Used 2002 Jeep Liberty Consumer Reviews
Used Liberty for sale
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Still have my 2002!
Gail, 07/21/2015
updated 01/29/2018
2002 Jeep Liberty Renegade 4dr 4WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 5M)
60 of 60 people found this review helpful
I bought this jeep when the 2002 hit the showroom floor. I absolutely love it. Currently has around 175,000 miles on it. Over the 13 years I've had it the first 11were awesome. The only problem was that the a/c compressor had to be replaced at about year 6 (80,000 miles or so). Regularly maintained. Recently had to replace the fan. Both rear doors/windows are problematic. One of the doors won't open from the inside or out and the window won't open on the other. Minor considering the overall reliability. She still looks good on the outside. Driver side carpet and upholstery are very worn, but that is to be expected. I want my next vehicle to be a Jeep, but hopefully that will be several years from now! Update July 2016: I still have and love my Jeep. Update July 2017: I still have and love this Jeep. It has been so reliable that I am about to give it to my grandson when he turns 16 in a couple of months. Update January 2018: I gave the Jeep to my grandson for his 16th birthday in November. I trust the vehicle and he’s happy. I’ve bought another Jeep. If this one is just as good then I’ll give it to my other grandson in 10 years.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Bring it back, Jeep, bring it back!
786mcqueen, 09/16/2016
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 4WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
57 of 59 people found this review helpful
We bought this used a while back for $5K it had 185K miles on it. It was a lot of fun to drive, gas mileage was pretty good, and it was great in the winter. It was comfortable and easy to get in and out of, although the cargo space is marginal at best. Ours had (as most do) a hitch receiver if you want to pull a utility trailer. The most annoying things about this car were the vibrating bezel around the stereo unit, and the rear window freezing shut in the winter. Once it locked me out with the keys in the ignition, engine running! Mechanically, however, it was very reliable and the one time it needed a repair it was inexpensive. We sold it to a relative who somehow rolled it over, and then after setting it back on its wheels, drove it home, albeit worse for the wear. It is still running and has yet to have any significant mechanical trouble.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
2002 Jeep Liberty for sale near you
Showing 3 of 46 listings
- Limited 4dr SUVMSRP: $5,495150 mi away
- Limited 4dr SUVMSRP: $8,687201 mi away
- Limited 4dr SUVMSRP: $10,955205 mi away
See all 46 listings
Surprisingly Good
originalsteven, 08/07/2013
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 4WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
36 of 37 people found this review helpful
I bought the car used in august 2012, It had 150K+ miles on it I don't remember. At first I just needed a 4x4 in the winter in Spokane because the road can get bad. With no snow tires and basically all in part time 4x4 it handled flawlessly. Everything was perfect except for some creak in the driver door but hey. I didn't much care for the car but time and time again it blows me away. Infinity speakers, roomy and stylish inside and out. and Reliable. I even took it off road and I was impressed. have 170k in a few weeks and still strong. Got 12mpg in city at first but with K&N stock filter upgrade, new spark plugs, oil change and Seafoam It went to 15 1/2 mpg and over 21 on the HWY!
The non-addresses 2002 liberty engine issue
kurivial, 08/30/2012
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 4WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
72 of 77 people found this review helpful
am reporting review (138141727) (Jeep Engine Failures due to Valve Seats) because My daughter bought a 2002 Jeep Liberty 1 month ago. We changed the oil and I had her check it every two weeks since the vehicle was new to her. She did as I said for a couple weeks and said it used none. She is very diligent at watching her mileage to plan oil changes ever 3000 miles. She went to work and the engine started to knock. She checked the oil and found it 3 quarts low and got no low oil warning. We took it to a shop and it needs a new engine. We found out no reputable salvage yard wants to sell the engine due to a known oil gear issue, so they will not even warranty one with low miles. A rebuilt motor with the oil gear issue fixed costs $3200.00. With labor my daughter is looking at $4500.00 to replace an engine with only 119000 miles. I searched the internet on 2002 Jeep Liberty 3.7 engine. I found many complaints regarding the blown motor. The average seems to be 96000 miles. Many people online said they contacted jeep and they said they were SOL. I don't expect a new engine for nothing, but when the average vehicle today does 250000 miles by most manufacturers and Toyota is at 400000. I would like to see an American company doing everything it can to create customer loyalty. Thank You, Steve
She saved my life...
