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2002 Jeep Liberty

The Verdict

5 Total Klunk

The 2002 Jeep Liberty has 1,787 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (725 complaints) and electrical (596 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 5/100, it earns a "Total Klunk" rating. If you're shopping for a Jeep Liberty, consider the 2000 model year which has 99% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2000 has 99% fewer complaints

View the 2000 Jeep Liberty dashboard →

5

Klunk Score: Total Klunk

Among the most complained-about vehicle years on record. Strongly consider alternatives.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 8

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

13V252000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles. The fuel tanks in these vehicles are at risk of failure and leakage...

Risk

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Remedy

Owners may take their vehicles to dealers and the dealers will perform a free inspection of the rear structure. On vehicles in the recall that are not equipped with a tow hitch, Chrysler will inst...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

12E047000 SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB

Timken is recalling certain non-formed, front wheel hubs, part number HA599467, which were sold to retail and automotive distributors in the automobile aftermarket as front wheel hub replacements d...

Risk

If the non-formed hub unit is installed on a Jeep Liberty 4x2 model (which does not use an axle nut for hub retention), the vehicle wheel will not be secure and a front wheel separation may occur, ...

Remedy

Timken has notified retail stores that have received the subject parts. The front wheel hubs will be replaced free of charge. Owners who may have purchased the affected units should contact Timke...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

12V527000 AIR BAGS

Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2002 and 2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured January 9, 2001, through March 28, 2003, and 2002 through 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured Fe...

Risk

Inadvertent deployment of the airbags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a supplemental jumper harness to the airbag control module, free of charge. Owners were notified of the recall by interim letter in January 20...

Reported Aug 11, 2012

09V119000 SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

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, MASSACHUS...

Risk

FAILURE OF THE BALL JOINT COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT APRIL 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Reported Sep 4, 2009

06V288000 SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE CONSTANT TENSION FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS MAY EXPERIENCE CONTAMINATION. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD WITH THIS CONDITION, THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY E...

Risk

WHEN THE DRIVER CONTINUES TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE WITH THIS CONDITION, THE CONTAMINATION CAN LEAD TO CORROSION, ACCELERATED WEAR AND POSSIBLY SEPARATION FROM THE STEERING KNUCKLE CAUSING A LOSS OF V...

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Reported Mar 8, 2006

03V460000 SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS CAN EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF LUBRICATION THAT CAN LEAD TO CORROSION, ACCELERATED WEAR, AND POSSIBLE SEPARATION FROM THE STEERING KN...

Risk

A BALL JOINT THATHAS SEPARATED FROM THE KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS WITH MODIFIED ASSEMBLIES AND HEAT SHIELDS ON VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 2, 2001 AND OCTOBER 4, 2002. ON VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN OCTO...

Reported Oct 11, 2003

01V373000 AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE FRONTAL OFFSET COLLISION, SHARP EDGES ON THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE BRACKET COULD CUT THE FRONT IMPACT SENSOR WIRING ...

Risk

THIS COULD DELAY THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL WRAP THE FRONT IMPACT SENSOR WIRE HARNESS WITH PROTECTIVE INSULATION TO PREVENT THE POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 18, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE...

Reported May 12, 2001

01V311000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE DRIVER'S SIDE KNEE BLOCKER TRIM PANEL ASSEMBLY CAN DISENGAGE, FALL, AND STARTLE THE OPERATOR.

Risk

THIS COULD STARTLE THE OPERATOR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE KNEE BLOCKER TRIM PANEL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 26, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A R...

Reported Apr 10, 2001

Get notified if a recall hits this car.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
200031101
200140510
20027257059632571
20035934040723360
20046503612524147
2005450298347183
20066734815242863
2007350187522731
20081791912918825
200948227292
2010621751578
2011411163569
201264112215929

By Category

Body
725
Electrical
596
Engine
325
Transmission
71
Brakes
70

By Severity

1
827
2
750
3
18
4
188
5
4

Worst Problems

Complaints

Body 1

The lower ball joint on passenger side failed. Didn't notice any symptoms prior to it breaking. I understand that it was apparently under recall. It was repaired around the recall date but it failed again and is considered recurring failure.

13d ago
Electrical 2

A couple years ago I had the airbag light come on when you come to find out there was a recall on my jeep. I had it took to the dealership, they supposedly fixed it now my airbag light is back on.

