Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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. …
In a parking lot, started to move forward, grinding sound. Discovered that the rf wheel was off. Chrysler dealer (begnal, kingston ny) discovered rf lower ball joint broke -- damaged rf wheel, brake hose, axle shaft and seal, lower control arm, rf sway bar end link, and rf fender flare. Inspected lf ball joint - discovered it was loose. Removed rf lower control arm and installed new control arm -- installed new rf and lf ball joints, installed new rf sway bar end link and rf axle shaft assembly and seal. Mounted and balanced one tire onto new rf wheel and installed and replaced rf fender. Performed 4 wheel alignment. Jeep customer service states that this is not a recall repair. Just wear and tear to recall repair completed in 2006.
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.
The lower ball joint sheared off causing the wheel to fall causing the bottom of the ball joint to Land on the rim. Thus cutting the rim all the way around it off and puncturing the tire. Thus causing the vehicle to slide to a stop at 50 miles an hour with a skid mark. Thus having to call for a tow truck to pick it up. Luckily no one was hurt. The vehicle was on a off ramp of a freeway to a on ramp over pass of another freeway.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Jeep Liberty. While making a right turn at 5 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal noise. It was discovered that the lower ball joint fractured and the wheel was bent at a 45 degree angle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Lug nuts broke on the driver side front tire while driving. While driving on i95 the Jeep started making a terrible noise. I pulled off the highway and the wheel was angled. I got a tow to my mechanic and he replaced 5 wheel studs and lug nuts. Seems to be a common problem with the Liberty.
There is a humming noise in the 2 front tires and they are uneven. The dealership indicated that this is caused by 'feather wear'. Dealership has replaced the shocks, tires ,and aligned the vehicle, but the problem still exists. Unable to determine the cause of the problem
My son and a couple of his friends and I were traveling to a marlins game ,about a 2 hr. Drive from our house. I had made a visual ck. Of tires while fueling car before getting on I-95. All looked fine. About 3-4 miles as I was getting on I-95 the left rear tire blew out. I pulled off to a safe area and changed tire. Something seemed odd to me so the next day I inspected the tire to see if I could find any reason for the blow out. Tires are not that old and they appeared to have plenty of tread [3/8"]. To the untrained eye all seemed normal as I could find nothing on the tread area that would indicate any damage to that part of tire. The outer sidewall was shredded as I had to drive about a 1/4 mile to get off the on ramp to a safe area to change tire , inner sidewall showed little damage. I recall hitting or running over nothing that would have caused any damage to tire. …
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. …
Where to begin? My airbag light has been coming on for months while driving. I took it to a Chrysler dealership 6 months ago & was charged $100 for them to tell me they didn't know what was wrong. About a month ago, while driving on the highway, my headlights went out, came back on, went out again, and finally I hit my high beams and they stayed on. My engine uses about 2 quarts of oil per week. I have parked on clean surfaces & there is no oil leaking, but it is going somewhere. I can hear a ticking noise coming from the engine area. I called Chrysler's toll-free number today after the headlights went out again, and was informed that my Jeep is under recall for the air bag module, and maybe that is what is causing the lights to go out. This makes no sense to me that one would have anything to do with the other. …
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Liberty years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2002 Jeep Liberty?
NHTSA has 54 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2002 Jeep Liberty, 3% of the model year's 1,808 complaints. The component named most often is tread/belt (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Jeep Liberty wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles, and 26% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 7 injuries to wheels & tires 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.