Jeep Liberty 2002–2007 problems by year and mileage
1st generation (KJ)
NHTSA data through 24 September 20267,452 complaints, 4,901 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2002 Jeep Liberty
Close- Median failure report
- 82,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,808
- Recalls naming this year
- 8
Most reported on the 2002
- Airbag system546 reports · median 116,000 mi
- Suspension494 reports · median 70,000 mi
- Electrical system118 reports · median 91,000 mi
8 recall campaigns name the 2002: Air bags — frontal; Structure; Suspension — front. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2003 Jeep Liberty
Close- Median failure report
- 70,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,351
- Recalls naming this year
- 7
Most reported on the 2003
- Suspension437 reports · median 55,000 mi
- Airbag system391 reports · median 120,000 mi
- Body structure111 reports · median 106,000 mi
7 recall campaigns name the 2003: Air bags — side/window; Air bags — frontal; Structure. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2004 Jeep Liberty
Close- Median failure report
- 65,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,100
- Recalls naming this year
- 7
Most reported on the 2004
- Suspension455 reports · median 52,000 mi
- Body structure128 reports · median 107,000 mi
- Visibility equipment108 reports · median 63,000 mi
7 recall campaigns name the 2004: Suspension — rear; Structure; Suspension — front. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2005 Jeep Liberty
Close- Median failure report
- 70,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,118
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2005
- Suspension262 reports · median 87,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system192 reports · median 87,000 mi
- Fuel system184 reports · median 66,000 mi
5 recall campaigns name the 2005: Suspension — rear; Structure; Suspension — front. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2006 Jeep Liberty
Close- Median failure report
- 56,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,372
- Recalls naming this year
- 9
Most reported on the 2006
- Visibility equipment394 reports · median 44,000 mi
- Suspension196 reports · median 104,000 mi
- Fuel system183 reports · median 50,000 mi
9 recall campaigns name the 2006: Suspension — rear; Power train — clutch assembly; Structure. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2007 Jeep Liberty
Close- Median failure report
- 55,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 703
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
Most reported on the 2007
- Visibility equipment220 reports · median 45,000 mi
- Fuel system110 reports · median 45,000 mi
- Body structure106 reports
6 recall campaigns name the 2007: Suspension — rear; Structure; Electrical system. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
Each tile shows the median mileage at which that model year’s failures were reported. The 2002 reports latest and the 2007 earliest, but part of that gap is age: the 2002 has had 5 more years on the road to accumulate mileage.
The short answer
“Is the 2002–2007 Jeep Liberty reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 67,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 149,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 4,901
- Recalls
- 21
Most reported
- Suspension25.8% of complaints · median 68,000 mi
- Airbag system14.4% of complaints · median 110,000 mi
- Visibility equipment12.9% of complaints · median 50,000 mi
Owners filed 7,452 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002–2007 Jeep Liberty; the suspension leads with 25.8% of them, and half of the 4,901 that record an odometer reading came by 67,000 miles. A count like this can’t rate reliability on its own: NHTSA records what owners chose to report, not how many of each car were sold.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 38,000 and 108,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2002–2007 Jeep Liberty last?
Complaint records can’t measure how long a car lasts; they show when reported failures happened. On the 2002–2007 Jeep Liberty, half of the 4,901 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 67,000 miles and 90% by 149,000 miles.
485 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 96 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Liberty reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Jeep Liberty 2002–2007 · 4,901 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 239 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 96 complaints (2.0%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 15,528
- 25%
- 38,019
- Median
- 67,175
- 75%
- 107,813
- 90%
- 149,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 239 | 4.9% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 108 | 2.2% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 116 | 2.4% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 114 | 2.3% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 143 | 2.9% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 152 | 3.1% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 183 | 3.7% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 227 | 4.6% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 235 | 4.8% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 207 | 4.2% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 230 | 4.7% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 160 | 3.3% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 228 | 4.7% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 176 | 3.6% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 167 | 3.4% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 151 | 3.1% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 192 | 3.9% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 128 | 2.6% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 148 | 3.0% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 136 | 2.8% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 154 | 3.1% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 109 | 2.2% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 105 | 2.1% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 73 | 1.5% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 124 | 2.5% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 99 | 2.0% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 105 | 2.1% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 72 | 1.5% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 83 | 1.7% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 52 | 1.1% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 93 | 1.9% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 36 | 0.7% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 56 | 1.1% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 43 | 0.9% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 48 | 1.0% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 30 | 0.6% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 32 | 0.7% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 10 | 0.2% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 23 | 0.5% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 18 | 0.4% |
| 200,000+ | 96 | 2.0% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Common Liberty problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Jeep Liberty 2002–2007
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Visibility equipment959 reports50,00032,000–70,000Visibility equipment: 959 reports, median 50,000 miles, middle half 32,000 to 70,000 miles.
