Suspension Noise problems of the 2002 Jeep Liberty

The contact owns a 2002 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while making a turn and driving approximately 2 mph, a loud clunking noise emitted from the front end as the vehicle collapsed towards the ground. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed that the front lower ball joint assembly fractured. In 2006, the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 03v460000 (suspension) however, failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

The contact owns a 2002 Jeep Liberty. While driving 5 mph and making a turn, a loud clunking noise emitted from the front end of the vehicle. The front passenger side lower ball joint detached completely. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road and remained at that location. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 03v460000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.

The contact owns a 2002 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated there was a loud banging noise coming from the front of the vehicle intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that there was extensive corrosion and rust. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the both ball joints and the lower control arms needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was not included in NHTSA recall campaign number: 12e047000 (suspension ), 09v119000 (suspension), 06v288000 (suspension) and 03v460000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 172,000.

The contact owns a 2002 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that there was a clunking noise heard when driving over road bumps. In addition, the vehicle would sway back and forth abnormally. The failure occurred when driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the upper ball joints needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed that due to the upper ball joint failure, the lower ball joints were also being damaged. In addition, the tie rods were worn. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign id number 03v460000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 09v119000 (suspension:front:control arm). The failure mileage was 123,000.

The contact owns a 2002 Jeep Liberty. While driving approximately 10 mph making a right turn, the vehicle made a grinding noise, lunged forward, and stopped in the middle of an intersection. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the ball joints on the front passenger side failed and damaged the front passenger side tire. The vehicle was repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 06v288000 (suspension), 12v527000 (air bags) and 15v046000 (air bags); however, the parts needed to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

I had just backed out of a parking space in a busy parking lot, drove forward about 20 feet going no more than 7-10 mph, then made a left - still within the parking lot. When turning, I heard a grinding noise, then suddenly, the front end of my 2002 Jeep Liberty renegade collapsed onto the front tire of the driver's side. The upper ball joint of the vehicle had completely separated, knocking the wheel off in the process. This incident occurred in the late afternoon on a Sunday (when mechanics are not open). Aaa towed the Jeep to a local garage nearby; however, on Monday morning, I called Chrysler to file a complaint about what had happened. My call was picked up by an overseas customer service rep. He told me that if I could have the car towed to a Chrysler dealer, they would see what they could do about covering the repair, but to call back after they'd spoken with the dealer. Later that afternoon, I called back. Long story short, my call was escalated to a guy in detroit, who at first said that the call center rep had no business suggesting that my repair would be covered. When I told him I have photos of what happened to the car, he authorized the repair. The dealer had to replace the upper control arm and ball joint, and the brake line which was severed when the front end collapsed! I asked the dealer for the defective parts. He said Chrysler would want them because they were covering it "under warranty. " this is a major defect and safety issue - one of many in the 2002 Jeep Liberty. I shudder to think what would have happened if I had pulled out onto the busy highway! while I was happy that Chrysler covered this cost, the car needed further adjustments when it was returned to me as the suspension felt loose and the vehicle was pulling to the left and shaking. The dealer said these were all unrelated (?!), and charged me for those repairs.

Rear end differential/suspension and or brakes/wheels makes grinding noise when front wheels are turned, puting rear wheels in a situation of different tire rotation at low speeds, sounding like rear brakes are dragging. Dealer has already replaced rear brakes and turned down drums. Noise still exist. Dealer stated in writing that they were awaiting a service bulletin to correct defect.