Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accessories, trailer hitches and other equipment).
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).
In November of 2006, I had a recall fixed for the "front:control arm:lower ball joint" when the parts became available. I brought the car back 3 days later having issues with the steering and hearing a noise. The dealership took the car for a few days and did a complete inspection and assured me the new parts were sufficient. Every now and then (not constant, but scarcely) when I would turn the wheel just a little, the car would turn as if I had turned my wheel all the way. It scared me a few times, but it didn't happen often at all, so I didn't think much of it. On May 31, 2007, I was merging onto I-91 in connecticut driving only 22 miles per hour, and my car did that very thing. I went up and over the curb, up the embankment and crashed into a steel connecticut state sign. If it wasn't for the sign, I would have continued to lose control and possibly been killed. …
My 2002 Jeep Liberty, rarely driven past 3 years, has had to have the ignition switch replaced 3 times as of this week. I can not understand why your department enforced to replace so many Jeep ignition switch's to not think they did not have inferior products on the Liberty's as well. The keys slide right out of the ignition rather the vehicle is in drive motion or parked, on or off, doesn't matter and there are complaints all over the web as to same issue. I understand the issue needs to be reported to you to make official, however, Chrysler's lack of cooperativeness alone, I would think enough to be due cause to umbrella jeeps of all models and get them all enforced around the same time frame.
1/24/04 - brought Jeep Liberty in for recall on lower ball joint - "ball joints replaced" per Jeep dealership. 3/25/2006 - while pulling out of parking spot, the left front tire broke off of the axle due to corrosion of the upper ball joint. Breaking top of tire from axle. 9/27/2006 - received a new recall notice for the lower ball joint from the dealership. Dealership claimed that lower ball joint was on back order and unavailable. Dealer told me to call back in 90 days. Called other dealership and scheduled recall repair. 10/14/2006 - took day off of work, brought car in to second dealership for recall. I was told that they did not have the ball bearings and was told that they could put me on a waiting list for the ball bearings. 12/25/2006 - wife pulled out of parking space. Left front tire popped out, appears that recalled lower ball bearing broke. …
Jeep Liberty 2002 has vibration in the steering wheel that makes controlling the Jeep very difficult at speeds over 60 miles an hour. Then I was on the freeway and I had a total loss off power all most causing accidents the dealership said that the engine needs to be torn apart and inspected and a recall of ball joints done the work took them over a year and the problem still continues their is no warranty and I was charged for the recall repair work I asked for the inspection report showing the work on the engine heads and recall work done when I picked up my Jeep they gave me an invoice that showed battery and sparkplug for $2085.00 failing to present me with reports I asked for they said all work is warranted for 1yr 12,000 miles I drove the Jeep Liberty back to service dept after having another facility look at the engine to confirm if work had been done it had not been touched …
Dt: the contact stated they have two defective seat belts. After they had their vehicle for one month, the passenger back seat belt became defective. The second seat belt which is the drivers seat seat belt became defective last Tuesday. They had no problem putting it on, but became trapped and could not disconnect their seat belt when trying to get out of their vehicle. The contacts coworkers had to get her out with a swiss army knife and wd40. No further damage done to seat belt. A mechanic said this was caused by a weak spring. They have been using this seat belt since, but it is not operating functionally. Seat belts are free of dirt and contaminents. No pictures available. The contact also stated that their radio became defective about two months ago. The radio took the juice out of the battery causing battery to die.
I received a notification of the defect in the occupant restraint control module a couple of years ago and every time that I called the dealer, they advised that they did not have the replacement parts. I called them today and they tell me on 3/25/15 that they now have the parts but cannot repair the vehicle until 8/7/15. Also - I need to have the "trailer hitch" inspected and likely replaced to avoid fuel leakage if there were a rear-end accident. This is completely unacceptable. What is the point of "recalling" vehicles when they cannot be repaired in a timely fashion? So I should just feel glad that I have a reason to sue someone if a family member is terribly injured or dies in a crash in the interim couple of years. Please provide me with an acceptable resolution to this problem. I expect some sort of an answer!
Alloy wheels corroded by valve stem, actual holes in them. Bought one new wheel from chrylser after complaining of problem. In the process of getting new tires, my mechanic noticed another wheel had a hole. I have to purchase 4 new wheels, and new 4 tires for my Liberty at 37000. Tires were constantly needing air, at least once a week. Caused the vehicle to pull, and caused excessive tire wear. Yes I still have the second wheel with the hole in it. I guess I'll find out if the other two wheels have holes when my new wheels come in. Very discouraged!
We just had the trailer hitch recall installed on this Jeep Liberty. How could Chrysler's trailer hitch installation be approved as a protection for the gas tank. Only the receiver sticks down in the middle of the tank. The trailer hitch does not have a reinforcement bar bolting to the frame well in front of the tank to avoid an incident that could cause tank rupture. This fix is totally inadequate to avoid tank rupture.
My 2002 Jeep Liberty limited's ignition will not turn with the key in place. First occurrence, I was able to jiggle the key and get it to finally turn to start, 2nd time it took me bout 10 mins of jiggling the key and it finally turned and started. 3rd time, same situation. Now the 4th time and it's sitting in our garage, will not turn to start.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Jeep Liberty. When the contact used the jack to change the front driver's side tire, the jack became stuck in an upward position. He was unable to remove the jack from his vehicle. The dealer did not assist. The jack information and VIN were unknown. The failure and current mileages were 92,400.
Equipment complaints in other Liberty years
Frequently asked questions
How common are equipment problems on the 2002 Jeep Liberty?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the equipment & accessories of the 2002 Jeep Liberty, 1% of the model year's 1,808 complaints. The component named most often is electrical › radio/tape deck/cd etc. (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Jeep Liberty equipment problems?
No. NHTSA lists no equipment & accessories 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 equipment problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to equipment & accessories 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.