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2003 Jeep Liberty brakes complaints

Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 49, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2003 Jeep Liberty brakes problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Aug 27, 2014 · Brakes, Fuel system · FL · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 jeep liberty. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number 13v252000 (fuel system, gasoline , structure ) and attempted to have the recall repair performed however, the parts were not available. The contact had been waiting for over one year and the parts had still not become available. The contact had not experienced a failure in the vehicle. The consumer syayed the parts had not become available. The vehicle has been rearended twice due to failure. Updated 2/26/2015

Filed Mar 30, 2013 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 120,000 miles · FL

I was leaving from work going about 45 MPH, I smelled electrical components burning,before I could pull the jeep over to the side of the road it shut off unexpectedly leaving me with no power steering and no power brakes,I nearly lost control of the jeep,by the time I got to the side of the road the smoke had filled the cabin,the smoke was coming from front drivers side dash. Now I have no headlights,wipers,door locks, radio,alarm,int lights,speedometer,engine light is now on. Mechanic investigated and found that the bcm has a large burn hole in it the size of a silver dollar,I was very glad that my daughter was not in the jeep with me that day,,

Filed Oct 10, 2011 · Brakes · 112,000 miles · AL · crash

Break line came apart in the middle between the fire wall and the brake caliper.

Filed May 12, 2009 · Brakes · 28,000 miles · NY

My wife owns a 2003 jeep liberty car would not stop when the emergency brake was applied almost hit another car on a hill./incline. Found that chrysler lied about the rare emergency brake being self adjusting. We found after removal of the drum that the brake is not self adjusting. The brake needs to be adjusted everytime at the dealer. Chrysler knows about this and has hid this items from the consumer. Even auto parts shop know of this and sell an adjusting tool the adjustment needs to be made from underneath the car through a port on the inside brake hub assembly. This is a serious safety hazard that if in a crisis the emergency brakes needs to be deployed it will fail and a severe outcome is evident. There is no way a consumer can get under the car everytime to mask this adjustment. I thought it was the law to have a self adjusting emergency brake on a vehicle. I am sending the dealership a certified letter regarding this in case there is an unfavorable outcome from an event due to this safety hazard. This is an immediate safety hazard that needs immediate correction. Dealer actually allowed vehicle back on highway to consumer in a non working condition.

Filed Jun 23, 2008 · Brakes · 41,000 miles · MI

I have a 2003 jeep liberty sport. In 5/06 I took my car to an independent brake repair garage ( s & k muffler brakes)since my car was making a terrible noise on backing up. This shop said that I needed a total rehaul of my brakes as they were frozen in the back drivers side. They told me that they would not fix my car that I only had 24,000 miles on it and the dealer should fix it as it was a defect and they sent me back to the dealer (even though I was out of warranty). I gave monicatti chrysler the paper (estimate) they gave me and I paid for a brake job $165.00 but they did not fix everything that the independent shop said they should. Later chrysler llc paid me back the $165.00 when I filed a complaint. On 6-19-08 with only 15,000 more miles on the car I went to get new tires at belle tire. They showed me that on my rear brake I had 80-90% on the passenger side and only about 2% on the rear drivers side. They told me that the brake was still seized up on the rear left brake and that it was almost 100% worn and that the caliper could come out and I would lose all of my brake fluid. They told me I did not have to have it fixed there but I should not be driving the car. I parked it and had it fixed there the next day. There is something wrong in the manufacturing of the rear brakes and I am reporting it to you as I do not want anyone killed when they lose all of their brakes. I called jeep and was told there were no recalls for the brakes or silent recalls for the brakes (6-23-08). I spoke to mark and then to scott in customer service at jeep. Here I am traveling on freeways etc., with no brakes and did not know it. I just had them re done on 8/04/06 so why would I think that anything is wrong. I have all of the bills for all of the above.

Filed May 12, 2008 · Brakes, Transmission · 26,751 miles · GA

Parking brake failure while loading my boat nearly cost my son and myself our lives. Backed truck and trailer onto ramp to load boat. Noticed the truck slipping on the ramp and suddenly rolled off the ramp hitting my boat and my son had to crawl out the door and swim for safety. He is six years old. Vehicle was not running with the transmission in gear and the parking brake engaged.

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 Jan 10, 2007 · Brakes, Suspension · 47,846 miles · MI

Tl* - the contact received recall letter 06v288000 for the lower ball joint on a 2003 chrysler jeep liberty. She was put on a waiting list on 11/21/06, but the contact has not heard from the dealer. The contact stated that in october 2003, she began to have brake problems. The contact stated she was having difficulty putting the vehicle in reverse gear because she would hear grinding noises which, happened intermittently. The contact took the vehicle to dealer for repair on 10/13/05, and the failure was diagnosed as the left rear caliper freezing and causing the left rear brake pad to damage the rotor. Updated 1/30/2007 -

Filed Dec 15, 2006 · Brakes · IN

Tl*-the contact has a 2003 jeep liberty that has been recalled due to problems with the ball joints. The dealership is informing her that they do not have the parts in stock. The dealership informed the contact that the parts are in back order. It has been 3 weeks since the client has heard from the dealership.