derbygrl, 10/25/2012
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 4WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
17 of 18 people found this review helpful
And now I only hope to replace my Liberty. No joke, I had a run-in with a semi and lost on a night in ND where the winds and rain were blowing over 50 mph. I bounced off of the underside of the trailer, totaled my Jeep, and did not even have a scratch. (Oh, by the way, the engine is perfectly fine!) While test driving other cars, trucks, and SUVs, I have not been able to find anything that has that snap and power I am looking for. I did my research here on Edmunds and other sites, and made sure all the ancient recall work was done before I bought it with 100,000 miles. I never had a problem! Sure it is thirsty at the pump, but I put it in my budget and dealt. I miss my Jeep!
Jeep Engine Failures due to Valve Seats
David K, 10/28/2008
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 2WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
36 of 41 people found this review helpful
major problem with the valve seat coming off and damaging my Jeep Liberty engine. We purchased the car new and have continually provided maintenance on the vehicle at your dealerships. What is upsetting is the lack of interest now from your customer relations department except for your local dealership who has been supportive, on what has occurred. This is a safety issue and this problem is a manufacturer defect . This incident could have caused my daughter to have an accident since she was driving this car as a high school senior. I will take
engine failuer
rocky79, 01/25/2013
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 2WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
32 of 37 people found this review helpful
I purchased my 2002 liberty in 2004. I have loved this vehicle since I first purchased it, the maintanence cost have been very low, I have maintained this vehicle almost to perfection with regular oil changes etc. One day it stopped working with no warning, Come to find out the engine is blown, now with more research I am finding this is a known issue. I dont even have 109,000 miles on this vehicle, it is in almost perfect condition. Now I am stuck with a worthless vehicle that I cannot even trade in, I am very disappointed I would have purchased another Jeep in a heartbeat had this not happened, now I will never touch Chrysler/Jeep again.
Unstoppable Jeep! 257000 miles!
Matt, 06/30/2016
updated 07/13/2018
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 4WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
22 of 25 people found this review helpful
I have owned this jeep since new, and it has never let me down. As long as you do your oil changes and maintenance, it will last forever. I would not hesitate to buy another Jeep.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
A true lemon
jrg11, 12/24/2012
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 4WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
25 of 29 people found this review helpful
Picked up my 2002 liberty from a family member that nurtures her vehicles. This problem child does not give up when it comes to costing me dollars for repairs. The list is long, and now a #2 cylinder valve issue. Obviously, Chrysler knows about this, but take sno action in resolving. Once I junk this pig, I will never touch another chrysler vehicle again. [non-permissible content removed]
Run from it as fast as you can!
1hotrod, 04/24/2012
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 2WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
We bought our 2002 Liberty fall 2009. Fixes in 2 1/2 years ...Water pump and radiator $800.00+, Rear Deferential seal and door hinge $300.00+, Front struts and rear shocks $600.00+ and i did the labor myself, a rocker arm fell off and caused engine damage (a common problem in all Liberty's still!) $2100.00+, Eats front brakes and rotors, Interior lights come on and go off by themselves, Lower ball joints break (factory recall) Fuel mileage sucks. Tranny does a goofy shifting thing going down the interstate at cruising speeds. (I don't know the cause of the shifting issue.) All this before or by the time it was a 10 year old vehicle that was well maintained. My first and LAST Jeep/Chrysler!
Was a good vehicle until ...