15mo ago
Body 1

At approximately 6:30 am 9/25/2024, I was transporting a friend to her home in a neighboring city. After ten minutes of travel, I exited a four lane bridge. As I slowed and set up for traffic negotiations, We heard a bang, like maybe tire blowout, I initiated a full stop to safety, disembarked vehicle to find that; THE RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT HAD EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE! Thus, the tire was sliced the tire mount rim was deeply grooved. Had vehicle towed to my home. It is in the condition left by the towing company. So, I called my neighborhood dodge boys and wàs assured that "they were not obligated not interested in repairing this near calamity, for the "RECALLED LOWER BALL JOINT COMPONENTS WERE DEALT WITH IN 2006.. TOO MANY YEARS HAVE PASSED FOR THIS EVENT TO BE REPAIRED BY RECALL OR WARRANTY". OK THEN, HOW ABOUT THE AIRBAG OPEN RECALL AT THE STEERING WHEEL.. REPLY, NO. NOTHING MISSED OR ELIGIBLE. Well, that's it.. Thanks for the venting space. And seriously, thank you for what you do.

22mo ago
Electrical 2

I install an after market right side tail light assembly on my Jeep liberty, light is “plug and play” during check out I found the whole light assembly was improperly wired so I sent back to Amazon and ordered another from a different supplier when I received it, it was manufactured by the same company Eagle Eyes auto lamps. The safety issue that were experienced The tail light was on the bright element of the light bulb, the brake light was on the dim side of the same bulb The turn signal was the on the dim side of the bulb showing up not any brighter than a side marker light (very dim) Finally the reverse light was also wired on the dim side of the bulb and does not illuminate what’s behind the vehicle when backing up Both items have a Carparts.com inc label on them I called to talk to their technical department at 866-529-0412 to make them aware of the of the problem, however the customer service representative would not put my call through to the technical team. Both tail light I received acted the same and would have made my jeep dangerous to be on the road, my old tail light works properly just has a cosmetic crack and will be replaced with oem part already ordered

24mo ago
Brakes 2

Well my 2002 jeep liberty has been messed up lately,it will just not crank so I thought it was the battery but it turned out to be the ignition switch also it did this off an on for about 6months ,the heat went out when I bought it and it will act as if it is overheating but it won't do anything for while then all of my windows have problems with the motor s in them the suspension, control arms I've had to change ,and the cruise control button will stick and keep going while you are driving it almost caused me to wreck on the interstate you have to turn the vehicle completely off once you get it to stop if you can get it to stop. out of all the vehicles I've had this is the first to take off by itself

29mo ago
Body 4

Ball joints are coming apart and leaving me stranded on several occasions leading to costly repairs.

37mo ago
Brakes 2

Can’t go over 60 miles n the brake shake The gas pedal seem to be look at I purchase it 4 $3000 at a car lot last month

48mo ago
Engine 2

Manufacturing defect on EVAP canister, the nipple for the EVAP hose is too large for hose diameter, 3/8" hose cracks after a couple years when the rubber is not new, causing emissions test failure. Hose replaced several times.

57mo ago
Electrical 1

The contact owns a 2002 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated upon exiting the vehicle, the lights on the unlock and lock button remained illuminated, causing the battery to drain. The contact stated that the vehicle constantly had to be jump-started due to the failure. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118.

61mo ago
Engine 2

MY VEHICLE IS A 6 YR OLD LOW MILEAGE CHEVY EQUINOX THE STABILITRAK LIGHT CAME UP AS WELL AS THE SERVICE POWER STREERING. IT HAS ALSO LOST POWER IN THE HIGHWAY AND STALLS OR WON'T ACCELERATE AT TIMES WHICH MAKES IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE I COULD GET HIT BY SOMEONE IN THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE REPLACED O THEN SENSOR WHICH COST ME $400 BUT NOT FIXED I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND THEY REPLACED SOME FUSES AND SENSORS ANOTHER $500 STILL NOT FIXED. THE CAR IS NOW BACH AT THE DEALERSHIP AND IT HAS BEEN A FEW DAYS. THIS SEEMS TO BE. VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE EQUINOX AS I HAVE SPOKEN TO A FEW PEOPLE WHO OWN ONE AND THEY JUST ENDED UP TRADING THEIR CAR. I DON'T WANT ANOTHER CAR PAYMENT AND FOR A 6 YEAR OLD CAR WITH LOW MILEAGE THIS IS NOT NORMAL

65mo ago
Transmission 1

VEHICLE HAS 70,000 ORIGINAL OWNER MILES. PLACED THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK BUT THE LINKAGE HAD FAILED AND THE VEHICLE STAYED IN D AND STARTED TO ROLL OFF. THE LINKAGE ON THE SIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED, THE PART IS: MANUAL CONTROL LEVER - MOPAR 52104177. IT HAS BEEN REVISED TWICE SINCE THE ORIGINAL VEHICLE. THE GRADE WAS VERY SLIGHT AND MY WIFE WAS STILL IN THE VEHICLE AND APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE. THE MECHANIC THOUGHT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL BUT COULD NOT FIND ONE. THE SAME PART IS USED ON MANY JEEP, DODGE, CHRYSLER VEHICLES AND HAS BEEN RECALLED ON SOME MODELS. IT IS A GREAT SAFETY HAZARD AS THE SHIFT LIVER IS IN PARK BUT THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT. I HAVE MADE A PURCHASE OF A REPLACEMENT PART BUT THE DEALER HAD TO ORDER A NEW ONE WHICH IS NOW: MANUAL CONTROL LEVER - MOPAR (52104177AC) AFTER HAVING BEEN REVISED TWICE.

