Problems · by component

2002 Jeep Liberty engine problems

74 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2002 Jeep Liberty cite engine, 4% of all 1,807 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
74
4% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 5, 2021EngineODI 11439539
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 13, 2021Steering, Wheels, EngineODI 11402726
“I WENT TO THE STORE AND PICKED UP CHIPS AND DRINKS AND KEEP RUNNING FINE. GOT BACK IN IT AND TOOK ME SEVERAL TRIES TO CRANK. KEPT GOING DEAD ON THE MILE DRIVE HOME. HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED BUT MECHANIC REPLACED COMPUTER SPARK PLUGS FUEL PUMP AND INJECTION SYSTEM. STILL WOULDN'T CRANK WELL. HAD NEW COMPUTER PROGRAMMED. NOTHING. TILL SAYS 3 CYLINDERS ARE NOT WORKING AND I NEED A NEW MOTOR.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 20, 2018Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11096922
“WE REPLACED THE ENGINE AT 135,000 MILES AND THE NEXT ENGINE IS DOING THE SAME THING AT LESS THAN 20,000 MILES. MECHANICS HAVE SAID THESE ENGINES WERE DEFECTIVE. LOSES VALVE AND DESTROYS PISTON. I HAVE PAID OVER $10,000 IN PARTS ALONE, NOT COUNTING LABOR. HELP!!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 16, 2018EngineODI 11079776
“MY HUSBAND AND I DROVE MY 2002 JEEP LIBERTY TO DINNER AND WHILE DRIVING BACK HOME, WITHOUT ANY NOTICE, THE CAR STARTED BLOWING HEAVY SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST PIPES. THEN IT COMPLETELY DIED, STOPPED! NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, NO CHECK OIL LIGHT AND NO WARNING WHATSOEVER! I NOW HAVE THIS VEHICLE SITTING IN MY GARAGE BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO COST US APPROXIMATELY $5000.00 TO FIX. WHILE RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET, THIS ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE JUST STOPPING, HAS HAPPENED TO HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE THAT OWN THIS SAME VEHICLE. I HAVE NOT FOUND ANYONE THAT FEELS IT'S WORTH FIXING. ALL INTERNET REVIEWS LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THAT IF REPLACED, IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. WHY ISN'T CHRYSLER MADE ACCOUNTABLE?? THEY KNOW THEY GOT AWAY WITH SELLING A LEMON! THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE, IF SOMEONE IS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND THE ENGINE JUST STOPS AS MINE DID! CHRYSLER SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL THE ENGINE OR GIVE BACK SOME SORT OF COMPENSATION TO EVERYONE THAT HAS HAD THIS ISSUE. CAN'T BELIEVE, THAT AFTER SO MANY COMPLAINTS, THE GOVERNMENT OR BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, HAVE NOT GOTTEN INVOLVED IN FORCING A RECALL FOR THIS 3.7 ENGINE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 5, 2017EngineODI 11043387
“MOTOR WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING......REPLACED. AFTER 7K MILES.....MOTOR WENT OUT AGAIN. THE WARRANTY COMPANY FOR THE MOTOR ACTS AS IF THEY DID NOT KNOW THE MOTORS CONSTANTLY GO OUT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 31, 2017EngineODI 11041648

Showing 6 of 74 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.