Driveshaft problems of the 2002 Jeep Liberty

The front drive shaft and differentail assembly locked up causing the car to shake violently and smoke from oil coming from the busted seal . Luckly the driver was able to stop immediately on a busy interstate. This is very uncommon according to 2 dealers and 3 repair garages, obviously a defective part. There had been no leakage in the past 2 months or shaking/swaying when driving at any speed checked and there has been a back order on this part from Dodge for the past 3-4 months so there seems to be a problem. We were lucky this defective part did not cause a terrible accident I called Chrysler they said this has not been recalled, but reiterated this was very uncommon.

Consumer has had to replace shocks, drive shaft, brakes and all four tires since purchase. The tires were worn and the noisy were struts, a constant thumping sound was heard when the vehicle was in motion, creaking noise were coming from the front of the vehicle when going over bumps due to the front sway bar bushings, the regulator on the passenger door was noisy, the handle on the passenger door was loose, grinding noise on the front passenger side, the passenger front door's weather strip was coming off, loud noise coming from the rear differential bearings, excessive play in the front tie ends, water under the driver's side carpet, rattling in the speaker on the passenger side, when in 4th high and 4th low, the vehicle felt as if it were in neutral, the cigarette lighter was inoperative, the was a squeak in the steering wheel when turning, the engine idled loud, the vehicle would jump when shifting into gear, there was a delay when braking, the axle boot was leaking.

The first incident happened back when I first got my Jeep right before the warranty was about to expire. It was running fine and had no indication that anything was wrong. It was around the 35,000 mile mark. I was driving to work and my Jeep just stalled on me. I pulled off to the side of the road, tried to start it again, and nothing. So I called the dealership who told me to call the 800# for the tow truck (which took 2 hours at 20 degrees. . . . No heat. . . Not good). I found out that was actually a piston and a rocker-arm along with many other little parts that needed to be fixed in the engine. . . . . . . So major engine repair. The Jeep was in the shop for a couple of weeks. After it was fixed all was well. . . . . Until the breakdown from the recall. . . . That is my next complaint. . . . Stay tuned!!! :).

Purchased 4/02 and by 7/02 with approx. 6,000k experienced hard downshifting when stopping as well as between gears. Dealer service "removed burrs from driveshaft". Returned for service 8/02 with same problem. Again "removed burrs from driveshaft". On 3rd visit in 9/02 I was told they couldn't repair anything and that" the vehicle had a programmable transmission and it's memory was likely responding to a previous similar driving session". . . Hence the gear slamming! returned 4th time 2 weeks later and this time was told there were no recalls on the complaint and the dealer would file a complaint on my behalf to daimler/Chrysler and I'd be contacted when they heard something. I have not heard from anyone even after sending my own complaint letter to d/c in 11/02. Have also experienced many incidents of rear tires slipping and fishtailing in various road/weather conditions as well as constant right pull and have to fight steering wheel to drive straight.

2002 Jeep Liberty limited. I have replaced the engine, rebuilt the 4 -wheel drive shaft, replaced the a/c condenser and coil, and now the radio, dome lights, power locks are broken. The blower motor resistor has been replaced but now the blower motor is broken. What a lemon from day one. Latches on hatch not working correctly, mold smell from a/c. It is something all the time with this vehicle.

The vehicle exhibits loud low frequency vibrations @ 53mph. The driveshaft has been replaced after being declared out of balance. It is now at the dealership for the 5th time for this repair. Discussions with other Liberty owners indicates that this is not an isolated incident. A subsequent test drive of one other vehicle showed the same problem.

When vehicle goes between 50 and 53mph the car will begin to dramatically vibrate. I took it to the dealer where I purchased it (norwalk, CT) and they told me tires were out of whack & they rebalanced tires & said it was fixed. Obviously they did not test drive b/c problem still existed. Took car to pamby in ridgefield,CT and one of the owners test drove it and said nothing was wrong. Brought car back to them about 1 month later and 2 mechanics said yes, car does vibrate at 50mph. They took out drive shaft and put another one in from another Liberty sport & same problem happened. They then took out drive shaft and gave me my old one back. Service writer said he would contact Chrysler and get back to me with info. After 3 weeks and no call I went into dealership and was told that Chrysler had not called the service dept. Back yet. It has now been 6 weeks and still no answer from dealership or Chrysler!! I bought this car in good faith that it would be a safe and dependable vehicle! vehicle also now does vibrating at 70mph. Still curious as to when Chrysler will recall this and fix it correctly! dt.