LOST JEEPS :: View topic - KJ Reliability?

My Liberty is nearing its third anniversary and the end of factory warranty. I have 25,000 miles on it. I have generally been happy with it, but I do have some concerns.
Early on I had electrical issues, lower ball joint recall and heater fan recall. At 11,000 miles the stock Wranglers started cupping and I had an alignment done under warranty.

I do some 4 wheeling, but not what I would call a lot (maybe 3 trips a year).

Friday, after driving to lunch, it would not start and I had to get a jump. Jeep replaced the battery under warranty. I also had them look at the tires again. They replaced the lower ball joints again (2nd time under warranty) and it looks like the Wranglers will not make 30,000 miles. I had them align it again but Jeep would not pay for it since they had already aligned it once under warranty?

I am getting a little concerned because I have never had a new vehicle have so much warranty work in the first 25,000 miles. This includes a new CJ in the 70's, Ford Bronco and Bronco II in the 80's and 90's. I usually keep my vehicles 10 years. The ball joints and alignments concern me the most.

I know a lot of you have Liberty's that have a lot more miles and do a lot more 4 wheeling then I do.

How are they holding up? Will I get 10 years and 100,000 miles with out a lot of major work?

Author:	Phil T [ Sun Aug 24, 2008 12:45 am ]
Post subject:	KJ Reliability?
My Liberty is nearing its third anniversary and the end of factory warranty. I have 25,000 miles on it. I have generally been happy with it, but I do have some concerns. Early on I had electrical issues, lower ball joint recall and heater fan recall. At 11,000 miles the stock Wranglers started cupping and I had an alignment done under warranty. I do some 4 wheeling, but not what I would call a lot (maybe 3 trips a year). Friday, after driving to lunch, it would not start and I had to get a jump. Jeep replaced the battery under warranty. I also had them look at the tires again. They replaced the lower ball joints again (2nd time under warranty) and it looks like the Wranglers will not make 30,000 miles. I had them align it again but Jeep would not pay for it since they had already aligned it once under warranty? I am getting a little concerned because I have never had a new vehicle have so much warranty work in the first 25,000 miles. This includes a new CJ in the 70's, Ford Bronco and Bronco II in the 80's and 90's. I usually keep my vehicles 10 years. The ball joints and alignments concern me the most. I know a lot of you have Liberty's that have a lot more miles and do a lot more 4 wheeling then I do. How are they holding up? Will I get 10 years and 100,000 miles with out a lot of major work?

Author:	Guest [ Sun Aug 24, 2008 2:23 am ]
Post subject:
Well Mine has gone 6 years and 114,000. I expect it to last 10 years and 200k. It'll be beat up and ugly, but that's fine with me:P Replaced so far: Radiator both front hub assemblies shocks (would've done so even if it weren't for the lift, the lift just gave me a GOOD reason to spend money) Balljoint recalls I run the thing hard. have you ever rotated your tires? That would explain cupping at 11,000 miles...they wouldn't have done so if you would've rotated. the stock tires on any Jeep that isn't a Rubicon are garbage anyway. This would've been better suited for the General Discussion forum, you would've gotten a lot more responses from those of us in the 6-digit club;) Perhaps you could ask a moderator to move it? I haven't done anything to this thing but regular maintenance, wash it once in a while, and beat the snot out of it on and off the pavement.

Author:	Guest [ Sun Aug 24, 2008 9:02 am ]
Post subject:
I've never had one, but it's sounds like your's is trouble. Think about it, one more same issue and you've got a lemon. There are bad apples out there for every vehicle, maybe this is one of them. But, if you're having concerns now, I'd say get rid of it. You know your vehicle best. If you're not beating it up and it is still breaking, that's a sign. Is this your only vehicle? What kind of trails do you hit when you do? I assume your KJ is still stock? Perhaps a new Libby or something else would better suit your needs.

