10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
58,429 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Jeep Liberty engine problems

engine problem

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2002 Jeep Liberty Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #28

Jan 012011

Liberty

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would violently jerk and the engine would make a knocking sound. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who was unable to diagnose the failure the first two times it was taken in. When the vehicle was taken in for a third time, the dealer stated that the engine was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired.the failure mileage was unknown and current mileage was 71,996.

- Marietta , OH, USA

problem #27

Jul 282011

Liberty

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Jeep Liberty. While driving approximately 55 mph the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated the engine rucker arm had detached from the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

- Rowlett, TX, USA

problem #26

Jun 112011

Liberty

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Jeep Liberty limited. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop who diagnosed that the engine was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 130,000.

- Bethlehem, CT, USA

problem #25

Apr 112011

Liberty

  • 157,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have contacted Jeep about the noise problem before after having a recall notice worked on and said it sounded like a piece of junk after being worked on and something was grinding. They told me nothing was wrong. Well, obviously there was because now it needs a new engine at 157,000 miles!!!! I had the oil changed regularly also. It is now parked in our drive needing a new engine!!!!! we have been Dodge and Jeep buyers all our lives but now we went and bought a Kia!! we lost all trust in Jeep since they wouldn't stand good tp problems they knew they had. I called Jeep and the representative just told me to drive slow! I could not believe I had that kind of a response!

- Kidron, OH, USA

problem #24

Nov 132010

Liberty

  • 140,000 miles
Stopped to get gas. Shut off engine. Engine did not work any more.

- Tupelo, MS, USA

problem #23

Dec 012010

Liberty

  • 91,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Jeep Liberty. While turning into the driveway the vehicle stalled, the engine was on but the vehicle would not move forward. The failure occurred forty three times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed her to purchase another without inspecting her vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who informed her that the vehicle was not fit to drive and it would cost $2000 for the repairs. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 91,000 and the current mileage was 105,000.

- Phoenix , AZ, USA

problem #22

Sep 082010

Liberty

  • 75,806 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I am experiencing a rattling sound when driving uphill or downhill through driveway, traveling 5-20 miles an hour. I took my Jeep 2002 Liberty 2wd to get serviced and received recommended repairs: Prosteer control arm with ball joint upper center, remove and install propeller shaft to replace universal joints on both ends, rear wheel bearings, tail pipe is welded to muffler, muffler does not meet design specifications and should be replaced due to exhaust leak as well, remove rack and pinion, complete rack as does not meet design specifications and is leaking. I was driving about 25 mph and my rear right side tire was smoking profusely. I pulled over and noticed the gray smoke from my tire. I took the car to check the rear breaks. They were fine but was told that I had a leak from the exhaust pipe which dripped on to that area. The car has 75,806 miles. I was told that I could loose control of vehicle and entire area can collapse during traffic due to these issues. Aside from these issues, I am experiencing a whistling sound, problems with rear drivers side passenger power window regulator which produces grind-like sound. The window came off and I was told that I needed a new regulator for the window. I'm also experiencing a red stain in engine oil drippage on ground. Finally, strange odor from car -odor continues to be present whether I wash the carpets and seats (smells like mold/mildew or skunk).

- Berwyn, IL, USA

problem #21

Jun 232010

(reported on)

Liberty 6-cyl

  • miles
2002 Jeep Liberty. Letter from congressman bishop on behalf of constituent, re her warranty with Chrysler the consumer stated the vehicle has a casting flaw for the cylinder head in the engine. According to the mechanics findings; the two intake valve lifter housings of the head had broken in half. The lifter came out of the head and the cam journal lobe was scored and grooved. The consumer is requesting that Chrysler provide coverage for the repair.

- Westhampton, NY, USA

problem #20

Mar 072010

Liberty

  • 118,000 miles
No warning of the failure. Valve spring broke due to non clearance in the valve guide causing the valve to hang and get smacked by the piston causing severe damage to the engine. Needs engine replaced at a cost of $5 thousand dollars.

- Wooster, OH, USA

problem #19

Sep 152009

Liberty

  • 147,000 miles
Engine had almost 150,000 miles. Parked vehicle and turned off. When I tried to start vehicle it shook and ran very rough only if I had my foot slightly on the gas pedal. Mechanic said that the ring that holds the valve cover came off and went inside the cylinder and it couldn't fire correctly. I needed the engine rebuilt at a cost of over $4000.

- Plainfield, NJ, USA

problem #18

Dec 252009

Liberty

  • 117,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

It was explained to me by the mechanic that a valve slipped out of the head cylinder. When I was driving the car on the highway in the middle of the highway the car just shut-off without warning. The car behind me almost hit me. I had to call a relative to push the car home. The mechanic explained, after they took apart the engine that a valve slipped out of the cylinder head and got into the engine, which cause the engine to fail. I have a warranty but not a factory warranty so they don't want to cover it. And I still have to make payments!

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #17

Jun 062009

Liberty

  • 90,000 miles
Driving down interstate the oil light came on. Checked oil was full. We live about 5 miles away so got off interstate heard a faint noise under the hood we put it in neutral and turned key off and coasted into a parking lot. Checked oil and belts everything looked fine. Turned the key and nothing happened. No warnings what so ever. The oil pump went bad an seized the engine. This is my transportation now I have nothing to drive until I can afford $7,000 plus for a new engine. This was out of warranty by less then 90 days. Have almost 90,000 miles on it. I love my Liberty but will never buy another Jeep again. It has always been maintained and without warning the engine goes out.

