Engine problems of the 2003 Jeep Liberty

I have a Jeep Liberty renegade 4x4 with only 38,000 miles on it. I was driving on the quickway (hwy 17 in middletown, NY) when my car dropped dead in the road with no indications of anything wrong with it. It had gas in it, it's fluids were all changed, etc. I found out later that the spring broke causing the rocker arm to drop out therefore causing major damage to my vehicle. Had I been driving in the passing lane or middle lane of the quickway, my son and I would have been dead particularly if a semi was behind us or a major crash if in either lanes. Fortunately, I was in the far right lane and could coast over to the right side of the road to relative safety. How can this happen in a car with only 38,000 miles on it? this, in my opinion is a safety defect in the vehicle. Chrysler should be forced to recall these cars and fix them. I called the dealer just recently and was told that Chrysler would pay for part of the repairs if I had the oil change receipts. My husband does all the maintenance on the vehicle, for the most part, he didn't keep the receipts. Also, there are major complaints on the internet about this happening and the dealerships also know about this defect in the 3. 7 and 4. 7 engines from 2002 to, I believe, 2007. So, I am sure that Chrysler knows about this. I am ready to take this information and head to the local newspapers to get them to put out this information and to put pressure on Chrysler and the dealerships. My Jeep has been sitting in the driveway since Dec 8th, 2010 because I do not have the money to fix it.

My wife was driving her 2003 Jeep Liberty in traffic approaching a stop light. She bumped into the car in front of her traveling at about 10 mph. It was such a minor bump that the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle burst into flames from the engine compartment she barely had enough time to escape. The car is a total loss and the car is completely burnt out inside.

While slowing down from any speed vehicle surged to a high rpm. Once the gear is put in neutral and placed back in drive vehicle goes back to normal. This problem happened ten to twelve times since may, 2004. Dealer has placed vehicle on a diagnostic machine but could not find the cause of the problem.

Ball joint failure three times. Emergency brake on five speed never has worked properly. Replace engine at 70,000. Now the card end joint for the four-wheel drive is not working correctly. My biggest complaint is the ball joint failure for the third time. This issue also causes chain reactions in the tires I have had three sets of tires wear uneven and I wrote the company the first time to complain and got no response. I use my Jeep to make my income and do not trust it any more. I do not recommend this vehicle to any one and will not pass it on to any family member.