2003 Jeep Liberty suspension problems

What is wrong

Chrysler is recalling 42,469 my 2002-2003 jeep liberty vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in salt belt states of connecticut, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, kentucky, massachusetts, maine, maryland, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia , wisconsin and the district of columbia. The front suspension upper control arm ball joint may experience a loss of lubrication which could lead to corrosion, accelerated wear, and possible separation while driving.

Risk

Failure of the ball joint could result in a loss of steering capability, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the front upper control arm assemblies free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or about april 24, 2010. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 09V119000 · Recall details

What is wrong

On certain trucks, the constant tension front lower ball joints may experience contamination. If the vehicle is operated for an extended period with this condition, the ball joint may eventually experience wear and looseness.

Risk

When the driver continues to operate the vehicle with this condition, the contamination can lead to corrosion, accelerated wear and possibly separation from the steering knuckle causing a loss of vehicle steering control increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the front lower ball joints free of charge. The recall began on september 11, 2006. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 06V288000 · Recall details

What is wrong

On certain sport utility vehicles, the lower control arm ball joints can experience a loss of lubrication that can lead to corrosion, accelerated wear, and possible separation from the steering knuckle.

Risk

A ball joint thathas separated from the knuckle could result in loss of vehicle directional control and could result in a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the front lower control arm ball joints with modified assemblies and heat shields on vehicles built between january 2, 2001 and october 4, 2002. On vehicles built between october 5, 2002 and march 26, 2003, dealers will inspect the ball joint assemblies (and replace them as necessary) and install heat shields. Owner notification began on december 15, 2003. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑992‑1997.

Recall number 03V460000 · Recall details

During Preliminary Evaluation (PE11-013), the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) conducted an analysis of consumer field data from its Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) database and from complaint data submitted to ODI by Chrysler. ODI's analysis of VOQ data identified 13 complaints alleging failure of either the right or left rear lower control arm due to excessive corrosion.All of these complaints were associated with vehicles originally sold or registered in a salt belt state (for the purposes of this investigation, 'salt belt' includes Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia).All of the complaints were associated with vehicles manufactured in model years (MY) 2004 or 2005. Three of these complaints also allege a loss of vehicle control due to the rear lower control arm failure. No complaints related to the alleged defect were identified on vehicles manufactured during MYs 2002 or 2003. Similarly an analysis of Chrysler complaint data identified 11 complaints (2 of which are duplicative of VOQs) alleging failure of a rear lower control arm due to excessive corrosion.All 11 of these complaints were from consumers operating vehicles in a salt belt state and vehicles manufactured in either MY 2004 or 2005. Three of these complaints (not duplicative of VOQs) also allege a loss of vehicle control due to the rear lower control arm failure.The original scope of PE11-013 included MY 2002 through 2005 Jeep Liberty vehicles as they were in the same generation.In response to an Information Request (IR) letter sent by ODI, Chrysler provided information and sample components identifying a substantial design change of the rear lower control arms after MY 2003 and beginning with MY 2004.Analysis of complaint data from both data sources (ODI and Chrysler) did not identify any applicable complaints (lower control arm failures due to excessive corrosion) from vehicles manufactured during MY 2002 or 2003.Similarly no complaints from either data source were found in states outside of those identified as salt belt states.Chrysler stated in its IR letter response that its investigation and analysis is ongoing to determine the scope, possible root causes of the unusual lower control arm corrosion, and define possible consequences to motor vehicle safety. Based on ODI's data analysis from both sources (ODI and Chrysler data), this investigation has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA11-013) focused on vehicles originally sold or registered in a salt belt state and produced during MY 2004 and 2005, to further assess the scope and potential safety consequences of the alleged defect.

