Ignition problems of the 2003 Jeep Liberty

My key will not turn in the ignition of the 2003 Jeep Liberty. The steering column was not locked and I tried for about 20 minutes to jiggle/turn the wheel, jiggle the automatic transmission shifter, etc. The key was inserted fully because electrical came on to alert me that the key was in the ignition (when I opened the driver door the warning beeps came on to signify key still in ignition). The ignition simply would not turn. I had to have my car towed to a mechanic and have since learned from online research that this is a very common problem with Jeep Liberty's and many Chrysler products. The solutions seem to be patchwork workarounds that people have come up with independent of Chrysler's help.

I have an '03 Jeep Liberty and 2 years after we bought it, we started having trouble with the ignition cylinder. It started to freeze up and would not turn some times,until it got to the place it would not turn at all. So we took it to dade Jeep Chrysler in south miami,FL. . And so they replace the ignition cylinder and tunblers [supposedly]. And that was in '05 and here we are in '08, and we're having the same identical problem again. And their telling me I have to buy another ignition. The Jeep is just 5yrs. Old. I can remember when something like that would last the life of the vehicle.

While I was approaching an intersection (the speed limit was 45 mph), I tried to apply the brakes and they were locked. My steering was also locked that I couldn't turn. Thank god the signal just turned green for me as I coasted right through it and finally came to a stop on its own. I am very unhappy with this vehicle. I could have been in a serious accident, or better yet, dead! I no longer feel safe in this vehicle. My lease is up in 11 months and I will no longer purchase a daimler Chrysler vehicle.

The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that when attempting to start the vehicle, the ignition would seize and the steering wheel could not be turned. Also, when driving approximately 5 -25 mph, there was an abnormal clicking heard from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they advised the contact that the ignition needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred approximately four months later. The vehicle was repaired a second time but the repairs were made by the contact. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000. The VIN was unavailable.

While exiting red light the consumer vehicle oil light came on, then all the lights on the dash came on. Power steering went out and all controls. All power off. Car would start briefly and cut off. Car was totaled. Dealer notified.