Author:	kskj [ Sun Aug 24, 2008 12:38 pm ]
Post subject:
It's a jeep it will have a few problems here and there that seems to be normal. Mine has 131,000 miles on it and i expect it to go at least 200,000. Problems i've had 1. radiator 2. thermostat 3. front driveshaft 4. alternator 5. battery (the battery tray came loose in moab)

Author:	tjkj2002 [ Sun Aug 24, 2008 1:14 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: KJ Reliability?
Phil T wrote: My Liberty is nearing its third anniversary and the end of factory warranty. I have 25,000 miles on it. I have generally been happy with it, but I do have some concerns. Early on I had electrical issues, lower ball joint recall and heater fan recall. At 11,000 miles the stock Wranglers started cupping and I had an alignment done under warranty. I do some 4 wheeling, but not what I would call a lot (maybe 3 trips a year). Friday, after driving to lunch, it would not start and I had to get a jump. Jeep replaced the battery under warranty. I also had them look at the tires again. They replaced the lower ball joints again (2nd time under warranty) and it looks like the Wranglers will not make 30,000 miles. I had them align it again but Jeep would not pay for it since they had already aligned it once under warranty? I am getting a little concerned because I have never had a new vehicle have so much warranty work in the first 25,000 miles. This includes a new CJ in the 70's, Ford Bronco and Bronco II in the 80's and 90's. I usually keep my vehicles 10 years. The ball joints and alignments concern me the most. I know a lot of you have Liberty's that have a lot more miles and do a lot more 4 wheeling then I do. How are they holding up? Will I get 10 years and 100,000 miles with out a lot of major work? Nothing you stated is worth worrying about......... 1) the LBJ's are a known weakness,get MOOG K3199's installed and all your worries will be gone for that. 2) Chrysler OEM batteries are junk and 3 years is outstanding for a life span,get a Optima and be done with with. 3) IFS requires more alignments since it is far easier to go out of alignment then a SFA vehicle,it's the nature of the beast with more moving parts,get a lifetime alignment from Firestone,it's well worth it.Oh and GM trucks and SUV's won't hold a alignment either since they are IFS also so don't feel bad. 4) the OEM GoodYear tires are junk and 25,000-30,000 miles is the max you will see from them,upgrade to a LT tire that should come on a Jeep and not a passenger car rated tires. I have a '02 KJ,64,000 miles,and beat the living snot out of it on/off road.The LBJ's went,replaced with MOOG's and no more problems.Replaced the OEM battery with a Optima and have never had a problem.Left the dealer lot with MT/R's and never complained about them,great tires.I have a lifetime alignment from firestone and have had mine aligned about 30 times in the last 6.5 years,no worries since it is IFS.I have had to replace the radiator but flexing all the time on the trails here in CO finally cracked the side tank,no biggie.Oh and I did break a front CV joint but that was my fault as it happened on Chinamans Gultch trail and it was bound to happen running trails like that..I do all my regular maintance,and them some,and my KJ has never failed me.

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Author:	Tokyojoe [ Sun Aug 24, 2008 8:39 pm ]
Post subject:
Let's see, I just hit 50K with my third trip to Ohio and back. No issues with the 4" lift and 31.8" tires. Here's my list of problems and I hate to do this because I will jinx myself into thingsa suddenly happening. Bought my KJ in Sept 04 new 1. Needed a jump back in summer `05. Not one problem since with stock battery and I still have it (coming up on 4 yrs, next month). I probably left an inside light on or didn't close the door all of the way. 2. Blown fuse for windows (while I was in Ohio). Simple replacement 3. LBJ's replaced under recall (they were still fine when replaced) No other problems! I have replaced lift with Rusty's and now with the 4" lift. Added heavy rear bumper, Tranny skid, and sliders. Replaced sound system for better aftermarket, and installed a CB. That is all. No ligitimate problems. KNOCK ON WOOD!

Author:	KJ4ME [ Sun Aug 24, 2008 10:05 pm ]
Post subject:
mine is still young with 19190 miles on it. ive owned it since the odo read 1.8miles but ive only had 2 really major problems. the transmission went at about 4,000 miles... maybe even sooner than that. it had a faulty clutch pack from the factory and it in turn destroyed components in the tranny. they replaced it and then that tranny started having issues with the shift pattern and extremely hard shifts from 3-2 while braking, a software reprogram fixed it and ive never had a problem since. and way way way back in the day, it cut off on me at a light but only once and since then (i dont think it even had 1,000 miles on it quite yet) it hasnt happened again.

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