BUTTON MUST THEN BE MANUALLY PULLED UP USING A STIFF PIECE OF METAL BEFORE BUCKLING THE SEAT BELT AGAIN. I HAVE NOTICED A PIECE OF BROKEN RED PLASTIC WITHIN THE ASSEMBLY.*JB