This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Left driver side, upper ball joint separated from control arm. Wheel collapsed outward. Fortunately, it happened after leaving the interstate driving 70 miles per hour. Entering service station wheel collapsed. Happened to talk to an individual who was aware of the problem. Individual said that this is a current and on going problem with today's vehicles. The front components are being designed so they cannot be maintained properly. Lack of grease fittings, pressed in joint design on ball joints to control arm, instead of re enforced with bolts or other safe measures. Individual stated that it is occurring on most all makes and models. Instead of just replacing the defected ball joint, the control arm, with no other defect, but this, has to be replaced, costing even more money. Has been reported, that deaths have occurred. The mental impact and feeling insecure after a fix is ongoing. I see more deaths and accidents occurring because of this problem. Thank you.
The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start and no warning lamps were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who diagnosed that the steering column was fractured and causing the ignition switch to malfunction. As a result, the steering needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 92,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Liberty. The contact attempted to start the vehicle but the key would not turn in the ignition. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the contact was advised that the steering column, ignition switch and lock cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.
My stepdaughter was driving her 2003 Jeep Liberty in her grandmother's driveway when she heard a loud thunk causing the vehicle to come to a stop due to the driver's side front tire separating from the vehicle. We changed the front driver side ball joint and control arm due to failure and tire separation from the vehicle. It was well that my step daughter was not travelling on the highway at a faster rate of speed because that surely would have ended with a more serious result. I see that there have been three recalls related to the control arm and ball joints. This particular vehicle was purchased from a private individual that actually had taken the vehicle in for the recall in 2006, but it seems that the problem has not been resolved. I'm very much concerned for my step daughter's safety while operating a motor vehicle and I hope that something can be done soon to correct this problem.
The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that when she inserted the key into the ignition, it would not turn. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who stated that a piece of the steering column broke and was preventing the key from turning. The mechanic stated that the unless something long was stuck into the ignition like a screwdriver, the ignition could not be turned over. The mechanic called the manufacturer who stated that they were no longer making the part needed for repair and the entire steering column needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 80,400. Updated 03/22/11 updated 05/05/11
- East Strasburg, PA, USA
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For the past month or so, my steering wheel ignition locking mechanism has been nerve racking. I put the key in, but it doesn't even turn...almost like I am using the wrong key. If I jiggle a bit it will work...but last night nothing was working. Now - my steering column is locked, so I can't even attempt to spin the steering wheel while I try the key. It has been towed, which now will cost me an arm and a leg I am sure to fix. I have researched online and was surprised to see how many people are complaining about the same thing. We are all having the exact same problems. I have read things like broken shift interlock cable, broken ignition rod, etc... I am puzzled why this hasn't been brought to the surface and there is no recall. This is dangerous especially for those that have young children, like myself, incase I am stranded in the middle of nowhere. Who knows what lowlife would cross my path all because Jeep was aware of this problem and hasn't so much as even recognized the issue. I will never buy a Jeep again.
My 2003 Jeep Liberty will not start. I replaced the key lock component 4 months ago. Now, my dealer is telling me that I need an entire steering column at the cost of $1000. I am not alone go to www.topix.com/forum/autos/Jeep-Liberty/T4edn8hgld2H8123L/P3 for a wealth of similar complaints. How can this not be a recall? the problem seems to exist to the newest of Jeep Liberty. The part is in on a 1-2 month back order. I am very stressed out over this. My VIN # is incorrect because it is at the dealer and I don't have access to it.
This is a problem with my 2003 Jeep Liberty. Difficulty turning key in ignition. Steering wheel must be forced to turn to the right. Dealer says that the steering column must be replaced due to bearing seizure. Cost = $630. This is a dangerous situation and should cause a recall. Checking various forums, numerous people have had difficulty with ignition and steering column problems.
