2003 Jeep Liberty: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Sep 2, 2010 · Transmission · 110,000 miles · IN

Vehicle: 2003 liberty ltd with 110,000 miles. Upon acceleration from a dead stop, or when coasting then accelerating, or shifting under light-to-neutral throttle, there is a noticeable clunk from the rear differential, similar to a worn universal joints. Took it to the dealer and found that the spider gears were extremely worn creating abnormal clearances. The dealer stated that this is a common problem with the 2003 model (others?). This is likely due to a poor design or materials. Broken or dislodged spider gears have the potential to seize the rotating assembly and send the vehicle into an uncontrolled skid. Parts ordered aftermarket to be installed on a date tbd.

Filed Dec 5, 2007 · Suspension · 59,600 miles · MI

Backing out of a parking spot, heard a clunking noise. Put in drive, turned the wheel and the vehicle tilted to the drivers side. Exited the vehicle to find the drivers side tire inverted and almost parallel to the ground. When tow truck lifted the vehicle, the front passenger tire also collapsed. Had vehicle fixed today. Had to replace both upper ball joints, and arms. Vehicle is only 5 years old, had never been off road and only had 59,000 miles. Repair shop owner said he has never seen both ball joints collapse and there is no reason why they should have, except for faulty parts.

Filed Mar 12, 2007 · Suspension · MN

I received a recall for lower ball joints on my 2003 jeep liberty. My dealership can't seem to get them. I have ordered them twice since december when I received the recall notice. Apparently they are on a national back order. When can I expect to get these replaced. I have a lot of clunking in the front. Especially when it is wet outside.

Filed Jan 16, 2007 · Suspension · 76,502 miles · IN

Tl*- on 12/21/06 at 7:30 am the contact took her 2003 jeep liberty to miller arnell chrysler located 9850 indianapolis indiana 46322. The repairs on perform recall 06v288000 were performed on the vehicle. After the repair while making either left or right turns the contact felt a clunking noise coming from the floor by the drivers side. The contact continued to drive the vehicle for two weeks and thought nothing of the noise, but is sure that it began after the repairs were done. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer on 1/13/07. The contact was told there is a separation of the control arm that leaves excessive play and needs to be repaired. The dealer explained that these repairs were going to cost $398.00 and not covered by the dealer. The contact wants the dealer to cover these repairs because they were either caused by the defect on the vehicle or when the vehicle was been worked on. *nm updated 02/22/07.

Filed Jun 25, 2006 · Suspension · 43,000 miles · TX

Front end felt loose on the right side and when braking there was heavy clunking noise. Found a recall notice online and called my dealer. I was told to bring it in and have it checked. The dealer replaced the lower ball joints on both side stating that the right side was ready to break at any moment. The dealer also installed a heat shield between the front rotors and the ball joints. This was at approximately 32,000 miles. Steering felt tight again and the clunk noise was gone. Then at approximately 43,000 miles, the noise returned and again the steering felt loose on the right side. This time I bought an after market replacement part that is sold as a problem solver to replace the defective ball joint. These were installed by a non-dealer shop at approximately 45,000 miles. Noise and loose feeling in the steering has went away.

Filed Aug 3, 2005 · Steering · MN

Dt: a clunking noise in the front end of the vehicle. Took it to the dealer last year and they said they couldn't find anything. Wrong. Currently, took vehicle to an independent mechanic, who determined it was the tie rod end on the right front side. Vehicle was out of warranty.

Filed Mar 25, 2004 · Steering · 2,000 miles · TX · crash

While driving 55 MPH the steering column malfunctioned. As a result the driver loss control causing the vehicle to roll over three times landing on it's roof. The airbag deployed upon impact. No injuries reported. The consumer states two weeks prior to the collision the steering column experienced problems such as vibration and loud clunking noises. Please provide any additional information.

Filed Sep 2, 2003 · Transmission · PA

Transmission is making clunking noise when shifting from park, dealer said all are like this.

Filed Jul 25, 2003 · Suspension · 8,500 miles · NY

Front ball joints clunking on 5 month old (8,000 miles) jeep liberty renegade. Vehicle is stock (no lift kit or over sized tires) and hasn't been off road more than twice in light dirt trails. I've read that the dodge durango and other liberty's have similar ball joint failures and am looking for an improved design or fix from jeep.

Filed Feb 27, 2003 · Engine, Suspension · 300 miles · MN

Since purchasing in sept 02 have had vehicle in for service six times for numerous concerns, repeatedly for a clunking/grinding sound from the psgr sd ft, a severe pulling of the vehicle to the right, a vibration when driving hwy speeds, and intermittent engine misses. Dealership twice replaced the front end strut mounts which elimated the grind/clunk, but cannot ascertain the problem with the vehicle's instability (pulling) on the road nor with the engine misfires. An adjustment (off spec) to the alignment was performed by dealership which in turn caused the vehicle to pull to the left and also encouraged more steering vibration and worsened mpg - avg 13.21 mpg where initially I got 18 -20 mpg. Dealership claims that b/c roads are angled for water runoff, this likewise keeps my vehicle from staying on the road (!?) am currently beginning to experience a clunking noise from rear passenger side wheel area, but have not yet brought it to dealer's attention.