Filed Nov 21, 2006 · Brakes, Engine · 42,050 miles · PA

Dt*: the contact stated while approaching a traffic light at 25 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle restarted, the automatic transmission was placed into drive, but the vehicle would not move. The vehicle was shut off and turned back on 4 times, before it was able to move. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who could not duplicate the problem after performing a diagnostic test. The dealer informed the contact that all 4 tires were worn down unevenly and there were pieces of metal showing on the insides of the tires. Also, it was determined that the brakes and rear rotors were worn, and needed to be replaced, along with all 4 tires. A the federal safety agency recall letter, #06v288000 on the vehicle, regarding the suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint was received. The parts needed to repair the vehicle were not available at the local dealership. The manufacturer confirmed the parts were not available. The contact was placed on a waitlist. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop who suggested that the recall work should be performed prior to getting all the other components replaced.

Filed Nov 13, 2006 · Airbags, Brakes · 74,000 miles · WA

Ball joint failure three times. Emergency brake on five speed never has worked properly. Replace engine at 70,000. Now the card end joint for the four-wheel drive is not working correctly. My biggest complaint is the ball joint failure for the third time. This issue also causes chain reactions in the tires I have had three sets of tires wear uneven and I wrote the company the first time to complain and got no response. I use my jeep to make my income and do not trust it any more. I do not recommend this vehicle to any one and will not pass it on to any family member.

Filed Nov 6, 2006 · Brakes · 47,600 miles · PA

Dt*: the contact stated while at the dealer for recall repair, the dealer noticed the rotors were corroded and replaced all four rotors.

Filed Sep 8, 2006 · Brakes · 64,000 miles · TX · crash · 1 injury

Parking brake in place while going into store not working properly caused vehicle to roll down street causing a collision with another vehicle. Also while in vehicle stop level surface parking brake engaged vehicle in neutral car rolled 3-4 feet.

Filed May 31, 2006 · Brakes · 32,000 miles · NY

Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to apply brake pressure at various speeds the vehicle vibrated. This occurred without warning during normal braking on normal roads. The manufacturer was alerted however no inspections have been made. The calipers caused the rotors to warp. Updated 06/19/06.

Filed Jan 19, 2006 · Acceleration, Brakes · 25,000 miles · CT · crash

Dt*: the contact stated the brake and accelerator pedal are too close together. This caused an accident, while backing the contact hit another vehicle. This occurred while braking, but is unaware if the accelerator pedal was applied. There was a police report taken at the scene.

Filed Nov 8, 2005 · Brakes · AZ

Dt: the contact stated the brakes roared when they were applied. The problem persisted for the past three months. During the past few weeks the noise became louder. She took the vehicle to the dealer once for the brakes. The dealer did not do any diagnostic testing or service on the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted, and they referred her to the federal safety agency.

Filed Oct 17, 2005 · Airbags, Brakes · 24,000 miles · VA · crash · 1 injury

Dt: the contact owns a 2003 jeep liberty renegade. On october 7, 2005 it was raining and it caused the vehicle to hydro-plane. While driving at 45 MPH the brakes skidded, and the contact was unable to control the steering. This caused the vehicle to hit a tree. When she hit the tree both frontal airbags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries, and unable to return to work for the time being. The vehicle is currently at the dealership. The manufacturer said that the airbags had to meet certain conditions before they would deploy. The insurance company claimed that vehicle hit in a way that the airbag sensor should have picked it up. The contact requested that the insurance company and manufacturer should investigate it.

Filed Sep 9, 2005 · Brakes, Engine · 34,450 miles · NY

I have had numerous problems with this jeep. Always detected a rotten egg smell dealer claimed it was the gas. After 1 year of ownership driving it in pennsylvania I could not go up hill without losing ground and smelling something burning. Dealer unable diagnose. Then in 05 starting having brake grinding and squealing, dealer also claims this is normal operation. I have had to replace the water pump and the catalytic converter and only have 34,000 miles on the car. Also had a problem with smoke coming from the rear drivers side tire and burning smell on two occasions, also dealer is unable to duplicate. I believe the 2003 liberties have a problem and no one is willing to check into it. Chrysler does absolutely nothing to help.

Filed Mar 14, 2005 · Brakes, Electrical · 26,400 miles · NY

While I was approaching an intersection (the speed limit was 45 MPH), I tried to apply the brakes and they were locked. My steering was also locked that I couldn't turn. Thank god the signal just turned green for me as I coasted right through it and finally came to a stop on its own. I am very unhappy with this vehicle. I could have been in a serious accident, or better yet, dead! I no longer feel safe in this vehicle. My lease is up in 11 months and I will no longer purchase a daimler chrysler vehicle.

