On june thursday 9:00 am 16th I call the dealer to look at my jeep liberty because the steering was very stiff and hard to control the vehicle. I was told by the service manager that I could not get my car in until monday the 20th three days later. I told the service manager that I needed to travel to ohio on business and that I could not wait. He had no response other than I should not drive the car until someone had looked at it. I then call a local garage who told me that could get my car that morning. They found and documented that the lower ball joints seem to be the problem even though they could see through the chrysler recall website that I had taken the liberty in gregory chrysler plymouth jeep prior to this for the recall which should have fixed this problem. I think maybe this work was billed but never done and I have no way to prove this. (I would like to know how many libertys have seen this recall problem twice) they greased the ball joint so that I could drive the car again. On sept 7th I took the car in to the jeep deal who told me that they would not cover the replacement of the ball joints because I had someone else help me out when they could not. So the question remains, does the lower ball joint recall really fix the problem or is this dealer just scanning people on the work that is suppose to be covered? It is either one or the other.
2002 Jeep Liberty suspension complaints
Page 15 of 18: complaints 401 to 430 of 494, newest first, as owners wrote them.
First problem: on march 31, 2004, we took my 2002 jeep liberty to the jeep dealer due to a loud squeaking noise in the front. They diagnosed a bad lower ball joint on the left front side and replaced it. Note - my jeep had the lower front ball joints serviced under a recall notice at the end of 2003. It was supposed to have had the lower ball joints replaced and a heat shield installed. Second problem: without warning on july 28, 2005, the front right lower ball joint broke while attempting to drive the jeep into our garage, and the front end collapsed onto the pavement and the disconnected wheel. There was no noise or any indication of a problem before this happened. The events leading up to this: I started up the engine, backed the jeep up a few feet to straighten my approach, and attempted to pull it into the garage. However, I noticed a strong resistance to roll forward so I stopped, got out and looked around to make sure I wasn't running over something. After seeing nothing in the way or under the vehicle, I tried again to pull forward, but it wouldn't roll and the wheel skid. So I put it into reverse and tried to back up. That is when the front end dropped with a load crunch onto the wheel that had came off. The jeep dealer paid for the new ball joint and several other parts that were damaged due to the incident. Another problem: on december 12, 2003, the right rear seat belt latch had to be replaced because the release button was jamming (sometimes it would work and sometimes it wouldn't).
My wife lost control of our "2002" jeep liberty. The lower ball joint separated from itself. Recall service for lower ball joints was already performed by tom harrigan jeep of dayton ohio on jan 10th of "04"
Dt: caller had recall work done on the ball joints o last year. Now she took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and she was told the ball joints were bad again. Dealer and manufacturer said a certain amount of play was acceptable, and they will not replace the ball joints until there was complete failure.
The front end of my 02 jeep liberty (39,527 miles) VIN # [xxx] began to make loud noises from the front end. The dealer diagnosed the noise as upper ball joint failure. The repair cost $655.20 and car rental $89.99. Previously, this jeep model was factory recalled for a bottom ball joint defect which was performed at 26,887 miles. I contacted the diamler chrysler customer assistance center who refused to pay for the repairs. I have a hard time believing that the upper ball joints were not defective like the bottom ones. A heavy duty jeep should have suspension components which last the life of the vehicle. *jb updated 07/19/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
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.
Dt: caller says his ball joints are defective. Without warning the front passenger wheel fell off two weeks ago. Vehicle had to be towed. Dealer fixed it under warranty. Manufacturer said they will not replace the vehicle because of the mileage. Recall work was done in april 2004. Caller dose not have recall information. Caller says at his expense he replaced the rear ball joints.
Dt: the contact owns a 2002 jeep liberty. He received a recall notice on the lower ball joint and the dealership was supposed to of fixed the recall. While he was pulling out of his driveway the lower ball joint broke and the vehicle is riding on its rim right now. There is not an the federal safety agency campaign id number or a manufacture number available.
