Model year
2002 Jeep Liberty
NHTSA lists 8 recalls and 1,808 complaints for the 2002 Jeep Liberty (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are AIR BAGS (489), SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT (298), SUSPENSION (95). NHTSA lists 10 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 16–17 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,950–$4,200, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2002 1,808 complaints
- 2008 541 complaints
- 2009 108 complaints
- 2010 197 complaints
- 2011 181 complaints
- 2012 385 complaints
Recalls
15V046000 · Jan 28, 2015
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured January 9, 2001, to March 28, 2003, 2002-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 13, 2001, to May 23 2003, and 2003-2004 Dodge Viper vehicles manufactured November…
13V252000 · Jun 19, 2013
STRUCTURE; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles. The fuel tanks in these vehicles are at risk of failure and leakage in certain rear impacts.
12V527000 · Nov 8, 2012
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE; AIR BAGS
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2002 and 2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured January 9, 2001, through March 28, 2003, and 2002 through 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 13, 2001, through May 23, 2003. A component in the air bag control module…
09V119000 · Apr 9, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 42,469 MY 2002-2003 JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN SALT BELT STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY,…
06V288000 · Aug 3, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE CONSTANT TENSION FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS MAY EXPERIENCE CONTAMINATION. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD WITH THIS CONDITION, THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE WEAR AND LOOSENESS.
03V460000 · Nov 10, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS CAN EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF LUBRICATION THAT CAN LEAD TO CORROSION, ACCELERATED WEAR, AND POSSIBLE SEPARATION FROM THE STEERING KNUCKLE.
01V373000 · Dec 5, 2001
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE FRONTAL OFFSET COLLISION, SHARP EDGES ON THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE BRACKET COULD CUT THE FRONT IMPACT SENSOR WIRING INSULATION CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE WIRING.
01V311000 · Oct 4, 2001
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE DRIVER'S SIDE KNEE BLOCKER TRIM PANEL ASSEMBLY CAN DISENGAGE, FALL, AND STARTLE THE OPERATOR.
Complaints
1,808 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 174, fire flag on 21, injury field 183, deaths field 4. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE05046 | FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE MALFUNCTION · SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | Aug 26, 2005 | Dec 27, 2005 |
| EA05022 | FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE MALFUNCTION · SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | Dec 27, 2005 | Dec 21, 2006 |
| EA06008 | FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT SEPARATION · SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT | May 31, 2006 | Aug 24, 2006 |
| PE07062 | UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION · SUSPENSION; SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT | Dec 17, 2007 | Apr 18, 2008 |
| EA08008 | UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION · SUSPENSION; SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT | Apr 15, 2008 | Apr 16, 2009 |
| PE11013 | Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure · SUSPENSION:REAR | Apr 18, 2011 | Sep 15, 2011 |
4 more actions are in the file and are not listed in this table.
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty 2WD · 3.7L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 19 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| Liberty 2WD · 3.7L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 20 | 17 | — | — | $3,950 |
| Liberty 4WD · 3.7L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 18 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| Liberty 4WD · 3.7L · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 20 | 17 | — | — | $3,950 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2002 Jeep Liberty at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.