- Fuel system741 reports60,00040,000–90,000Fuel system: 741 reports, median 60,000 miles, middle half 40,000 to 90,000 miles.
- Suspension1,923 reports68,00040,000–111,000Suspension: 1,923 reports, median 68,000 miles, middle half 40,000 to 111,000 miles.
- Electrical system544 reports78,00043,000–112,000Electrical system: 544 reports, median 78,000 miles, middle half 43,000 to 112,000 miles.
- Fuel and propulsion system721 reports90,00060,000–125,000Fuel and propulsion system: 721 reports, median 90,000 miles, middle half 60,000 to 125,000 miles.
- Body structure721 reports94,00063,000–127,000Body structure: 721 reports, median 94,000 miles, middle half 63,000 to 127,000 miles.
- Airbag system1,072 reports110,00070,000–150,000Airbag system: 1,072 reports, median 110,000 miles, middle half 70,000 to 150,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 1,923 | 25.8% | 68,000 | 40,000–111,000 |
| Airbag system | 1,072 | 14.4% | 110,000 | 70,000–150,000 |
| Visibility equipment | 959 | 12.9% | 50,000 | 32,000–70,000 |
| Fuel system | 741 | 9.9% | 60,000 | 40,000–90,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 721 | 9.7% | 90,000 | 60,000–125,000 |
| Body structure | 721 | 9.7% | 94,000 | 63,000–127,000 |
| Electrical system | 544 | 7.3% | 78,000 | 43,000–112,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 413 | 5.5% | 44,000 | 16,000–87,000 |
| Steering | 314 | 4.2% | 85,000 | 42,000–130,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 244 | 3.3% | 50,000 | 16,000–84,000 |
System by system, in words
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 67,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The suspension accounts for 25.8% of complaints (1,923 reports, 1,335 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 68,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 40,000 and 111,000 miles.
A single system taking 25.8% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The airbag system accounts for 14.4% of complaints (1,072 reports, 571 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 110,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 70,000 and 150,000 miles.
Visibility equipment accounts for 12.9% of complaints (959 reports, 824 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 50,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 32,000 and 70,000 miles.
The fuel system accounts for 9.9% of complaints (741 reports, 270 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 60,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 40,000 and 90,000 miles.
The fuel and propulsion system accounts for 9.7% of complaints (721 reports, 266 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 90,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 60,000 and 125,000 miles.
Body structure accounts for 9.7% of complaints (721 reports, 194 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 94,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 63,000 and 127,000 miles.
Known problems with the 2002–2007 Liberty
Suspension/Steering 2002–2003
Front lower control arm ball joint wear and separation. NHTSA recalls covered vehicles built 2 Jan 2001 - 4 Oct 2002 (modified ball joint assemblies plus heat shields) and 5 Oct 2002 - 26 Mar 2003 (inspect/replace as necessary with heat shields). Heat from the exhaust degrading the joint boot was implicated.
Body/Electrical 2002–2007
Window regulator failure — the regulator binds, tips the glass forward, chatters, and the window drops into the door, often suddenly. Subject of a US class action alleging the defect spans the whole generation and cannot be permanently repaired.
Before you buy a 2002–2007 Liberty: the 3-minute check
Generated from 4,901 mileage-tagged complaints, 21 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 21 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check suspension/steering on 2002–2003 cars. Front lower control arm ball joint wear and separation. NHTSA recalls covered vehicles built 2 Jan 2001 - 4 Oct 2002 (modified ball joint assemblies plus heat shields) and 5 Oct 2002 - 26 Mar 2003 (inspect/replace as…
- Check body/electrical on 2002–2007 cars. Window regulator failure — the regulator binds, tips the glass forward, chatters, and the window drops into the door, often suddenly. Subject of a US class action alleging the defect spans the whole generation and…
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 38,000 and 108,000 miles, with a median of 67,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the suspension and the airbag system are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The suspension in particular shows a median failure mileage of 68,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Liberty problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer reading, or read the common mileages in the table. Your marker lands on the timing chart above and on the curve below.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi43% below | At 90k mi64% below | At 120k mi79% below | At 150k mi90% below | At 200k mi98% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 40,000–111,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 70,000–150,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Visibility equipment | 32,000–70,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Fuel system | 40,000–90,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 60,000–125,000 | in window | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Body structure | 63,000–127,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 43,000–112,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Jeep Liberty 2002–2007 · 4,901 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 43% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 64% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 79% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 90% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 98% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it above
The staircase tops out at 98%: the remaining 2.0% of reports (96) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
2002–2007 Jeep Liberty recalls (21)
NHTSA records 21 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the suspension (5), the airbag system (4), the transmission and driveline (3). Several campaigns against one area can mean a remedy that did not hold, or separate defects in parts filed under the same heading; the summaries below name each defect.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
May 2018 · 2004–2007 · SuspensionA fractured control arm can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2004-2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles. The rear suspension lower control arms can fracture due to excessive corrosion, causing a loss of vehicle control.