Cindy, 07/09/2015
updated 01/16/2017
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 4WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
24 of 28 people found this review helpful
...the engine blew at 130,000 miles. I really enjoyed driving my jeep and loved the room that it had. I took good care of it and had expected it to last a lot longer than what it did. Like I have read from so many others, my jeep engine blew up at just 130,000 miles. There was no sign of an oil leak and I didn't notice anything out of sorts until one day it started to knock and the engine blew a rod. I had regular oil changes and maintenance at the jeep dealer here in my town. For all of you saying that those of us that had engine failure with our jeeps that we didn't take care of them, that is not true. The jeep engine has a flaw and the manufacturer should comp us for this. Having a vehicle fail at only 130,000 miles put me into major disarray as I have no family where I live or close and had to get to work daily which required bumming a ride and borrowing a friends car for a week until I could get a day (1 day) to find another vehicle to purchase. I had to rent a car to go look at vehicles even. Hence now I have car payments again. For as much as vehicles cost there is NO WAY that they should have engine failure at 130,000 miles. Needless to say I went from an EXTREMELY proud and happy Jeep owner to an EXTREMELY upset and disgruntled undrivable jeep owner. I also had other issues that, as I have done research, find are very common and expected on my model of jeep. My power window motor stopped working and I ended up having to Duct tape it up so it wouldn't rain in my jeep. It was a back window that didn't get frequent use as I rarely had anyone sit in the back. I had bearing problems with some front end bearings, my leather front seats did not wear well at all, and now the recall for the gas tank , which I can't get my jeep fixed because I would have to pay a tow truck to take it to the shop. So now when I go to sell it for parts, or if someone wants to fix it up, the recall of the gas tank could be a major issue with selling it. Such a shame to trust a "respected" brand and find out that lots of others have had the same issue and that the manufacturer will not make this right with us. I will NEVER own another Jeep and have since changed completely from US made vehicles to foreign made. My ratings are based on how the vehicle performed Before the motor blew up. I would recommend anyone that wants to purchase a Jeep to reconsider 7-13-2016 I was asked to update my review, the Jeep Liberty still sucks. Jeep should issue a recall for this issue of the motor blowing up at 130000 miles. Not signs of issues at all, just blew. DO NOT BUY A JEEP 1-14-17- I was asked to update, jeep was sold for a measly $800 . If it was dependable I would still be driving it today. Jeep should still cover faulty engines! ! I am still stressing : DO NOT BUY A JEEP
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Won't Die
car_guy_93, 09/06/2012
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 2WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
This car just won't die!My wife has been driving hers for the past few years,now has 187k on it and still truckin'. We have had some issues, entire exhaust system,some front end work, but nothing huge and serious, knock on wood! We did have unresolved 4WD issues last winter...we will see about this one! Definitely a noisy ride, then again we have had exhaust issues. Theres also plenty of loose 'clunky' sounds that our mechanic cannot find, that make me a little nervous. I wouldn't label this car particularly reliable or unreliable. I will say its a blast to drive and has excellent pickup, and my car is 6 years newer. You would have to rip it out of my wife's hands for her to get rid of it!
Love my Jeep!
Penny, 10/05/2006
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 2WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Love this Jeep Liberty! No problems to date with 63,000 miles. Very reliable, rides great, although a tad bit rough (it IS a Jeep!). Lots of space and head/leg room (I'm 6'0 tall). Only drawback as far as cargo room is that it's not as long as other SUVs. Wouldn't trade it!
Great little Jeep!
caddichris, 08/21/2015
updated 08/27/2020
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 4WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
13 of 15 people found this review helpful
I bought my '02 Liberty Sport V-6 4wd in '06, it had 56,000 miles on it. I bought it with a rebuilt trans and over the years had a few problems. Overall it's a wonderful little SUV! My only real issue is that the gas mileage is poor. It did not get what the manufacture stated it would. I had it to Jeep a few times and they said that this is how they are. I get 10-11mpg city and 15 hwy. Aside from that it's a handsome looking Jeep and a workhorse with carrying materials as I remodel my home. The 4wd is awesome in the snow! I currently have 104,900k and it still looks and rides great! (8-26-20 update) 126k and still going strong outside of little things breaking down it’s not bad for an 18 yo vehicle that is driven daily.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
My first Jeep
Roger, 10/23/2015
2002 Jeep Liberty Sport 4dr 4WD SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
13 of 15 people found this review helpful
I made a great choice for a first Jeep. In fact if I had to make the choice all over again I'd choose this car again. I bought it new in Nov of 02 Its now 14(!) years later and it has 170k miles on it. It drives well as long as you have the correct tires on it. I've taken off road into the back country and driven coast to coast in it. Its a trooper. If I had one gripe its all my fault. Sometimes I really wish I had a trunk to lock things in. But then it wouldn't be a jeep. Its on its last legs now. I think its a year away from retirement. I give all my used cars to charity. The body and interior and are in excellent condition. I'm sure they will be glad to have it.
