AI Damage2004 Jeep Liberty: common problems
Owners of the 2004 Jeep Liberty filed 1,101 complaints with NHTSA, most often about suspension and structure. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 1,101
- involving a crash
- 86
What fails most often
- 1 Suspension 41% of all complaints
- 2 Structure 12% of all complaints
- 3 Visibility 11% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel/propulsion system 8% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel system 8% of all complaints
- 6 Electrical system 7% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 5% of all complaints
- 8 Powertrain 5% of all complaints
- Suspension: 456 complaints (41% of all), 25 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Structure: 128 complaints (12% of all), 5 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Visibility: 121 complaints (11% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 93 complaints (8% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Fuel system: 93 complaints (8% of all), 5 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 3.7 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speednamed in 1 complaints
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 1,101 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 456 | 25 | 0 |
| Structure | 128 | 5 | 0 |
| Visibility | 121 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 93 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 93 | 5 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 80 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 54 | 8 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 52 | 6 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 40 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 39 | 28 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 37 | 8 | 0 |
| Engine | 32 | 3 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 27 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 25 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact stated that her vehicle was crashed head-on, however, the air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that a police report was filed, and the vehicle was towed.
About a month ago I was coming up the mountain and it was hard to stere and it made me hit a gard rail on the other side of the road and then about a week ago I was going to town and I stopped at the store to get gas and turn it off and it would not start back so I don't no what is wrong
Driving 10 mph under speed limit in right interstate lane when, without warning, sidewall of the hankook dynapro at/m tire blew out. Tire mounted on vehicle's right rear. No brake applied. Vehicle's rapid loss of speed and instability caused trailer to go out of control despite new antisway bar.
Suddenly, the rpms raced and the jeep accelerated on its own. I had my foot on the brake, but had to put it in park to stop it, but not before it hit then truck in front of me. I was shaken up and checked the floor mat to make sure it was not touching the gas pedal. It was not.
Smashed my face on the steering wheel shattering my jaw due to airbags not going off and seatbelts not locking. Needed immediate surgery. They had to smash the front window to get me out of the vehicle.
The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed to contact's residence. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 275,000.
The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a severed tongue that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 176,000. Updated 05/24/16
The air bags failed to deploy. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received head injuries and the contact's children who were in the back seat of the vehicle received facial, arm, back, head, and eye injuries. Medical attention was received. The vehicle was destroyed, but not towed.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 188 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 1% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Liberty has 683 complaints (13 years in the data). This year has 1,101, above average.
What to check before buying
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Jeep Liberty?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: suspension, structure, visibility. Total complaints: 1,101. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: windows, sunroof (13%), smoke, burning smell, fire (6%), rust, corrosion (5%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2004 Jeep Liberty?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2004 Jeep Liberty from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2004 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.