The 2002 Jeep Liberty has 10 recalls, the most serious involving front airbags, side curtain airbags, and seatbelt pretensioners that can deploy without any collision, startling the driver and raising the risk of a crash.
Two suspension recalls cover the front ball joints, both upper and lower, which can lose lubrication, corrode, wear, and eventually separate from the steering knuckle with little warning, causing sudden loss of steering control. Related to steering, the lower control arm ball joints face the same risk of separation and loss of directional control. On the structural side, the fuel tank can fail and leak fuel in certain rear-end collisions, creating a fire risk if an ignition source is present. In a severe frontal offset crash, a power steering pressure hose bracket can cut through the wiring to the front impact sensor, potentially delaying airbag deployment when it is needed. There is also a trim panel recall affecting vehicles built in a narrow window in mid-2001, where the driver's side knee blocker panel can fall loose and startle the driver. One recall covers a bilingual labeling requirement on the sun visor warning label.
At a glance
What can fail
Electrical interference can damage the airbag control module, causing front airbags, side airbags, and seatbelt pretensioners to deploy unexpectedly while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the airbag control module and side impact sensors at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The supplemental restraint system control unit may malfunction and cause the front airbag, side curtain airbag, and/or seatbelt pretensioner to deploy unexpectedly when the vehicle is not in a crash.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the SRS control unit and may install a corrective wiring harness.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel tank can fail or leak if the vehicle is hit from behind, potentially allowing fuel to spill.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the rear structure and install or replace the tow hitch with a Chrysler-designed hitch to protect the fuel tank, or repair any installation issues, all at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A part in the airbag control module can fail, causing front airbags, side curtain airbags, and seatbelt pretensioners to deploy unexpectedly while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a supplemental jumper harness to the airbag control module at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front upper ball joints may lose lubrication, causing corrosion and wear that could lead to separation, resulting in loss of vehicle control.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front suspension upper control arm assemblies.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Front lower ball joints can become contaminated, leading to corrosion and wear. This may cause the ball joint to separate from the steering knuckle, resulting in loss of steering control.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front lower ball joints.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front lower control arm ball joints can lose lubrication, causing corrosion and wear. A severely worn ball joint may separate from the steering knuckle, causing loss of steering control.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both front lower ball joints and install protective heat shields on the ball joint boots. Early 2003 models get both parts; later 2003 models are inspected first, then parts replaced as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The sun visor warning label is printed in English only instead of both English and French as required by safety regulations.
What the fix does
Owners will receive bilingual replacement labels by mail to apply over the existing English labels.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In a severe front-end collision, sharp edges on the power steering pressure hose bracket may cut the front impact sensor wiring insulation, causing an electrical short that could delay airbag deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will wrap the front impact sensor wire harness with protective insulation to prevent wiring damage during a crash.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's side knee blocker trim panel can become loose and fall, which may startle the driver.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the knee blocker trim panel with a new one.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