On Friday June 12th, 2009, my wife was driving our 2003 Jeep Liberty home. After stopping for a stop sign, she turned to the left and immediately the upper front ball joint gave way.(it was completely rusted on the inside) the Jeep has 42087 miles on it. Fortunately my wife was going very slow, otherwise there is no telling how severe an accident could have occurred. Chrysler/Jeep said that there has been no recalls on this particular model, yet I found a April 15, 2009 posting on the internet saying that there have been recalls for the upper control arm ball joints (recall N. J17) on models sold in the "salt belt states". we are in Pennsylvania. I've had the part replaced but would caution other Jeep Liberty owners about a potentially serious problem.
There wasn't an incident/failure in this case, however I am hoping to prevent one from occurring. Over 950 people have the same part (a power steering hose) on back order. If that many people have had to order this part, isn't it defective" meanwhile, well over 900 of us continue to drive a Jeep in which the steering can go out at any moment, causing how many potential injuries and deaths" I think this should be looked into-it is definitely a safety hazard.
2003 Jeep Liberty - lower ball joints replaced on recall notice now I have been advised that the upper ball joint needs replacing. I have read that this is a known problem but no recall has been implemented yet.
Making a right-hand turn from work parking lot the front right wheel control arm split in half causing the right wheel buckle. Control arm, knuckle suspension and ball joints were replaced. Contacted Chrysler at the time and told that there was no recall concerning those parts. My mechanic thought the part might have been faulty.
The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Liberty. While driving approximately 55 mph, the contacts grandson heard a loud breaking noise and the steering immediately locked, causing him to lose control of the vehicle. The rear passenger side tire detached from the vehicle; however, he was able to avoid a crash and successfully stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local garage. A police report was filed. A professional technician inspected the vehicle and noticed that the front and rear axles were corroded for a very long time, which caused them to fail. The insurance company stated that the vehicle was completely destroyed. The dealer did not provide any assistance. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign id number 06V288000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint), but the contact never received a recall notice. The manufacturer sent an investigator to inspect the vehicle and it was discovered that there was no correlation between the failure and the recall. The manufacturer is refusing to assume any liability for any of the damaged components caused by the failure. The vehicle has not been repaired and the contact has pictures of the failed component. The failure and current mileages were 61,000. Updated 05/06/08 the consumer had brusing on his shoulder. Updated 04/01/11
The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Liberty. In December of 2006, while driving 55 mph, the steering wheel began to shake uncontrollably. The contact was unable to immediately stop the vehicle. There was snow on the ground at the time of the failure. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. Most recently, while driving 35 mph, the steering wheel began to shake uncontrollably and the vehicle rolled over and crashed into a ditch. Three passengers were injured and the vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. On both occasions, the air bags failed to deploy. The contact informed the insurance company that there was something wrong with the steering wheel, however, they were unable to determine the cause of the crash. The vehicle was towed. The current mileage was 94,000 and failure mileage was 87,000.
- the contact received recall 06V288000 on 10/25/06, for 2003 Jeep Liberty. The contact stook the vehicle to dayton Jeep, and was told that they didn't have parts available to make the repairs. The dealer did not give her an appointment at that time. The contactried on numerous occasions to get an appointment, and the dealership still refused to setup T an appointment. Also, the contact was having steering problems during all types of weather, especially under rainy conditions.
Contact received a recall notice for the lower ball joint and had the repair work done. Seven months later the ball joint failed again while the vehicle owner's son was driving at 35 mile mph. The ball joint failed while driving over a bridge, and T vehicle was damaged. Vehicle had to be towed to the owners home, and then to the dealership for repairs. The wheel and brakes, both fell off the vehicle. The police were called. However no report was filed because there was no crash. Repairs were done.. the owner noticed that before the ball joint failed. There was too much play in the steering. When the wheel is turned it takes the tire a minute to catch up. The owner is concerned that the ball joint is about to go out again. The replacement parts do not seem to be any different than the original parts. The caller heard a report of a lady dying with the same problem in her vehicle.
Transmission is leaking, brakes squeal when you are backing up. They say it is from dew. It's in the garage at night. The steering is my main concern.it pulls so hard to the right. It's an accident waiting to happen.
When turning corners the vehicle's steering wheel be came very stiff as if there wasn't any power steering. This problem has occurred at least seven times. The dealer could not duplicate the problem. The manufacturer is aware of the problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Shepherdsville, KY, USA