Problems · by component

2002 Jeep Liberty suspension problems

494 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2002 Jeep Liberty cite suspension, 27% of all 1,807 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 4 recalls on this component.

Complaints
494
27% of all complaints
Crashes
39
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
46
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the suspension

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 5, 2026Steering, SuspensionODI 11748340
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 26, 2024SuspensionODI 11616701
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 8, 2024Steering, Suspension, Service brakesODI 11570910
“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. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 20, 2020Suspension, Power train, Vehicle speed controlODI 11384239
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 24, 2020SuspensionODI 11350885
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 9, 2020SuspensionODI 11327985

Showing 6 of 494 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

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

4 recalls on this component

Suspension: hub

Free remedy

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 designed only for use on certain 2002 through 2005, 4X4, non-ABS, Jeep Liberty vehicles. These front wheel hub units can be mistakenly sold to owners and installed on 4X2 versions of the Jeep vehicles.

SuspensionReported Oct 22, 2012NHTSA 12E047000

Suspension: control arm

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Apr 9, 2009NHTSA 09V119000

Suspension: lower ball joint

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Aug 3, 2006NHTSA 06V288000

Suspension: lower ball joint

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Nov 10, 2003NHTSA 03V460000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026

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