The lower ball joint on passenger side failed. Didn't notice any symptoms prior to it breaking. I understand that it was apparently under recall. It was repaired around the recall date but it failed again and is considered recurring failure.
2002 Jeep Liberty: ball joint or control arm failure
441 of the 1,808 complaints about the 2002 Jeep Liberty describe ball joint or control arm failure.
- owner complaints
- 441
- of this car's complaints
- 24%
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,000
- typical mileage
- 70,000
- recalls
- 3
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
Ball joint or control arm failure by model year
What owners say
At approximately 6:30 am 9/25/2024, I was transporting a friend to her home in a neighboring city. After ten minutes of travel, I exited a four lane bridge. As I slowed and set up for traffic negotiations, We heard a bang, like maybe tire blowout, I initiated a full stop to safety, disembarked vehicle to find that; THE RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT HAD EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE! Thus, the tire was sliced the tire mount rim was deeply grooved. Had vehicle towed to my home. It is in the condition left by the towing company. So, I called my neighborhood dodge boys and wàs assured that "they were not obligated not interested in repairing this near calamity, for the "RECALLED LOWER BALL JOINT COMPONENTS WERE DEALT WITH IN 2006.. TOO MANY YEARS HAVE PASSED FOR THIS EVENT TO BE REPAIRED BY RECALL OR WARRANTY". OK THEN, HOW ABOUT THE AIRBAG OPEN RECALL AT THE STEERING WHEEL.. REPLY, NO. NOTHING MISSED OR ELIGIBLE. Well, that's it.. Thanks for the venting space. And seriously, thank you for what you do.
Well my 2002 jeep liberty has been messed up lately,it will just not crank so I thought it was the battery but it turned out to be the ignition switch also it did this off an on for about 6months ,the heat went out when I bought it and it will act as if it is overheating but it won't do anything for while then all of my windows have problems with the motor s in them the suspension, control arms I've had to change ,and the cruise control button will stick and keep going while you are driving it almost caused me to wreck on the interstate you have to turn the vehicle completely off once you get it to stop if you can get it to stop. out of all the vehicles I've had this is the first to take off by itself
Ball joints are coming apart and leaving me stranded on several occasions leading to costly repairs.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 jeep liberty. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, without warning the driver's side ball joint fractured causing the lower control arm to separate impaling the front driver's side tire. The contact managed to steer the vehicle into a gas station where a tow truck responded and picked up and towed the vehicle to a safe place where the vehicle remained. No dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v119000 (suspension) as a possible solution to the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 217,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 jeep liberty. The contact stated that while driving in reverse, the passenger's side front suspension failed. The vehicle was towed to prestige chrysler jeep dodge located at 6520 centennial center blvd, las vegas, nv 89149, to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the lower and upper control arms and ball joints needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact indicated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v1190000 (suspension). The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 jeep liberty. The contact stated that the front driver's side tire had worn out due to a corroded ball joint. The contact discovered the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v119000 (suspension); however, the recall repair had already been performed on the vehicle. The contact reached out to an unknown dealer, but was unable to speak with anyone regarding the failure. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Recall # 09v119000 recall date 04/09/2009 suspension: front: control arm and recall # 06v288000 recall date 08/03/06 suspension lower ball joint. Vehicle has had problems driving with speeds over 15mph. Heavy vibration and uneasy driving. Dealer made a repair on one lower ball joint to satisfy recall but the problem is returning. I was informed that the recalls do not include my VIN. The recalls are year and model specific. If the vehicle recall affected one control arm lower ball joint it should also apply to the other side. Ball joints should be replaced in sets. Both upper and lower control arm ball joints are part of these recalls. This can be a very dangerous situation for any driver if dealers can use VIN number to disclaim necessary recalls on vehicles.
2002 jeep liberty...feels like and sounds like the whole front end is falling apart..and then I went to the post office and as I turned in the parking lot the jeep made the worst noise..people started looking..it was really bad when I hit a bump or turned the steering wheel..my mechanic checked it out and said the ball joints had to be changed..and I think something is wrong with the steering ....I know there has been a recall on ball joints and something to do with the steering.also my brother n law found a part laying loose in down in the motor..I am a senior citizen and I still work..and I need my jeep checked..I am scared to drive it...pls let me know what to do...thanks..
