Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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 received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 06V288000 (Suspension), 13V252000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Structure), and 18V278000 (Suspension). The contact scheduled a recall repair appointment, and after arriving at the dealer, was informed that parts were not yet available for the recall repairs. The dealer suggested that the appointment be rescheduled. The appointment was rescheduled. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ball joints fractured. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact stated that the dealer had the vehicle for almost a month before the contact was advised that the recall repairs could not be completed due to other vehicle failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 183,674. …
The contact owns a 2004 Jeep Liberty. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V085000 (Suspension). The vehicle was taken to an undisclosed dealer, where the recall repair was completed; however, the contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle started shaking violently. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to a parking lot where the front passenger's side wheel detached from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. An undisclosed dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was under a parts warranty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that the vehicle intermittently lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that an abnormal noise would emit from the suspension. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and she was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that after making a left turn, the front driver-side wheel detached and no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lower ball joints, the upper control arms, and the axle had to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 85,439.
[redacted] 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 pull to a stop sign. Shortly after turning the wheel to the right I heard grinding that got progressively worse as I continued to coast to the stop sign. Then i heard a loud noise a and couldn't move the vehicle. The tire fell off and I got out and fluid was leaking from vehicle. I researched recall for this vehicle and there were several regarding ball joints and knuckles rusting and breaking. …
I made an appointment at my local Jeep Deslership to have the recall hitch installed. Upon arrival, the service representative told me he needed to hook up a device to read my Jeeps computer codes. I declined that service because I only wanted the recall processed. He then informed me that a hitch couldn't be installed by 5pm "when they closed". After a 30 minute wait, the service representative told me that the bolts in the grame were "to rusted" to be removed to install the hitch. I would like to know if I can file for financial reimbursement when I pay for another business to install the hitch since I've given Jeep the opportunity to fix the recall and they've refused.
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 sides in the front. It was going to happen on the passenger side also. If I would have been on the freeway my car would have flipped and I wouldn't have survived. The back tires had a recall on them that I had done. Also the upper Ball joints had to be replaced.
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 on I'm afraid to get in a wreck and not only hurt my but mostly hurt anyone else in a crash where can I take it to get fixed
Was turning into a parking spot at a convenient store and my driver front lower ball joint snapped at the base it is a clean break you can hold part in back to gather without gaps. Only if I could glue it back together it would look unbroken. Just joking but yeah at least I wasn't driving down the road
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Jeep Liberty. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 18V278000 (suspension). While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle veered to the right and crashed into a guardrail. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact sustained bruises and the passenger sustained back injuries; however, medical attention was not required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact called a local dealer (autonation Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and Fiat columbus, 3000 n lake pkwy ste 100, columbus, ga [phone]) and was informed that the parts were unavailable and on backorder. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 150,000. Parts distribution disconnect. …
Related recalls
Suspension › Rear
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.
Remedy: 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.
Suspension › Rear
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.
Remedy: 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,…
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA investigations
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
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.
Front suspension ball joint separation
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…
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
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,…
Front suspension ball joint separation
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…
Suspension complaints in other Liberty years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2004 Jeep Liberty?
NHTSA has 456 complaints about the suspension of the 2004 Jeep Liberty, 41% of the model year's 1,101 complaints. The component named most often is front › control arm › lower ball joint (260 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Jeep Liberty suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-278 (rear, May 1, 2018); NHTSA recall 12V-085 (rear, Mar 5, 2012); NHTSA recall 06V-288 (lower ball joint, Aug 3, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Jeep Liberty suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 53,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 25 crashes, 3 fires and 22 injuries to suspension 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.