Filed Jan 27, 2005 · Brakes · 54,000 miles · PA

At 54,000 miles the vehicle suffered a complete failure of the passenger side rear brake adjuster, causing additional damage to the brake hardware for that wheel including the total loss of the emergency shoe. Because of the extent of the damage and, the unusual amount of corrosion found by the dealer, they insist on replacing much of the rear brake hardware on both sides at a personal expence of around $800 (brakes are only warranted for 1 year or 12,000 miles by jeep). About 10,000 miles and 6 months prior to this incident, new emergency shoes had been installed and worked well for 4 months when banging noises, dragging, lurching and, pulling began with increasing frequency up to the time I took it back to the dealer for the second time on the date I list here; the dealer had found nothing the prior time I complained. There appears to be an issue with critical brake parts corroding extensively and failing in a short period of time under what are considered normal driving conditions for the ne part of the country. There may also be an issue with the tolerance of replacement brake parts that are supposed to be factory authorized components. At any rate, I am not the first to complain about brake hardware problems associated with the 2003 jeep liberty. I have read references to corrosion related brake failures here and at other sites. Given the way the vehicle behaved intermittently and the failure of the dealer to find it early, a potentially dangerous and needlessly expensive situation exists in at least the early production 2003 libertys (I bought one of the first available ones that year and noticed a rash of complaints on this subject beginning last summer).

Filed Dec 4, 2004 · Brakes, Transmission · 1,500 miles · KS

Bought the 2003 jeep liberty brand new in may, 2003. Now a year and seven months later, we still have squealing brakes. The dealer in wichita has replaced the pads 2 or 3 times, and re-surfaced the pads once or twice. They've now decided that they will need to replace the back brakes, including the roters. These parts have been ordered, and we are waiting to have this work done. Additionally, the automatic transmission started downshifting hard from 3rd gear to second gear, and down to first gear. They replaced some parts in the transmission, and this problem appears to be fixed. We'll see! They blamed the rusting brakes to "humidity"...the car now has only 7,200 miles on it, and has been kept inside the garage every night of it's existence. The dealer claims that all the squealing and rusting of the brakes are due to the "humidity" in the air. We live in the exact middle of the us in kansas. There's not a lot of moisture in the air inside of my attached garage. This brake problem has been ongoing from mid 2003 to the present time in december of 2004. The car only has a little over 7000 miles on it...the dealer said that "the problems might go down if we would drive the car more often." we would not recommend a jeep liberty to anyone we like.

Filed Nov 18, 2004 · Brakes · NY

While brakes were applied at 60 MPH to slow vehicle down vehicle continued at same speed. Pulled vehicle over when more pressure was applied to brakes. An odor was coming from the brakes.

Filed Sep 28, 2004 · Brakes · 20 miles · CA

There was squealing, when driving and turning the steering wheel. After taking it to the dealer, no defects were found. The rear brakes were inspected. No contact with the manufacturer.

Filed Aug 26, 2004 · Brakes · 39 miles · NJ

At 30.890 miles rear brakes locking up, extream hot temps. Burning smell and smoke coming up through the back wheels. The caliper was coverd but I got slamed with a bill of $500.00 for the cutting of the roters and replacing of pads. This system is 4wheel disc-anti/lock. I have 39.000 miles and the others side of is doing the same thing. The dealer at ocean jeep just called and said I have to pay $100.00 deductable on this repair. This was my first brand new car, and I dont have anything good to say.

Filed Jul 28, 2004 · Brakes · MN · crash

Consumer parked the vehicle in a parking lot with the emergency brake on. When consumer returned to the vehicle he noticed that the vehicle had popped out of park and rolled into a ditch. Consumer was able to drive the vehicle to the dealership for inspection.

Filed Jun 28, 2004 · Brakes · 29,000 miles · PA

I took my 2003 jeep liberty that I purchased november 22.2003 in for a service checkup and with 29000 miles on the car I was told that half of the rear rotors were rusted away, and only half the brake pad was hitting the brakes. I have had many vehicles in my 52 years of life and I have never had this occur. Of course chrysler refuses to admit that they are using an inferior metal product and will not stand behind the what I believe to be dangerous rotors. I have a file number at chrysler which is 12412856. I had the rotors changed at my expense but I believe they are cutting corners in a very vital part of the car. I would appreciate a response. Gerry vesely.

Filed Jun 28, 2004 · Brakes · NY

At less than 19,000 miles (@ 50% highway) the brake rotors on three wheels are corroded and pitted. His has caused the brake pads to wear very thin. The rotor and pad on the front right wheel are ok and wearing normally.

Filed May 25, 2004 · Brakes · 16,000 miles · NJ

While braking, the steering wheel vibrated heavily. Please provide more information.

Filed Apr 1, 2004 · Brakes · 6,400 miles · NJ

When applying the brakes vehicle fish tailed. Driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle.

Filed Feb 17, 2004 · Airbags, Brakes · 5,000 miles · NY · crash · 1 injury

While driving 50 MPH vehicle lost control without warning. When consumer applied the brakes vehicle surged forward into a guard rail. Air bags failed to deploy. Driver sustained back injuries.

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