Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Jeep Liberty owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2004 Jeep liberty. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH going through the green traffic light her vehicle had been hit by another vehicle in the intersection passing a red light. 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. The contact stated that the ambulance was dispatched to the scene to evaluate her, and had determined that she was okay at the time and did not have to go to the hospital. The contact stated that she only suffered from a few bruises. The manufacturer nor the dealer were notified of the failure. The mileage failure was 200,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Jeep Liberty. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the front end of the vehicle shook. The axle fractured and the vehicle crashed into the retaining wall. The vehicle spun counter clockwise and the rear passenger side tire detached from the vehicle. The vehicle stopped spinning and faced oncoming traffic. The vehicle was unable to be moved. 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. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 156,280. ....updated 01/13/16
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the rear passenger side of the vehicle veered to the right. As a result, the contact crashed into an embankment. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained mild injuries to his left waist, but did not seek medical treatment. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V085000 (suspension). The failure mileage was 117,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the contact was fatigued and possibly fell asleep. As a result, the contact crashed into a cement barrier. 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
I was recently in an accident where a truck driving erratically slammed on their brakes causing a 3 car pile up, in which I was caused to rear end the vehicle in front of me at about 35 miles per hour. The airbags failed to deploy causing my face/head / chest to hit the steering wheel also causing severe neck pain and other injury. I would like to know how to purse the manufacturer for the defect. There is no reported accidents or airbag deployment to the vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the contact collided into the rear of another 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.
I was in accident on sept 27 and the airbag did not deploy until the vehicle stopped it took about 5mins after accident then there was a smell like rubber and it just went poof didn't make contact with my face or body. Stationary on hwy 89 and was fired from my job for not being able to start the next day. I am left handed and was not able to contact ya'll thank you
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while stopped due to a traffic back-up on the ramp at the I-271/I-480 interchange, the vehicle was crashed into the rear by another vehicle (GMC SUV) driving approximately 48 MPH. The air bags failed to deploy. The rear of the contact's vehicle instantly became engulfed in flames. The contact's mouth struck the steering wheel and his upper face was thrown into the windshield. The contact sustained injuries to the face, loss of his upper teeth, a fractured cheekbone and nose. The contact also sustained burns to the left hand, wrist, upper forehead, left eye and ear, right ankle and the left knee. The contact also sustained a concussion. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 152,000. …
Dt*: the contact stated when applying brake pressure the vehicle lurched forward. When attempting to make a low speed stop at a stop sign, the vehicle suddenly accelerated into traffic. The vehicle continued to accelerate even though brake pressure was applied. The vehicle struck a culvert, rolled 3 times and eventually came to a stop along the embankment. The contact was extracted from the vehicle by emergency services. Although the contact was wearing a seat belt, minor injuries were sustained. Upon initial impact, the seat belt released from the buckle assembly and the air bag did not deploy. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was deemed totaled by the insurance adjustor.
While driving at 25 MPH, the driver side air bag deployed for no logical reason. The consumer lost control of the vehicle and collided with an embankment. The vehicle never ran over anything or hit anything before the mishap. The consumer suffered a sprained wrist, a concussion and trauma to his back. The consumer also reported that before the air bag deployed, that electrical currents from the steering wheel were shocking who ever drove the vehicle. This electrical shock has happened on three different occasions and the dealer has tried to find the source. The manufacturer and the dealer were aware problem. Headlights go out intermittently, dealer replaced switch.
Airbag complaints in other Liberty years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2004 Jeep Liberty?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the air bags of the 2004 Jeep Liberty, 4% of the model year's 1,101 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Jeep Liberty airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2004 Jeep Liberty, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Jeep Liberty airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 26% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 28 crashes, 1 fire and 37 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.