Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that the rear window defroster detached from the window. Also, the contact mentioned that after the brakes were repaired on the vehicle, smoke appeared from the driver side tires. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with rear window defroster wire failure. The vehicle was repaired, however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. Updated 7/23/15 updated 11/9/15
Vehicle was in motion on city street, turning a corner at approximately 20 MPH the front end suspension: control arm snapped/ disconnected from the lower ball joint. Axle shaft assembly/ cv drive shaft broke. Cost of repair $1500
Lots of snow on ground, freezing weather. Pulled vehicle out of driveway to clear snow from drive. Parked the vehicle on the edge of the road at the end of my driveway. After I had cleared a spot for the Jeep Liberty, my wife moved it back in the drive. She didn't stop until the vehicle collided with the garage. I saw the brake lights on, but it didn't stop. I questioned her to what happened, she said the brakes didn't work. I tested it myself by backing away from the garage and found out that she was correct. The brakes didn't work. It had a firm pedal, but the brakes did not apply. Like almost if they were frozen. Being a mechanic for almost 40 years, I never experienced anything like it. I talked to the salesperson whom I purchased it from, he informed me that he no longer works for the dealer and just park it in a warm garage that would take care of it. …
My 2004 Jeep Liberty was parked under my carport. I had started the engine to warm the car, with the emergency brake on. There was no one around the car but my dogs, but somehow it managed to roll down the driveway into the corner of a barn. The distance was about 10 yards with an incline of about 2 feet, yet ther was over $3000.00 in damage to the car. It hit right in the center of the grill/hood. I was very surprised as the emergency brake was on, however on inspection, there was still one click left on the emergency brake. I have tested this theory by getting on a hill in the vehicle and pulling the emergency brake. Indeed, it does not hold the vehicle until you reach the very last click on the emergency brake. Jeep denies any product flaw when contacted. I disagree. …
Two concerns - the first being safety related. There is metal grinding noise when braking. All speeds - slow or fast, and in all "drives", two wheel or four wheel drive. No mechanics I have visited have been able to diagnose it. There are hundreds of other Jeep Liberty owners experiencing the same problem. I have spoken in person with several and read hundreds of complaints online of the same thing. Secondly, three of my windows have now failed to operate. Also a widespread Jeep Liberty issue with a piece in the lifting mechanism. The motors are operating just fine, but there is a piece inside the door that breaks and the windows fail to open or close thereafter. Sometimes, a lifting mechanism spring-looking piece grinds upwards into the cabin of the vehicle when the "broken" window mechanisms are accidentally activated. …
Heard some kind of pop, then some grinding when holding the brake down and turning the wheel. Took car to my regular mechanic. They found all 4 ball joints boots perforated & handed me a recall notice for lower ball joints only that was from sept. 2006. I purchased the vehicle jan. 2006 & never rec'd this recall. Even when I went to the dealer for the fuel tank recall on 7/11/15, they didn't notify me of it. I went on moparownerconnect.com & it shows this recall as repaired, which obviously isn't possible. According to audomd.com there are several issues related to this vehicle through different manufacturers. I have an appt. Set up at the dealer next week & depending on what they say about fixing all the ball joints and checking for other safety concerns, I May be sending in another complaint.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Jeep Liberty. While driving and making turns, the steering wheel made a loud grinding noise. The noise was also heard when the brake pedal was depressed. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V278000 (suspension); however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called crown Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram greensboro at [phone] (located at 3710 w wendover ave, greensboro, nc 27407) and was informed that the part was not available. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
My Jeep was great until 125,000 miles and we'll here we go... First I thought my brakes were going out and had the pads replaced, then they started "sticking" or so I thought, almost causing me to lose control going 65mph. The brakes still are not safe in my opinion after every part was replaced. I just had the hoses to the steering pump replaced and the problem still persists, only now my engine is idling at 1200 rpms in park? Please help.. $1000 later and I'm no better off. Thanks. The vehicle is currently smoking under the hood and emits a strong smell of brake fluid. Also it struggles to get up hills with rpms at 2500 going only 55mph. I May be a woman but I know my car and I know it's very dangerous, whatever it May be.
Driving under 10 MPH lightly applied breaks vehicle went into a spin. This has occurred three times now over the last three weeks. Luckily was able to avoid accidents each time. First two occurrences were experienced by my daughter. I took the vehicle for a test drive to determine cause/issue and found that the vehicle is dangerously defective when breaking a low speeds. I ran the vehicle up to 10 MPH I applied the breaks in a controlled area while going ~10 MPH on a straight away. Without warning the vehicle went into a terrible spin doing a 360 3 times. Felt as vehicle was going to tip. When this occurred to my daughter she reported that one side of the vehicle lifted off the ground.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Jeep Liberty. While the vehicle was stopped at a red light, it accelerated independently even while the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle had to be placed into neutral in order to stop. The vehicle was taken to galeana Chrysler Jeep Kia (180 greystone blvd, columbia, sc 29210) where the dealer stated that there was no issue with the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred several more times. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 15,800. Updated 08/09/17
Brake complaints in other Liberty years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2004 Jeep Liberty?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Jeep Liberty, 4% of the model year's 1,101 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Jeep Liberty brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury to brakes 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.