- Safety
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Value
Jeep Liberty a real lemon
premiepower, 11/10/2006
2002 Jeep Liberty Sport 4dr 4WD SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
My Liberty is 4 years old. We have had nothing but problems. No A/C since July, a condenser problem. Rear differential seal leak, transfer case leak, window regulator went bad, tail light filled up with water and shorted out the electrical system, 2 ball joint recall notices. And the gas mileage? On a good day, 18mpg. NEVER AGAIN. I'm going for Kia or Hyundai next vehicle. My 12 year old Honda Civic with 125,000 is a more reliable vehicle.
Not The Best
ashwallace, 02/15/2015
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 2WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
12 of 15 people found this review helpful
One of the worse vehicles I have ever driven. I have only had my 2002 jeep for a year and i have had to replace the power steering 2 times, the oil had a leak in it so I had to fix that, we fixed the starter 2 months ago and now it won't start again, the heat went out in it and nobody can seem to find the problem with it. It is not a reliable vehicle and I wouldn't trust it.
Will NEVER Own A Jeep Again
Jeep_Hater, 06/24/2010
2002 Jeep Liberty Sport 4dr 4WD SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
We bought our Jeep when it was 3 years old. At the time we bought it, the air conditioner was broken & the engine light was on, making it hard to get inspected in PA. Everything started going on it, the head busted twice, kept stalling at low RPM, window switches broke, door locks broke, gear shift stuck all the time, and the problems go on and on. Finally the engine blew, and I wasn't paying to get it fixed so it's sitting in my driveway if anyone wants it! I'll never own another Jeep as long as I live. We bought a 2008 Ford Explorer and just recently a Dodge Nitro praying we don't have problems with the Dodge like we did the Jeep.
Best car, ever!
kg0411, 08/18/2015
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 4WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
I bought my '02 Jeep Liberty in 2007 with around 60,000 miles on it. I absolutely loved it. I never had any problems with it until 2015, after it reached over 170,000 miles on it. I had the radiator, and starter replaced and it started making a metal on metal noise from the front end of the car. No mechanic has been able to pin point what the noise is, but I figured it was time to trade her in before putting any more money into such an old car. Absolutely love this car, if I had the money I would buy another Jeep Liberty in a heartbeat!!!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Trade it? The Wife says NEVER!!
realmarshall, 08/04/2009
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 4WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
Got this SUV with 60K has 125K now ZERO mechanical problems! I've have replaced brake pads, battery and Tires and changed oil like clock work. Never serviced tranny. The only problems i've had are more like annoyances than problems. I have a light out in my instrument cluster. I can still see everything but the 80 Mph mark is a little dim. At about 115K my AC/Heat fan control started only working on the highest setting and i haven't had the time to pull the console apart to find the lose connection. It still works great though it will cook/freeze you. Window control placement bugs cuz it's on the door in your other car your hand will go for the controls for the car that your not in everytime.
Best vehicle I've owned!
jeepsrock1, 05/29/2012
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 4WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
We have had this Liberty for over 8 years. It's reliable, would drive it anywhere! For 8 years we've put new tires on, brakes, oil changes and that's it! It has not needed anything but normal maintenance nothing!! It's so easy to drive and park being small and there's only one thing I wish was different and that's the MPG, which can be helped some by driving sensibly.
Love this car!
postone25, 05/24/2011
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 4WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I have had two 2002 Libertys. A blue sport that I wrecked about a year ago. It was my first car. It had under 100k miles on it and ran like a dream. I had a back window part replaced due to the window not staying up and the ac fixed one time but that's it. My accident was my fault not the car's. My new Liberty, a black limited 4x4 of the same year is leaking and the ac has broken on it numerous times. I miss my original one and hate the mess ups with this one. Overall, as a brand and a car, I love them and never regret getting one.
Biggest Complaint, Gas Mileage
novarene, 11/04/2010
2002 Jeep Liberty Renegade 4dr 4WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Everything about this SUV is great. It is very maneuverable and short enough to park in tight spaces. Never had a problem with it that I didn't cause. I have it lifted 2.5" and I would definitely recommend lifting it, it looks way better and handles better. The only thing they could have done different is that they could have put a 4.0 or a V8 in it because the 3.7 is a little small for the Liberty's weight. I would say if they had matched the engine with the weight the Lib would get far better mileage. This is a great SUV that can handle just about anything you through at it. I would definitely recommend it to anyone used, but you have to get a mechanic to look at it beforehand.
