2002 Jeep Liberty: pulls to one side

Filed Jun 13, 2009 · Suspension · 109,759 miles · NY

I had just backed out of a parking space in a busy parking lot, drove forward about 20 feet going no more than 7-10 MPH, then made a left - still within the parking lot. When turning, I heard a grinding noise, then suddenly, the front end of my 2002 jeep liberty renegade collapsed onto the front tire of the driver's side. The upper ball joint of the vehicle had completely separated, knocking the wheel off in the process. This incident occurred in the late afternoon on a sunday (when mechanics are not open). Aaa towed the jeep to a local garage nearby; however, on monday morning, I called chrysler to file a complaint about what had happened. My call was picked up by an overseas customer service rep. He told me that if I could have the car towed to a chrysler dealer, they would see what they could do about covering the repair, but to call back after they'd spoken with the dealer. Later that afternoon, I called back. Long story short, my call was escalated to a guy in detroit, who at first said that the call center rep had no business suggesting that my repair would be covered. When I told him I have photos of what happened to the car, he authorized the repair. The dealer had to replace the upper control arm and ball joint, and the brake line which was severed when the front end collapsed! I asked the dealer for the defective parts. He said chrysler would want them because they were covering it "under warranty." this is a major defect and safety issue - one of many in the 2002 jeep liberty. I shudder to think what would have happened if I had pulled out onto the busy highway! While I was happy that chrysler covered this cost, the car needed further adjustments when it was returned to me as the suspension felt loose and the vehicle was pulling to the left and shaking. The dealer said these were all unrelated (?!), and charged me for those repairs.

Filed Jan 13, 2009 · Electrical · 40,000 miles · OH

A wiring harness in my 2002 jeep liberty fails every year or so - this disables the ABS brakes and causes the speedometer to wander and be inaccurate. The dealership has replaced the harness 3 times (out of warranty) at a cost of about $200 each time. My ABS system is disabled from the time the harness fails until I get it fixed. The ABS light and brake light illuminate on the dash when it fails - and stays on until the repair is done.

Filed Dec 17, 2008 · Visibility · 59,000 miles · MA

Window breaks off track and will not stay in the rolled up position. This is due to a poor design of a plastic clip that attaches the window to the regulator. Unfortunately I cant just buy the plastic clip you have to buy the regulator motor,track as one part. Plus jeep will not fix the problem with the plastic clip, so all I can buy is the same flawed part. I live in north I think that it is pretty unsafe to have your windows falling down possibly in the middle of a blizzard. I wander how many accident have been caused buy people trying to hold up their window while driving?or what if the window falls down with a child in the back seat?

Filed Nov 30, 2007 · Suspension · VA

Vehicle has always pulled to the right regardless of new tires, front end alignment, etc. About one year ago started to hear screeching and clunking noises from front end. Particularly on cold days and even over small bumps. Service shop couldn't diagnose a problem. Recent trip to shop revealed a split boot on the right upper control arm and losing grease. If not replaced, it will fail. Vehicle has been serviced for previous two recalls on the lower control arm ball joints. Dealer will not cover the replacement cost of ball joint and/or upper control arm assembly.

Filed Aug 3, 2007 · Suspension, Tires · 60,000 miles · KY

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 jeep liberty. While driving 55-60 MPH, the vehicle pulled to the right and the steering wheel vibrated. The contact also heard a humming noise coming from the front tires. The dealer has not inspected the vehicle. The contact felt that the humming noise was due to excessive wear caused by the lower ball joints. The contact received recall notice number 03v460000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint) on august 2, 2007. He feels that the tires should be replaced as part of the recall. As of august 3, 2007, the ball joints have not been replaced. The current mileage was 62,000 and failure mileage was 60,000. The consumer stated the lower ball joint has been repaired and the cupped tires were then rotated to the rear of the vehicle and the consumer stated there is still a loose feeling in the rear of the vehicle. Updated 08/22/07

Filed Nov 29, 2006 · Suspension · 56,000 miles · NC

Dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds the vehicle pulled to the right. There was a the federal safety agency 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 12/28/2006 - the faulty lower ball joint causes the vehicle to pull to the right while driving. The consumer stated that this causes the driver of the vehicle to become tired after 20 mins of driving.

Filed Nov 13, 2006 · Suspension · 130,000 miles · AR

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 45 MPH on normal road conditions the vehicle pulled hard to the right. Prior the incident the vehicle was subject to recall #03v460000 where the suspension control arm was replaced. The contact asked the dealership if the alignment was included in the recall and they indicated that alignment was part of the vehicle's normal maintenance. The manufacturer was contacted who confirmed the dealership statement. The contact was concern because the misalignment created by the suspension repairs could be the cause of a fatal accident.

