The Detroit Bureau

The lower control arms in Liberty’s rear suspension can experience excess corrosion that can cause them to weaken and break.

Jeeps problems with a potentially serious suspension problem on the mid-range Liberty model have just gotten worse, the automaker expanding the ongoing recall to now cover nearly 350,000 of the compact SUVs.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration the lower control arms in Libertys rear suspension can experience excess corrosion that can cause them to weaken and break. In such a situation that could lead to a loss of control and a possible crash, NHTSA warns.

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The problem appears to be primarily isolated in Snowbelt regions where sale it used to clear roads, and the recall includes vehicles sold or registered in states that include Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan, New York and Washington, D.C.

In March, Jeep parent Chrysler announced plans to recall 200,000 Liberty SUVs from the 2004 and 2005 model-years. The latest announcement expands the recall to cover vehicles sold during the 2006 and 2007 model-years.

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Vehicles covered by the recall include those built between July 3, 2003 and June 29, 2007. An owner can confirm the date of manufacture by checking a plate in the drivers door jamb.

Initially, Jeep said it had received no reports of actual problems in the field but since the original recall it has now logged eight complaints concerning vehicles operated in Snowbelt regions of the country.

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