Tough Love
J.G., 08/06/2008
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 4WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I have had this Jeep for about 6 years and it has been fun. The only trouble that I have had is replacing the cam shaft sensor and O2 sensor ($78 max). I suggest getting a new intake system, the stock intake is heavy (15 lbs) and bulky. Also, to make life easier for the people who cry about fuel, just replace the fuel pump with a performance pump ($330) in order for you to be able to get what you want. I now get 27 mpg/19 mpg, and yes, thats on the 3.7 6cyl 4wd model.
Jeep Liberty
zeppelinprncss04, 12/09/2009
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 4WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
My Liberty was purchased with 77000 miles on it and I am about 200 miles short of 100000 and its still running as well as it was the day I bought it. It has plenty of power and as a college student, I have plenty of cargo room to take stuff back and forth. It goes great in the snow/ice and in the mud! I love my liberty so much!
Reliable and high mileage best car ever
LovemyJeep, 11/28/2009
2002 Jeep Liberty Sport 4dr 4WD SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought my Liberty in 2007 and it has been the best car I have ever owned. When I bought the Jeep it had 100K on it but I was on a limited budget and purchased an extended warranty. I never even had to use the warranty. I have not had 1 problem with this car! I have put over 40k on my Jeep and it is still more reliable than any car I've ever owned. I wouldn't be scared to drive this car anywhere I had to go on the spur of the moment. If you're nervous of how many miles a Liberty can get on it- I am at 143k and still going strong!!!
Jeep Liberty Sport
kearneybe, 02/26/2002
2002 Jeep Liberty Sport 4dr 4WD SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
First it was a 84 Cherokee, then a 94 Wrangler and now my 02 Liberty Sport. So far I love the Lib. I test drove all the other sport utes on the market, and the Lib stood out, not only because of its styling, but because of having a low range 4WD. My only complaint are the seats. Not as a comfortable as comparable seats but it is what I've come to expect from Jeep. If you need a grocery hauler, but an Escape, if you want something to take offroad, you need a Liberty!
Transmission Failure at 90,000
bisjoe, 10/29/2012
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 4WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
6 of 8 people found this review helpful
For the first 9+ years the Liberty did very well as far as liability, other than the several recalls. Even the original battery lasted 9 years. Then at about 90,000 it started to have problems. We had to rebuild the transmission at a cost of $3,400. There's a leak requiring new seals on the rear differential, and the HVAC fan resistor is shot so we only get speeds 3 and 4. After spending so much on the transmission we will go ahead and fix the rest, and try to get another 50,000 out of it but I'm not very optimistic. It is fun to drive, the body and interior are like new and it handles well in snow.
engine light
oma31093, 04/24/2011
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 2WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
5 of 7 people found this review helpful
I bought a 2002 Jeep liberty as a pre owned car. Older lady drove it. So far we had no major problem except the engine light stays on. Took it to auto parts store did test and it said fuel cap. replaced that 3 times. Nothing. took it to dealer same result,they checked the car and found nothing told me fuel cap again. Bought another cap from them and light is still on. At 114000 miles it seems to start taken more and more gas..wet roads are also not a good thing. other then that I like to drive it and its been a good car so far
Great Vehicle
hoffdog, 04/13/2012
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 4WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I bought this car off a 3-year lease in March 2005, so I've had it for 7 years. It's been a great vehicle! I've put little to no money into it, just your normal oil changes, tires, tuneups, ect. The only issues I've had with it is the AC and the rear window defogger. The AC hasn't worked since about 2007, I've tried fixing it numerous times with no luck. Same thing with the rear window defogger, no luck fixing it. It has never broken down on me. My only major complaint I have is the gas mileage, I can only get about 17-19 on the highway. But, I knew that when I bought it so I shouldn't complain.
not happy
not happy, 09/11/2008
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 4WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
My ac has also gone in my jeep. I have replaced the speed sensor 2 times. I got into an accident last march and I barely slid and then tried to steer into the correct line and lost control and man can i tell you the jeep can roll. It is not a good vehicle to have!
