Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - DISC - PADS
050010401/13/2004050030310005562The customer may experience a rear brake moan-like sound during light or no brake application pressure. *mn03/03/2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
05030404/01/200410006586Domestic front disc brakes pad kit availability. *tt05/06/2004
050030308/15/200310003533Rear disc brake moan-like sound. *tt10/22/2003

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - ANTILOCK
03/14/200526400202/03/2003
 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. *ak
01/29/200422000212/28/2002
 I was driving down a 2 lane country road, within speed limit, road conditions excellent. i have a pristine driving record. i rounded a bend and was approaching the straightaway and although i steered to straighten the vehicle, my jeep continued to go to the right. i turned the wheel harder to correct the direction and the jeep veered to the left into the oncoming traffic lane. i managed to get the car back to the right side of the road, but the car hit the gully on the side of the road and crashed into a tree stump. although i applied the brakes the car felt like it skidded to the right and the antilock brakes didn't engage. when i crashed into the side of the road i broke the front wheel and damaged the rear wheel, broke the lower control arm, damaged the suspension and steering knuckle, and did some body damage. when i queried the dealer about how this could happen, they said they knew of no defects on the 2003 liberty. after finding the information on the internet about the lower control arm/ball joint recall, and calling the dealer again with this info, the dealer said, oh yeah, they knew about that, but don't pay much attention to recalls. i had the car serviced by my dealership on 12/16/03, the day after the recall notices were supposedly sent to customers (i still haven't received one as of 2/3/03), but they never mentioned the recall or scheduled the replacement of the defective part. i am available for contact if there are others out there who have experienced similar failures.*ak
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - DISC - PADS
06/10/200315007
 Bought the 2003 jeep liberty brand new in may, 2003. now a year and seven months later, we still have squealing brakes. the dealer in wichita has replaced the pads 2 or 3 times, and re-surfaced the pads once or twice. they've now decided that they will need to replace the back brakes, including the roters. these parts have been ordered, and we are waiting to have this work done. additionally, the automatic transmission started downshifting hard from 3rd gear to second gear, and down to first gear. they replaced some parts in the transmission, and this problem appears to be fixed. we'll see! they blamed the rusting brakes to humidity...the car now has only 7,200 miles on it, and has been kept inside the garage every night of it's existence. the dealer claims that all the squealing and rusting of the brakes are due to the humidity in the air. we live in the exact middle of the us in kansas. there's not a lot of moisture in the air inside of my attached garage. this brake problem has been ongoing from mid 2003 to the present time in december of 2004. the car only has a little over 7000 miles on it...the dealer said that the problems might go down if we would drive the car more often. we would not recommend a jeep liberty to anyone we like.*ak
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - DISC - ROTOR
06/10/200315007
 Bought the 2003 jeep liberty brand new in may, 2003. now a year and seven months later, we still have squealing brakes. the dealer in wichita has replaced the pads 2 or 3 times, and re-surfaced the pads once or twice. they've now decided that they will need to replace the back brakes, including the roters. these parts have been ordered, and we are waiting to have this work done. additionally, the automatic transmission started downshifting hard from 3rd gear to second gear, and down to first gear. they replaced some parts in the transmission, and this problem appears to be fixed. we'll see! they blamed the rusting brakes to humidity...the car now has only 7,200 miles on it, and has been kept inside the garage every night of it's existence. the dealer claims that all the squealing and rusting of the brakes are due to the humidity in the air. we live in the exact middle of the us in kansas. there's not a lot of moisture in the air inside of my attached garage. this brake problem has been ongoing from mid 2003 to the present time in december of 2004. the car only has a little over 7000 miles on it...the dealer said that the problems might go down if we would drive the car more often. we would not recommend a jeep liberty to anyone we like.*ak
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - DRUM - SHOES/LININGS
06/10/200315007
