Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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).
Well my 2002 jeep liberty has been messed up lately,it will just not crank so I thought it was the battery but it turned out to be the ignition switch also it did this off an on for about 6months ,the heat went out when I bought it and it will act as if it is overheating but it won't do anything for while then all of my windows have problems with the motor s in them the suspension, control arms I've had to change ,and the cruise control button will stick and keep going while you are driving it almost caused me to wreck on the interstate you have to turn the vehicle completely off once you get it to stop if you can get it to stop. out of all the vehicles I've had this is the first to take off by itself
Tl contact owns a 2002 Jeep Liberty. On April 21, 2006, while driving uphill at 5 MPH, the vehicle surged and rear ended the preceding vehicle. The contact was charged with failure to yield. The mechanic stated that the brakes and the brake rotors failed. Prior to the crash, she received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 06V288000 (suspension:front:control arm: lower ball joint) in October of 2006. She made four attempts to have the recall repair performed; however, each time she was informed that the part was unavailable and the dealer would call her when it arrived. The contact never received a call and gave up. A couple of months after the crash, she received a second recall notice. The contact believes that the crash occurred because the repair was not made earlier. …
When it's cold and either snowy or icy at any speed "5 MPH -- 35 MPH my Jeep Liberty fails to stop for a very long distance. At 5 MPH it takes well over 30-40 feet. The ABS make noise like they are trying to do something. But its as if they never actually engage to stop the vehicle. I have had to use a snowy bank several times so I wouldn't roll straight into an intersection. This vehicle has done this since I have had it. I have taken it in numerous times and told nothing is wrong. My father drove this same vehicle and had the same thing happen to him. I am not the only one complaining about this issue. For safety reasons I leave my Liberty in the garage on snowy days and take my Ford truck out instead. I do not have this issue with my truck.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Jeep Liberty. When coming to an idle speed and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact mentioned that excessive force was required on the brake pedal in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The mechanic stated that the throttle body needed to be cleaned and the idle control needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 118,000. The VIN was not available. Updated 5/26/15 the consumer was informed the brake and accelerator pedal were too close together. Updated 06/18/15
The brake line from the metal tubing connected to the disc brake caliper assembly disconnected from the rubber tubing portion of the brake line suddenly during braking. This resulted in the 2002 Jeep Liberty running into our garage door. My experience has been that normally these brake lines are a press-fit assembly so that they May leak, but not fail catastrophically like this. This appears to be a manufacturing defect. Fortunately, the accident occurred pulling into the driveway and not at an intersection with another vehicle. This was a poor design and is unsafe!
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the speedometer failed to read the vehicle proper speed as the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the ABS sensor wires were fractured and rubbing against the emergency brake cable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 142,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Jeep Liberty. When the brake pedal was depressed, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard and there was brake fluid leaking from the front of the vehicle. The contact independently diagnosed that front passenger side brake line fractured. The front passenger and driver side brake lines were replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Airbag light continues to appear on and off even though recall m35 was performed. 06/17 rotors had to be replaced along with brake pads. 04/15 passenger side front window regulator repaired 04/13. Not working properly again. A/C condenser replaced 04/13. Not working.
Can't go over 60 miles n the brake shake The gas pedal seem to be look at I purchase it 4 $3000 at a car lot last month
This vehicle has a recurring braking condition. The front brakes lock-up when normal to moderate brake pressure is applied while driving on wet pavement. The result is that it sends the vehicle into a slide. The lock-up is more likely to happen on asphalt than concrete, and has not been noted, yet, on dry surfaces. The vehicle's brake system has been tested by the selling dealership and reported to be working correctly and safe. After this latest incident, I took the Jeep to an empty parking lot where I would not hit anything. I checked it at several different speeds, and at just 15 MPH and with normal to moderate brake pressures, the brakes would lockup; rendering no control until the brake was released. When I released the brake, the Jeep would immediately continue in the direction the wheels were pointed. …
Brake complaints in other Liberty years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2002 Jeep Liberty?
NHTSA has 83 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Jeep Liberty, 5% of the model year's 1,808 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Jeep Liberty brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2002 Jeep Liberty, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Jeep Liberty brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes 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.