What Jeeps Always Shoulda Been!
Mountain Man Carl, 03/04/2002
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 2WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I loved my '98 Wrangler, for a month. I've had my Liberty for 6 mo. and this is love that'll last. Fast, smooth, powerful, EVERYTHING WORKS, great offroad, and priced less than Wrangler! I added skid plates underneath,have taken it to highest points of Montana, on Granite boulder fields. Mileage is exactly what the window sticker said. That's OK. A solid, responsive, sporty vehicle with lots to offer the couple or family. THANKS for getting everything right!
I ROLLED!!! Be careful.
SAM6748, 05/24/2002
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 4WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Am very sad - loved my Liberty, but at 3800 miles was hit by an Explorer in the rear quarter panel and I flipped on my side!! We were both going only maybe 25 mph - I was swerving to avoid, but don't think it should have flipped. Only had it 3 months - Jeep was totalled, now am debating buying another for safety reasons. Gas mileage sucked, which I did expect (but didn't have to like!). I know I can drive it w/out rolling it - the other drivers are the problem for me.
Fun to drive!!!
Brian, 06/03/2021
updated 12/07/2022
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 4WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I usually like to wait a while to write a review of one of my cars but, I needed to express myself about this car... warts and all. Positives: It's a Jeep so it's kind of simple inside. Mine is a Limited with a 4 speed automatic and 4WD. It has very comfortable seats, soft yet firm in that the seats are supportive without being rock-hard. The AC cools off almost instantly. It's been 85 degrees here in Utah, the car is parked outside as the 55 Thunderbird is in the garage. Instantly, the AC starts blowing cold air. Amazing. Took it on a 80 mile round trip south to Ogden, driving between 65-75 mph and got an easy 22-24 mpg because the overdrive keeps the revs nice and low. VERY much looking forward to taking it to California this summer for the 4th of July. The car has 140k miles on it. I'm responsible for less than 800 miles. This is a 20 year old car and yet, there are no squeaks, rattles... the transmission shifts perfectly smooth. I do wish I could have found a 5 speed manual in my price range but, I have no complaints. Negatives: Being 20 years old, I had to do some repairs just to make it livable. Nothing drastic, just odds and ends. Oil and gearbox oil changes, coolant flush, hydraulic shocks for the rear flipper glass and engine hood. I'd love to replace those with a prop-rod but, oh well. It also had large all-terrain tires that had gone completely bald up front. I replaced those with HT tires from BFGoodrich. They have the 3MPSF symbol on them so no need to switch out for dedicated snow tires. The MPG in town is less than desirable so far. My first tank, I got 15.1 mpg. The second tank was 13.7 mpg. The last tank was better at 16.7 mpg. Economical, this is not. Fortunately, it seems to do a lot better on the freeway. I'm hoping that with the new tires, new fluids, and my typical feather-foot, I can see mpg closer to 16-18 in town. With the 18.5 gallon tank, that would equate to 296 - 333 miles per tank rather than the 277 miles I'm averaging. That's it for the negatives. This has been a fun Jeep. I love it, especially since I was able to pay cash for it. I only plan on keeping it for a couple of years until I can find a Volkswagen Westfalia. That is the last car I purchase. Hopefully, in 2+ years, the market will have leveled out a bit and presents one in my price range... Off-topic, I know. Update: Dec 6, 2022 I ended up having to sell the Jeep last year after the repair costs started to rear its ugly head. Normally, repairing a car, especially an old one, doesn't bother me. It comes with the territory. But, last year, my wife went into the hospital in December after nearly dying. Her kidneys were failing and so she started dialysis immediately. The costs of that plus car repairs made the car extremely expendable. So, I sold it and bought a 2009 Subaru Outback, which I still have. I've had this for the last year and have paid $40 so far for an oil change.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
I like it
JimOH123, 08/06/2009
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 4WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I have a BMW with performance tires, so I needed a vehicle to drive in the winter. Purchased this car with about 85k miles on the odometer. I love my Jeep and drive it more than the BMW. Love the driving position, looks and its maneuverability. Very few service complaints. I have never owned a vehicle with so many miles, yet it is still very tight and rattle free. Would consider buying another Liberty like this one with fewer miles if this one ever starts giving me trouble. A great value for a used vehicle.