Dt: consumer has a 2002 jeep liberty had the ball joint recall repaired. On sunday the ball joints became disconnected from the wheel. They couldn?t steer the vehicle, and the driver's side wheel tilted outward. Consumer complained approximately 6 months after the repair s because she heard funny noises. She took the vehicle to be looked at, and was told there was nothing wrong. When she had the vehicle at dealer for the 60,000 mile check up she was told the vehicle was fine. She contacted the dealership and manufacturer and neither of them were willing to help her. The axle came out, and the dealership told her it was $800 worth of damage.
Caller stated she got a recall notice to get the ball joints replaced, which she did. After another 37000 miles the ball joint snapped, resulting in the tire falling off. Vehicle was towed to a different repair shop.
Since purchasing this 2002 jeep liberty for my 23 year old daughter it has pulled to the left when the steering wheel was released. It was returned to the jeep dealer several times for repair. Each time it was realigned and was ok for a time then started to pull to the left again. We also replaced the tires trying to eliminate problem, which continued until the 3/31/05 accident. My daughter was traveling down the highway on 3/31/05 a sunny dry day in new britain ct when she suddenly lost control of her jeep and side swiped the jersey barrier. Although this can't be proved without more investigation, I believe the lower control arm , which is casted not pressed steel, had a partial crack that totally failed at the time of the accident. The failure caused loss of control of the jeep liberty and it side-swiped the jerky barrier. There was about $6,000 damage to the driver's side of the jeep, no other vehicles were involved. The police officer attributed the accident to tire failure, since the 2 driver's side tires were flat. When examining the jeep at the body shop, I noticed the lower control arm was broken. I didn't think the crash was severe enough to cause this to happen. On closer examination of the part it looked to me like the broken edge was about half rusted. To me this indicated a preexisting crack in the casting. I am reporting this incident because I can't proof the jeep's part failed. The jeep is advertised as an "off road" vehicle and as such should be heavy duty. If this part did fail after only 46,000 miles it could be a manufacturing problem that should be investigated. I am having the body shop save the part for examination. The car has been repaired.
Consumer received recall campaign 03v460000 for the lower ball joint arm. After taking the vehicle to the dealer for repairs and leaving it all day consumer was notified upon her arrival to pick the vehicle. Also, that there was a special wrench needed to remove the ball joints, and that contact would be made as soon as they received the wrench. Consumer currently received a second notification that the recall was not performed . No contact has been made by the dealership. *ak
2002 jeep liberty ball joint separated resulting in the consumer losing control of the vehicle.*mr after the dealer performed the recall on the lower ball joints the consumer started to hear a noise coming from the tire. The dealer claimed the noise was from the brake and it was adjusted, however the noise was still present and that was when the consumer experienced the ball joint separating from the knuckle. The consumer believed when the dealer replaced the ball joint it was done incorrectly.
While backing out of a parking space at 5 MPH lower driver's side ball joint broke, and the vehicle went down. Vehicle was towed, and serviced on the recalled ball joint at 5,800 miles.
1. Repeated returns to the dealer to correct a noise in the suspension. . While driving the ball joint separated causing the fron wheel to fall off and vehicle to crash to the ground and skid to a stop.*ak 3. Vehicle has not been repaired. Damier chrysler and it's dealership will not accept responsibilty for failure and as of current date is sitting at dealership lot awaiting outcome of lawsuit.
Left upper ball joint failed. This was the same side that was showing damage due to o3v460000, lower ball joint failure.
Driving 25 MPH, the front lower ball joints failed causing the front end to drop onto the front wheels. The vehicle was towed. *jb the passenger's side lower ball joint failed causing the front end to drop onto the passenenger's side front wheel. The seat belt did not retract.
While driving at any speed consumer heard a loud noise coming from the rear and vehicle vibrated. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the rear coil springs needed to be replaced due to worn out parts. *ak the brakes made noise when applied. The blower motor for the heat failed and the A/C was inoperative.