- Stuarts Draft, VA, USA

problem #16

Jan 012009

Liberty

  • 35 miles
I own a 2002 Jeep Liberty and within the last year I have replaced the serpentine belt, spark plugs, temp, brakes, rotors, all fluids have been change yearly, thecoils to spark plugs, etc. Alot of things have gone wrong. It has about 82,000 miles. It's overheating, shaking, my engine is burning all the coolant and oil as soon as it hits the engine I can hear it boiling under the hood now and it's not safe to drive anymore. I've had it towed to see what's going on, but I was told that my engine is shot and he has no explanation to why except that its burning all the fluids put in it everything else looks fine and is new thanks to me because I've been trying to figure out what is wrong with it and really to find out there is nothing I could do about it. So I called your Jeep dealerships and they say its not common for that to happen so is this a safety issue or is this engine defective? please help me I've done everything I could do.

- Bellevue, NE, USA

problem #15

Nov 172008

Liberty

  • 69,000 miles
Jeep Liberty has problem with engine misfire resulting in a dangerous condition if you are driving. The engine will buck wildly. Have taken to dealer 5 times. Appears to fix problem, but returns without fail after a few thousand miles. I have seen many of the same complaints on various web sites (google "engine misfire Jeep Liberty 2002 3.7). Codes from car computer are P0354 and P0304 indicating failure in coil and engine misfire. Replace coil and spark plugs problem keeps returning. I have seen many others with same problem although the last digit of the odb codes could be different. I believe there is a serious defect in the manufacturing of the vehicle causing the problem. If you were in an accident avoidance situation, this problem could cause a crash and death.

- Lincoln, RI, USA

problem #14

Oct 202008

Liberty

  • 82,002 miles
This is the letter I sent Chrysler corporation. I have a major problem with the valve seat coming off and damaging my Jeep Liberty engine. We purchased the car new and have continually provided maintenance on the vehicle at your dealerships. In fact, we were one of the very first owners of the Jeep Liberty and was invited and participated in a Focus group supporting this vehicle. What is upsetting is the lack of interest now from your customer relations department except for your local dealership who has been supportive, on what has occurred. This is a safety issue and this problem is a manufacturer defect. This incident could have caused my daughter to have an accident since she was driving this car as a high school senior. I will take every step possible and report this safety issue to all parties. I was told the engine needs to be rebuilt or replaced and Chrysler customer relations won't help. This is not a isolated incident as other data has been discovered on other similar engines reported same resulting problems. I have photos and there is additional information revealing other valve seat problems resulted in damage to other engines.

- Whittier, CA, USA

problem #13

Mar 102008

Liberty 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,196 miles
3 rocker arms in engine has had to be replaced over a 1 yr time span with less than 56000 mile and 6 yrs old. Rear window motors have been replace and now have to be replaced again under little to no use. This vehicle I feel is a lemon and needs to be looked at. Contact to the dealer and manufacture has proven to be no use of help. The date I have listed is the recent occurrence and I feel this engine is going to lead to a crash if action is not taken. All services has been kept regularly. The night home from work was very scary in I didn't know if the car was going to blow up or lead to a crash. Please help me check into whether there is more events of this nationwide that are similar.

- Elkin, NC, USA

problem #12

Dec 042006

Liberty 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Constant power train problems with vehicle. [E-mail 1-18-08] it is not a powertrain problem. It is really an engine sludging problem. I have researched this problem and have found out this is a common problem for Chrysler products such as the intrepid and durango. It is now starting to show up on vehicles like mines, which is a Jeep Liberty. My vehicle's check engine light came on December 21, 2007 and it has been at the dealership for repairs every since. I was informed it is awaiting a camshaft that is on a nationwide backorder with no eta. In my opinion, it is obvious other vehicles are experiencing similar problems throughout the country. The dealer refuse to replace the engine because I was unable to produce all of my receipts for oil changes. The vehicle currently has 61,000 miles and I was able to come up with receipts from 38,000 up until the current mileage. This vehicle has had numerous problems such as overheating and cylinder head replacement on numerous occasions, 49,622, 51,621, 51,793, 55,182, 57,269 and finally 61,211, all due to engine sludging. I was told all the problems were due to improper oil changes and/or cheep gasoline; however, I have changed the oil in accordance with the manufacturer's suggested intervals and have always used gasoline from distributors such as amoco, exxon and valero. I suspect this in another defective Chrysler product that will cost the manufacturer millions if they did the right thing. Why is there a shortage of camshafts for this vehicle" why is this part in high demand" hopefully your investigation will reveal what is truly going on. Chrysler is trying to make it look like it is the owners who are at fault but in reality, its another defective product they have put on the market. Thanks for your response and your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #11

Jan 142007

Liberty 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 128,500 miles
All maintenance done as per Jeep's requirements. 3.7 V6 head gasket blew at 128,500 needed to replace engine.

- Circle Pines, MN, USA

problem #10

Jul 142006

Liberty 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,266 miles
Speedometer again became erratic and then inop. Cruise control inop and engine light came on. Took car to dealer and just made it when engine cut out completely sensor replaced again second time was charged $91.44!!!!

- Eldersburg, MD, USA

problem #9

Aug 102006

Liberty 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,488 miles
: the contact stated while applying brake pressure at various speeds, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted immediately every time stalling occurred. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who determined the valve train on the fifth cylinder of the engine was defective. The dealer determined the entire engine needed to be replaced to correct the problem. The manufacturer was not contacted.

- Abingdon, MD, USA

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