'02 Jeep, Best First Car Ever! A Must Buy!!!!!!!
vikki3710, 09/23/2012
2002 Jeep Liberty Sport 4dr 4WD SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
Seriously this is my first car and i have to say that i love it! Treats me great! Bought it about 5 months ago with 126,000 miles on it and havnt looked back. Nothing needed replaced except the o2 cencer which the guy replaced for me so that was an easy fix of course. But all in all it is a wonder full car with great features, only thing that sucks is gas milage but hey i bought it so i have to live with it!:D
Electronic Problems & Gas Hog
Toby, 09/18/2005
2002 Jeep Liberty Sport 4dr 2WD SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 6 people found this review helpful
Doing it over again, I wouldn't buy a Liberty. It is a gas hog; I get about 15 miles per gallon. Plus, I experience chronic electronic problems. For instance, I pulled over for a failed left turn and brake lamp. I got home, and the light worked fine. The dome light goes on and off, and the turn signal occasionally turns on and won't go off without stopping and restarting the engine. There is also a slip in the transmission. When I brake, it down-shifts violently. I take it in, they hook it to a computer, and it works fine for a few months. Then, it gradually comes on again.
Chrysler does it again!
Alex, 05/12/2016
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 4WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
6 of 10 people found this review helpful
Blown head gasket at 110k miles....do not buy if it has a .7 Liter engine! The 4cylinder one may be ok. Was a nice car to drive until this happened. Would not recommend.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Should've got the ford fixed
cjthomas, 01/24/2014
2002 Jeep Liberty Sport 4dr 4WD SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
6 of 15 people found this review helpful
I got this truck from my sister after I crashed my ford escape because she wanted to get a new car, it had about 207,000 and was in pretty good shape but about 2,000 miles later the engine started making noises and I wasn't sure waht it was so I took it to my friend who was good with cars and he told me that it was a knock which means that the engine is basically on its way out and it's gonna cost me $$$ to get the engine replaced and I already scraped the escape and handed over the title so I'm pretty much screwed, would've cost way less to repair my escape.
Started Great But Getting Expensive
sw, 06/09/2007
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 4WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I love just about everything about this SUV, which is why I'm so disappointed that it's starting to cost me a lot of money in repairs after only 4 years. I have put more than $3000 into this vehicle in both maintenance and repairs in just the last 12 months. The little plastic piece that covers the gear shift broke in the cold this winter (over $300 to fix), the AC doesn't work and needs to have the compressor replaced ($1000 to fix). I am trying to decide whether I should trade it in for a 2007 model just to stop the budget bleeding even though I have a year left of payments on it, or trade it in for an Xterra instead. The biggest factor in my decision will be the (un)reliability aspect.
Good Choice
scooter17, 03/08/2002
2002 Jeep Liberty Sport 4dr 4WD SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
My husband and I wanted a new SUV, we wanted the 4x4. we searched and found that the Nissan wanted to charge more for the 210hp calling it super charged while the Liberty comes ready with 210hp. The Ford kinda lagged at the start while the Liberty didn't. After we drove the Liberty we were hooked. Nothing compared after that. Best buy we ever made.
Love my Liberty!!
Adrienne, 08/31/2008
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 4WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought my Liberty brand new in 2002. It has been on two cross-country trips, one of them being a Jeep Jamboree off-roading event. I was the only Liberty out of 125 vehicles! My Liberty handled it all! I've replaced the battery, replaced the serpentine belt, and had a problem with the AC/heat fan. Other than that, it's only been routine maintenance. The mileage isn't the best, but I don't care. It's great in the winter, especially when I head up to Wisconsin in the snow. It's got the comfort of an auto, but with the feel of a truck. I did get truck tires for my Liberty and I'm very happy with that purchase. I will NEVER go back to a car!
Scary to drive
Matthew, 09/17/2006
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 4WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Good looking vehicle that makes me nervous to drive on paved roads. The brakes and suspension are not well tuned to street driving. No confidence whatsoever in maneuvering this truck in urban or freeway driving. Brakes take forever to slow it down, and in the event that you need to avoid an obstacle you're better off plowing into it rather than trying to turn. I drove a Cherokee previously, and the big difference seems to be the added weight of the Liberty. The weak 3.7 V6 moves this boat slower than a 10 year old Civic. Not recommended for people that enjoy driving. Look for a used RX300 instead.
