10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 3 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 5 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 59,933 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
On 09/08/2008, the vehicle(2002 Jeep Liberty sport), was being driven at a slow rate of speed approximately 5mph exiting right out of a parking lot. It was at this time the drive of the vehicle heard a loud pop or cracking noise. The vehicle jerked forward and then came to a stop at which time the driver struggled to move the vehicle to the side of the road out of traffic. The driver then exited the vehicle and discovered the tire was folded under the vehicle. The driver noticed a broken part that was later determined to be the upper ball joint. Had this incident occurred at a higher rate of speed maintaining vehicle control would have been impossible causing injury to the driver or to other motorists. It should be noted this vehicle received a recall for a similar part in 11/2006, the lower ball joint. This recall and all other recalls had been completed according to Jeep records. The owner is currently awaiting an estimate for repair.
- Danielson , CT, USA
My 2002 Jeep Liberty 2X4 always bounces when I drive it. It bounces and the steering wheel turns by itself when I hit a bump at slow speed. Regularly, I hear a popping sound when I turn the wheel to make a turn. I have had the vehicle serviced regularly and had the recall item completed (front ball joint) but still have the problems. I have placed all new tires on the vehicle but the problems still exist. I am afraid to drive the car on the freeway at high speed because I can feel that the car does not operate correctly. I cannot afford to buy another car at this time but feel that this car is not completely safe to drive. Please note: This is a recurring problem rather than an incidental problem.. which started about a year and a half ago and has gotten progressively worse. Thank you for your concern and for letting me bring this to your attention.
- San Diego, CA, USA
Front left (driver's side) suspension collapsed while driving the vehicle.
- Golden Valley, MN, USA
It happened again yesterday! I have a Jeep Liberty 2002. My front passenger side wheel fell off while I was driving (with my kids) in a residential area:had it been on the highway, I know there would have been injuries. I have had two recalls. First recall 2004 and another at the end of 2007. January 2008 while I driving both front tires popped off (very scary), then second recall was done. Since this was supposedly taken care of, I thought that all was ok and then it happens again last night! why can somebody make Jeep find an answer before there is a fatality, or is this what hey are waiting for? the right number of deaths.
- Chicago , IL, USA
It happened again yesterday! I have a Jeep Liberty 2002. My front passenger side wheel fell off while I was driving (with my kids) in a residential area:had it been on the highway, I know there would have been injuries. I have had two recalls. First recall 2004 and another at the end of 2007. January 2008 while I driving both front tires popped off (very scary), then second recall was done. Since this was supposedly taken care of, I thought that all was ok and then it happens again last night! why can somebody make Jeep find an answer before there is a fatality, or is this what hey are waiting for? the right number of deaths.
- Chicago , IL, USA
I was driving my Jeep Liberty 2002 sport 4-wheel drive truck. I went over a set of railroad tracks and I heard a terrible squeak! I pulled over into a bank parking lot to find my tire under my car. The upper ball joint broke causing me to have my truck towed and fixed.
- Gilberts, IL, USA
Lost control and rolled over.... recall #F23 by daimler Chrysler lower ball joints Jeep Liberty.
- Houston, TX, USA
I bought my 2002 Jeep Liberty used in 2005. My excitement over the new used vehicle was shortly lived. Before I could even make a payment my vehicle had a major problem. My mother was driving it on a paper route in the country early in the morning when she went to pull away from the mailbox she said the car would no longer move. She proceeded to get out and saw the lower control arm and the tire hanging there. She had to walk and knock a strangers door at 6 in the morning to call a tow truck. It was towed to a local mechanic that then investigated recalls on the Liberty and found that it was a recall. It was then towed to Jeep and I was informed about being reimbursed for the towing by diamond Chrysler which I never was. It was fixed and my window washer fluid reservoir was busted and so was my wheel well which was also replaced. Then I still had the same noise that I had before this so I called Jeep but they told me if they looked at it and it wasn't the ball joint/control arm then they would charge me and I didn't have the money so I didn't take it in. Then in 2006 I got the recall notice from Jeep and had it replaced again. I am still continuously having the same problem. I here the same loud popping noise when I turn hard and you can tell it still isn't right. I saw this investigation and I feel that I should inform you so we can get these vehicles either fixed or off the road. There are several complaints on blogs about the Liberty's and I feel my money has been wasted with this malfunction of a vehicle. I am truly scared for my safety and others. There were the original sets, then the first recall, and then a second recall with no solution to the problem. Please please help!
