2003 Jeep Liberty: sudden loss of power

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 Feb 15, 2015 · Engine · IL

We was driving home from work and the jeep started losing power we pulled it over and turn it off.we sat there for awhile and then try to start it back up the engine was running real rough and it stalled.then it wouldn't start after that. We had a mech take a look at it and he said that the heads was cracked.we always done monthly maintains on the jeep.so after he replaced the 2 heads he started it up and he said it would lock up.now he telling us that it needs a new engine.I know a couple other people that has a jeep liberty and they are having the same problems..so cause of the bad head that jeep liberty have I now have no vehicle.

Filed Apr 5, 2014 · Engine · 65,000 miles · OH

My father in-law was driving home from ny to ohio when the engine started to lose power then over heated I took off the valve cover found that the #2 cyl valve came off and cracked the head went on line read this is a major problem I have pics.

Filed Mar 11, 2013 · Engine · 168,454 miles · IL

Wife was driving vehicle on rural road. No warning lights or buzzers but noticed engine temperature was increasing. She identified a parking lot a few miles up the road where she planned to pull into since the road did not offer a shoulder. Just before reaching the parking lot the engine stalled out and she smelled oil. With the loss of power she immediately lost control and almost collided with the oncoming traffic. She was able to correct her steering before an accident occurred and coasted into the parking lot. She contacted me and we walked through the incident and she opened the hood. She described the engine compartment completely covered in smoking oil. I also reviewed the engine when I went to retrieve the vehicle and noted that it had apparently seized because the belt was off. The dealership was contacted but remains elusive to any problems with the engine even though there is an increasing amount of complaints concerning these engines premature failure due to "engine sludge" available online. Thank you for your time in reviewing this potential safety issue.

Filed Jun 13, 2010 · Engine · 60,000 miles · OH

My daughter was driving her 2003 jeep liberty on an interstate in a congested area when it began to shake and died, losing power steering and brakes. She was somehow able to pull over in heavy traffic without having an accident. It was discovered that it was a broken valve spring for an intake valve, similar to many other complaints for jeep libertys. This liberty only has about 60k miles and valve springs should be able to last 150k+ miles. This appears to be a relatively common occurrence for this vehicle and it should be unacceptable for an engine with this low mileage to have valve springs break. An engine failure at high speeds could result in tragedy and property loss.

Filed Jul 19, 2009 · Electrical · 61,084 miles · ME

Was driving down the road and suddenly lost power. Had to be towed to garage and was told that the crank shaft sensor and cam shaft position sensors were both gone and had to be replaced. Jeep liberty sport 2003 only has 61000 miles on it.

Filed Aug 13, 2008 · Acceleration, Electrical · 60,000 miles · CT

Transmission hesitates / lurches randomly. Car stalls out, increasingly frequently despite repairs. When engine cuts out, lose all power steering brakes etc - so far only at low speeds but progressively worse - seems very similar to jeep commander recall at higher speeds. Rpm needle goes wild after engine cuts out. Can restart and limp a few miles, then need tow - 2x towed in 1 week, 3x towed in 2 months, and 4 trips to shop without results. Car currently stuck upstate ny where I was trying to vacation -and chrysler/jeep not so cooperative. There's plenty evidence of stalling problems on internet for 4-5 years - see edmunds. Theories: deceleration / rpms below 1000 make engine cut out. Solenoid is pulling battery amps =12 and causing havoc in ignition system, short-circuiting sensors. Thermal computer module damage. Computer scans for diagnostic codes definitely not reliable. By relying only on computer module for diagnosis, dealers are only making the problem worse because they are sending cars back out without fixing root problem, causing more damage. I had wheel sensor found corroded 6/3, crank sensor fail 8/6 and cam sensor failed 8/10. Sensors don't fail sequentially nor so fast. Something is causing sensors to fail. And while sensors not working they are causing damage of their own...computer, ignition coils (all 6 needed repair in 1 case where burned out). Who knows if the spark plugs, fuel pumps, injection cleans, and throttle body cleans work or not. (some say tb cleanout is important if stalls are at lower speeds - less air inflow). Battery seemed to have issues too soon - may be related. One case where harness wiring rubbed against rear something causing probs. My speedometer broke after 1 sensor repair. Separately (unless water and corrosion are the real culprits) brakes and rotors wearing out - replaced 2x in 40k miles. Not right. Some blog on that, too.

Filed Aug 20, 2007 · Engine · NC

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 jeep liberty. While driving at speeds between 5-60 MPH the engine would stall. The check engine and oil warning indicator lights illuminated. There was a loss of power steering and brakes. The vehicle would restart but would stall again unless the gas and brake were applied at the same time. The dealer replaced the speed sensor but the failure continued. The current mileage was 86,000. The failure mileage, VIN, engine size and cylinders were unknown.

Filed Apr 3, 2007 · CT

Within the past year, my 2002 jeep liberty limited has had a sudden loss of power and mobility. The vehicle tends to roughly shake. The steering wheel wobbles/shakes along with the entire car. It's a random problem and does not happen on a daily basis. The vehicle has been to the dealership and they cannot find anything wrong with the liberty. They say that we need 4 brand new tires because they feel since we did not have the tires rotated this is what is causing the problem. The problem happens many times a week. Sometimes it will go for a week or so and be fine. Other times, it will occur on a regular basis.