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Jeep Liberty: Problems & Solutions
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I am new to the site......I just bought a used 2003 Liberty Sport 4x4. I loved it when I test drove it - but since having it (only about a month now) - I am worried. When I picked it up from the dealership and drove home - I noticed a very subtle - low level vibration. (it sounds a lot like the vibration you hear when your A/C engages). Prob is - I hear it all the time. I took it to the dealership on 3 separate occassions and each time they tell me there is absolutely nothing wrong with the truck.
Then last week we got some snow - I engaged the 4-wheel drive - put the truck into reverse - and got about halfway out of my parking spot and the truck wouldn't move (despite hitting the gas). Took the truck back in (also - I had a very difficult time pulling the lever to put the truck into 4 wheel drive - took all of my strength!) and just got a call from the dealership saying they still can't find anything wrong with either the 4 wheel drive or the truck.
I am very frustrated - I know something is wrong but they keep telling me its fine. Has anyone else had probs engaging the 4 wheel drive (stiff lever) or the low level hum noise???? I really don't think its "normal" like the service department keeps telling me.
HELP!
Can't help you with the noise. My 03 is pretty quiet. Maybe exhaust or heat shield related.
When moving the lever, pull it gently towards your leg and not towards the console. You may have gone a bit too far with the lever and reached the NEUTRAL position. This happened to me once. If you are stuck in snow and try to engage the 4x4 mode, you may have to 'jerk' the truck forward and backwards a few times to engage the transmission. This only takes less than one minute.
Thanks for your reponses!
You might also consider parking somewhere else.
I understand completely about the Wrangler. There's just nothing like it. However, given that the size of my family won't allow a TJ, I bought the Liberty - 2003. Only problem I had was a rear window rattle that drove me nuts until they fixed it. I really love it. Can't speak about 2wd or 4cyl, but the V6 4wd is great. I offroad as much as possible, and it earns the Jeep name. With a 5000 lb towing capacity, it was a no-brainer for me. The spouse likes it too. She hated the Wrangler and wouldn't drive it. Now, I have to fight for the Liberty.
Good luck on your decision. I know I made the right one.
I've posted before on how much I love my Liberty... and I still do, however, with 43K miles on it and already going through front rotors at 15k miles and rear rotors and brake pads at 32k miles, and now just last week I needed new power steering hoses because of steering fluid leakage, and I have an extended warranty that this conviently wasnt covered. I am debating on trading my Liberty in for a new 05 nissan xterra. What is jeep making the parts out of? junk perhaps?...I am torn because I really love my jeep. I am still making payments on it for another 2.5 years, and $$ coming out of my pocket for repairs is really making me regret getting the vehicle. can someone out there tell me if these problems are normal for jeep? brakes every 15 or 16k miles? power steering hoses going at 43k miles...whats next? someone comfort me please. )
Thanks for writing.
About two years ago, the speedometer in my 02 liberty started jumping around and would even just plain drop to zero. First trip to dealer, of course, was a "can not duplicate" fix for them. I dealt with the problem for a few months until the speedometer finally stopped working long enough to cause the engine light to come on. Second trip to dealer and they told me that there are three speed sensors and they just picked one sice they weren't sure. Sure enough, it failed again 100 yards from the dealership. Again I took it in and this time, they actually spent some time looking into the problems and found a broken wire onthe speed sensor located on the top of the rear differential. It was broken by the emergency brake cable hitting the end of the connector.
If you have this problem, check it out. It's pretty easy to fix yourself. .just be sure to tie-wrap the cables back away from the sensor or it wil happen again. This sensor is also used by the cruise control so even if you don't see the speedometer jumping around, you'll know there is a problem because the cruise control will go crazy over the intermittent signal.
BTW. . .I LOVE MY LIBERTY!! I hate the brakes, but love the vehicle.
The first problem that I've been experiencing is the downshift banging into gear problem. I've seen from older posts that this has been a recurring problem with other Liberty owners. Any suggestions/ideas?
The second problem that I haven't been able to figure out is the "wobble" feel that I've been getting from the steering. I've had other cars in the past, and felt the same thing and it ended up being a wheel bearing. I'm wondering if this could possibly be the same thing. It feels like it might be the passenger side wheel. Anyone else had this problem?
I have to say this, even with all the problems I've had. I love my Jeep Liberty!
Other than horrible brakes, uncomfortable seat and useless glove compartment, I still love my Jeep and wouldn't trade it for anything. It will, unfortunately, be my last jeep. There is too much of chrysler in them for my taste.
PS. I don't know if you'll agree with me on this but, the OEM Goodyear tires are worthless. I can't wait to get them off my Jeep.
Anyhow, I took it to the dealer and they balanced and rotated the tires even though I told them it wouldn't fix it. In addition, I have the clunking noise that others speak of when taking off from a stop. The dealer claims it is the design of the transfer case.
Please let me know if you have had a similar vibration problem. I have seen some threads where people had their driveshaft replaced with some positive results I guess I do not want the dealer playing hit or miss with this problem.
Let me know if this is the same problem/cure that you are experiencing
Larry
I've been driving my 04 Liberty Limited for 5 months now and love it. I first noticed that when I park and turn the engine off, there's a lot of "pinging" coming from under the vehicle. My neighbor says it's the catalitic converter and is normal. Anyone know if this is true?
Also, since the weather turned cold and (very) wet, I'm hearing a rubbing noise from the rear axle or wheels. I think it's something to do with whatever they use to lube the wheels or axle, as it goes away after I've driven a few blocks. My neighbor has an 04 Liberty Renegade and is experiencing the same thing. Wet weather seems to affect it more than anything. Any ideas?
I have a fluid leak underneath my liberty. the leak is about center of the vehicle. I had this issue about a month ago, and the dealer said I need new power steering hoses. So, $278.00 later it was fixed. but now the problem is back. my question is, isnt yellow fluid usually anti-freeze? Last time this happened we had a blizzard, this time it happened (2 days ago) we had another snow storm. I am thinking it has to do with me using my selec-track and 4WD. Any ideas?
I am going to take it back to the dealer but I have a feeling they may be taking advantage of me. They are awear that I have the DC extended warrantee and said how unfortunate that the power steering hoses werent covered under that. Any knowledge would be certainly appreciated.
As for the 'rubbing noises', I don't know-- what kind of tires do you have? At what speed do you detect it? Can you hear it from outside the vehicle?
Paul
I think that a common complaint you'll find among liberty owners is the transmission is a little sloppy. I love my jeep but if I had to nick the liberty on any feature, it would be the xmission.
There are times when it sort of 'bangs' into gear- there are hesitations at odd times, and if you're rolling in reverse and slam it into drive, there is a hesitation and a 'clunk' before it takes off. I'm old fashioned in that I don't like to throw ANY automatic into drive when I'm rolling backwards-- so I just avoid it. I like to give the xmission time to resolve itself before jerking it in a new direction.
Paul
THey initially thought it was a ball joint recall. Then they decided it might be the power steering rack and pinon. Now they think is is a control arm. I willlet you know if that fixes my problem. Although, I doubt I want to keep the car now - with problems already occuring at 4000 miles. It's too bad because I did really like the vehicle a lot.
We loved the jeep so much we bought another one....they are alot of fun.
I am curious though..we have are Jeeps serviced directly at the dealership we bought from..every three thousand. Very good group of individuals. I am wondering with all these issues that everyone is having..do they get the regular 3K servicing that is suggested..or are people going different places?
I traded it in with 45K miles on it and went through 2 sets of brakes/rotors, and power steering hoses. Im hoping that this model will have no brake problems like I had.