2003 JEEP LIBERTY — Owner-Reported Problems

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-08-22 1,326 complaints · 13 recalls
Most-reported system: SUSPENSION (393 complaints · 29.6%)
Safety signals:
  • Crashes 132
  • Fires 10
  • Injuries 168
  • Deaths 3
Compare with 2002 →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Component Problem Distribution

Share of owner complaints filed for each vehicle system (unaffected by sales volume)

Component Problem Distribution SUSPENSION appears in 393 of 1,326 owner complaints (29.6%) in this vehicle snapshot. SUSPENSION: 393 complaints, 29.6% of reports SUSPENSION 393 · 29.6% · 27 crash reports AIR BAGS: 315 complaints, 23.8% of reports AIR BAGS 315 · 23.8% · 58 crash reports 1 fire reports FUEL SYSTEM: 94 complaints, 7.1% of reports FUEL SYSTEM 94 · 7.1% · 1 crash reports 2 fire reports STRUCTURE: 89 complaints, 6.7% of reports STRUCTURE 89 · 6.7% · 1 crash reports VISIBILITY: 81 complaints, 6.1% of reports VISIBILITY 81 · 6.1% · 1 fire reports ENGINE: 50 complaints, 3.8% of reports ENGINE 50 · 3.8% · 4 crash reports 3 fire reports POWER TRAIN: 49 complaints, 3.7% of reports POWER TRAIN 49 · 3.7% · 3 crash reports ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: 45 complaints, 3.4% of reports ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 45 · 3.4% · 1 crash reports 3 fire reports STEERING: 38 complaints, 2.9% of reports STEERING 38 · 2.9% · 10 crash reports UNKNOWN OR OTHER: 615 complaints, 46.4% of reports UNKNOWN OR OTHER 615 · 46.4% · 55 crash reports 2 fire reports 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER is an NHTSA classification artifact and is always listed last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
SUSPENSION 393 29.6% 27 crashes · 0 fires
AIR BAGS 315 23.8% 58 crashes · 1 fires
FUEL SYSTEM 94 7.1% 1 crashes · 2 fires
STRUCTURE 89 6.7% 1 crashes · 0 fires
VISIBILITY 81 6.1% 0 crashes · 1 fires
ENGINE 50 3.8% 4 crashes · 3 fires
POWER TRAIN 49 3.7% 3 crashes · 0 fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 45 3.4% 1 crashes · 3 fires
STEERING 38 2.9% 10 crashes · 0 fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 615 46.4% 55 crashes · 2 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-08-22 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Problem & Recall Timeline

