repaired · 2019 Q3
Suspension: rear
Risk. A fractured control arm can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
2004 Jeep LibertyProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 1,101 owner complaints about the 2004 Jeep Liberty, most often about the suspension. It is covered by 7 safety recalls, and for recall 18V-278 the manufacturer reports only 24% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 30, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2004 Jeep Liberty has problems
1,101 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
456Suspension29 crash/fire/injury
128Structure7 crash/fire/injury
108Visibility3 crash/fire/injury
93Fuel/propulsion system7 crash/fire/injury
93Fuel system, gasoline5 crash/fire/injury
80Electrical system
54Steering
52Power train
40Exterior lighting
27319 other systems83 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 456 | 29 |
| Structure | 128 | 7 |
| Visibility | 108 | 3 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 93 | 7 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 93 | 5 |
| Electrical system | 80 | 14 |
| Steering | 54 | 8 |
| Power train | 52 | 6 |
| Exterior lighting | 40 | 1 |
| 19 other systems | 273 | 83 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
7 recalls
2004 Jeep Liberty recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2015 Q4
Storage: tank assembly
Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
no report yet
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.
no report yet
Control arm: 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…
Show 3 more recalls
no report yet
Engine and engine cooling
Risk. DAMAGE TO THE ALTERNATOR WIRING HARNESS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.
no report yet
Doors: latch
Risk. THIS CAN CAUSE THE LOCK MOTOR BEARINGS TO OVERHEAT AND SEIZE.
no report yet
Other: labels
Risk. THE VEHICLE OWNER WOULD NOT BE AWARE OF THE TIRE, WHEEL, AND INFLATION PRESSURE INFORMATION FOR THEIR VEHICLE.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Jeep.
Mileage at failure
When do suspension problems start?
52kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 324 suspension complaints. 72% were reported before 100,000 miles.
58under 30k miles233under 100k miles91100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Visibility
24 owners mentioned a cost$400median
Middle half: $300 – $500
Suspension
11 owners mentioned a cost$600median
Middle half: $386 – $1,400
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2004 vs. every other Liberty year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Liberty median. How we score
'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2004 Jeep Liberty safety ratings
2004 Jeep Liberty 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Rollover: 3 stars (21.9% risk)
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
5 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2004 Jeep Liberty, and the recalls they led to.
- FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT SEPARATIONLed to recall 06V-288
- Rear Suspension Control Arm FailureLed to recall 12V-085
- Crash Related Fuel Tank FiresLed to recall 13V-252
- FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT SEPARATIONNo recall
- Rear Suspension Control Arm FailureNo recall
In owners' words
What Liberty owners report
Recent suspension complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
Yes I checked for recall on my 04 jeep liberty suspension and there is a recall on it I was driving my jeep and it is pulling so much that it's scary to drive but it's the only vehicle I have to get back and fourth to work so I researched it and everything it's saying on the recall is what is going…
I was going around a corner when it felt like a cinder block was under it. I stopped and looked but it wouldn't go and the driver's wheel was slumped where you couldn't drive it. I called the tow truck and had it towed to get it fixed. The Lower Ball Joint and control arm had to be replaced on both…
[XXX] My son’s 2004 jeep liberty with 90k miles was towed to Andy Mohr Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram4505 W 96th St Indianapolis, IN 46268 by Cooks. I requested the vehicle be towed bc at approximately 530am i was driving the vehicle in the parking lot and turned right out of the parking lot in order to…
Own a 2004 Liberty?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.