Your vehicle report
2002 Jeep Liberty
The problems owners report. The recalls to check. The evidence behind each.
Your vehicle at a glance
Complaint patterns and official recall records, kept distinct.
- Owner complaints
- 1,808
- Received Jul 2001 to Jul 2026
Owner reports
Most reported problems
- 1Ball joints wear out and fail234 complaints · 13% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 2Airbag warning light stays on148 complaints · 8.2% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 3Airbags fail to deploy in crashes105 complaints · 5.8% of this vehicle’s complaints
Official NHTSA records
Recalls to check
- Recall #15V046000Chrysler (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 manufactured November 1, 2001, to June 30, 2004. Due to electrical noise beyond the tolerance of the air bag electronic control module (ECM), a component in the ECM may fail, causing the front air bags, side air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
- Recall #13V252000Chrysler 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.
BrakeNews signals
Flagged complaint patterns
Unusual complaint patterns with no matched recall yet. A flag does not mean a recall will happen.
No problems currently meet BrakeNews’s flagging criteria. This is not a safety rating.
How flags are identifiedComplaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA, not failure rates or a reliability ranking. Reported in these complaints: 174 crashes, 21 fires, 183 people injured, 4 deaths.
Explore by system
Where do owners report problems?
Choose an area on the car or a system below to explore the reported problems.
Illustrative only; not this vehicle’s exact design. Areas represent complaint categories, not confirmed defective parts.
Showing all 20 listed problems by system.
Engine & powertrain
Brakes
Electrical & lights
Airbags, belts & seats
Steering, suspension & tires
Body, doors & glass
Driver assistance
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Other
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Complaint history
When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.
Show as a table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 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 (to Oct 2026) | 1 |
| Total | 1,808 |
Problems owners report
Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.
| Problem | Complaints | Share | Share ratio | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ball joints wear out and fail | 234 | 13% | – | NHTSA recall #03V460000, #06V288000, #09V119000 |
| Airbag warning light stays on | 148 | 8.2% | – | NHTSA recall #12V527000 |
| Airbags fail to deploy in crashes | 105 | 5.8% | – | NHTSA recall #12V527000 |
| Seat belt fails to latch or retract | 84 | 4.7% | – | |
| Headlights dim or fail at night | 40 | 2.2% | – | |
| Power window regulator fails and window drops | 38 | 2.1% | – | |
| Jeep Cherokee stalls while driving | 35 | 1.9% | – | |
| Axle breaks while driving, wheel detaches | 26 | 1.4% | – | |
| Engine suddenly shuts off while driving | 25 | 1.4% | – | |
| Tires blow out or tread separates | 23 | 1.3% | – | |
| Brake pedal sinks due to leaking lines | 23 | 1.3% | – | |
| Unintended acceleration despite braking | 21 | 1.2% | – | |
| Vehicle catches fire from wiring | 20 | 1.1% | – | |
| Steering wanders or pulls at highway speed | 20 | 1.1% | – | |
| Suspension clunking or rattling noise over bumps | 19 | 1.1% | – | |
| Steering wheel seizes or locks suddenly | 18 | 1.0% | – | |
| Instrument cluster or speedometer fails | 18 | 1.0% | – | |
| Automatic transmission shifts unexpectedly or slips | 17 | 0.9% | – | |
| Steering wheel shakes violently at highway speed | 17 | 0.9% | – | |
| Ignition key sticks or will not turn | 16 | 0.9% | – |
AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.
Recalls
NHTSA recall #15V046000January 28, 2015752,644 vehicles affected
air bags: frontal
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 manufactured November 1, 2001, to June 30, 2004. Due to electrical noise beyond the tolerance of the air bag electronic control module (ECM), a component in the ECM may fail, causing the front air bags, side air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Remedy
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 safety recalls 12V527 and 13V040. All owners that have not had the recall repair performed under safety recalls 12V527 or 13V040 are strongly encouraged to have it performed and not wait for the final remedy to be deployed to the field. The recall began on December 29, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R06.
NHTSA recall #13V252000June 19, 20131,560,000 vehicles affected
fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly; structure
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.
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 install a Chrysler designed tow hitch free of charge, provided the condition of the vehicle can support proper installation. On vehicles in the recall that are equipped with an aftermarket tow hitch, Chrysler will assess whether the hitch and surrounding areas show evidence of sharp edges or other puncture risks. If so, Chrysler will replace the tow hitch with a Chrysler designed tow hitch free of charge, provided the condition of the vehicle can support proper installation. On vehicles already equipped with a Chrysler designed tow hitch, Chrysler will inspect the area around the tow hitch installation, and if any installation issues are identified, they will be repaired free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign numbers are N45 (for the Grand Cherokee vehicles) and N46 (for the Liberty vehicles).
NHTSA recall #12V527000November 8, 2012744,822 vehicles affected
air bags; air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
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 bag control module may fail causing the front airbags, side curtain airbags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
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 2013. The remedy for affected Liberty vehicles is expected to be available in April 2013. The remedy for affected Grand Cherokee vehicles is expected to be available later in the year. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753.
NHTSA recall #09V119000April 9, 200943,489 vehicles affected
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, 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.
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.
NHTSA recall #06V288000August 3, 2006826,687 vehicles affected
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 experience wear and looseness.
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 vehicle steering control increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
NHTSA recall #03V460000November 10, 2003336,000 vehicles affected
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 knuckle.
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 october 5, 2002 and march 26, 2003, dealers will inspect the ball joint assemblies (and replace them as necessary) and install heat shields. Owner notification began on december 15, 2003. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-992-1997.
NHTSA recall #01V373000December 5, 2001102,000 vehicles affected
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 insulation causing a short circuit in the wiring.
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 vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA recall #01V311000October 4, 200172,000 vehicles affected
unknown or other
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The driver's side knee blocker trim panel assembly Can disengage, fall, and startle the operator.
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 reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Other model years
About this data
NHTSA complaints and recalls through October 2026. Complaints are counted once each, however many components they name. Original complaints are on NHTSA's page for the 2002 Jeep Liberty.
Problem groups are formed by AI and may be approximate. BrakeNews flags unusual complaint patterns; they are not official defect findings. Investigation reports are written and checked by AI, with no human review. Owner reports do not establish that a defect exists.
Read the methodology and track record · Check current recalls by VIN