KnownCarProblems2004 Jeep Liberty Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,101 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Jeep Liberty, most often about the suspension (41% of complaints, typically around 52,500 miles). It is 5th of 13 Liberty model years by number of complaints and has 7 recalls.
Most common 2004 Jeep Liberty problems
Suspension
456 complaints · 41%Half of these problems showed up before 52,500 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear, multiple axle.
2004 Jeep Liberty, ball joint broke, wheel fell off,had to replace front lower ball joint, wheel, & right axle shaft. Only had 52,000 miles. The factory did pay 50% of repair. I had complained to dealer during warranty period that I heard a noise when going over speed bumps in the front right passenger side and that…
1. Started to have issues with front end(alignment?) @1 1/2 weeks before incident. One day prior to incident, there was a grinding in the front while turning right into a restaurant parking lot. 2. Prior to driving the day of the incident, I started the vehicle and turned the steering wheel back and forth at which…
Fuel system
186 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 109,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery.
The contact owns a 2004 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while installing an OEM towing hitch, as directed under NHTSA campaign number: 13v252000 (fuel system, gasoline, structure), an unknown component connected to the towing assembly became fractured and prevented the recall repair from being able to be…
Unable to get vehicle fixed under - recall n46 [email] has responded to my request with the following: thank you for contacting the Jeep customer assistance center. We would like to apologize for the delay []. We have proposed a solution to the concern to NHTSA. Currently, we are waiting for NHTSA's concurrence of the…
Body and structure
128 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 107,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
I have a 2004 Jeep Liberty that I have owned since 8/21/07. About 1 month ago I started having problems with my tailgate not opening, but the glass does will open. It remains locked, but I hear the actuator working and I know the recall on this vehicle has been completed in 12/2006.
The contact owns a 2004 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle became detached and the power steering assist failed. The contact inspected the vehicle and it was determined that the vehicle was completely rusted. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure.…
Visibility and wipers
121 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, glass, side/rear, defroster/defogger/hvac system, windshield wiper/washer.
Within months I have had all four of my window regulators break in my vehicle and all four windows fell completely into door. Two of the times I was driving down the road when window fell. Very expensive to repair already repaired one, now all four broke. Cannot get window to go back up. My extended warranty which I…
I found back window dropped into door twice on its own and would not go up. Front passenger side window dropped into door once on its own and would not go up. First time was june 8, 2006. Second time was june 20, 2007. Third time was september 4, 2007.
Electrical
80 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 93,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, instrument cluster/panel, wiring, horn.
June 13, 2013, third window regulator to fail within one year on my Jeep Liberty. Failed window regulators are front left and right windows, and left rear window. Very frustrated and disappointed with chrysler and how they are handling a known issue. After speaking with several employees and manager at the chrysler…
The headlights flick on and off while driving. I can hear the headlight relay clicking when the lights cycle on and off. This is a significant safety issue and based upon the number of complaints should be addressed by Jeep.
Engine
59 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 95,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
We were at a berry farm picking raspberries, we looked up and saw our vehicle rolling towards US. The transmission must of popped out gear(park) the car continued gaining speed down the hill as it slammed into a tree.
The contact owned a 2004 Jeep Liberty. While driving 50 MPH, smoke and sparks appeared from the engine compartment. Approximately five minutes later, the vehicle burst into flames. The vehicle was merged to the side of the road and the contact was able to safely exit the vehicle. The fire department extinguished the…
Steering
54 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: rack and pinion, hydraulic power assist, hydraulic power assist system, linkages.
On my 2004 Jeep Liberty I have had the lower front ball joints replace a few years back by the f23 recall. This week as I was replacing upper control arms, which come pre assembled with the ball joint, I noticed the boots for the lower ball joints were again damaged. I also noticed that there is a loud noise when…
65 MPH,highway.lost control,no steering ability at all.coasted car to park along freeway shoulder,to avoid accident and being hit by a truck.
Transmission
52 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, axle assembly, transfer case (4-wheel drive).
Dt: was making a turn then heard a crunch sound tin he passenger's side, front end of the vehicle collapsed. Towed vehicle to the mechanic, who said it was a default of the dealer. Contacted the dealer, they are going to send someone out but when they get around to it. There was a recall for lower ball joints for 2002…
Tl contact owns a 2004 Jeep Liberty. While driving 5 MPH in snowy conditions, the vehicle was supposed to be in 4 wheel drive and began to skid. The vehicle failed to shift into 4 wheel drive, although the indicator was illuminated, which meant it was activated. The contact also heard a clunking sound. She took the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Jeep Liberty recalls
Suspension: rear
Risk: A fractured control arm can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lower control arms, free of charge. The recall began june 26, 2018. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is u38. Note: this recall is an expansion of recall 12v-085. Vehicles included in that campaign are not included in this recall.
