Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Jeep Liberty owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while turning the steering wheel to the left or the right, the steering wheel was difficult to turn due to a loss of power steering assist. There was a grinding sound while turning the steering wheel. The sound was loud enough to hear outside of the vehicle. There was an unknown orange warning light displayed briefly. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact found information online related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V119000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the steering wheel began maneuvering on its own and the vehicle ultimately crashed into a median. The vehicle's airbags failed to deploy upon impact. The contact suffered severe injuries including a concussion and bruising to his rib cage. The contact received medical attention on the scene and was taken to a hospital. A police was filed at the scene. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an independent tow yard. The dealer was never notified of the failure, however, the manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that the failure was related to a recall under NHTSA campaign number 03V460000 (suspension). The failure mileage was 170,000. VIN-([redacted]) redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 U.S.c. 552(b)(6).
I was on my way home from whiteville nc I was going down antioch chruch rd,as I proceded to go into a curve I noticed that I couldn't turn the steering wheel that caused me to go off the road and I lost control and when the vehicle came to a rest in a feild the vehicle had landed one side up I think it landed on the passenger side down.I later find out that there was something wrong with the suspension on the Jeep.I always wondered what caused the accident that night,I am just learning about the recall on the Jeep I had.I lost alot of money that I had including the down payment,the payments that I paid,the stereo system etc.I knew from the begining that something wasn't right with this vehicle.I tried to get the dealership that I got it from to fix it,but in response I was told that it didn't come with a warranty.so nothing was done.
The ball joint and cv axle broke making me wreck. I had no control of the steering.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Jeep Liberty. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the contacts grandson heard a loud breaking noise and the steering immediately locked, causing him to lose control of the vehicle. The rear passenger side tire detached from the vehicle; however, he was able to avoid a crash and successfully stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local garage. A police report was filed. A professional technician inspected the vehicle and noticed that the front and rear axles were corroded for a very long time, which caused them to fail. The insurance company stated that the vehicle was completely destroyed. The dealer did not provide any assistance. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign id number 06V288000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint), but the contact never received a recall notice. …
We were driving on a busy street to go our house when we heard a warning tone when we were turning over a roundabout. After 10 seconds, the air bags blew up all of a sudden. It was fortunate that we are running only at 10 mile per hour or slower as it was rush hour and there was traffic. Also my husband was able to put on the brake to avoid hitting the car in front of us. We were badly shaken, traumatized and had bruises on our arms and chests due to some parts bursting towards us. The steering wheel cover and dashboard where the air bags were are pretty damaged. We totally cut out the air bags to avoid the repeat of this incident. My husband is now traumatized to drive the Jeep. We also heard some strange sounds in the serpentine belt. We don't now if it's connected to the air bag explosion. Our car was bought second. …
Took my Liberty to my mechanic because it started making a horrible sound up front when ever I made a turn. Upon inspection my lower ball joints had disintegrated, crumbled into their hands. They could not believe how lucky I was that it did not break while driven. Nothing was holding it in or together. Come to find out there are recalls on both the upper and lower ball joints. I was never notified. I have had the lowers fixed and paid for with lifetime warranted parts. I need reimbursed for the lower $488.27. The upper ball joints also must be fixed on a separate recall that I was never notified of. Do these people have any idea how bloody and devastated an accident would be when your wheel shears off and there is no steering? It's called flipping the fringing Jeep over!!! Not only is it unacceptable that I wasn't notified but I could have killed my father and others in an accident. …
I am the second owner of this vehicle, when I acquired it, I had it serviced at the dealership and they preformed all recall work. It has been kept serviced and up to date on any recall work since. During the day on christmas eve 2019 I was returning home from a visit at my mother's home and suddenly lost control of the Jeep. There was loud noise and things breaking off the vehicle as I fought to control it and pull over. Upon inspection, saw the passenger side front wheel had come loose from the suspension, tore off the fender wheel well and broke a piece off the right-side running board. Undriveable, I had it towed to my mechanic. Unfortunately, they were closed until after new years. In early January I found out the diagnosis was a sheared lower ball joint failure. I looked in my files and found that this was one of the recalls that had been preformed to the vehicle. …
I want my car included in recall j17. My car should have been included in the safety recall "Chrysler recall no. J17", campaign # 09V119000 . I have verified with Chrysler that my car was both built and sold in illinois, and therefore in the target recall population. See following excerpt from recall text: Chrysler is recalling 42,469 my 2002-2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in salt belt states of connecticut, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, kentucky, massachusetts, maine, maryland, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia , wisconsin and the district of columbia. The front suspension upper control arm ball joint May experience a loss of lubrication which could lead to corrosion, accelerated wear, and possible separation while driving.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Jeep Liberty. In December of 2006, while driving 55 MPH, the steering wheel began to shake uncontrollably. The contact was unable to immediately stop the vehicle. There was snow on the ground at the time of the failure. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. Most recently, while driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel began to shake uncontrollably and the vehicle rolled over and crashed into a ditch. Three passengers were injured and the vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. On both occasions, the air bags failed to deploy. The contact informed the insurance company that there was something wrong with the steering wheel, however, they were unable to determine the cause of the crash. The vehicle was towed. The current mileage was 94,000 and failure mileage was 87,000.
Steering complaints in other Liberty years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2003 Jeep Liberty?
NHTSA has 52 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Jeep Liberty, 4% of the model year's 1,352 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › tie rod assembly (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Jeep Liberty steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2003 Jeep Liberty, though it has 7 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 2003 Jeep Liberty steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 14 crashes, 0 fires and 12 injuries to steering 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.