 Bought the 2003 jeep liberty brand new in may, 2003. now a year and seven months later, we still have squealing brakes. the dealer in wichita has replaced the pads 2 or 3 times, and re-surfaced the pads once or twice. they've now decided that they will need to replace the back brakes, including the roters. these parts have been ordered, and we are waiting to have this work done. additionally, the automatic transmission started downshifting hard from 3rd gear to second gear, and down to first gear. they replaced some parts in the transmission, and this problem appears to be fixed. we'll see! they blamed the rusting brakes to humidity...the car now has only 7,200 miles on it, and has been kept inside the garage every night of it's existence. the dealer claims that all the squealing and rusting of the brakes are due to the humidity in the air. we live in the exact middle of the us in kansas. there's not a lot of moisture in the air inside of my attached garage. this brake problem has been ongoing from mid 2003 to the present time in december of 2004. the car only has a little over 7000 miles on it...the dealer said that the problems might go down if we would drive the car more often. we would not recommend a jeep liberty to anyone we like.*ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
10/08/2011112000
 Break line came apart in the middle beween th fire wall and the brake calipher
11/02/200642050103/15/2003
 Dt*: the contact stated while approaching a traffic light at 25 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled. the vehicle restarted, the automatic transmission was placed into drive, but the vehicle would not move. the vehicle was shut off and turned back on 4 times, before it was able to move. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, who could not duplicate the problem after performing a diagnostic test. the dealer informed the contact that all 4 tires were worn down unevenly and there were pieces of metal showing on the insides of the tires. also, it was determined that the brakes and rear rotors were worn, and needed to be replaced, along with all 4 tires. a nhtsa recall letter, #06v288000 on the vehicle, regarding the suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint was received. the parts needed to repair the vehicle were not available at the local dealership. the manufacturer confirmed the parts were not available. the contact was placed on a waitlist. the vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop who suggested that the recall work should be performed prior to getting all the other components replaced.
08/05/200534450403/15/2003
 I have had numerous problems with this jeep. always detected a rotten egg smell dealer claimed it was the gas. after 1 year of ownership driving it in pennsylvania i could not go up hill without losing ground and smelling something burning. dealer unable diagnose. then in 05 starting having brake grinding and squealing, dealer also claims this is normal operation. i have had to replace the water pump and the catalytic converter and only have 34,000 miles on the car. also had a problem with smoke coming from the rear drivers side tire and burning smell on two occasions, also dealer is unable to duplicate. i believe the 2003 liberties have a problem and no one is willing to check into it. chrysler does absolutely nothing to help. *nm
05/02/2004160001
 While braking, the steering wheel vibrated heavily. please provide more information. *jb
08/15/20037654
 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.
03/19/200464001
 When applying the brakes vehicle fish tailed. driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle. *ak
11/05/200350001
 While driving 50 mph vehicle lost control without warning. when consumer applied the brakes vehicle surged forward into a guard rail. air bags failed to deploy. driver sustained back injuries. *ak
01/04/2004190002
 While driving on snow and ice at 15 mph consumer came to an intersection and applied the brakes. however, brakes locked up, sending the vehicle through an intersection and into a field. also, brakes locked up on another occasion, sending the vehicle through another intersection. *ak
06/15/2003103/21/2003
 Brakes failed on 2003 jeep liberty and car ran into home. *ak
10/11/200370001
 When reversing out of the driveway at various speeds brakes would make a loud metal grinding noise when the consumer depressed the brake pedal. had taken vehicle to dealership, but the problem had not been resolved. *ak
1001
 The rear brakes had a continuous metal to metal sound. the dealership made several attempts to correct the problem, however the noise still existed. *jb
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK
06/19/2008410001
 I have a 2003 jeep liberty sport. in 5/06 i took my car to an independent brake repair garage ( s & k muffler brakes)since my car was making a terrible noise on backing up. this shop said that i needed a total rehaul of my brakes as they were frozen in the back drivers side. they told me that they would not fix my car that i only had 24,000 miles on it and the dealer should fix it as it was a defect and they sent me back to the dealer (even though i was out of warranty). i gave monicatti chrysler the paper (estimate) they gave me and i paid for a brake job $165.00 but they did not fix everything that the independent shop said they should. later chrysler llc paid me back the $165.00 when i filed a complaint. on 6-19-08 with only 15,000 more miles on the car i went to get new tires at belle tire. they showed me that on my rear brake i had 80-90% on the passenger side and only about 2% on the rear drivers side. they told me that the brake was still seized up on the rear left brake and that it was almost 100% worn and that the caliper could come out and i would lose all of my brake fluid. they told me i did not have to have it fixed there but i should not be driving the car. i parked it and had it fixed there the next day. there is something wrong in the manufacturing of the rear brakes and i am reporting it to you as i do not want anyone killed when they lose all of their brakes. i called jeep and was told there were no recalls for the brakes or silent recalls for the brakes (6-23-08). i spoke to mark and then to scott in customer service at jeep. here i am traveling on freeways etc., with no brakes and did not know it. i just had them re done on 8/04/06 so why would i think that anything is wrong. i have all of the bills for all of the above. *tr
