2003 Jeep Liberty: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Mar 11, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · 160,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while turning the steering wheel to the left or the right, the steering wheel was difficult to turn due to a loss of power steering assist. There was a grinding sound while turning the steering wheel. The sound was loud enough to hear outside of the vehicle. There was an unknown orange warning light displayed briefly. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact found information online related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 09V119000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Filed Mar 22, 2023 · Suspension · 124,000 miles · OR

The contact owns a owns 2003 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH there was an abnormal noise like squeaking or chirping coming from both front wheel wells. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the front lower ball joints needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact had stated that he related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 06V288000 (Suspension) completed in November 2006 on his vehicle. The contact felt that the repair parts for the recall were the same sourced OEM parts and that was why the ball joints failed. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.

Filed Aug 15, 2018 · Airbags, Brakes · 148,000 miles · TX · crash

On 8-15-2018, I (driver/owner of a 2003 jeep liberty sport) was leaving my parking spot at a convenience store. When I put the vehicle in reverse, it immediately started speeding backwards. When I applied the brakes with all the force I could muster, it failed to stop the vehicle. The tires were squealing & black tire marks were left on the pavement. My vehicle stopped when I slammed into the front end of a parked car which was next to a gas pump with the driver inside. Fortunately nobody was hurt. No police report was filed but my insurance company was called immediately to report it. "takata recall" I went to the local jeep dealership (bluebonnet jeep in new braunfels,tx.) with the recall notice in hand. The employee in the drive-up service lane called the office to verify if part was in stock. It was not. She made an appointment for 2 weeks from that date. I returned with my vehicle on my scheduled appointment date & was notified by a different employee that part(s) were still not available & was told that an individual needed to inspect my vehicle first but he didn't know when the inspector would be available to do it. I told that employee that they weren't serious about replacing the part(s) needed. So I got back in my car & drove home.

Filed Apr 28, 2016 · Steering, Suspension · 125,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 jeep liberty. While driving 5 MPH, a loud squeaking and clanking sound emitted from the vehicle and it became hard to control without warning. When the steering wheel was turned slightly, the vehicle veered to the left or right. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the driver and passenger side lower ball joints needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.

Filed Jun 16, 2015 · Steering · 166,000 miles · PA

Every time I turn a corner my steering makes a very squeaky noise. I have visited the jeep form and many owners of this vehicle have complained about the same issue when its hot

Filed Mar 23, 2012 · Wheels · 89,000 miles · CT

I was heading to friend's place and had just gotten off the highway when I pulled into her street. I went up a slightly raised driveway in order to turn the car around when I heard a loud, grinding sound. I thought that maybe something had gotten stuck under the car, so I got out to check but saw nothing. I got back in the car and continued to reverse it in order to park, but the noise started right back up again and steering had now become extremely difficult. I eventually parked the car, got out and noticed that the front passenger wheel was bent in because the ball joint had come out. I know that there were recalls regarding this in 2003, 2006 and 2009. I am planning to call the dealership tomorrow to alert them of the situation. However, any help that you can help me would be great! Thank you!

Filed Mar 9, 2011 · Visibility · 86,075 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 jeep liberty sport. The contact noticed that the windows were opened on the vehicle yet she had not engaged them. The contact then attempted to close the windows as they exhibited an abnormal squealing. The vehicle was inspected by the dealer who advised that the rear passenger window regulator would need replacing. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 86,075.

Filed Sep 3, 2010 · Body, Visibility · 100,000 miles · FL

Driving along and rear right power window started to slip down. I tried to put it up but it made grinding noises and kept slipping. It started to rain, so rain came into vehicle. Also could not go to doc appt - could not leave unsecured vehicle in parking lot. Had to come home and stick a wooden wedge into window to keep it up. I was afraid window would fall into door frame and break. Hard to pay attention to road while constantly looking over shoulder at window.

Filed Jun 20, 2008 · Suspension · 106,000 miles · FL

On june 19, 2008 I was driving on a major highway when the vehicle started to make a loud noise from the rear and 10-15 minutes later I heard a loud thump and the car stopped, I had to roll to a stop an the side of the hwy...when I looked under the car the rear axle had fallen. The jeep has had a rear noise for sometime now. I took it in and was told that the rear axle needed oil it was completely dried up and the metal has been grinding which is why the noise was there. I asked why was there no oil and everyone looked surprised and did not have an answer. Never heard of that, I was told that metal particles where in the oil pan and that the noise will continue but that there was no danger. Months later I took the car back to have that same rear axle oil changed and was told that I do not need to do that again. Now 6 months later the cars axle falls out. What is up with that. I have been driving for over 30 years and have owned varies vehicle which I have driven over 230,000 miles and never had the oil in the axles replace. Why did this happen to my vehicle? What can I do? I am 4 months shy of paying off this vehicle. What a joke.

Filed Nov 2, 2007 · Brakes · WA

2003 jeep liberty making a terrible grinding noise. Customer states that the grinding noise is loud and sounds like metal scraping metal. Consumer was informed that the sound was from the rear brakes. *kb the consumer stated the rear brakes were replaced and the noise went away for a few weeks, but then it returned. An anti-squeal compound was applied to the rear brakes and again, the noise went away for a few weeks. The problem was caused by worn rotors on the rear brakes and in order for the problem to be corrected, the rear rotors and the rear park shoes needed to be replaced.

Filed Aug 3, 2007 · Suspension · 48,000 miles · NJ

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 jeep liberty. She stated that she would occasionally hear a grinding noise in the front of the vehicle. There was a recall for the front lower ball joints (the federal safety agency campaign # 06v288000) however; the dealer stated that the parts were on backorder. The failure mileage was 48,000 and the current mileage was 51,000.

Filed Jun 10, 2007 · Transmission · NV

2003 jeep liberty purchased in 2002 has had problem since purchase. The vehicle acts like it is in 4-w drive when it isn't. When attempting to make even gentle turns there are loud cracking sounds and grinding noises. This does not happen all of the time and will go many months without the problem. There have been multiple witnesses to the noise and the hopping of the car when attempting to make the turns. Hopping is most evident when attempting to pull into a parking spot even when making a wide turn to avoid a hard/tight turn into the space. The noise and hopping again occur when trying to pull out of the parking space. This happens in 4-w drive as well as when out of 4-w drive. I have reported this to the dealer who does not record my complaint but only states that I can pay for a check of the transmission if I want. They stated that it was common for jeep liberty vehicles to hop and make this noise when in 4-w drive. Now that my car is out of warranty it has gotten worse and the problem was never fixed. Please investigate this problem before someone is killed. I lost a son last year. I cannot afford to have my transmission, transfer case, etc. Repaired because I am struggling financially. Just recently the light has stayed on stating I am in part-time 4-w even though I am not. The perform service light has stayed on ever since the very first service on my vehicle in 2002. The dealer does not fix anything. During one service the vehicle bolts were left off and I was told that the car didn't really need those they were just to prevent rattling. They also charged me for a fuel and air filter during a service which was not put on my car. When taking my car to the firestone dealer the very next day to have tires put on they showed me my filters (still on the car) and told me to report it. The dealer is the lithia chrysler jeep dealer located at 3223 mill street in reno, nevada. They should be investigated as to unethical practices.