PE11013

On april 7, 2009, chrysler llc submitted to odi a defect information report indicating that it would recall approximately 42,469 model year 2002 through 2003 jeep liberty vehicles to remedy a defect that can result in upper ball joint separation while driving (09v‑119).the affected vehicles were built from may 2002 through september 2002 and originally sold or currently registered in connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, kentucky, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia and wisconsin.according to chrysler, the front suspension upper control arm ball joint may experience a loss of lubrication which can lead to corrosion, accelerated wear, and possible separation while driving. Chrysler's recall procedure instructs dealers to replace the front upper control arm assemblies on all affected vehicles. Although the specific cause for the defect in the recalled production range has not been determined, odi's analysis of upper ball joint separations by vehicle build date shows a clearly defined and significant spike in the rate of separation during the five month production range covered by 09v‑119, which accounts for only 11 percent of subject vehicle production but approximately 70 percent of separation incidents.seventy-four (74) of the upper ball joint separation incidents identified by odi occurred in vehicles produced in the recall months, resulting in a separation rate of 174 per 100,000 vehicles.the separation rate in the remaining subject vehicle population is significantly lower, at 9 incidents per 100,000 vehicles.at this time, the data do not show a defect trend in the subject vehicles built outside the recall range after approximately 6-8 years in service. This engineering analysis is closed.

EA08008

Odi has received 22 complaints of upper ball joint separation on model year 2002 and 2003 jeep liberty 4x4 vehicles.the separation of an upper ball joint on either of the front wheels can result in the affected front wheel collapsing, possibly resulting in vehicle disablement and causing a loss of vehicle control.there is one complaint of a failure at 75 MPH, 1 failure at 60 MPH, 3 failures at 40 MPH, 2 failures at 25 MPH, 7 failures occurring while the driver was pulling into the flow of traffic and 2 failures that occurred when the driver was attempting to make a left turn across the flow of oncoming traffic.one complainant alleged almost being hit by an oncoming truck as a result of the vehicle suddenly being disabled in the flow of crossing traffic.another reported the collapse of the front right wheel when making a left turn caused the vehicle to swerve to the right, as a result of which the vehicle ended up in a ditch just missing a collision with a telephone pole.chrysler llc., is continuing to investigate the cause of upper ball joint separations in the subject vehicles.odi has upgraded the investigation to an engineering analysis (ea08-008) to continue to asses the scope, frequency and safety consequences of the alleged defect.

PE07062

On january 6, 2006, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation to investigate alleged front suspension lower ball joint separationin certain model year (my) 2004 jeep liberty vehicles.odi sent a letter to the manufacturer on february 7, 2006 requesting information about these and other jeep liberty vehicles.consequently, the investigation was upgraded to an engineering analysis on may 31, 2006 and the range of subject vehicles under investigation was expanded to include all my 2002-2006 jeep liberty vehicles.odi is aware of 566 non-duplicative complaints alleging involuntary front suspension lower ball joint separation in the subject vehicles.odi is also aware of one non-injury crash and three alleged injury incidents (two crash incidents and one non-crash incident) related to the alleged defect resulting in minor injuries.the complaint counts reported above only include those my 2002-03 liberty vehicles where the alleged ball joint separation occurred after prior recall repairs were performed (see below) or if the vehicle was not included in the prior recall.the manufacturer conducted a prior safety recall (03v‑460) to address the subject issue in certain my 2002-03 jeep liberty vehicles.according to daimlerchrysler?s november 4, 2003, defect information report (submitted in accordance with 49 cfr part 573), ?the constant tension lower control arm ball joints may experience a loss of lubrication which can lead to corrosion, accelerated wear and possibly separation from the steering knuckle.a constant tension ball joint which has separated from the knuckle may result in loss of vehicle directional control with minimal advanced warning.?however, evidence indicates that some vehicles serviced under recall 03v‑460 continued to experience involuntary ball joint separations.the manufacturer has made numerous changes in the design, material composition, manufacture, quality control, supply, and installation of the subject ball joints since the prior safety recall was initiated in an effort to improve performance with respect to sealing, lubrication, and joint retention capability.by letter dated august 1, 2006, daimlerchrysler corporation has notified the agency that it will conduct a safety recall to address potentially defective front suspension lower control arm ball joints in approximately 826,687 model year 2002-2006 jeep liberty vehicles manufactured between january 2, 2001 and march 15, 2006, includingall vehicles subject to the prior recall.the federal safety agency campaign number assigned to this recall is 06v‑288 (daimlerchrysler recall campaign f23).daimlerchrysler will replace both left and right front suspension lower control arm ball joints with improved components free of charge.accordingly, this investigation is closed.

EA06008