NHTSA Complaint #10502280 — 2003 JEEP LIBERTY

WIFE WAS DRIVING VEHICLE ON RURAL ROAD. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR BUZZERS BUT NOTICED ENGINE TEMPERATURE WAS INCREASING. SHE IDENTIFIED A PARKING LOT A FEW MILES UP THE ROAD WHERE SHE PLANNED TO PULL INTO SINCE THE ROAD DID NOT OFFER A SHOULDER. JUST BEFORE REACHING THE PARKING LOT THE ENGINE STALLED OUT AND SHE SMELLED OIL. WITH THE LOSS OF POWER SHE IMMEDIATELY LOST CONTROL AND ALMOST COLLIDED WITH THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. SHE WAS ABLE TO CORRECT HER STEERING BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED AND COASTED INTO THE PARKING LOT. SHE CONTACTED ME AND WE WALKED THROUGH THE INCIDENT AND SHE OPENED THE HOOD. SHE DESCRIBED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COMPLETELY COVERED IN SMOKING OIL. I ALSO REVIEWED THE ENGINE WHEN I WENT TO RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE AND NOTED THAT IT HAD APPARENTLY SEIZED BECAUSE THE BELT WAS OFF. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED BUT REMAINS ELUSIVE TO ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE EVEN THOUGH THERE IS AN INCREASING AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THESE ENGINES PREMATURE FAILURE DUE TO "ENGINE SLUDGE" AVAILABLE ONLINE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME IN REVIEWING THIS POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE. *TR