2002 Jeep Liberty Problems, Recalls & Reliability
2,330 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2002 Jeep Liberty, alongside 14 recall campaigns and 10 defect investigations. It scores 100/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Airbags leads the reports, typically around 116,000 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2002 Jeep Liberty sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 2009–2011.
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Where 2002 sits among all Liberty years
What owners report
“Air bag light comes on intermittently. I had the r06/nhtsa 15v-046 recall for the orc completed on 9/14/17 and the light still comes on.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Liberty
“Lower all joint recall in jan.04. Sept 04 i have it in the shop again for ball joint problem.also had the a/c tensioner fixed twice.this is an 02 jeep liberty sport.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Liberty
“The lights on my jeep liberty turn completely off while driving. The driver must turn on and off the lights to get them to come back on. There is a clicking sound when the problem occurs as if the lights are turning off based on a timer or something. Hard to reproduce this issue, therefore its been…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Liberty
“Tl - the contact owns a 2002 jeep liberty. The contact received a recall notice for nhtsa campaign number: 13v252000 (fuel system, gasoline, structure); however, the part was unavailable and the dealer did not know when it would arrive. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Liberty
“Was driving down the highway and quit. Had towed to shop and they said the engine was shot.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Liberty
“While driving 35 mph around a curve the vehicle tipped over on two wheels without warning while on dry pavement. Nlm”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Liberty
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 1,317 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 83,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 52,000 and 124,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (14)
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…
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…
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.
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…
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…
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…
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,…
Fix: Timken has notified retail stores that have received the subject parts. The front wheel hubs will be replaced free of charge. Owners who may have purchased the affected units should contact Timken…
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…
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.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY…
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
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.
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.
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO.…
Fix: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO…
Fix: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE…
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST,…
Fix: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT…
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.
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…
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.
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…
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE DRIVER'S SIDE KNEE BLOCKER TRIM PANEL ASSEMBLY CAN DISENGAGE, FALL, AND STARTLE THE OPERATOR.
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…
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 15V043000.
Led to recall campaign 13V252000.
Led to recall campaign 12V527000.
Led to recall campaign 09V119000.
Led to recall campaign 06V288000.
Technical service bulletins
94 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on body & structure and electrical — are on file for the 2002 Jeep Liberty. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2002 Liberty TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2002 Jeep Liberty reliable?
The 2002 Jeep Liberty drew 2,330 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 100/100, scored against the model's worst year (2002).
What are the most common 2002 Jeep Liberty problems?
The top reported problems for the 2002 Jeep Liberty are airbags (551 complaints), suspension (527), and electrical (174).
At what mileage do 2002 Jeep Liberty problems show up?
Owners most often report 2002 Jeep Liberty problems around 83,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 52,000 and 124,000 miles.
Does the 2002 Jeep Liberty have recalls?
14 recall campaigns apply to the 2002 Jeep Liberty. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.