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: structure
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Fix: Owners may take their vehicles to dealers and the dealers will perform a free inspection of the rear structure. On vehicles in the recall that are not equipped with a tow hitch, chrysler will install a chrysler designed tow hitch free of charge, provided the condition of the vehicle can support proper installation. On vehicles in the recall that are equipped with an aftermarket tow hitch, chrysler will assess whether the hitch and surrounding areas show evidence of sharp edges or other puncture risks. If so, chrysler will replace the tow hitch with a chrysler designed tow hitch free of charge,
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: rear
Risk: A fracture of the rear lower control arm may result in a loss of vehicle control and may lead to a vehicle crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lower control arms on all affected vehicles originally sold in, 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, free of charge. The safety recall began on march 26, 2012. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: lower ball joint
Risk: When the driver continues to operate the vehicle with this condition, the contamination can lead to corrosion, accelerated wear and possibly separation from the steering knuckle causing a loss of vehicle steering control increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front lower ball joints free of charge. The recall began on september 11, 2006. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
On certain trucks, the constant tension front lower ball joints may experience contamination. If the vehicle is operated for an extended period with this condition, the ball joint may eventually experience wear and looseness.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: Damage to the alternator wiring harness could result in an under hood fire.
Fix: Dealers will add protective caps to the valve cover studs and re-route the affected wiring harness to provide clearance. Owner notification began on july 19, 2004. Owners can contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.7l engines only, two valve cover studs may interfere with the fuel injector and alternator wiring harnesses.
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: This can cause the lock motor bearings to overheat and seize. If this occurs, the door lock system will become inoperative.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace, as necessary, the door latch assemblies and the BCM software will be updated. Owner notification began on may 10, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
On some sport utility vehicles, certain remote keyless entry (rke) input may cause the body control module (BCM) software to actuate the door lock motors continuously.
Equipment: labels
Risk: The vehicle owner would not be aware of the tire, wheel, and inflation pressure information for their vehicle.
Fix: Owners will be provided with a corrected tire certification label. Owner notification began on march 1, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles, due to a recent software programming error, the tire, wheel, and inflation pressure information was inadvertently omitted from the vehicle certification label.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Crash related fuel tank fires
Summary
Odi has completed an extensive analysis of rear crash fuel tank system integrity data for the subject jeep cherokee, grand cherokee and liberty vehicles (svs).as of june 2013, odi knew of 56 post-collision fatal fires, 28 non-fatal fires, and 6 fuel leak incidents (totaling 90 incidents, 75 fatalities and 58 injuries) involving the svs.based on this analysis, odi issued a recall request letter (rrl) on june 3, 2013 requesting that chrysler recall the grand cherokee and liberty vehicles due to the rate of fatal, non-fatal fire, and fuel leak incidents when compared to peer vehicles (compact and medium suvs) built during the same time period.in the rrl, odi described how the location of the af
Rear suspension control arm failure
Summary
In a letter dated march 2, 2012 chrysler group llc (chrysler) submitted a defect information report (NHTSA recall no. 12v-085) to the NHTSA identifying a safety defect regarding rear suspension lower control arm corrosion in approximately 210,000 model year (my) 2004 and 2005 jeep liberty vehicles, originally sold or currently registered in a salt-belt state (connecticut, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, kentucky, massachusetts, maine, maryland, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin and the district of columbia).according to chrysler, excessive corrosion could result in fracture of a rear susp
Rear suspension control arm failure
Summary
During preliminary evaluation (pe11-013), the office of defects investigation (odi) conducted an analysis of consumer field data from its vehicle owner questionnaire (voq) database and from complaint data submitted to odi by chrysler. Odi's analysis of voq data identified 13 complaints alleging failure of either the right or left rear lower control arm due to excessive corrosion.all of these complaints were associated with vehicles originally sold or registered in a salt belt state (for the purposes of this investigation, 'salt belt' includes connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohi
Front suspension ball joint separation
Summary
On january 6, 2006, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation to investigate alleged front suspension lower ball joint separationin certain model year (my) 2004 jeep liberty vehicles.odi sent a letter to the manufacturer on february 7, 2006 requesting information about these and other jeep liberty vehicles.consequently, the investigation was upgraded to an engineering analysis on may 31, 2006 and the range of subject vehicles under investigation was expanded to include all my 2002-2006 jeep liberty vehicles.odi is aware of 566 non-duplicative complaints alleging involuntary front suspension lower ball joint separation in the subject vehicles.odi is also aware
Front suspension ball joint separation
Summary
On january 6, 2006, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation to investigate alleged front suspension lower ball joint separation while driving in certain model year (my) 2004 jeep liberty vehicles.odi sent a letter to the manufacturer on february 7, 2006 requesting information about these and other jeep liberty vehicles.odi is aware of 93 non-duplicative complaints that allege involuntary front suspension lower ball joint separation in the subject vehicles.odi is also aware of two alleged injury incidents related to the alleged defect (one crash incident and one non-crash incident), both resulting in minor injury.the manufacturer conducted a prior safety reca
Questions about the 2004 Jeep Liberty
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Jeep Liberty?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: suspension (456 complaints, typically around 52,500 miles); fuel system (186 complaints, typically around 109,000 miles); body and structure (128 complaints, typically around 107,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Jeep Liberty have?
- 7 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 1, 2018 (suspension). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Jeep Liberty?
- It is 5th of 13 Liberty model years by number of complaints, with 1,101 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.