2002 Jeep Wrangler

I HAVE TO COMPLAIN THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT BELT ON MY 2002 JEEP LIBERTY IS NOT LATCHING ON AND NOT WORKING PROPERLY. IT WONT CLICK IN TO HOLD AT ALL. AND THE "CAPS" ON THE LUG NUTS FOR THE WHEELS ARE FALLING OFF DURING DRIVING EXPOSING THE INTERIOR OF THE LUG NUT. I HAVE NOT HIT THE CAR ON ANYTHING THEY JUST FALL OFF. *NM

LAST NIGHT A FIRE TRUCK (HOOK AND LADDER) SHOWED UP IN MY DRIVEWAY. I WENT OUT TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON. AS I WALKED OUT THE DOOR I NOTICED THREE FIREMEN LOOKING UNDER AND AROUND MY 2002 JEEP WRANGLER. WHEN I ASKED WHAT WAS GOING ON THE FIREMEN INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF GAS REPORTED BY ON OF MY NEIGHBORS! TURN OUT THE SMELL WAS GASOLINE AND WAS INDEED ORIGINATING FROM MY 2002 JEEP WRANGLER. WE BROUGHT THE JEEP INTO THE SHOP AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE AND INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A SOLENOID PURGE VALUE ASSOCIATED WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM THAT WENT BAD AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE EXCESS FUEL IS DISCHARGED OUT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND THAT WAS WHAT WE WERE SMELLING. THE FAILURE OF THIS COMPONENT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO RUN RICH, FOUL SPARK PLUGS, REDUCE MILEAGE AND YES, THERE'S THE CONCERN OVER THE EXCESS FUEL, NOT TO MENTION THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" WAS ALSO NOW ON. THE JEEP HAS ~32K MILES AND IS NOW PAST 3 YEARS (3YR/36MILES) HOWEVER WE PURCHASED THE "EXTENDED WARRANTY" WHICH AS IT TURNS OUT DOES NOT COVER THIS FAILED COMPONENT. COST $180.00 TO US. MY CONCERNS: 1. FIRE HAZARD? THE SMELL WAS VERY STRONG! STRONG ENOUGH TO WARRANT A VISIT BY THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT! 2. FUEL ECONOMY....$2.15/GALLON FOR 87 OCTANE 3. ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS? THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT IS THE EXCESS FUEL IS ROUTED STRAIGHT OUT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM! DO I REALLY WANT TO GO OFF READING WITH THIS VEHICLE SPEWING EXCESS GASOLINE OUT THE EXHAUST AS I TAKE IN THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED? MY QUESTION: IS THIS COMPONENT FAILURE COMMON? IS THE FAILURE MODE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY? ARE THERE ANY CONCERNS TO MY WELL BEING IN THE EVENT WE HAVE A RECURRENCE? HAS ANYONE SEEN THIS BEFORE?

STEERING COLUMN MOVES SIDE TO SIDE AND AFTER REPEATED MOVEMENT THE TILT STEERING LEVER LOOSENS UP AND THE STEERING COLUMN MOVES UP AND DOWN. THE DEALER HAS MADE REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE COLUMN BUT DENIES THAT THERE IS A DEFECT. I FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM IN JUNE OF 2003 WHEN THE TILT STEERING BECMAE LOOSE GOING AROUND A CORNER. I RECOVERED THE VEHICLE AND DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT BUT WAS CLOSE. WHEN I EXAMINED THE PROBLEM I NOTICED THE STEERING COLUMN MOVES SIDE TO SIDE APPROXIMATELY 1/4". OTHER VEHICLES THAT I HAVE EXAMINED DO NOT HAVE THIS MUCH FREE PLAY. THE DEALERS HAS ATTEMPTED REPAIR ON THIS FOUR TIMES BUT THE ORIGINAL STEERING COLUMN IS STILL IN THE VEHICLE. I AM NOT CURRENTLY DRIVING THE VEHICLE AS IT DOES NOT MEET MAINE STATE INSPECTION STANDARDS AND THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

PROBLEMS WITH GEARS ON 2002 JEEP WRANGLER.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR WHILE DRIVING ON A BEACH WITH THE GEAR IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE HIGH THE VEHICLE SUDDNELY CAME OUT OF GEAR AND THE CONSUMER COULD NOT GET IT BACK INTO GEAR. THE JEEP HAD TO BE TOWED OUT OF THE SAND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ASSURED THE CONSUMER THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE 3 YEAR-36000 MILE WARRANTY. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY FELT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN ABUSED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. *NM