2004 Jeep Liberty Problems

Above Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2004 Jeep Liberty.

20032005
Complaints
1,440
Crashes
119
Fires
50
Injuries
98
Fatalities
2
Recalls
3

Worst 2004 Jeep Liberty Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1260 complaints

Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint

Avg mileage:44,831 mi
Crash-related:10
#2156 complaints

Suspension Failures

Avg mileage:117,948 mi
Crash-related:14
Fires:3
#393 complaints

Fuel System

Avg mileage:114,919 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:7
Considering a 2004 Jeep Liberty?

Check the actual VIN — every car is different.

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

Check VIN Free

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Jeep Liberty.

Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
260
complaints
Crashes
10
Fires
Avg Miles
44,831
Suspension Failures
156
complaints
Crashes
14
Fires
3
Avg Miles
117,948
Fuel System
93
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
7
Avg Miles
114,919
Gasoline Fuel System
89
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Avg Miles
112,891
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
78
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
69,556
Structural Problems
75
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
83,858
Electrical Faults
71
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
9
Avg Miles
100,041
Body Structure
51
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
2
Avg Miles
135,204
Steering Defects
48
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
Avg Miles
103,486
Headlight/Taillight Failures
33
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
100,469
Engine Problems
32
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
7
Avg Miles
122,827
Airbags
30
complaints
Crashes
22
Fires
1
Avg Miles
100,098
Transmission / Drivetrain
23
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
97,831
Brakes
20
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Avg Miles
105,254
Visibility
18
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
72,281
Engine & Cooling
17
complaints
Crashes
Fires
6
Avg Miles
69,586
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint
17
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
35,921
Automatic Transmission
16
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
28,052
Unintended Acceleration
16
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
Avg Miles
45,231
Latches / Locks
15
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
68,060
Suspension:Front
15
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
50,611
Tire Defects
14
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
68,504
Wheel Issues
14
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
117,882
Wipers & Visibility
13
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
84,914
Suspension:Rear
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
80,428
Seat Belt Issues
10
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
93,336
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
49,870
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
144,789
Trailer Hitches
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
95,250

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Jeep Liberty. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2004 Jeep Liberty

3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~2,146,804 vehicles.

18V278000Suspension:rear
~239,904 affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2004-2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles. The rear suspension lower control arms can fracture due to excessive corrosion, causing a loss of vehicle control.

13V252000Structure · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
~1,560,000 affected

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles. The fuel tanks in these vehicles are at risk of failure and leakage in certain rear impacts.

12V085000Suspension:rear
~346,900 affected

IN JUNE 2012, CHRYSLER EXPANDED THIS RECALL TO INCLUDE MODEL YEAR 2006 AND 2007 JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLES, REPRESENTING AN ADDITIONAL 137,176 VEHICLES. THIS RECALL NOW CONCERNS CERTAIN MY 2004-2007 JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLES. THE TOTAL NUMBER VEHICLES BEING RECALLED IS NOW 346,900. THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 3, 2003 THROUGH JUNE 29, 2007. THE RECALL ADDRESSES THOSE VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS THAT CAN EXPERIENCE A REAR SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURE DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION DUE TO APPLICATION OF ROAD SALTS DURING WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Other Jeep Liberty Years

2004 Jeep Liberty — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2004 Jeep Liberty reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2004 Jeep Liberty has 1,440 NHTSA complaints, 119 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint with 260 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2004 Jeep Liberty?
Top reported problems: Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint (260 complaints, avg 44,831 mi); Suspension Failures (156 complaints, avg 117,948 mi); Fuel System (93 complaints, avg 114,919 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Jeep Liberty?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 87,298 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2004 Jeep Liberty?
NHTSA complaints for the 2004 Jeep Liberty include 119 crash-related reports, 50 fire reports, 98 injuries, and 2 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2004 Jeep Liberty have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,146,804 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2004 Jeep Liberty?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Jeep Liberty reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2004 Jeep Liberty

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.

Check Any VIN — $4.99