- Salem, VA, USA
I have a 2002 Jeep Liberty. The ball joint separated and caused me to crash into a cement wall on I-77 in West Virginia. I picked up the car after it was repaired in wv and brought it home. I had to have more work done after I got back because it still was not right. The ball joints have been replaced at least 4 times. I was told by one of the mechanics that they were still using the joints that were causing the problem because they had not figured out how to re-design them. The last time I had it repaired they (hopefully) put ones on that are a new design. I have had to have it towed because it was unsafe to drive because the joint was so bad -- I check it regularly! my insurance company is progressive. Chrysler settled with them and paid for all the repairs after the crash.
- Medina, OH, USA
I began to hear a knocking sound in the front right wheel well when I hit little cracks and bumps in the road. Lifted it at a mechanics shop and found the upper ball joint was about to fail. Had to buy a new one so I wouldn't lose control while driving. I inspected the old one and found the ball could nearly have complete separation.
- Boise, ID, USA
A vehicle recall was issued on my 2002 Jeep Liberty. There has been no failure, accident or injury as of the date of this complaint. The recall is titled safety recall F-23--lower ball joints. I first received notice of the recall some time in September of 2006. I made an appointment with my dealer and took the vehicle in. The dealer indicated they were having problems getting the ball joint parts from Chrysler. Chrysler was not releasing enough parts. I have called several times since then with the same response. This past week, I went in to the dealer and inquired again. The dealer informed me that he had a stack of other customers as well (he showed me the stack of work orders). He indicated he has called Chrysler to complain about the lack of parts. Chrysler keeps providing the same song and dance, namely that the parts will be shipped. When he asked what he is supposed to tell his customers, the dealer was given the blunt reply, "tell them the parts will be shipped." No date was given for shipping. Having worked for a vehicle manufacturer as general counsel and having been involved in recall matters, I find this lack of attention to this recall particularly disturbing. Frankly, I want my vehicle fixed and fixed now. My wife and I have a newborn son and I am very nervous about taking any of the family in a vehicle that could have a failure in the ball joints that Chrysler says "can result in a loss of steering control and could cause a crash without prior warning."
- West Fargo, ND, USA
2002 Liberty left front suspension collapsed onto the wheel. ***** 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.
- Lexington, KY, USA
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.
- Chandler, AZ, USA
Jeep always pulls to the right. Problem was supposed to be resolved with ball joint replacement procedure from a recall, but it still exists. Dealer performed a wheel alignment (which he suspected was needed), but problem still exists. Replaced original tires with only 20,000km (probably due to compensating for pulling to the right) - consider this a safety issue because you always have to compensate for the pull.
- Pierrefonds, 00, USA
I have a popping noise in the front end of my 2002 Jeep Liberty 4WD. I took it to Jeep and after 2 days they took the front end apart and put it back together and the problem got much better but not completely gone. Is there a recall on this and do other people have this problem. My car has 55,000 miles on it.
- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
Vehicle pulls to the right. Has been taken in for repair repeatedly. All dealership does is realign but does not look into why this keeps happening.
- Miami Lakes, FL, USA
Within a year and a half, I had three windshield replacements. Insurance agent said with that many replacements, could be defect. Every time Jeep hit bump, would squeak. Took two dealerships 5 attempts to fix. Paint was peeling on grill, had repainted. Jeep constantly pulls to the right. Have had alignment and tire rotations, still not fixed. Latest, all four aluminum wheels are corroding due to them being manufactured with aluminum and steel. According to the dealership, the rims have been redesigned, but because my mileage is over 36, 000 miles, they are charging to replace them even though a dealer at the same dealership was having the exact same problem and had his replaced at no cost. Field district manager refuses to speak to me, who made the decision for me to pay. Can someone please guide me in the right direction. I need help. Cgray78@aol.com.
- Baltimore, MD, USA
Vehicle only has 19,900 miles on it and had 3 alignments due to the vehicle continually pulling to the right. Have brought to the dealership each time to fix but it continues to pull to right. Not only does this problem continue to exist but it is ruining my tires!!!!
- Melbourne, FL, USA
Consumer states that while driving at respective speeds of 30mph, 50mph and 60 mph or above, the vehicle shimmys excessively on the front end. Vehicle checked by dlr 3X who has been unable to determine cause of problem. Consumer stated shimmying is very distracting while driving and is very concerned that problem can not be diagnosed. Nlm
- Candor, NY, USA
- Manahawkin, NJ, USA