What can happen. A fractured control arm can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lower control arms, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.…
Oct 2015 · 2003 · Air BagsInadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
The defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured March 29, 2003, to July 3, 2003, and 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured May 27, 2003, to May 20, 2004. Due to electrical noise beyond the tolerance of…
What can happen. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
The free fix. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag electronic control module and the side impact sensors, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 5, 2016. Owners may…
Apr 2015 · 2006 · Power TrainIf the vehicle unexpectedly moves there is an increased risk of a crash.
The defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2006 Dodge Viper and Jeep Wrangler and Liberty vehicles manufactured July 1, 2005, to July 31, 2006. In the affected vehicles, the springs within the clutch pedal position switch that prevents the vehicle…
What can happen. If the vehicle unexpectedly moves there is an increased risk of a crash.
The free fix. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clutch ignition interlock switch, free of charge. The recall began on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at…
Jan 2015 · 2002–2003 · Air BagsInadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
The defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured January 9, 2001, to March 28, 2003, 2002-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 13, 2001, to May 23 2003, and 2003-2004 Dodge Viper vehicles…
What can happen. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
The free fix. Chrysler dealers will replace the air bag control module and side impact sensors as required, free of charge. This recall remedy was applied during earlier recall campaigns of these vehicles under…
Jun 2013 · 2002–2007 · StructureA fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
The defect. 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 in certain rear impacts.
What can happen. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
The free fix. 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 install…
Nov 2012 · 2002–2003 · Air BagsInadvertent deployment of the airbags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
The defect. 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 February 13, 2001, through May 23, 2003. A component in the air…
What can happen. Inadvertent deployment of the airbags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
The free fix. 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 2013.…
Mar 2012 · 2004–2007 · SuspensionA fracture of the rear lower control arm may result in a loss of vehicle control and may lead to a vehicle…
The defect. In june 2012, Chrysler expanded this recall to include model year 2006 and 2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles, representing an additional 137,176 vehicles. This recall now concerns certain my 2004-2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles. The total number vehicles being recalled…
What can happen. A fracture of the rear lower control arm may result in a loss of vehicle control and may lead to a vehicle crash.
The free fix. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lower control arms on all affected vehicles originally sold in, or currently registered in, connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana…
Apr 2009 · 2002–2003 · SuspensionFailure of the ball joint could result in a loss of steering capability, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. Failure of the ball joint could result in a loss of steering capability, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. 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.
Mar 2007 · 2006–2007 · Electrical SystemThis could cause an interior fire.
The defect. On certain passenger vehicles equipped with valeo heating, ventilation and air conditioning (hvac), the blower motor may overheat.
What can happen. This could cause an interior fire.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the hvac blower motor free of charge. The recall began on may 28, 2007. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Dec 2006 · 2007 · Service Brakes, HydraulicThis could result in a loss of vehicle control and cause a crash without warning.
The defect. On certain vehicles, the antilock brake system (ABS) control module software may cause the rear brakes to lock up during certain braking conditions.
What can happen. This could result in a loss of vehicle control and cause a crash without warning.
The free fix. Dealers will reprogram the ABS electronic control unit. The recall began on february 19, 2007. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Sep 2006 · 2007 · Power TrainIf the drive wheels locked up, loss of vehicle control could occur increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks equipped with automatic transmissions, the software programmed into the powertrain control module can cause a momentary lock up of the drive wheels if the vehicle is traveling over 40 MPH and…
What can happen. If the drive wheels locked up, loss of vehicle control could occur increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module free of charge. The recall began on october 2, 2006. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Aug 2006 · 2002–2006 · SuspensionWhen the driver continues to operate the vehicle with this condition, the contamination can lead to…
The defect. 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 experience wear and looseness.
What can happen. 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…
The free fix. 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.
Mar 2006 · 2006 · Latches/Locks/LinkagesThis increases the possibility of a door becoming forced open and an unbelted passenger being ejected during…
The defect. Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 206, "Door locks and door retention components." An incorrect right front door latch reinforcement plate may have been installed which may cause…
What can happen. This increases the possibility of a door becoming forced open and an unbelted passenger being ejected during certain crash conditions.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the latch assembly and replace the right front door latch reinforcement plate free of charge. The recall began on march 13, 2006. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at…
Feb 2006 · 2006 · Electrical SystemDamage to the wiring harness could result in an underbody fire.
The defect. On certain two wheel drive sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.7 Liter engines, the left oxygen sensor wiring harness may contact the exhaust pipe.