08/01/20051
 Dt: the contact stated the brakes roared when they were applied. the problem persisted for the past three months. during the past few weeks the noise became louder. she took the vehicle to the dealer once for the brakes. the dealer did not do any diagnostic testing or service on the vehicle. the manufacturer was contacted, and they referred her to the nhtsa. *ak
10/07/200524000206/02/2003
 Dt: the contact owns a 2003 jeep liberty renegade. on october 7, 2005 it was raining and it caused the vehicle to hydro-plane. while driving at 45 mph the brakes skidded, and the contact was unable to control the steering. this caused the vehicle to hit a tree. when she hit the tree both frontal airbags failed to deploy. the contact sustained injuries, and unable to return to work for the time being. the vehicle is currently at the dealership. the manufacturer said that the airbags had to meet certain conditions before they would deploy. the insurance company claimed that vehicle hit in a way that the airbag sensor should have picked it up. the contact requested that the insurance company and manufacturer should investigate it. *ak
01/26/200554000109/05/2002
 At 54,000 miles the vehicle suffered a complete failure of the passenger side rear brake adjuster, causing additional damage to the brake hardware for that wheel including the total loss of the emergency shoe. because of the extent of the damage and, the unusual amount of corrosion found by the dealer, they insist on replacing much of the rear brake hardware on both sides at a personal expence of around $800 (brakes are only warranted for 1 year or 12,000 miles by jeep). about 10,000 miles and 6 months prior to this incident, new emergency shoes had been installed and worked well for 4 months when banging noises, dragging, lurching and, pulling began with increasing frequency up to the time i took it back to the dealer for the second time on the date i list here; the dealer had found nothing the prior time i complained. there appears to be an issue with critical brake parts corroding extensively and failing in a short period of time under what are considered normal driving conditions for the ne part of the country. there may also be an issue with the tolerance of replacement brake parts that are supposed to be factory authorized components. at any rate, i am not the first to complain about brake hardware problems associated with the 2003 jeep liberty. i have read references to corrosion related brake failures here and at other sites. given the way the vehicle behaved intermittently and the failure of the dealer to find it early, a potentially dangerous and needlessly expensive situation exists in at least the early production 2003 libertys (i bought one of the first available ones that year and noticed a rash of complaints on this subject beginning last summer). *ak
11/13/2004112/01/2003
 While brakes were applied at 60 mph to slow vehicle down vehicle continued at same speed. pulled vehicle over when more pressure was applied to brakes. an odor was coming from the brakes.*ak
03/03/2003201
 There was squealing, when driving and turning the steering wheel. after taking it to the dealer, no defects were found. the rear brakes were inspected. no contact with the manufacturer.*ak
04/15/200439212/03/2002
 At 30.890 miles rear brakes locking up, extream hot temps. burning smell and smoke coming up through the back wheels. the caliper was coverd but i got slamed with a bill of $500.00 for the cutting of the roters and replacing of pads. this system is 4wheel disc-anti/lock. i have 39.000 miles and the others side of is doing the same thing. the dealer at ocean jeep just called and said i have to pay $100.00 deductable on this repair. this was my first brand new car, and i dont have anything good to say.*ak
01/04/200417984103/17/2003
 I have a 2003 jeep liberty limited with 4 wheel anti-lock disc brakes. they have performed as designed on snow and ice until today when they did lock up and would not release. i was driving on a hill with 4 wheel drive engaged, braked and they locked. harder pressure would not get them to pulsate and release/lock/release as designed. i skidded through a stop sign and off the road and only regained control by accelerating out of the skid. no damage or injury. *la
11/28/2003110/30/2002
 Jeep liberty failed to stop, brakes locked up and caused skid into rearend of another vehicle.*ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - CALIPER
10/13/200547846110/30/2002
 Tl* - the contact received recall letter 06v288000 for the lower ball joint on a 2003 chrysler jeep liberty. she was put on a waiting list on 11/21/06, but the contact has not heard from the dealer. the contact stated that in october 2003, she began to have brake problems. the contact stated she was having difficulty putting the vehicle in reverse gear because she would hear grinding noises which, happened intermittently. the contact took the vehicle to dealer for repair on 10/13/05, and the failure was diagnosed as the left rear caliper freezing and causing the left rear brake pad to damage the rotor. updated 1/30/2007 - *nm
