Problems · NHTSA complaints
2002 Jeep Liberty problems
Owners filed 1,807 complaints about the 2002 Jeep Liberty with NHTSA between Jul 2001 and Jul 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (546).
Complaints
1,807
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
174
Reported by owners
Fires
21
Reported by owners
Injuries
183
People reported injured
Deaths
4
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
12
85
111
96
76
223
119
64
49
80
57
84
196
182
198
106
28
9
12
9
4
1
1
3
1
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 12 |
| 2002 | 85 |
| 2003 | 111 |
| 2004 | 96 |
| 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 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
546 reports106 crashes3 fires3 related recalls
“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.”
Suspension
494 reports39 crashes1 fire4 related recalls
“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.”
Electrical system
118 reports9 fires
“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.”
Seat belts
110 reports14 crashes
“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”
Structure
108 reports5 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 JEEP LIBERTY. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAVE THE LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE UPPER CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V119000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.”
Fuel/propulsion system
88 reports1 fire
“I SEE THERE ARE TWO RECALLS IN MY VEHICLE - ONE FOR THE AIR BAGS AND SECOND FOR THE FUEL TANK HAVING POSSIBLE LEAKAGE. I LIVE ON AN ISLAND AND THE CLOSEST DEALER/REPAIR SHOP THAT COULD DO WORK IS IN ANOTHER TOWN THAT WOULD TAKE A WEEK LONG TRIP TO GET THERE BY BOAT, ETC. ANY SUGGESTIONS”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.