Observed complaint volume and manufacturer recall actions over time

Problem & Recall Timeline Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jul 2002; the first recall shown was reported in Nov 2003. 2002-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2002-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2003-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2003-Q2: 11 owner reports 11 2003-Q3: 13 owner reports 13 2003-Q4: 14 owner reports 14 2004-Q1: 28 owner reports 28 2004-Q2: 11 owner reports 11 2004-Q3: 15 owner reports 15 2004-Q4: 12 owner reports 12 2005-Q1: 10 owner reports 10 2005-Q2: 10 owner reports 10 2005-Q3: 14 owner reports 14 2005-Q4: 11 owner reports 11 2006-Q1: 15 owner reports 15 2006-Q2: 20 owner reports 20 2006-Q3: 27 owner reports 27 2006-Q4: 91 owner reports 91 2007-Q1: 74 owner reports 74 2007-Q2: 21 owner reports 21 2007-Q3: 23 owner reports 23 2007-Q4: 8 owner reports 8 2008-Q1: 6 owner reports 6 2008-Q2: 18 owner reports 18 2008-Q3: 10 owner reports 10 2008-Q4: 10 owner reports 10 2009-Q1: 6 owner reports 6 2009-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2009-Q3: 17 owner reports 17 2009-Q4: 6 owner reports 6 2010-Q1: 12 owner reports 12 2010-Q2: 15 owner reports 15 2010-Q3: 20 owner reports 20 2010-Q4: 14 owner reports 14 2011-Q1: 12 owner reports 12 2011-Q2: 14 owner reports 14 2011-Q3: 8 owner reports 8 2011-Q4: 22 owner reports 22 2012-Q1: 13 owner reports 13 2012-Q2: 12 owner reports 12 2012-Q3: 14 owner reports 14 2012-Q4: 18 owner reports 18 2013-Q1: 11 owner reports 11 2013-Q2: 34 owner reports 34 2013-Q3: 34 owner reports 34 2013-Q4: 24 owner reports 24 2014-Q1: 20 owner reports 20 2014-Q2: 52 owner reports 52 2014-Q3: 73 owner reports 73 2014-Q4: 29 owner reports 29 2015-Q1: 37 owner reports 37 2015-Q2: 28 owner reports 28 2015-Q3: 37 owner reports 37 2015-Q4: 46 owner reports 46 2016-Q1: 40 owner reports 40 2016-Q2: 21 owner reports 21 2016-Q3: 21 owner reports 21 2016-Q4: 17 owner reports 17 2017-Q1: 9 owner reports 9 2017-Q2: 12 owner reports 12 2017-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2017-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2018-Q1: 12 owner reports 12 2018-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2018-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2018-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2019-Q1: 6 owner reports 6 2019-Q2: 4 owner reports 4 2019-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2019-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2020-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2020-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2020-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2020-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2021-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2021-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2022-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2022-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2022-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2023-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2023-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2023-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2024-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2025-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2026-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Jul 2002 Jan 2026 Recall campaign 03V460000 ◆ Recall campaign 03V460000 Recall campaign 06E026000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E026000 Recall campaign 06E049000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E049000 Recall campaign 06E065000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E065000 Recall campaign 06V288000 ◆ Recall campaign 06V288000 Recall campaign 09E012000 ◆ Recall campaign 09E012000 Recall campaign 09V119000 ◆ Recall campaign 09V119000 Recall campaign 09E039000 ◆ Recall campaign 09E039000 Recall campaign 12E047000 ◆ Recall campaign 12E047000 Recall campaign 12V527000 ◆ Recall campaign 12V527000 Recall campaign 13V252000 ◆ Recall campaign 13V252000 Recall campaign 15V046000 ◆ Recall campaign 15V046000 Recall campaign 15V673000 ◆ Recall campaign 15V673000 Investigation EA06008 ● Investigation EA06008 Investigation PE07062 ● Investigation PE07062 Investigation EA08008 ● Investigation EA08008 Investigation PE11013 ● Investigation PE11013 Investigation PE11035 ● Investigation PE11035 Investigation EA12001 ● Investigation EA12001 Investigation EA12005 ● Investigation EA12005 Investigation RQ14001 ● Investigation RQ14001
  • Campaign 03V460000 was reported 415 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 06V288000 was reported 1,412 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 09V119000 was reported 2,392 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 12E047000 was reported 3,684 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 13V252000 was reported 3,393 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 15V046000 was reported 4,171 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 15V673000 was reported 4,435 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2002-Q3 Owner reports 1
2002-Q4 Owner reports 1
2003-Q1 Owner reports 4
2003-Q2 Owner reports 11
2003-Q3 Owner reports 13
2003-Q4 Owner reports 14
2004-Q1 Owner reports 28
2004-Q2 Owner reports 11
2004-Q3 Owner reports 15
2004-Q4 Owner reports 12
2005-Q1 Owner reports 10
2005-Q2 Owner reports 10
2005-Q3 Owner reports 14
2005-Q4 Owner reports 11
2006-Q1 Owner reports 15
2006-Q2 Owner reports 20
2006-Q3 Owner reports 27
2006-Q4 Owner reports 91
2007-Q1 Owner reports 74
2007-Q2 Owner reports 21
2007-Q3 Owner reports 23
2007-Q4 Owner reports 8
2008-Q1 Owner reports 6
2008-Q2 Owner reports 18
2008-Q3 Owner reports 10
2008-Q4 Owner reports 10
2009-Q1 Owner reports 6
2009-Q2 Owner reports 5
2009-Q3 Owner reports 17
2009-Q4 Owner reports 6
2010-Q1 Owner reports 12
2010-Q2 Owner reports 15
2010-Q3 Owner reports 20
2010-Q4 Owner reports 14
2011-Q1 Owner reports 12
2011-Q2 Owner reports 14
2011-Q3 Owner reports 8
2011-Q4 Owner reports 22
2012-Q1 Owner reports 13
2012-Q2 Owner reports 12
2012-Q3 Owner reports 14
2012-Q4 Owner reports 18
2013-Q1 Owner reports 11
2013-Q2 Owner reports 34
2013-Q3 Owner reports 34
2013-Q4 Owner reports 24
2014-Q1 Owner reports 20
2014-Q2 Owner reports 52
2014-Q3 Owner reports 73
2014-Q4 Owner reports 29
2015-Q1 Owner reports 37
2015-Q2 Owner reports 28
2015-Q3 Owner reports 37
2015-Q4 Owner reports 46
2016-Q1 Owner reports 40
2016-Q2 Owner reports 21
2016-Q3 Owner reports 21
2016-Q4 Owner reports 17
2017-Q1 Owner reports 9
2017-Q2 Owner reports 12
2017-Q3 Owner reports 6
2017-Q4 Owner reports 5
2018-Q1 Owner reports 12
2018-Q2 Owner reports 5
2018-Q3 Owner reports 6
2018-Q4 Owner reports 4
2019-Q1 Owner reports 6
2019-Q2 Owner reports 4
2019-Q3 Owner reports 5
2019-Q4 Owner reports 5
2020-Q1 Owner reports 2
2020-Q2 Owner reports 2
2020-Q3 Owner reports 4
2020-Q4 Owner reports 3
2021-Q1 Owner reports 3
2021-Q4 Owner reports 3
2022-Q2 Owner reports 1
2022-Q3 Owner reports 1
2022-Q4 Owner reports 5
2023-Q1 Owner reports 4
2023-Q2 Owner reports 2
2023-Q3 Owner reports 3
2024-Q2 Owner reports 2
2025-Q1 Owner reports 1
2026-Q1 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 03V460000
Recall campaign 1 06E026000
Recall campaign 1 06E049000
Recall campaign 1 06E065000
Recall campaign 1 06V288000
Recall campaign 1 09E012000
Recall campaign 1 09V119000
Recall campaign 1 09E039000
Recall campaign 1 12E047000
Recall campaign 1 12V527000
Recall campaign 1 13V252000
Recall campaign 1 15V046000
Recall campaign 1 15V673000
Defect investigation 1 EA06008
Defect investigation 1 PE07062
Defect investigation 1 EA08008
Defect investigation 1 PE11013
Defect investigation 1 PE11035
Defect investigation 1 EA12001
Defect investigation 1 EA12005
Defect investigation 1 RQ14001
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-08-22 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Safety Recalls (13)