Liberty is a winner
savvy4, 08/02/2002
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 4WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
We traded our 2001 Toyota RAV4 for a 2002 Liberty Limited 4wd and couldn't be more pleased with doing so. The RAV was a quality vehicle, but too much like a car. The Liberty is very truck- like (it rides a bit firm) & solid and has a nice torquey motor. Besides feeling so solid, it's also fun to drive. The pricing is very reasonable, the quality is very good overall, the styling is awesome, the towing capacity is class-leading, and it's off-road capabilities are hard to beat. This is your do-all small SUV that gives the most bang for your buck. We're glad we snagged one.
How quickly can you get rid of a Jeep?
Brunette, 06/22/2008
2002 Jeep Liberty Sport 4dr 4WD SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I loved my Jeep up until about 6 months ago. It is the cutest small SUV out there and when I first saw it I just had to have it. Then about a couple of months ago a lot of things started going wrong. Taillight (although not a big deal), then the catalytic converter, then the window regulator in the rear passenger window broke, and finally the icing to the cake, the AC is now broken at the beginning of a hot summer. I've also had the battery replaced because it became corroded. My outlets and rear wiper started not working and it revs for odd reasons that they "can't figure out". Total gas guzzler as well. I'm trying to get rid of this thing fast, but no one is biting for the obvious reasons.
Love it!
Laura, 01/19/2006
2002 Jeep Liberty Sport 4dr 2WD SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have the stripped down version; no A/C, no power anything, manual transmission. However, 3.7liter V6, is great. I have no engine or transmission problems at all. Gas mileage could be a bit higher, but ... it's a Jeep which also accounts for a bit of a bumpy ride. Unlike other small SUV's this one can go off roading a little better and I feel safer to get back home ... it's a Jeep. One problem I had is the back window will not open sometimes. Since I do not have power anything, the only way to get it open is with the key on the handle. It stuck on me several times, intermittent though. Kids fit great in the back seat, plus I can haul stuff too. Overall, great vehicle for the price.
Never Again
jeep4sale, 04/11/2006
2002 Jeep Liberty Sport 4dr 4WD SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Not too much to say, other than I'll never buy another Chrysler product again. It only took 102,000 miles and the engine is blown. I was quoted $3,500 to replace it with a junkyard engine with 50k miles on it. I bought a used one with 400 miles on it and had installed by my brother (who is a service tech). My final cost was $1,200. It will be put up for sale immediately before something else goes wrong. The gas mileage is terrible for a six cylinder. I'm lucky if I get 17 mpg on the highway. Never again. I'll be buying imports for the rest of my life.
Yuck
nomorejeeps, 08/17/2005
2002 Jeep Liberty Sport 4dr 4WD SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
On the positive side I've gotten to know the mechanics at the local dealership much better since this ill- begotten purchase. I have an old Ford Ranger with 155,000 miles which still gives me far fewer problems then this money pit Jeep Liberty. Bearings, transfer case, air conditioner, bearings again, and a new vibration just caused me to drop this junk off again. Thank goodness I purchased an extended warrenty for the first time in my life. Averages only about 15 MPG and for a V6 should do much better.
Noisy and Cheaply Made
DevilWolf, 03/01/2002
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 4WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
WE bought a Liberty after reading many rave reviews. 4 Months later, we traded it on a Grand Cherokee. The reason for the trade was the Liberty had been into the dealer repair shop 8 time for various things. The rear end suspension had to be replaced and then the controller arm, and so on and so on. It never cost us a dime, but the hassel of having to take it in was enough!! Wouldn't recommend it to my least favorite person!! Save your money.
Great small SUV
TBShoe, 08/20/2004
2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4dr 4WD SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I love my Liberty! This a all around great SUV with good looks inside and out, strong engine, solid feel, and perfect size. Compared to other vehicles in it's class it is the best by far. No mechanical problems to date. For it's weight of 4000 (read solid feel), it handles and performs well when needed, great for short trips to the mall (easy parking) or long camping trips fully loaded up.