While driving. The lower ball joint completely failed. The consumer took the vehicle to be repaired. However, this is the second time the ball joint has been replaced within 1800 miles. The first time it was done through a recall. The consumer bought the vehicle used. Please provide any further information.
While driving 25 MPH front end began to produce a loud knocking noise. Dealer stated the front driver side wheel bearing separated from the axle.
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.
Lower all joint recall in jan.04. Sept 04 I have it in the shop again for ball joint problem.also had the A/C tensioner fixed twice.this is an 02 jeep liberty sport.
The ball joint axle broke as the consumer exited the vehicle. As a result the left front tire came off of the truck. The vehicle was towed to a local shop who advised the consumer that there was a recall. *nm this occurred while the consumer was pulling into a parking stall. *sc
After making an appointment to have the lower ball joint recall 03v460000 repairs performed consumer was informed that the parts weren't available, and they were on back order.*ak the repair date has not been rescheduled.
While driving at 30 MPH the steering suddenly pulled to the right which resulted in a crash. *mr after the replacement of the damaged right wheel, the driver hardly managed to drive the vehicle home. Sc the consumer believed the accident resulted in the failure of the lower ball joints in which currently there is a recall on. Recall# 03v460000.
Structural failure on 2002 jeep liberty. *mr the consumer was able to avoid a collision. The lower ball joint had come apart dropping to the roadway and dropping the vehicles body of the front wheel. The vehicle careened of control across both lanes twice before coming to a halt on the berm. The consumer had previously complained about stiff steering, there were also noises in the front end. The service dealer suggested that nothing was wrong with the vehicle. *sc
After the dealership replaced the driver side lower ball joints for recall 03v460000 the vehicle's alignment was off, and the front end shook and pulled to the right when speed reached and exceeded 50 MPH. Also, front tires needs to be replaced because they were cropping. *ak prior to repair, vehicle was operating fine. Dealer refused realignment of the vehicle, per request of the consumer, because it was not covered under the scope of the recall. Also, all four tries were replaced at 8,000 miles on vehicle.
I ordered my jeep liberty 7/01 and picked it up 9/01. The morning of 4/4/04 I was driving home and started crashing into trees. The car was spinning, back and forth across the road - hit 3 trees, mailboxes and a telephone pole (hard enough that even though it was the last thing that I hit, it moved enough that it tore the cables out of someone's house). About 50 feet before the 1st tree, was my front passenger tire and about 2 feet of the axle (or whatever holds the rim and tire on the truck). The front of the truck from the right front quarter panel to 1/3 across the front of the truck is up inside the dashboard, the back driver's tire is blown out, the spare tire on the back is smashed, the 2 passenger side doors are smashed and the entire truck is off the frame. I told the tow driver and police about the recall that I'd just gotten that stated that the "a ball joint that has separated from the knuckle could result in loss of vehicle directional control and could result in a crash." I had an appointment to get it fixed 4/6/04...the accident was 4/4/04. My injuries: airbags didn't go off but I was wearing my seatbelt. I broke my arm (8 weeks in cast, 6 weeks in a brace and I'm still in physical therapy. Standard seatbelt bruise that lasted more than 3 weeks, and the associated pain. My insurance is covering my medical and the replacement of the car (with financing, it paid exactly what I owed). So, even though jeep knew about the need for a recall in october 2003, I wasn't notified until march 2004. It was a clear dry night. I was awake and coherent, not speeding or drinking, and paying attention when I suddenly lost control. In fact, it's [xxx] lucky that I was only going 35-40. Jeep claims they're not responsible. All I want is for them to admit that they were at fault. If they'd sent the recall notice in a timely manner, back in 10-11/03, it would have been fixed prior to another winter of snow and sleet and crap getting into that joint to corrode it! *la information redacted pursuant to the freedom
On may 2004 consumer received a recall letter regarding the lower ball joint. Dealership still does not have the parts available to conduct the recall. Dealership asked to the consumer to check every other week to see if they have the parts.
Recall for lower ball joints on 2002 jeep liberty.*mr when the consumer arrived at the dealership, she was told the parts were not available.
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