30th May 2006, 16:28

May 30, 2006.

I just took my car in for the 2nd time to the dealer with a popping noise I was hearing when I turned the wheels. I just had it in last oil change and they said all it needed was to be lubed. wrong? this time it is my ball joint. Chrysler has just dropped their warranty from 7 yrs 70,000 miles to the standard 3 yr 36,000 miles this really upsets me. lucky I was covered. my husband and I just got back from a long rode trip over memorial day... i don't even want to think what could have happened? be careful... very careful. they should have made the consumer aware with a recall notice.

3rd Jun 2006, 11:39

My girlfriend and I were pulling out of a parking spot yesterday and the wheel went loose. We contacted the dealer and were told that the upper ball joint was not recalled for 2003 Liberty, only the lower ball joint. When you look at the ball joint where it separated from the rocker arm, it is dryed out and very worn out. The mechanic thinks that Chrysler should recall the upper also and is recommending the replacement of the driver's side... It will cost my girl $700 to get both sides replaced because Chrysler will not admit they have a problem with their steering\suspension parts...

5th Jun 2006, 12:39

As many others on here - I got very lucky as well - pulled into my driveway and the wheel snapped off - looks like the lower ball joint also. I have a 2003 Jeep Liberty Limited, which is 2 years and 11 months old with 15,000 miles. This should not be happening to a car that is hardly driven. I checked with Jeep.com and there was no recall for my VIN for this problem. I called Chrysler and the dude confirmed that my car was manufactured a couple of months after the cars that the recall applies to... I'm not buying it. Luckily it's still under warranty. I had a 1994 Jeep Wrangler prior to this, and never had a problem as serious as this. I am done with Chrysler. My next car will be an import.

6th Jun 2006, 22:44

Add me to the list.. I was going 65 on interstate 70 downtown Indianapolis and mine broke!!! 04 Renegade with 27k miles!

6th Jun 2006, 23:12

Hey guys... don't report things to Jeep... go to www.nhtsa.gov and make a report to them. Because they are the ones who make the makers do the recalls and such.

7th Jun 2006, 06:55

Jeep was much better before Chrysler started changing things.

The AMC designed YJ Wrangler and the Cherokee, were better built & more reliable than these "Jeepslers" they're building now. (Or is it "Chreeps")?

I sold my new Liberty Limited with only 7k miles on it and went back to a YJ Wrangler.

Now the brain trust at Chrysler has added insult to injury, by killing the best engine ever made- the 4.0 in-line six, and they're putting the 3.8 (mini-van?) engine in the Wrangler.

I wish Chrysler would sell the Jeep division to an automaker who has a clue.

How I miss Willy's & AMC!!!

13th Jun 2006, 20:29

On 5/5/06 I was pulling into the parking lot at work and had a catastrophic failure of the lower left ball joint on my 2003 Jeep Liberty Renegade. This failure caused the left front tire assembly to separate from my car, causing the left suspension to collapse and skidded/ground my car to a stop on the pavement. Had this happened to me ANYWHERE else in my daily commute I most likely would not be here writing this. After inspecting the bolt that sheared off, it was blatantly obvious that it had been broken over half of the cross section for many years and had finally snapped off. Half of the cross section of the bolt is worn rather smooth and is rusty. The other part is shiny and shows signs of a fresh break. The car is only 3 years old and this is obviously a manufacturing defect that was with the car from day one.

I filed an incedent with Chrysler, took the car locally to be inspected and was denied compensation. My build date is April 9, 2003 or April 14, 2003 (Chrysler gave me both so who knows) and the Recall No. C36 ended 3/25/2003. Coincidence, I think not!

I filed a complaint with NHTSA as well as with the Ohio Attorney General. If I don't get help soon, I might contact the local news organizations.

5th Jul 2006, 11:38

I have a 2005 Liberty, it is now in the shop for the third time for pulling to the right. The two dealers I have taken it to, have rotated the tires as a solution. I have explained to the dealer this time that it should not have to have a front-end alignment twice within one year and 21,000 miles that something else has to be causing this issue. I appreciate all the comments and information on this site.

Thanks.

12th Jul 2006, 02:12

When I purchased my 2004 Liberty in 03, it pulled to the right. I was told then that was the roads, I knew this not to be the case, but made them notate it and went on my merry way.

The problem has significantly degraded, additionally I have a similar grinding/squeaking noise when I apply the brakes. This problem has been ongoing. I thought I would confirm/add to your assertions, and recommend anyone else file a complaint as instructed above.

26th Jul 2006, 11:49

I have a 2004 Jeep Liberty with 28,872 miles. I was backing out of the drive way, heard a loud noise and the left front ball joint broke. The front wheel was falling off and up against the fender. Had to be towed to dealer to be replaced along with the front wheel, which luckily was covered by the warranty. Requested the dealer replace the right ball joint due to the defective ball joints being used by Chrysler since 2002. Dealer said he can only replace it when it breaks as Chrysler has not issued a recall on the 2004 Liberty's. Talked to Chrysler and was told that the dealer says the right one is safe and they will not replace it. This is my first jeep and I will be going back to Chevrolet.