Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
Without warning the body control module shorts out draining the battery and damaging the multi-control switch on the steering column. Causing the headlights, interiorlights, running lights, windshield wipers, factory electric door locks, and dashboard lights to fail. This can cause a fire resulting in a total vehicle loss or loss of lighting at night while driving causing the driver to loose sight of the road. In rain conditions loss of wipers during driving would cause loss of visibility creating a dangerous driver on the road.
The sunroof stopped closing all the way. Bits of plastic started falling out. It was stuck open for over a year and I finally was able to look into it. The track is broken with no incident or cause. In researching online, I discovered that many people have had the same issue and that these sunroofs are prone to flying off while driving on the freeway. This should be a recall as it is an unsafe condition and an extremely costly repair for the consumer.
My daughter was driving when her back window fell down and scared her. She is 16 years old and not very comfortable with driving anyway. She was able to pull to side of the road. Since this time another window has fell down. We just purchased this car for her and am regretting it now. I have read so many complaints about these windows and there has been no recall. I am so surprised!!! We don't have money to throw away!!
I was backing out of my driveway , it was dark outside and I could not see through the rear glass of the vehicle due to the fact that the tint is too dark on these and most SUV's . I feel that they need to make the reverse lights much brighter if they are going to tint the windows that dark.
I own a 2002 Jeep Liberty and have had to replace the window regulator 4 or 5 times. Driving down the road the window just falls. This is very dangerous because it is shocking and can cause a wreck. The window falls all the way down into the door and there is nothing that you can do about it. You must repair immediately because your vehicle is not secure- theft, rain etc. If the windows are down the thump thump of the rear tires is excrutiating to your ears. Each repair cost $350. To $500. Chrysler and the dealerships are fully aware of this problem and refuse to do anything. They admit that this is a bad design (a plastic clip holds your window up) the part is only warranted for 12 months. On the consumer affairs website alone there were 93 complaints of this happening. Most owners are just like me and have had to replace the regulator multiple times. …
I have a 2002 Jeep Liberty and I have to replace a window regulator for the 5th time. Every in every instance it has been the rear windows. In one instance I was driving down the highway and the window came down. I have two children in car seats and the last thing I need is for them to throw something out or for something to happen to them b/c the regulator failed while I'm driving down the hwy. Other times it was parked in the driveway and when I looked out of my house the rear window was down again. The regulators were just replaced on 6-06-10 and now it is 08-26-10. The new regulator didn't last very long, huh. After all of the problems that I 've had with this Jeep I will never buy another one!! I have noticed on different online forums that this seems to be a very common problem for thousands of Jeep owners. For some reason nobody seems to be addressing this situation. …
I am experiencing a rattling sound when driving uphill or downhill through driveway, traveling 5-20 miles an hour. I took my Jeep 2002 Liberty 2wd to get serviced and received recommended repairs: prosteer control arm with ball joint upper center, remove and install propeller shaft to replace universal joints on both ends, rear wheel bearings, tail pipe is welded to muffler, muffler does not meet design specifications and should be replaced due to exhaust leak as well, remove rack and pinion, complete rack as does not meet design specifications and is leaking. I was driving about 25 MPH and my rear right side tire was smoking profusely. I pulled over and noticed the gray smoke from my tire. I took the car to check the rear breaks. They were fine but was told that I had a leak from the exhaust pipe which dripped on to that area. The car has 75,806 miles. …
On approx the date entered, the left rear electric window glass dropped into door frame and would no longer operate. Investigation found that plastic clip on the end of the window regulator cable gets worn and breaks, and window becomes disconnected from regulator at this point. Very expensive for simple fix, cost over $100 for entire new regulator, as plastic clip is not available separately. Thankfully I am mechanically inclined and I was able to install it myself, as estimate from then daimler-Chrysler was over $300 for repair. Since that time, the other window regulator broke in the exact same fashion, and being the replacement part had gone up even further in cost, I taped window shut. Before I could afford to fix other window, the one I had previously repaired broke again in an identical fashion. …
I was driving home and noticed my window for no reason fell down. The Jeep was bought new by us in 2002. The back seats or windows have been rarely used. We use air and heat, so with the exception of the driver's window, we have hardly rolled down the other windows. I did research about the falling down on the Jeep windows. I learned Chrysler knew since 2002 about the defective windows. They finally recalled back some of the 2006 and 2007 jeeps. I called them and they do not seem concerned about the danger this could cause. I feel because of the little use of the window is why we have not had the problems several have had. They then proceed to charge you $500. To repair the window with the same kind of part that will break again. This has happened to several people. I asked Chrysler about this part, they confess just recently they have changed the part to work. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that the door locks failed to disengage and he was unable to exit the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where the contact was informed that the window motor had failed and caused the lock to fail. The contact also stated that the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 135,000. Updated 2/21/13 we purchased the 2002 Jeep Liberty brand new as a special order in October 2001 as a 2002 model year. The right rear passenger door power window motor assembly failed. This inhibited the door from being opened from wither the inside or outside. At the time, we did not have a child, now we do, when carrying passengers, they had to enter and exit through the drivers rear door. …
Window & Wiper complaints in other Liberty years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2002 Jeep Liberty?
NHTSA has 70 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2002 Jeep Liberty, 4% of the model year's 1,808 complaints. The component named most often is power window devices and controls (37 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Jeep Liberty window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.