05/31/200632000103/31/2003
 Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to apply brake pressure at various speeds the vehicle vibrated. this occurred without warning during normal braking on normal roads. the manufacturer was alerted however no inspections have been made. the calipers caused the rotors to warp. updated 06/19/06. *jb
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - PADS
09/22/20034000107/07/2003
 The transmission is leaking and the car has only 4,000 miles on it. also, the rear wheels are making a loud squeal when driving the car for the first time of the day. dealer said wheel noise is due to a needed rebuild of disc brakes and the manufacturer is aware of the problem. i am on a waiting list to get my brakes fixed. however, the tranny should not be leaking at only 4,000 miles. *jb
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - ROTOR
08/01/2006208/01/2006
 2003 jeep liberty making a terrible grinding noise. customer states that the grinding noise is loud and sounds like metal scraping metal. consumer was informed that the sound was from the rear brakes. *kb the consumer stated the rear brakes were replaced and the noise went away for a few weeks, but then it returned. an anti-squeal compound was applied to the rear brakes and again, the noise went away for a few weeks. the problem was caused by worn rotors on the rear brakes and in order for the problem to be corrected, the rear rotors and the rear park shoes needed to be replaced. *jb
11/02/200642050103/15/2003
 Dt*: the contact stated while approaching a traffic light at 25 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled. the vehicle restarted, the automatic transmission was placed into drive, but the vehicle would not move. the vehicle was shut off and turned back on 4 times, before it was able to move. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, who could not duplicate the problem after performing a diagnostic test. the dealer informed the contact that all 4 tires were worn down unevenly and there were pieces of metal showing on the insides of the tires. also, it was determined that the brakes and rear rotors were worn, and needed to be replaced, along with all 4 tires. a nhtsa recall letter, #06v288000 on the vehicle, regarding the suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint was received. the parts needed to repair the vehicle were not available at the local dealership. the manufacturer confirmed the parts were not available. the contact was placed on a waitlist. the vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop who suggested that the recall work should be performed prior to getting all the other components replaced.
09/26/200647600110/01/2003
 Dt*: the contact stated while at the dealer for recall repair, the dealer noticed the rotors were corroded and replaced all four rotors.
06/28/200429000111/22/2003
 I took my 2003 jeep liberty that i purchased november 22.2003 in for a service checkup and with 29000 miles on the car i was told that half of the rear rotors were rusted away, and only half the brake pad was hitting the brakes. i have had many vehicles in my 52 years of life and i have never had this occur. of course chrysler refuses to admit that they are using an inferior metal product and will not stand behind the what i believe to be dangerous rotors. i have a file number at chrysler which is 12412856. i had the rotors changed at my expense but i believe they are cutting corners in a very vital part of the car. i would appreciate a response. gerry vesely. *ak
06/21/20041
 At less than 19,000 miles (@ 50% highway) the brake rotors on three wheels are corroded and pitted. his has caused the brake pads to wear very thin. the rotor and pad on the front right wheel are ok and wearing normally. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DRUM - SHOES/LININGS
08/01/2006208/01/2006
 2003 jeep liberty making a terrible grinding noise. customer states that the grinding noise is loud and sounds like metal scraping metal. consumer was informed that the sound was from the rear brakes. *kb the consumer stated the rear brakes were replaced and the noise went away for a few weeks, but then it returned. an anti-squeal compound was applied to the rear brakes and again, the noise went away for a few weeks. the problem was caused by worn rotors on the rear brakes and in order for the problem to be corrected, the rear rotors and the rear park shoes needed to be replaced. *jb
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - PEDALS AND LINKAGES
08/26/2006004/01/2003
 Tl*-the contact has a 2003 jeep liberty that has been recalled due to problems with the ball joints. the dealership is informing her that they do not have the parts in stock. the dealership informed the contact that the parts are in back order. it has been 3 weeks since the client has heard from the dealership.
01/19/200625000111/02/2005
 Dt*: the contact stated the brake and accelerator pedal are too close together. this caused an accident, while backing the contact hit another vehicle. this occurred while braking, but is unaware if the accelerator pedal was applied. there was a police report taken at the scene. *nm