Upper and lower ball joints failed at 140,100 miles all power windows failed over last 5 years hood lid hydraulics failed @99,000miles tailgating window hydraulics failed@ 105,000miles air cond. Fan failed @ 141,000 miles tailgate window rubber gasket failed @125,000miles
I was driving on a city street and highway when my upper and lower arms and ball joints just snapped in half also the whole right side of the vehicle has no electrical working the horn doesn't work so the air bags don't work and the company I got the vehicle from disabled my check engine light so I have no clue what else is wrong with the vehicle the companies name is wheels of success the owner is [xxx] she refuses to help me I have called sent emails text etc no response I got the vehicle from her in november 2016 I haven't had it a year and I have paid for repairs that should of been done before getting it I have paid out more than the cost of vehicle this has happened twice. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
The lower ball joint sheared off causing the wheel to fall causing the bottom of the ball joint to land on the rim. Thus cutting the rim all the way around it off and puncturing the tire. Thus causing the vehicle to slide to a stop at 50 miles an hour with a skid mark. Thus having to call for a tow truck to pick it up. Luckily no one was hurt. The vehicle was on a off ramp of a freeway to a on ramp over pass of another freeway.
Related recalls
Suspension: front: control arm
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling 42,469 my 2002-2003 jeep liberty vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in salt belt states of connecticut, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, kentucky, massachusetts, maine, maryland, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia , wisconsin and the district of columbia. The front suspension upper control arm ball joint may experience a loss of lubrication which could lead to corrosion, accelerated wear, and possible separation while driving.
- Risk
- Failure of the ball joint could result in a loss of steering capability, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front upper control arm assemblies free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or about april 24, 2010. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 09V119000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
- What is wrong
- On certain trucks, the constant tension front lower ball joints may experience contamination. If the vehicle is operated for an extended period with this condition, the ball joint may eventually experience wear and looseness.
- Risk
- When the driver continues to operate the vehicle with this condition, the contamination can lead to corrosion, accelerated wear and possibly separation from the steering knuckle causing a loss of vehicle steering control increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front lower ball joints free of charge. The recall began on september 11, 2006. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 06V288000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
- What is wrong
- On certain sport utility vehicles, the lower control arm ball joints can experience a loss of lubrication that can lead to corrosion, accelerated wear, and possible separation from the steering knuckle.
- Risk
- A ball joint thathas separated from the knuckle could result in loss of vehicle directional control and could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front lower control arm ball joints with modified assemblies and heat shields on vehicles built between january 2, 2001 and october 4, 2002. On vehicles built between october 5, 2002 and march 26, 2003, dealers will inspect the ball joint assemblies (and replace them as necessary) and install heat shields. Owner notification began on december 15, 2003. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑992‑1997.
Recall number 03V460000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2002 Jeep Liberty ball joint
Is ball joint or control arm failure a common problem on the 2002 Jeep Liberty?
441 of 1,808 owner complaints about the 2002 Jeep Liberty (24%) mention ball joint or control arm failure. The model year with the most reports is 2002.
How much does it cost to fix ball joint or control arm failure on the 2002 Jeep Liberty?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,000 (median of 31 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2002 Jeep Liberty?
There are 3 recalls and 0 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2002 Jeep Liberty
Airbag light 182No deployment 73Seat belt 64Headlights 52Stalling 49Check engine light 47Power windows 41Engine failure 40Pulling 35Grinding brakes 34Power steering loss 27Fire or smoke 22Knocking 19Tire blowout 16ABS 15Jerking 15Harsh shifting 14Overheating 14Fuel leak 13Won't start 13Door locks 12Loss of power 11Misfire 11Wipers 11Adaptive cruise 8Sudden acceleration 8Transmission failure 8Steering lock-up 7Steering noise 7Brake failure 6Coil spring 6
VIN decoder
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