What can happen. Damage to the wiring harness could result in an underbody fire.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the oxygen sensor wiring harness takeout for damage. If the takeout is damaged, the wiring will be repaired and a tie wrap installed to secure the excess length of wiring…
Oct 2005 · 2005–2006 · Power TrainIf this occurs and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll away and cause a crash without…
The defect. On certain pickup trucks, sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with 42rle automatic transmissions, the cup plug that retains the park pawl anchor shaft may be improperly installed. If the shaft moves out of position, the vehicle may not be able to…
What can happen. If this occurs and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll away and cause a crash without warning.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the transmissions and install a bracket to ensure the park pawl anchor shaft is retained in the proper position. The recall began on november 28, 2005. Owners may contact…
Jul 2004 · 2004 · Engine and Engine CoolingDamage to the alternator wiring harness could result in an under hood fire.
The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.7L engines only, two valve cover studs may interfere with the fuel injector and alternator wiring harnesses.
What can happen. Damage to the alternator wiring harness could result in an under hood fire.
The free fix. Dealers will add protective caps to the valve cover studs and re-route the affected wiring harness to provide clearance. Owner notification began on july 19, 2004. Owners can contact daimlerchrysler…
Mar 2004 · 2004 · Latches/Locks/LinkagesThis can cause the lock motor bearings to overheat and seize.
The defect. On some sport utility vehicles, certain remote keyless entry (rke) input may cause the body control module (bcm) software to actuate the door lock motors continuously.
What can happen. This can cause the lock motor bearings to overheat and seize. If this occurs, the door lock system will become inoperative.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and replace, as necessary, the door latch assemblies and the bcm software will be updated. Owner notification began on may 10, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at…
Feb 2004 · 2004 · EquipmentThe vehicle owner would not be aware of the tire, wheel, and inflation pressure information for their vehicle.
The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles, due to a recent software programming error, the tire, wheel, and inflation pressure information was inadvertently omitted from the vehicle certification label.
What can happen. The vehicle owner would not be aware of the tire, wheel, and inflation pressure information for their vehicle.
The free fix. Owners will be provided with a corrected tire certification label. Owner notification began on march 1, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Nov 2003 · 2002–2003 · SuspensionA ball joint thathas separated from the knuckle could result in loss of vehicle directional control and could…
The defect. 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 knuckle.
What can happen. A ball joint thathas separated from the knuckle could result in loss of vehicle directional control and could result in a crash.
The free fix. 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 october…
Dec 2001 · 2002 · Air BagsThis could delay the deployment of the air bag system, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
The defect. 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 insulation causing a short circuit in the wiring.
What can happen. This could delay the deployment of the air bag system, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
The free fix. 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 vehicles to…
Oct 2001 · 2002 · Other or unspecifiedThis could startle the operator, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The driver's side knee blocker trim panel assembly can disengage, fall, and startle the operator.
What can happen. This could startle the operator, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. 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…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 7,452 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 532 (7.1%)
- Fires
- 129
- Injury reports
- 394
- Fatality reports
- 12
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Liberty problems by model year
The 2002 drew the most complaints of this generation, 1,808, most of them about the airbag system, and the 2007 the fewest, 703. A typical year drew about 1,234.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1,808 | 1,046 | 82,000 | Airbag system (546) | 8 |
| 2003 | 1,351 | 838 | 70,000 | Suspension (437) | 7 |
| 2004 | 1,100 | 749 | 65,000 | Suspension (455) | 7 |
| 2005 | 1,118 | 766 | 70,000 | Suspension (262) | 5 |
| 2006 | 1,372 | 1,011 | 56,000 | Visibility equipment (394) | 9 |
| 2007 | 703 | 491 | 55,000 | Visibility equipment (220) | 6 |
What Liberty owners reported
ball joint recall was issues and done on paper in August 2006 on the Jeep Liberty. Both ball joint have failed on this vehicle at different times this year while driving the vehicle and Jeep has declined to take any responsibility in any way. This is a major safety concern as any kind of speed while this occurs would…
2006 · 164,000 miles · Suspension
The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was loose, with a clunking sound coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken for inspection and failed the inspection. The vehicle was diagnosed by a certified mechanic, and the contact was…
2006 · 88,000 miles · Suspension
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…
2003 · 160,000 miles · Steering
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2006 Jeep Liberty on January 16, 2026, from a used car dealer. While attempting to obtain insurance for the vehicle, the insurance company discovered a mileage discrepancy. The insurance company informed the contact that the vehicle could not be insured due to the mileage…
2006 · 168,000 miles · Electrical system
Built from 4,901 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-09-26 · open data · how it is built
Other Liberty generations
- Liberty 2008–2012 1,165 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system