10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
67,025 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2002 Jeep Liberty Owner Comments

problem #20

Jan 272021

Liberty

  • miles

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

Vehicle has 70,000 original owner miles. Placed the transmission in park but the linkage had failed and the vehicle stayed in D and started to roll off. The linkage on the side of the transmission had failed, the part is: Manual control lever - mopar 52104177. It has been revised twice since the original vehicle. The grade was very slight and my wife was still in the vehicle and applied the parking brake. The mechanic thought there had been a recall but could not find one. The same part is used on many Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler vehicles and has been recalled on some models. It is a great safety hazard as the shift liver is in park but the transmission is not. I have made a purchase of a replacement part but the dealer had to order a new one which is now: Manual control lever - mopar (52104177ac) after having been revised twice.

- Columbia, Sc, SC, USA

problem #19

Dec 062020

Liberty 6-cyl

  • 145,600 miles
The car chugg in and out goin down the road if feels like the transmission is goin to fall out of it the it dies the steering so so bad it feels like a tire is goin to fall of at any moment the valve cohere gasket needs replaced the brakes are non existing I almost crashed into some E head on after it died on me while I was goin 50 mph down the [xxx] I have only had the car for 2 week hobart auto sales have it to me in replace of a vehicle they had sold me that didn't have a title to it. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Valparaiso, IN, USA

problem #18

Jan 022018

Liberty

  • miles
On January 2, 2018, I submitted a report detailing the defects for an emissions control system to the U.S. attorney's office for the eastern district of Michigan. That report also detailed safety defects. That was for vehicles manufactured by what is now Fiat Chrysler automobiles. Circumstances related to the system allegedly being put into production were also explained to the aforementioned office. Have they contacted your office? please let me know. I have not heard from them and thus do not know if any actions have been taken. I am the engineer who did the analysis on the emissions control system and prepared the report.

- Mt. Clemens, MI, USA

problem #17

Jan 182017

Liberty

  • miles

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

My engine failed like most people with a 2002 engine that I have spoken with. This was a bad year for these engines so I can not understand why they were not recalled. Every mechanic knows these engines would fail for no reason.

- East Stroudsburg, PA, USA

problem #16

Apr 052016

Liberty

  • 156,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Jeep Liberty. While driving at any speed, the speedometer malfunctioned and failed to display the actual speed of the vehicle. The vehicle lost power and stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the wiring for the sensor that was connected to the transmission became fractured when the emergency brake was applied. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 156,000.

- Lemon Grove, CA, USA

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problem #15

Nov 152014

Liberty

  • 2,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle accelerated independently without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician informed that the vehicle was operating as designed but the failure recurred. The contact also mentioned that another vehicle crashed into the rear of the vehicle. As a result the contact crashed into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. There was a police report filed and no injuries sustained. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed. The front end was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,000.

- Southfield, MI, USA

problem #14

Apr 152015

Liberty

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Jeep Liberty. While attempting to drive the vehicle, the gear selector failed to move into the drive position. The contact had to apply force to the gear lever in order to shift the vehicle into drive. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was was unknown.

- Fraklinton , NC, USA

problem #13

Mar 232015

Liberty 4WD 6-cyl

  • 191,000 miles
The 2002 Jeep Liberty we bought for my wife back in 2010 from we thought was a very good honest car dealer will not name this person, but I ended up placing a brand new water pump within days of buying, then a new radio part from the dealer not cheap either, then the hood supports one was bad and the hood fell on my head so I bought 2 more not cheap all the oem- parts, not long after that had new SUV tires the type it used, had to buy the book that goes with the Jeep from dealer almost $100 just for the book. We still kept the Jeep it was paid for, then I placed new brakes pads and turned the front rotors too, bought new chrome lug nuts the tire people messed up several of my lug nuts, had chrome lug nuts placed, then we-started getting these safety recalls in the mail hard for us to do without a way of going, but the drive shaft dropped out while my brother - in- law was test driving it to find out what was making a bad roaring sound from under the Jeep, when he turned the Jeep around to go back to his shop the drive-shaft dropped out on the ground, I was shocked as well as him too. And my wife what else is going to happen with that Jeep.I never heard of so many recalls for one 2002 Jeep Liberty I have never seen or heard of what is next." My wife now drives the Jeep without the drive shaft that came loose and dropped out. Now it's just a 2 wheel drive Jeep not 4X4.I'm very upset with all that has go wrong with this Jeep, we've had it almost 5 years and haven't put maybe 10 to 13,000 miles on the Jeep during that time, she drives back and to - to work, please help us tell us what to do" if this drive-shaft would have came out while my wife was driving around 55mph it could have either killed or even caused very bad bodily harm to her, in the affected parts will not allow to place the part that you should look at_ front drive_shaft!!)

- Alapaha, GA, USA

problem #12

Oct 152014

Liberty

  • 130,000 miles
The front drive shaft and differential assembly locked up causing the car to shake violently and smoke from oil coming from the busted seal. Luckily the driver was able to stop immediately on a busy interstate. This is very uncommon according to 2 dealers and 3 repair garages, obviously a defective part. There had been no leakage in the past 2 months or shaking/swaying when driving at any speed checked and there has been a back order on this part from Dodge for the past 3-4 months so there seems to be a problem. We were lucky this defective part did not cause a terrible accident I called Chrysler they said this has not been recalled, but reiterated this was very uncommon.

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #11

May 312012

Liberty

  • 135,000 miles
Driving through a school zone one morning and the car suddenly lost power steering and shut off, would not start again. Towed it back to house and read check engine code about crankshaft position sensor. It melted in place because of where it is in relation to the exhaust, took 4-5 months to fully dig out the melted sensor and replace. Had to put a heat shield over it myself and has since lasted 2+ years without trouble. Very poor design and a hassle to fix.

- Little Egg Harbor Twp, NJ, USA

problem #10

Jul 152013

Liberty

  • 200,000 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 25 mph, the vehicle stalled with the illumination of the check engine light. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

- Enid, OK, USA

problem #9

Jul 102010

Liberty 6-cyl

  • 72,880 miles
I was driving on the interstate at 55 mph in the right lane. I accelerated to pass the vehicle in front of me who was driving approximately 40 mph. When I accelerated, there was an extremely loud band that came from my car. I moved into the right lane and pulled over, off the road and stopped the car. The loud bang frightened and startled me for a moment and I could have lost control of the vehicle and crashed. Up until then, I had no problems. When I drove the car home, I drove slowly and carefully. The car kept stopping, as if someone turned the engine off. I took it to the Jeep dealer and was told I needed to replace the solenoid pack and fluid, had a broken clutch, and internal damage (transmission). After that incident, other issues started such as no hydraulic under front hood (have to hold hood up with one hand while using other). The first time it happened, the hood fell down on my head. The back hydraulics to keep the hatchback open sometimes work or not and my windshield wiper motor is broken. Mind you this all started with low mileage between 72,880 - 74,000. Now I am concerned about the latest recall for fuel tank explosion if hit in rear and the other recall about the air bags.

- Ocala, FL, USA

problem #8

Jun 242012

Liberty 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,603 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that when attempting to shift into four wheel drive, the shifter linkage cable separated from the transfer case. The rubber that was connected to the plastic housing also separated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the four wheel drive transfer shifter assembly and linkage cable. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 60,603. And the current mileage was 60,737....updated 08-24-12 the consumer stated the old part is available and the manufaturer was contacted. Updated 09/04/2012

- Elizabeth City , NC, USA

problem #7

Jan 262012

Liberty 6-cyl

  • miles
After lots of tries and no help from Jeep, I am trying to find help with a problem with an speed sensor that is not working properly. Apparently there is a problem with the routing of these wires causing them to rub, short out and it causes the sensor to quit, and anything options running off this sensor (example tranny shift points causing the torque converter to not unlock and causing stalling of vehicle).

- Pgh, PA, USA

problem #6

Apr 072011

Liberty

  • 81,000 miles
Car overheated, check engine light came on and steam poured out from under the hood on the highway. Mechanic used a scan tool and determined that there was a cylinder 2 misfire. Coolant was found in the cylinder and maybe the head gasket needed to be replaced. When the head was removed the gasket was ok but it was determined that the engine (long block) needed to be replaced. I have found other owners online who have had this same issue with the 2002 and 2003 Jeep Liberty's. I am over the 7 year 70,000 mile powertrain warranty. Car was always maintained and regular oil changes were performed. No off-roading or towing done with this vehicle.

- Addison, IL, USA

problem #5

May 252002

Liberty

  • 50,000 miles
2002 Jeep Liberty limited. I have replaced the engine, rebuilt the 4 -wheel drive shaft, replaced the A/C condenser and coil, and now the radio, dome lights, power locks are broken. The blower motor resistor has been replaced but now the blower motor is broken. What a lemon from day one. Latches on hatch not working correctly, mold smell from A/C. it is something all the time with this vehicle.

- Edwardsville, IL, USA

problem #4

Sep 012004

Liberty 6-cyl

  • miles
Consumer has had to replace shocks, drive shaft, brakes and all four tires since purchase. The tires were worn and the noisy were struts, a constant thumping sound was heard when the vehicle was in motion, creaking noise were coming from the front of the vehicle when going over bumps due to the front sway bar bushings, the regulator on the passenger door was noisy, the handle on the passenger door was loose, grinding noise on the front passenger side, the passenger front door's weather strip was coming off, loud noise coming from the rear differential bearings, excessive play in the front tie ends, water under the driver's side carpet, rattling in the speaker on the passenger side, when in 4th high and 4th low, the vehicle felt as if it were in neutral, the cigarette lighter was inoperative, the was a squeak in the steering wheel when turning, the engine idled loud, the vehicle would jump when shifting into gear, there was a delay when braking, the axle boot was leaking.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #3

Nov 102002

Liberty 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,408 miles
My 2002 Jeep Liberty has had a vibration since 1400 miles. It now has 29,000 miles and the same vibration. I have contacted the manufacturer about this twice and been back to the dealer numerous times to have it checked. The original complaint that I contacted daimler Chrysler with they gave me a complaint number, and told me that there techs were aware of this problem, and they were working on it. I then contacted them again this year and asked if they had resolved it, and they act as if there is only my complaint, and no resolution.

- Cobleskill, NY, USA

problem #2

Nov 292003

Liberty

  • 60,000 miles
While driving the transmission failed without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #1

Nov 292003

Liberty 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles
On 11/29, my transmission on my 2002 Jeep Liberty was not shifting after second gear. Took the car to the dealership and was told that there was a "bad part" on the tranmission, that the piston retainer inside of the valve body was broken and it needed to be replaced. The car was purchased new in 2001 and mileage was past the 36,000 bumper to bumper warranty; however, any Jeep vehicle purchased after 11/1/01 has the 7 year, 70,000 mile powertrain warranty. The part is bad and others might be experiencing the same thing. I ended up paying half when I should not have had to pay anything. Very disappointed in a vehicle that initially I loved!

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

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