2002 Jeep LIBERTY problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1,808 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
82,501 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 1,048 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 489 of 1,808 complaints (27.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 144 | 8.0% |
| Steering behavior | 139 | 7.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 60 | 3.3% |
| Engine operation | 47 | 2.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 47 | 2.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 42 | 2.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 489 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 298 |
| Suspension | 95 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 88 |
| Electrical System | 85 |
| Engine | 74 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 74 |
| Structure | 69 |
Air Bags: 489; Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint: 298; Suspension: 95; Fuel/Propulsion System: 88; Electrical System: 85; Engine: 74; Fuel System, Gasoline: 74; Structure: 69
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 77 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 160 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 214 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 180 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 277 |
| 150,000 and above | 140 |
Under 25,000: 77; 25,000 to 49,999: 160; 50,000 to 74,999: 214; 75,000 to 99,999: 180; 100,000 to 149,999: 277; 150,000 and above: 140
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (277). 760 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 12 |
| 2002 | 85 |
| 2003 | 111 |
| 2004 | 97 |
| 2005 | 76 |
| 2006 | 223 |
| 2007 | 119 |
| 2008 | 64 |
| 2009 | 49 |
| 2010 | 80 |
| 2011 | 57 |
| 2012 | 84 |
| 2013 | 196 |
| 2014 | 182 |
| 2015 | 198 |
| 2016 | 106 |
| 2017 | 28 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2001: 12; 2002: 85; 2003: 111; 2004: 97; 2005: 76; 2006: 223; 2007: 119; 2008: 64; 2009: 49; 2010: 80; 2011: 57; 2012: 84; 2013: 196; 2014: 182; 2015: 198; 2016: 106; 2017: 28; 2018: 9; 2019: 12; 2020: 9; 2021: 4; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 3; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 144 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 139 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 60 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10002785 · 2003-01-16 (January 16, 2003)
VEHICLES AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, THEN REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION HAD A LEAKY FACTORY SEAL AND AGAIN HAD TO BE FIXED. VEHICLE PULLS TO RIGHT AS ALL OTHER LIBERTYS DO AND NOW WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED, THE RIGHT FRONT MARKER LIGHT COMES ON. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS UHAULS FAULT UHAUL SAYS IT IS CHRYSLERS FAULT. VEHICLE IS A TOTAL DISSAPPOINTMENT!!
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002785 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003275 · 2003-01-23 (January 23, 2003)
BRAKE FAILURE 18K MILES , FRONT END JUMPING ,SHAKING WHEN GOING 50MPH AND OVER, CAR SLIDES, FISH TALES EXCESSIVELY IN WET WEATHER, HAD 1 SPIN OUT NO ONE HURT, TIRES BALD 19K MILES.
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003275 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004189 · 2003-01-21 (January 21, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING AT 75 MPH CONSUMER STATES THE PANEL UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL FELL ONTO THE DRIVERS FEET. CONSUMER STATES TOOK TO DEALER AND DEALER STATED THE KNEE BOLSTER PACKING PLATE FELL OFF. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004189 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005247 · 2003-02-04 (February 4, 2003)
PURCHASED 4/02 AND BY 7/02 WITH APPROX. 6,000K EXPERIENCED HARD DOWNSHIFTING WHEN STOPPING AS WELL AS BETWEEN GEARS. DEALER SERVICE "REMOVED BURRS FROM DRIVESHAFT". RETURNED FOR SERVICE 8/02 WITH SAME PROBLEM. AGAIN "REMOVED BURRS FROM DRIVESHAFT". ON 3RD VISIT IN 9/02 I WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T REPAIR ANYTHING AND THAT" THE VEHICLE HAD A PROGRAMMABLE TRANSMISSION AND IT'S MEMORY WAS LIKELY RESPONDING TO A PREVIOUS SIMILAR DRIVING SESSION"...HENCE THE GEAR SLAMMING! RETURNED 4TH TIME 2 WEEKS LATER AND THIS TIME WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO RECALLS…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005247 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016212 · 2003-04-19 (April 19, 2003)
THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN MY 2002 JEEP LIBERTY LIMITED WENT HAYWIRE. THE HORN STUCK ON, THE BACK GLASS WINDOW POPPED OPEN, THE SIGNAL RELAY WAS BUZZING, THE DOOR OPEN BELL WAS RINGING, AND THE SPEEDOMETER WAS DEAD, ALL WHILE I WAS DOING 60 MPH ON A HIGHWAY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 13,744 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016212 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10036985 · 2003-09-01 (September 1, 2003)
I HAVE HAD MY JEEP AT THE DEALERS 3 TIMES REGARDING AN INSANELY LOUD "FEEDBACK" THAT COMES FROM MY STEREO AND SPEAKERS WITH NO WARNING. THE RADIO HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND IT STILL HAPPENS. THE DEALERSHIP SEEMS DUMBFOUNDED. IT WILL HAPPEN WITH NO WARNING AND IS INCREDIBLY STARTLING. IT ABOUT CAUSED ME TO WRECK THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED. IT IS SPARATIC BUT ONCE IT HAPPENS IT WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN FFOR AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME AFTER THAT. ONCE THE RADIO IS TURNED OFF, YOU MAY THEN COME BACK AN HOUR LATER AN IT MAY BE FINE FOR A FEW DAY…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10036985 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017252 · 2003-04-21 (April 21, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017252 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017254 · 2003-04-21 (April 21, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING 65-70 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THE DEALER NOTICED THAT THE CAM SHAFT AND HEAD GASKET NEED TO BE REPLACED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017254 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002344 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE FUEL TANK CRACK CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002344 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10095619 · 2004-10-12 (October 12, 2004)
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS TRIPPED BY A SIGNIFICANT FUEL LEAK. NOT OBVIOUS ORIGIN - REQUIRED SIGNIFICANT DIAGNOSTICS TO LOCATE SOURCE. A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE AND PRODUCT DEFECT. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10095619 at NHTSA ↗