Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 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.
On numerous occasions including today, my 2004 Jeep Liberty has fallen out of gear. Previously I was on the highway doing about 60 MPH and the car switched from drive to neutral on its own. Today the most recent incident I was leaving wawa to get coffee and on my way to work, at the red light the car was in drive, foot on brake as one would normally do. When the light switched to green I lightly tapped the accelerator/gas pedal and the car sat there for a moment without moving again as if it was in neutral. So I pressed the gas pedal again only this time the car started to reverse, as the gear shift clearly showed that I was again in drive. This is very dangerous, thank god both times this has occurred that no other vehicle was behind me or else they May have been a fatal accident especially when I was on the highway. …
Dt*: the contact stated after parking the vehicle, with the engine running, the driver walked 15 feet away, and then the vehicle began to roll backward down a hill into a pond. The vehicle gained speed while rolling down the hill and the doors automatically locked. The contact's infant was still inside the vehicle when it rolled into the water. Both the contact and the father-in-law swam 40 feet from shore to the vehicle and retrieved the baby. Once the child was out of the vehicle, the contact began to swim to shore, the baby and contact made it safely to shore. The father-in-law had a heart attack in the water and passed away on the scene. The police department responded and a report was taken. The contact and baby were admitted to intensive care. The vehicle was towed to the dealership, where both the dealership and manufacturer representatives were unable to determine the problem. …
I was driving up the street heard something like a ran over something then Jeep cut off got out to see if I ran over something but nothing was there and Jeep would not start back up, what if I had been on the highway or busy traffic I could have been seriously hurt, which u am blessed that did not happen, the problem I have is Chrysler should notake anything that could cause you bodily harm. A computer should never go out that is dangerous. I had to have the Jeep towed to my home and then to a ship on two different times an one time back home from the shop because I did not have 900.00 to repair. So I'm stuck without having my Jeep repaired because I'm on a fixed income. Also having electrical problem where Chrysler did poor wiring., cigarette lighter keep going out, blinker and radio wiring is terrible and one of the front lights. …
Car suddenly turned left on 6-lane busy street, accelerated, crossed 2 lanes on left, immediately accelerated & hit 6-lane highway divider at 45 degree angle.. Bounced up. Perched there for a awful second then tipped down on opposite road. Engine still maxed & uncontrollable.. Car turned gently over on roof because engine still at max. Turned it off fearing fire. Wife and I sat there upside down in our belts till the emts came. Researched on internet & found articles by at least 3 Jeep dealers sternly telling drivers to get their rear differential pinion gears adjusted if they mounted oversize tires. Our car had oversized tires when we bought it used. No Jeep company warnings. Were issued Jeep or by dealer. Found 1 terrifying article of a driver who slid to the left without steering control and was struck by an oncoming truck. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle and shifting the gear shifter into park, the transmission failed to engage, allowing the vehicle to roll backwards. The contact engaged the parking brake and turned the steering wheel to the curb to stop the vehicle from rolling. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and determined that engine module needed to be updated. A dealer was not contacted. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 05V460000 (power train) as a possible solution however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Jeep Liberty. While idling at a stop light in 4 wheel drive, approximately 6 feet behind another vehicle, the vehicle dramatically jerked forward without warning. As a result, the contact crashed into the other vehicle. She had to place the vehicle in park to prevent movement of the vehicle. The dealer could not duplicate the failure. The contact noticed that when switching from 4 wheel to two wheel drive, the vehicle operated awkwardly as if it was not in the proper gear. The vehicle stalled once while driving and then restarted itself moments later. The contact filed a formal complaint with the manufacturer. The current and failure mileages were 60,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40-50 MPH, the vehicle failed to shift into gears correctly. The contact stated that the RPM surged while driving 40-50 MPH. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked during the failure with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that occasionally the transmission ceased in first gear. The vehicle was diagnosed by her son who retrieved DTC codes: p0700 (TCM) and p0734 (incorrect gear ratio). The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
I was driving down hardy st in kcmo on my way home start heading clunking rattling noise then a pop and Jeep came to a sudden gault. Car in back me swirved into resident yard to avoid accident I put car in park then back in drive car engage forward but front wheels appears locked as if park brakes were on I did the same with reverse Jeep engage backward but couldn't move I was stuck in the middle of the street I put Jeep in neutral but front wheels remained locked and stayed locked even when towed off.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that the front driver side seat belt would not retract. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the spring harness seat belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000. Updated 09/11/15 the consumer stated the seat belt would no longer fasten and the transmission failed at 80,000 miles. Updated 10/13/2015
Transmission complaints in other Liberty years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2004 Jeep Liberty?
NHTSA has 52 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2004 Jeep Liberty, 5% of the model year's 1,101 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Jeep Liberty transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries and 1 death to transmission & drivetrain 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.