2002 Jeep Liberty: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Jan 28, 2017 · Acceleration · 126,897 miles · CA · crash

On 10/1/16 I was pulling into my driveway to park my 2002 jeep liberty when the vehicle suddenly accelerated at a high rate of speed, crashing through my garage door. With both feet on the brake pedal and the hand brake applied the jeep would not stop. It smashed into my wife's car parked in the garage, slamming it into the garage refrigerator. With brakes still applied I attempted to shift to neutral to shut off engine when it slammed into reverse and at great speed careened out of the garage and down the street. At no time did I feel I had control of my vehicle. It finally stopped when it hit shrubbery and small boulders. When I start my jeep when engine cold,the RPM's are high as though I pushed doen on accelerator. On 6-13-15 while at a traffic light waiting for the green light (foot on brake)the jeep suddenly accelerated and smashed the car in front of us, causing extensive damage. The insurance co has totaled my wife's car, we have a damaged refrigerator, we need a new garage door and have a jeep liberty that we are now afraid to drive. I have read many, many identical complaints on this site regarding 2002-2008 jeep liberty-I could have written their stories-and I have little faith that I will ever drive my jeep again. How many complaints and injuries before chrysler admits they have a problem? Didn't read about any deaths so I guess there's your answer.

Filed Feb 2, 2016 · Suspension · 200,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 jeep liberty. The contact stated that while making a turn and driving approximately 2 MPH, a loud clunking noise emitted from the front end as the vehicle collapsed towards the ground. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed that the front lower ball joint assembly fractured. In 2006, the vehicle was serviced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 03v460000 (suspension) however, failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

Filed Apr 27, 2015 · Suspension · 122,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 jeep liberty. While driving 5 MPH and making a turn, a loud clunking noise emitted from the front end of the vehicle. The front passenger side lower ball joint detached completely. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road and remained at that location. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 03v460000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.

Filed Jun 15, 2013 · Airbags, Engine · LA

I own a 2002 jeep liberty and had never heard of a recall on the engine! I did get a notice for the air bag issues months ago and have contacted the local dealer who maintains that the parts aren't available. Didn't some other autos have the same problem? Have they been fixed? I don't want to have a wreck and the air bags not deploy and then I become a crispy critter. Nor do I want the air bags to deploy when I'm driving down the interstate doing between 60 - 70 miles per hour. Again, possible crash with burning to death. Someone somewhere needs to get chrysler to work. Do they need a financial handout? Guess I'm gonna have to trade this clunker in and get something other than a jeep. Too bad cause I love my jeep.

Filed Feb 17, 2012 · Steering, Suspension · 123,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 jeep liberty. The contact stated that there was a clunking noise heard when driving over road bumps. In addition, the vehicle would sway back and forth abnormally. The failure occurred when driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the upper ball joints needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed that due to the upper ball joint failure, the lower ball joints were also being damaged. In addition, the tie rods were worn. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency campaign id number 03v460000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 09v119000 (suspension:front:control arm). The failure mileage was 123,000.

Filed Sep 15, 2009 · Suspension · 115,000 miles · NY

I left my house to go to work and started to pull away when I heard a clunk and then a terrible grinding noise - I tried to back up and the upper ball joint in my jeep snapped and took the brake line with it. I got out and the wheel/tire was hanging sideways on the vehicle. Thank god I was not driving on the highway at the time. Chrysler says this is not a recall and will not consider fixing it. I am very disgusted as this is a safety issue and the lower ball joints had been recalled previously and there is a bulletin now out about the upper. Because there is no recall connected to my VIN they will not consider it however. I will be fighting this.

Filed Jul 16, 2009 · Engine · 91,000 miles · MO

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 jeep liberty. Whenever the vehicle is started, the engine compartment makes a loud clunking noise. The mechanic stated that there was an issue with the spark plugs. The spark plugs were replaced, but the failure was not corrected. The contact was informed that there was an issue with the valve system. Through research, he has found numerous complaints on this same failure and believes it to be a manufacturer defect. He also believes that a recall should be issued. The current and failure mileages were 91,000.

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 Oct 24, 2007 · Suspension · 41,000 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 jeep liberty. While driving 15 MPH, the vehicle became very unsteady. The failure was also noticed while driving at all speeds. The contact stated that the vehicle made a severe clunking noise prior to the upper ball joints failing. The vehicle is currently at the state inspection station. The upper control arm was replaced. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 41,000.

Filed Feb 2, 2007 · Brakes · HI

Original message follows: ------------------------ us customer service - chrysler brand site brief description: fixing my recall almost turning out deadly losing control of my front brakes comments: today my wife and I picked up her jeep liberty after having the front ball joints replaced (it was a safety recall) from kona auto center in kailua kona, hi. Kona is 45 miles from my town of kamuela. My wife drove the car home and every time she stepped on the brakes, the front brakes made a loud clunk, louder each time. She also noticed a rattling sound. When she came to a traffic light in town. The car almost didn't stop. She had to down shift and even had to use the emergency brakes to keep from rear ending the car in front of her. I test drove the car there was something very wrong. I started to drive back to kona. I to had to down shift and use the emergency brake to stop. If I touched the brake, the front brakes would make a loud bang and then would rattle, with no stopping power. Half way back I had to stop. I crawled under the car and found to my amazement that one bolt on each front brake caliper was missing and the other bolt was only finger tight. I called the kona auto center and spoke with the service manager jeff. I told him I was on my way and how dangerous my situation was. Jeff met me as I arrived. He asked me what I wanted. I told him I just wanted the two bolts put back and torque all the hardware and the brakes checked. I also told him to tell all his employees that any time they touch/disconnect any brake system they better pay attention. My family lives depend on them. He offer me some free servicing, but I told him that his kona shop has already lost my business. I typically do all my own maintenance. I would think I could trust the dealership, but now I know better... Please check into this and email me back. Vin: 2w176146, mileage: 78000, servicing dealer: kona auto center.

Filed Aug 4, 2006 · Suspension · 23,000 miles · CO

I have a 2002 jeep liberty. With only 24,000 miles and little off-road use, both upper(not lower--which have already been the subject of recalls) ball joints have had to be replaced due to excessive wear. I could hear severe clunking noise on turns and bumps. They were diagnosed and replaced by a jeep dealer.

Filed Jun 2, 2006 · Suspension · 56,000 miles · AZ

I was never notified about my 2002 jeep liberty recall on the front ball joints. Luckily I just pulled into a parking lot and was only going about 5 miles per hour and the ball joint on the drivers side fell out. I heard a big clunk and then couldn't move the car, the inside rim was all gouged. Had it towed to the dealer and was told about the recall on it. I purchased my jeep in dec 03 and this recall was nov 03, the dealer should have replaced them prior to selling it.