66mo ago
Transmission 2

THE CAR CHUGG IN AND OUT GOIN DOWN THE ROAD IF FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS GOIN TO FALL OUT OF IT THE IT DIES THE STEERING SO SO BAD IT FEELS LIKE A TIRE IS GOIN TO FALL OF AT ANY MOMENT THE VALVE COHERE GASKET NEEDS REPLACED THE BRAKES ARE NON EXISTING I ALMOST CRASHED INTO SOME E HEAD ON AFTER IT DIED ON ME WHILE I WAS GOIN 50 MPH DOWN THE [XXX] I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 2 WEEK HOBART AUTO SALES HAVE IT TO ME IN REPLACE OF A VEHICLE THEY HAD SOLD ME THAT DIDN'T HAVE A TITLE TO IT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

67mo ago
Engine 1

I HAVE A SAFETY RECALL THAT CANNOT BE FIXED ACCORDING TO TUNKHANNOCK AUTO MART AND SCRANTON DODGE. I'M EXPERIENCING ALL KIND OF MALFUNCTIONS DUE TO THE SENSOR BEING BAD I HAVE NO POWER, MY SHIFTING, FUEL ECONOMY ,HARD STARTS,EVERYTHING. THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE AND I NEED A VEHICLE UNTIL THIS IS RESOLVED

69mo ago
Electrical 2

MY VEHICLE SHOWS ZERO RECALLS SO IT HAD THE AIRBAG REPLACEMENT BUT THE AIRBAG LIGHT NOW COMES ON WHICH I THINK INDICATES THAT THE NEW AIRBAG HAS MALFUNCTIONED. IT SEEMS THEY STILL USED ANOTHER INFERIOR AIRBAG PRODUCT OR MAYBE DIDN'T ACTUALLY REPLACE THE OLD ONE. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THE CAR IS CRANKED AND STAYS ON. THIS STARTED HAPPENING A FEW YEARS AGO SHORTLY AFTER THE AIRBAG "REPAIR" WAS MADE BY A DEALERSHIP AND THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WILL SOMETIMES BE OFF AND SOMETIMES BE ON. I DON'T RECALL THE EXACT DATE THE REPAIR WAS MADE BUT , IT SEEMS IT WAS IMPROPERLY REPAIRED.

69mo ago
Body 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 JEEP LIBERTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AT AN INTERSECTION, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND ACCELERATED FORWARD. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS THEN DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE ENGINE REMAINED REVVED UP. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND FUNCTIONED AS DESIGNED AFTER RESTARTED WITHOUT FURTHER FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

70mo ago
Body 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 JEEP LIBERTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, WITHOUT WARNING THE DRIVER'S SIDE BALL JOINT FRACTURED CAUSING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO SEPARATE IMPALING THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO STEER THE VEHICLE INTO A GAS STATION WHERE A TOW TRUCK RESPONDED AND PICKED UP AND TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE PLACE WHERE THE VEHICLE REMAINED. NO DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V119000 (SUSPENSION) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 217,000.

71mo ago
Electrical 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 JEEP LIBERTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE WHETHER THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE PASSENGER'S OR DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 139,129.

72mo ago
Body 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 JEEP LIBERTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PRESTIGE CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE LOCATED AT 6520 CENTENNIAL CENTER BLVD, LAS VEGAS, NV 89149, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER AND UPPER CONTROL ARMS AND BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V1190000 (SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

74mo ago
Electrical 4

AFTER A TIRE FAILURE AT 45MPH ON A PARKWAY VEHICLE DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED 1 COMPLETE TIME. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.

77mo ago
Electrical 1

THE HORN MEMBRANE HAS FAILED AND IT WILL REQUIRE THE ENTIRE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG TO BE REPLACED OR I AM STUCK WITH NO HORN. THE HORN SHOULD NOT BE TIED TO THE AIRBAG. THEY WANT 1,500 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG WITH THE HORN. TO DATE I AM WITHOUT A HORN. STILL NO WORKING HORN WHICH IS AN ALERTING DEVICE TO OTHER MOTORISTS

77mo ago

1787 total

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