Automatic Transmission problems of the 2002 Jeep Liberty

The contact owns a 2002 Jeep Liberty ltd edition. The contact stated that the driver was on a dirt road driving approximately 15 mph when she crossed over a creek. The vehicle came to a complete stop; however, the engine was still on. There were 3 people in the vehicle and one of the passengers in the back seat noticed that sparks were coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle caught fire and was destroyed. The failure and current mileages were 78,000. Updated 02/07/11 updated 02/11/11.

2002 Jeep Liberty speed sensor failure causes speedometer to stop working, engine to die while driving, loss of powersteering, loss of brakes, steering wheel locks up.

On Dec 8, 2008 I picked up my Jeep Liberty from my mechanic, he had replaced the transmission oil pan that rusted out and drained all the transmission oil out. On January 6, 2009 on my way to work early in the morning the transmission blew out totally, I was able to get back home and once again the mechanic has the Liberty replacing the transmission. I feel the transmission oil pan rusting out and leaking caused the transmission blowout a month later. The check engine light did come on in December and I had an appointment to have the engine looked at when the whole pan blew out. The transmission totally dropping in January could have caused a major accident if I were driving later, and I feel this could cause major accidents on the roadways across the nation. I have complained via the webpage at Jeep to no avail, this should be at least a recall on these vehicles.

The contact owns a 2002 Jeep Liberty. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle would not shift into third gear. The dealer stated that the plate sheared the bolts off the transmission, which caused the metal to enter the transmission. The dealer stated that the transmission needed to be rebuilt. As of August 31, 2007, the vehicle has not been repaired. The VIN and engine size were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 89,000.

Vehicle was purchased new. Mileage as of this date, 11/13/2005, is 50,035. At some point between 45k and 50k miles noticed a clunk which can be felt and heard when vehicle is moving forward and downshifting to low gear. Took vehicle to Lincoln trail Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge in marshall, IL. Mechanic who test drove vehicle admitted hearing and feeling hard downshift. Service manager, nick corey, recommended transmission flush. Also said problem could be caused by a sensor going bad. Checked transmission computer for codes, none found. Transmission flush did not alleviate problem. Will return to dealer for further service. I feel daimler/Chrysler should resolve and repair this problem before failure of the component(s) cause a crash and before the power train warranty expires. As noted from other complaints on this website, the problem has been experienced by numerous other Jeep Liberty owners of 2002, 2003 and 2004 models. At this point daimler/Chrysler should be aware of the problem and solution.

Jeep Liberty pulls to right, will stop dead in its tracks while in drive, hard to control, thumping noise, metal to metal grinding from front end, seat belts do not work properly, hard to start, front seat covers rippled, paint peeled on hood, tailgate, breaks only work some of the time, shakes and hard to control on speed above 35 mph, all interior weather stripping came off. Same complaints from 1/7/03 ball joints replaced on recall on 1/10/03 still had pulling to right problems, shaking,. Weather stripping all fell off on interior of car, acts like wheels are binding. 3/4/03 same complaints pulling to right, stops dead in its track, hard to control, wheels bind, dealer could not duplicate complaints (did not write up work order) 3/27/03 dealer installed interior weather stripping, same complaints as 1/10/03,3/4/03. Again on 6/2/03 took Jeep Liberty to dealer took a test drive could not verify complaints. Did not write up a work order. 1/16/04 Jeep Liberty hard to start, pulls to right, Jeep shakes & vibrates hard to control, seat belts do not work, seat rippling, car stops dead it its tracks, dealer fixed lower ball joints again on 2/13/04 at 23,850 miles. 2-13-04 picked up car from dealer still had same problems" dealer stated " this is how Jeeps drive" they are nuts! 11-04 dealer took test drive was still having problems claimed everything okay. Did not right up a work order. 5/27/05 had massive problems brakes would go to the floor, sometime would work and other time not. Took to nearest brake place pads, okay, but wheel cylinder leaked. Claim it could be a intermittent failure of master cylinder, called dealer ship no part available. 7/5/05 took to dealer again with same problems,r they had not even looked at it. Removed Jeep and took to private auto placed,ut with intermittent problems you could replace most of the parts on the car & you may not cure the problems.

2002 Jeep Liberty limited 4wd automatic transmission, loss of third gear due to breakage of valve body bolts in transmission accessible by removal of transmission pan. Shop foreman at hertich Jeep/Nissan (dover, DE) stated that the bolts were not of the correct strength, and that the new bolts supplied with the new valve body (still under warrantee) would be of the correct strength.

While driving, the vehicle felt as if it was in neutral. Upon getting up to 25 miles per hour, the consumer stated when she placed the vehicle in second gear she was able to go a little faster. The vehicle has 32000 miles on it. Consumer contacted the dealer and the manufacturer however, they are not willing to help. Please provide any further information. . . . .

First of all, I only have 39,100 miles on my Jeep Liberty. Having said that, on the date listed below it was found that my Jeep had a faulty valve spring in the 2nd cylinder. Cost me quite a bit of money to repair. How in the world does this happen to a brand new car with only a little over 39,000 miles on it? sound like faulty parts to me.

Hard downshifting of transmission, shifts to hard.

When driving down the highway, the transmission would occasionally surge, even with the cruise on. On June 19 the transmission would shift from first to second properly, then when it shifted from second to third, it would act like it was in neutral. Dealer says with 69000 miles on a 2002, it is not covered under warraty. Vehicle has never been taken off road (like designed) and not overworked.

I have a 2002 Jeep Liberty with automatic transmission. When slowing down the transmission downshifts very hard. We have taken it to the Jeep dealer (johny roberts-altus ok) and they cannot find the problem. I see the 2003's have this problem noted but not the 2002's.

Vehicle kicks when downshifting from 3rd to 2nd or 2nd to 1st gear. Almost rear-ended a vehicle due to defect. Car has been in shop repeatedly for this issue and no dealership can fix it. Transmission has been replaced. Computer has been reset and sensors have failed 3 times and replaced. Vehicle left us stranded.

While driving at 35 mph vehicle stalled, causing the consumer to pull off the road. Consumer had vehicle towed to a dealership. Mechanic told the consumer that transmission failed.

While coming to a stop in rainy weather vehicle started to slide. Contacted dealer, and the dealer was not willing to do anything. Tires (235-70-16)there is also a bang in the transmission when coming to a stop. There is no recall.

While driving 45 mph vehicle stalled. Consumer tried to restart vehicle vehicle but was unable to do so. Vehicle was pushed home by another vehicle. Consumer will contact dealer in the near future.