Filed Aug 26, 2006 · Body, Brakes · 55,000 miles · NJ

Jeep liberty pulls to right, will stop dead in its tracks while in drive, hard to control, thumping noise, metal to metal grinding from front end, seat belts do not work properly, hard to start, front seat covers rippled, paint peeled on hood, tailgate, breaks only work some of the time, shakes and hard to control on speed above 35 MPH, all interior weather stripping came off. Same complaints from 1/7/03 ball joints replaced on recall on 1/10/03 still had pulling to right problems, shaking,. Weather stripping all fell off on interior of car, acts like wheels are binding. 3/4/03 same complaints pulling to right, stops dead in its track, hard to control, wheels bind, dealer could not duplicate complaints (did not write up work order) 3/27/03 dealer installed interior weather stripping, same complaints as 1/10/03,3/4/03. Again on 6/2/03 took jeep liberty to dealer took a test drive could not verify complaints. Did not write up a work order. 1/16/04 jeep liberty hard to start, pulls to right, jeep shakes & vibrates hard to control, seat belts do not work, seat rippling, car stops dead it its tracks, dealer fixed lower ball joints again on 2/13/04 at 23,850 miles. 2-13-04 picked up car from dealer still had same problems" dealer stated " this is how jeeps drive" they are nuts! 11-04 dealer took test drive was still having problems claimed everything okay. Did not right up a work order. 5/27/05 had massive problems brakes would go to the floor, sometime would work and other time not. Took to nearest brake place pads, okay, but wheel cylinder leaked. Claim it could be a intermittent failure of master cylinder, called dealer ship no part available. 7/5/05 took to dealer again with same problems,r they had not even looked at it. Removed jeep and took to private auto placed,ut with intermittent problems you could replace most of the parts on the car & you may not cure the problems.

Filed Aug 16, 2006 · Steering, Suspension · 11,638 miles · NY

I reported a noise during operating my jeep liberty, ltd. 4 wd over bumps and turns. I purchased the vehicle with 5 miles on 8/13/2002. 3/21/2003 at 11638 miles, the service shop made a warranty claim - lubed the bushings. 4/28/2003 at 12932 miles, the service shop made another warranty claim -sleeve & strap was replaced. 2/9/2004, at 25045 miles, the service shop made yet another warranty claim -replaced the sway bar bushings & links. I also had lower ball joints replaced for a recall. 4/16/2004, service shop repositions the ft shield at ft suspension. The noise never went away. At the service shops advice, I needed to bring it in if the noise became worse. Yeah right! Two other mechanics suggested steering/suspension related. On 4/09/2006, I had my car inspected by the dealership service once again for the worsen noise. The service team replaced the rear center ball joint at a cost of $276.17 and returned my vehicle. With my warranty running out, the service team has supposedly found more serious part changes, of course. On 6/15/2006, the service team replaced the lower ball joint due to wear and repaired a leak in my tire at the cost of $224.05. I also have noticed vehicle pulling to the right. In addition to having paid for services with my warranty still effective, I have further developed other serious car issues. I have a leak in my rear differential and my brake light & ABS lights are on. I had to stop at a service station to fill my tire from 10 psi! Although the service department would like me to bring back my car, I do not believe they have the experience for a fourth visit. On my last trip to the dealership, I had requested that if there are any parts replaced to please save the old part. Upon my pick up of the vehicle, I did not receive these parts. I have purchased an extended warranty end of july for 1,600.00 just in case.

Filed Aug 14, 2006 · Suspension · 77,000 miles · GA

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 35mph on the highway under normal driving conditions, there was a loud, banging noise followed by a loss of control of the vehicle. The contact managed to slow the vehicle by using the brakes, but the vehicle pulled to the right side of the road without incident. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who determined the right front ball joint fractured. A the federal safety agency recall, #06v288000 was performed on the vehicle concerning the suspension; however, the recall did not remedy the problem. The dealership would not offer a second repair under the recall. The manufacturer was contacted.

Filed Oct 11, 2005 · Steering, Suspension · 45,000 miles · 00

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.

Filed Aug 2, 2005 · Suspension · 82,000 miles · PA

Sept. 9, 2004: the vehicle (2002 jeep liberty) went the dealer for a safety recall replacement of the front lower ball joints. The dealer replaced the ball joints per the safety recall. Aug. 1, 2005: the front lower ball joint on the right-front wheel failed. When this happened, the ball portion of the ball joint separated from the socket causing the right-front wheel to seemingly fall off. Prior to the failure, it was noted on july 31, 2005 that the vehicle pulled to the right slightly when the brakes were applied. The ball joint failure occurred on a flat, smooth parking lot at low speed. No bodily injuries occurred. The dealer and the manufacturers representative have agreed to replace the ball joint and repair the damage caused by the failure. However, the dealer and manufacture will not certify in any way that the new parts have been inspected and are free from defect. It is important to note that it is the safety recall replacement part that failed. I do not believe that diamler chrysler has resolved the problem(s) that LED to the initial recall. I do not feel safe with their proposed fix to my vehicle.