Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Jeep Liberty owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was driving down the highway and I don't really remember the moment before the accident but I lost control of my car and hit the median barricade head on and from there my car kept going across the highway off to the grass area. I was the only one injured and taken to the hospital. My car is ruined and I faced a broken nose, back, knee, knock, head, and shoulder brushing and pain, and now I keep having a short term memory on some occasions. I also get nauseated when k get in a vehicle and get terrified when I'm with someone driving down the street. I have no vehicle at the time, it's been almost two and a half months and I haven't had any help with anything. I am a full time college student working a part time job, my sister or boyfriend have to take me to work and school, it's getting pretty tiring for them to take me everywhere. …
On February 16, 2005 while traveling eastbound I-80 in salt lake city I hit some black ice and lost control of my 2002 Jeep Liberty. I was traveling freeway speeds and had a front impact along with a driver side rollover and a slide of approximately 100 yards. All of the emergency personnel that responded to my accident voiced shock and concern that none of the airbags deployed. Further, I have heard that if the g-force was not great enough to deploy the side airbags, the Jeep should not have rolled (I have no idea if that is true). I had, and still have, serious concerns about why my airbags did not deploy and do not trust that in the event of another accident they would deploy, regardless of the severity. I contacted Jeep and asked them to look into it. They did do some investigation. …
Driving down street with no stop signs out of corner of eyes I saw a silver car speeding through a stop sign luckily I saw it early and slammed on my brakes, we hit very hard I hit steering wheel my passenger was injured too, my question is im reading that 2002 jeeps airbags go off easily why didn't mine go off, I bought the car when it was 1 year old but never checked if it had any accidents, its suppose to have airbags in the front and passenger seat, could the dealer have sold me a defective Jeep. The other driver was speeding causing to hit very hard, why didn't the airbag deploy which would have saved me from hitting the steering wheel (I cant remember what else I hit all I know is I was taken in ambulance to emergency room my passenger drove to emergency room cause she didn't want to be put on as board she has a plate in her hip we are both 64 years old. …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that the driver side air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was serviced under NHTSA campaign number:12V527000 (air bags). The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000. In addition, the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number:13V252000 (fuel system, gasoline , structure) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Updated 5/15/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Jeep Liberty. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 13V252000 (fuel system, gasoline, structure). The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician stated that there was corrosion around the area where the hitch was supposed to be attached and the condition of the vehicle did not support proper installation. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,462. Updated 5/11/15 the consumer stated the manufacturer was notified and the inspector took photos. The recall was closed. The vehicle was not repaired. Updated 09/16/2015
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Jeep Liberty. When the vehicle was started in warm weather, the air bag warning light continuously illuminated. The failure recurred on several occasions each time the vehicle was started in warm weather. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 12v5270000 (air bags), 13V252000 (fuel system, gasoline , structure), and 15V046000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Rear lift gate window unlatches on it's own, whether the vehicle is running or not. The Chrysler service department was well aware of the problem, and told me that the switch in the latch can activate on it's own, and that the latch would need to be replaced. Paid over $180 for a new switch and 5 months later, the window is popping open on its own again. Besides letting in the cold in the winter, heat in the summer, we are also exposed to exhaust fumes when this is open. It's currently being held shut (but not sealed) with a tie strap.
De regreso a casa demi trabajo la llanta del lado derecho de enfrente se poncho y choque con un arbol. Mi veiculo fue perdida total. Tengo problemas fisicos que desafortunadamente la aseguranza no quiso cubrir. Me golpee la cabesa mi mandibula la tengo danada y otras partes demi cuerpo. Yo creo que es causa deque la bolsa de aire no esploto por eso me golpee muy fuerte. Quiero saber conquien dirigirme para poder obtener algun apoyo. Grasias.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer to be serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 13V252000 (fuel system, gasoline, structure) however, the technician stated that due to excessive rust and corrosion the recall remedy could not be performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Jeep Liberty. When the vehicle was taken to have the lower ball joints replaced, the technician stated that the upper control arm needed to be replaced. In addition, the contact was informed that the frame was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V119000 (suspension). The failure mileage was 100,000.
Related recalls
Structure
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles. The fuel tanks in these vehicles are at risk of failure and leakage in certain rear impacts.
Remedy: Owners may take their vehicles to dealers and the dealers will perform a free inspection of the rear structure. On vehicles in the recall that are not equipped with a tow hitch, Chrysler will install a Chrysler designed…
Body complaints in other Liberty years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2002 Jeep Liberty?
NHTSA has 108 complaints about the body & structure of the 2002 Jeep Liberty, 6% of the model year's 1,808 complaints. The component named most often is body (33 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Jeep Liberty body problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-252 (structure, Jun 19, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Jeep Liberty body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.