Official safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA

  1. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 03V460000

    Report date
    Component:
    SUSPENSION
    Consequence:
    A BALL JOINT THATHAS SEPARATED FROM THE KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS WITH MODIFIED ASSEMBLIES AND HEAT SHIELDS ON VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 2, 2001 AND OCTOBER 4, 2002. ON VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN OCTOBER 5, 2002 AND MARCH 26, 2003, DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES (AND REPLACE THEM AS NECESSARY) AND INSTALL HEAT SHIELDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 15, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 06E026000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
    Remedy:
    PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 06E049000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
    Remedy:
    CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 06E065000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy:
    AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 06V288000

    Report date
    Component:
    SUSPENSION
    Consequence:
    WHEN THE DRIVER CONTINUES TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE WITH THIS CONDITION, THE CONTAMINATION CAN LEAD TO CORROSION, ACCELERATED WEAR AND POSSIBLY SEPARATION FROM THE STEERING KNUCKLE CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  6. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 09E012000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy:
    SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  7. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 09E039000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF EFFECTIVE LIFT AND LOWERING OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLE, POSSIBLY CREATING THE DRIVER TO PANIC WHICH COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy:
    ROCK KRAWLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15. 2008. ALL THE AFFECTED UNTITS HAVE BEEN REMEDIED. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ROCK KRAWLER AT 1-518-270-9822.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  8. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 09V119000

    Report date
    Component:
    SUSPENSION
    Consequence:
    FAILURE OF THE BALL JOINT COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT APRIL 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  9. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 12E047000

    Report date
    Component:
    SUSPENSION
    Consequence:
    If the non-formed hub unit is installed on a Jeep Liberty 4x2 model (which does not use an axle nut for hub retention), the vehicle wheel will not be secure and a front wheel separation may occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Timken has notified retail stores that have received the subject parts. The front wheel hubs will be replaced free of charge. Owners who may have purchased the affected units should contact Timken at 1-330-471-3693 for more information. This recall is being conducted by Timken, not Chrysler/Jeep.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  10. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 12V527000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    Inadvertent deployment of the airbags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
    Remedy:
    Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a supplemental jumper harness to the airbag control module, free of charge. Owners were notified of the recall by interim letter in January 2013. The remedy for affected Liberty vehicles is expected to be available in April 2013. The remedy for affected Grand Cherokee vehicles is expected to be available later in the year. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  11. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 13V252000

    Report date
    Component:
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
    Consequence:
    A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
    Remedy:
    Owners may take their vehicles to dealers and the dealers will perform a free inspection of the rear structure. On vehicles in the recall that are not equipped with a tow hitch, Chrysler will install a Chrysler designed tow hitch free of charge, provided the condition of the vehicle can support proper installation. On vehicles in the recall that are equipped with an aftermarket tow hitch, Chrysler will assess whether the hitch and surrounding areas show evidence of sharp edges or other puncture risks. If so, Chrysler will replace the tow hitch with a Chrysler designed tow hitch free of charge, provided the condition of the vehicle can support proper installation. On vehicles already equipped with a Chrysler designed tow hitch, Chrysler will inspect the area around the tow hitch installation, and if any installation issues are identified, they will be repaired free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign numbers are N45 (for the Grand Cherokee vehicles) and N46 (for the Liberty vehicles).
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  12. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 15V046000

    Report date
    Component:
    AIR BAGS
    Consequence:
    Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
    Remedy:
    Chrysler dealers will replace the air bag control module and side impact sensors as required, free of charge. This recall remedy was applied during earlier recall campaigns of these vehicles under safety recalls 12V527 and 13V040. All owners that have not had the recall repair performed under safety recalls 12V527 or 13V040 are strongly encouraged to have it performed and not wait for the final remedy to be deployed to the field. The recall began on December 29, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R06.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  13. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 15V673000

    Report date
    Component:
    AIR BAGS
    Consequence:
    Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
    Remedy:
    Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag electronic control module and the side impact sensors, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 5, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R60.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Complaint Narrative Explorer

Verbatim owner-reported defect narratives from NHTSA public records

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-08-21
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EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Data sourced from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Snapshot date: 2026-08-21.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources