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.
2002 Jeep Liberty engine complaints
Page 2 of 6: complaints 11 to 40 of 159, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 jeep liberty. The contact stated that the steering seized and the vehicle could not be moved due to overheating. While the vehicle was being driven 25 MPH, the temperature gauge did not indicate that the vehicle was going to overheat and there were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact also stated that there was no steam or smoke coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine was defective, the coolant reservoir was damaged, and the temperature gauge was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was not provided.
The engine of this vehicle died without warning. It's computer never picked it up, or gave me a warning that anything was going bad. It was not making any bad sounds or loose sounds of anything. The vehicle simply died in me when I accelerated going up a hill, imagine the horror that was having vehicle also accelerating behind me. I've been hearing the same complaints from thousands of jeep liberty users and this is dangerous. I don't understand why they're refusing to address this issue, this is something that's life-threatening and could lead to a fatal crash. Please, for hundreds more of the similar complaint, please visit: http://www.carcomplaints.com/jeep/liberty/2002/engine/engine_failure-2.shtml.
A year ago while highway driving for several miles, the engine wire harness from starter to battery caught fire. The harness was destroyed. A replacement from a salvage yard went about 100' and it also caught fire destroying itself. Another harness was installed and a year later the same fire on the same harness occurred yesterday.
Well where do I start. Since I have purchased this vehicle in may of 2016 I have replace multiple parts ,but they weren't part of any recalls. But now my concern reviewing recalls for this vehicle and trying to address these numerous defects . I'm almost fed up. My main cover is the j17 recall for the upper control arm ball joint of which a chrysler representative advideo my my vehicle was part of ,which I clueless on how as the recall doesn't specify other than 2002 to 2003 liberty vwhiles . Now I show that they were replaced in the past and now they since are worn in the same description they were recalled in . And chrysler denies responsibility (?) .. Also other concerns with the catylic converter causing a sulfur smell when the vehicle is going up hill aso well as towing . One more thing is numerous online forum about the engine ticking being normal and unfixable other then to replace the engine . Now all this plus the multiple parts I have already replaced a vehicle less then 15 years on the market needed a in other words fully restoration is unacceptable. Especially when I have stock 1948 jeep that need less repairs than this .
Number 3 and 6 cylinders blew. Found broken rods and bearings in the oil pan. Bearings were twisted around the studs for the crank cover. Seems to be a common issue in this year 3.7l engine. This happened while driving in traffic on a city street and I can't imagine what I would have done if I had been driving on i95 when it occured.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 jeep liberty. The contact heard an abnormal noise associated with the 3.7 liter engine. The contact noticed there was a strong hesitation without warning and the vehicle later stalled more than once. The vehicle was parked at the contact's residence due to the failure. The contact indicated that the number two cylinder may fail and cause the valves to drop onto the pistons, which could cause the motor and cylinder head to fail. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and suggested that the dealer perform diagnostic testing. The approximate failure mileage was 147,000. Updated 05/31/2016*lj the consumer stated two spark plugs were pulled and broke due to impact, inside the cylinder head. Updated 06/14/16.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 jeep liberty. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the speedometer failed to read the vehicle proper speed as the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the ABS sensor wires were fractured and rubbing against the emergency brake cable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 142,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 jeep liberty. The contact stated the vehicle had a burning odor near the engine. The contact received a recall notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 15v046000 (air bags) and 13v252000 (fuel system, gasoline, structure) however the parts to do the repairs were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for recall repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 jeep liberty. The contact stated that the vehicle caught on fire near the engine. The vehicle was destroyed. No further details were available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 163,000.
Was driving down the highway and quit. Had towed to shop and they said the engine was shot.
My jeep currently has 42,000 miles as of nov 1, 2015. It is 14 years old. However, the 3.7 l engine has a history (1 in 200 as best I can tell from the internet) of somehow coagulating oil into sludge around the 50,000 mile mark. This jeep is part of the trailer hitch and airbag recall, but as you know dealerships never got parts to update. However, it also seems the engine was designed to fail on these models. Mechanics that work on these engines just shake their heads and tell you chrysler updated the engine to fix this but that doesn't help anybody who has an originally designed engine. Again, these engines were designed to sludge. It usually starts with rocker arms cracking/breaking and even after replacement and cleansing the oil sludges up again. Of course, chrysler dealerships act like every occurrence of this is isolated, but third party mechanics know better. Mine has two jeeps right now that are sludged. Basically the social safety concern is that your engine can break when you're driving. And also that chrysler sold batches of these engines that they knew were defective, if not at the original design then soon after; when they decided they had to change the original design. I'm only being affected by it now because I have so few miles on my jeep.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 jeep liberty. The contact stated that after the vehicle was started, a fuel odor emitted from the vehicle. In addition, the contact mentioned that after the vehicle was parked, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also mentioned that after turning the ignition key to the on position, the vehicle failed to start without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v527000 (air bags), 13v252000 (fuel system, gasoline , structure), and 15v046000 (air bags) however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 jeep liberty. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact heard a noise emerging from the bottom driver side of the vehicle. The vehicle also started to hesitate and all the warning indicators illuminated. The contact slowed down to approximately 10 MPH into a parking lot. The contact parked and exited the vehicle. She was alerted that the vehicle was on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. Updated 12/29/15*lj
On july 23, 2015, while driving on the interstate highway, at approximately 55 miles/hour, the odometer, speedometer and cruise control simultaneously stopped working for no apparently known reason. When arriving at my destination in another state, (approx. 60 miles), I researched the internet for potential problems. A number of other 2002 jeep liberty owners had experienced similar problems. Additionally, several owners had experienced engine stalling when braking at a stoplight or intersection. On july 28, 2015, when traveling on an interstate highway, I pulled off to the safety lane to take a telephone call. While I was slowly pushing on the brake pedal to move safely to curb lane, the engine stopped working, as did my steering. Quick thinking - having read prior owners' comments - told me to put the car in neutral and turn the ignition key on. That worked! I got the car safely to the side lane. I am in the process of getting problems corrected; however, other owners have stated that the problem of stalling persists.
I was pulling out of my driveway and the car just shut completely off and I was stuck in the middle of the road. About 10 mins later, it started back up again and drove normally. This is not safe at all and if I was driving on the road, I could have died. I'm scared to drive this car now and I can't afford to go to a mechanic and pay thousands of dollars. From looking online, this is a recurring problem with this car. There should be a recall on this issue. Someone can really lose their life over this.
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!!)
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 jeep liberty. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact mentioned that the failure was experienced after the vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v046000 (air bags). The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 143,000.
2002 jeep liberty - engine - cylinder misfires, overheating causing coolant to overflow, coolant got in cylinder?, new engine required - quoted $5,500 plus $120.00 per hour labor from jeep dealer.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 jeep liberty. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle overheated and the engine coolant spilled out. The check engine warning indicator illuminated continuously. The vehicle stalled, but restarted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the vehicle needed a new water pump and radiator. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 110,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 jeep liberty. The contact stated that when accelerating, the vehicle jerked forward as the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the co2 filter needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 211,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 jeep liberty. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle but the problem occurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that there was an electrical shortage on the rear hatch module. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,986. Updated 11/24/14*lj
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 jeep liberty. The contact stated that the check engine light remained illuminated. The oxygen sensor was replaced several times however the failure was not corrected. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.
The engine is blown because the valve issue that chrysler is very well aware of. Regular maintenance and proper oil changes took place. The engine they put in this vehicle is known for this issue. The valve breaks off and destroys the engine. Thanks guys. Way to own up and fix your mistakes.
This was my primary (and only) transportation and the jeep ran as normal on 06/19/2014, no problems or noises. I cranked it up on the morning of 06/20/2013 and the motor was knocking like crazy. I took it to an independent repair shop and let them listen to the noise. I was advised that 1st, the noise sounded like the rocker arm or beads and this is not the first jeep liberty they have seen with this problem and 2nd it was not safe for me to be driving the jeep with this problem as the engine could possibly fail causing a crash and 3rd I will have to buy a new motor for this vehicle which is around $2,000.00 and up for a rebuilt engine or $6,000.00 and up for a new one. I was still making payments on this vehicle and didn't have this type of $$ just lying around so it has been sitting in my driveway for over a year. From my research online, there are numerous consumers who have had this same engine problem yet chrysler has not been made to recall there engine for defective parts. On behalf of jeep liberty owners that have had to face this huge problem, I am requesting that this issue be researched as soon as possible!!!! Jeeps are not bottom line vehicles as most people know. I personally paid $30,000.00 for this vehicle and am furious at the lack of response or sense of urgency by chrysler to resolve this and all the other issues with their vehicles. If you are going to charge for vehicles like they are 5 star vehicles, then you need to sell a 5 star product or give 5 star respectable service and correct your defects.
I was driving to unlock my other vehicle because my husband locked the keys in the car. I had my two young boys, 2 and 3 years old with me. I was on an interstate when all of a sudden, the wheel locks up and I see smoke coming from the hood. Blew the engine!!!! I was stuck on the side of the road, no cell phone, the night before a terrible ice storm that was headed my way. Very scary situation. I couldn't believe it was happening to me. Now it is going to cost me over $5000 to fix it, I think not. I don't have that kind of money sitting around. I have two little ones in diapers and another in college. So disappointed in the manufacturer for not warning the public. And to boot, I only paid it off last summer. $18,000 down the tube. It was my first vehicle I ever paid off. So very disappointed.
We bought the vehicle used and they said that there was a problem with the engine, but they did not give us a warranty or any other discount. Now we have had the vehicle for six months and it needs a new bottom end of the engine put in which costs more than the vehicle is worth but we do not have a choice, we have to put one in. I have always bought jeep's in the past and was very satisfied with their performance, but now I re-thinking my loyalty. I have always wanted a jeep liberty but now I wish I had never bough it.
Valve is either dropped or has broken randomly. I have been told that it is not worth fixing, because it would cost way too much money. Also I have done research and found that is a very common problem with the 2002 jeep liberty. I want to know why jeep has yet to address this problem.
Drove a short distance aprox 1/2 mile to store. When I came out car would crank but did not start. I left car idle for 1 hr and then it would start. This condition has happened a few time in the previous year.
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.
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