The 2004 Jeep Liberty is, like every Jeep, one of the best vehicles available for off-road performance, and one of the least versatile, least comfortable, least efficient vehicles available for city-driving and grocery trips.
Is the 2004 Jeep Liberty a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – Rating the Liberty as a compact off-roader, it’s really good, but you’ve got to dock a point for some major suspension issues.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 6/10 – Lots of cargo space, but the ride is rough, the back seat is cramped, and there are reports of the wheels falling right off the thing while it’s in motion.
- Reliability 6/10 – The engine and powertrain might reach 250,000 miles or more. But only if the frame doesn’t rust all the way through by then.
- Safety 7/10 – The Liberty’s enhanced emergency response system is a nice touch, but crash test ratings are mediocre and safety tech is dated.
- Gas Mileage 6/10 – It’ll get more miles to the gallon than most Jeeps, but that’s not saying much.
- Value 7/10 – Based on typical listing prices, the Liberty is a steal. Based on the cost of ownership, not so much.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2004 Jeep Liberty?
Consumer Reports praise the Jeep Liberty’s acceleration and solid braking, but state that the ride is jittery and the fuel economy is poor.
Kelley Blue Book users like the powerful engine, reliable powertrain, and spacious interior, praising the SUV’s all-weather, all-terrain performance. There are some reports of premature rust and the stiff suspension may be a bit much for some drivers.
Edmunds‘ review will tell you everything you already know about a Jeep, stating that it’s a great off-roader that guzzles gas and feels unwieldy when you’re driving it in the city. Awesome for camping trips, terrible for daily driving.
What Common Problems Does the 2004 Jeep Liberty Have?
The 2004 Jeep Liberty has 1,088 complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with 450 of these being for suspension issues. Drivers are reporting the front left-side wheel simply detaching from the vehicle. There have been 5 suspension recalls, but complaints are still coming in as late as 2022.
A number of drivers have reported excessive rust in the frame of the vehicle, with one driver stating that their Jeep was rusted so badly that it couldn’t have a trailer hitch attached to it, with a failure mileage of just 141,000. This has been reported in cold states with lots of road salt, but it’s also been reported in Florida.
Powertrain issues are not incredibly common for a 20 year old SUV, but you may experience difficulty shifting if the previous owner was lax in getting the transmission fluid changed.
The 2004 Liberty has 13 recalls on file with the NHTSA, which sounds a bit high for a twenty year old SUV, but it’s about on par for a Jeep. These vehicles are high-maintenance, and that’s just part of the deal when you buy a Jeep.
How Long Will the 2004 Jeep Liberty Last?
Drivers report mileage anywhere from 100,000 to 400,000 before the Jeep Liberty finally gives up the ghost. Realistically you should expect a minimum of 200,000 miles with regular maintenance, and a maximum of around 250,000 miles. If you’re lucky you might hit 300,000, but only if the previous owner did their job.
RepairPal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $674,with the most expensive common fixes being new fuel evaporator canisters starting at $339, and coolant changes starting at $290.
It is. However, depending on how many miles is on it, the maintenance that the previous owners maintained, the car can either be in great condition or ran to the ground
No. Thankfully it’s very reliable. Everything works as if I had just gotten it from the agency. Throughout the years of course you change tires, a little paint job but engine works perfect .
The 2004 Jeep Liberty is a very reliable car. Our 2004 Jeep Liberty has no problems at all. We got our car from a dealership
The only major problem is that the transmission seems to have to be replaced every 7 years. Also the CD player doesn't work anymore. The rear window defroster doesn’t with anymore.
So far it's been very dependable for me. Nothing major has went wrong. I've bought it used other than me it's had 2 owners.
Yes it is very reliable. I have only had minor, normal issues that every car faces such as brakes, rotors, etc but no major issues. Still runs well even at 188k miles.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is about what you expect of a 2004 off-roader. Whatever your trim level, you’ve got a CD player with a disc-changer and six speakers. Nothing too fancy, but it’s all you need for a weekend out on the lake.
Safety features are adequate for a 2004 SUV. Multi-stage airbags and a LATCH system to keep the kids safe. The most cutting-edge thing here is an enhanced accident response system which automatically unlocks the doors, turns on the interior lights, and cuts fuel to the engine when the airbags go off.
Is the 2004 Jeep Liberty a Good Value?
The 2004 Jeep Liberty is a good value if we’re going by sticker price alone. The entry level Sport edition typically lists for $4,073, while the Renegade sells for just a bit more at $4,662, so you might as well get the high-end model.
Where the value evens out a bit is in cost of ownership. Fuel economy isn’t great, and you’re going to be spending more on maintenance than you would for a comparable Ford or Toyota. This is why you see more old Jeeps in driveways than on the road. They’re cheap enough to buy, but expensive to keep running.
What are the Different Models of the 2004 Jeep Liberty?
The 2004 Jeep Liberty is offered in just three trims, from the entry-level Sport to the high-end Renegade.
The base Sport model features:
- CD player with disc changer and six speakers
- Cloth seating
- Fold away side mirrors
- Enhanced accident response system
With the mid-range Limited you’re adding:
- Manual air conditioning
- Remote keyless entry
- Fog lights Leather wrapped steering wheel
- Power windows and door locks
- Cruise control
- Power side mirrors
The top-of-the-line Renegade adds:
- Cloth and vinyl seating
- Rock-protection sill rails
- Roof mounted light bar
What Engines Come In the 2004 Jeep Liberty?
- The base engine in the Sport model is a 2.4L Power Tech inline-four delivering 150 horsepower and 165 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission, configured in rear wheel drive, and it’s not really rated for towing. Expect to average around 20/24 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
- Optional in the Sport and standard in the Limited and Renegade is a 3.7L Power Tech V6 producing 235 lb.-ft of torque and 210 horsepower. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic, configured in rear/four wheel drive, and averages 17/22 miles to the gallon. You can tow up to 5,000 pounds with this engine, depending on your options. Both engines come with a 19.5 gallon tank.
What Colors Does the 2004 Jeep Liberty Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2004 Jeep Liberty?
The 2004 Jeep Liberty is not incredibly comfortable. The back row offers 47.4 inches of hip room, which may be a bit tight for three adults. The suspension is notoriously stiff, and plagued by issues of early failure with drivers reporting the wheels literally falling off of the vehicle.
Jeeps are known for their rough ride, which is fine if you know what to expect. But combining that with busted axles and broken wheels, even smooth roads may feel rocky.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2004 Jeep Liberty Have?
The 2004 Jeep Liberty is spacious for a compact, offering 29 cubic feet of cargo area with the seats up, or 69 with the seats down. It might not be as big as a Grand Cherokee, but it can pack anything you need to take with you on the camping trip.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2004 Jeep Liberty was the third model year for the inaugural KJ generation, running from 2002 to 2007.
2002: The Liberty was introduced as a replacement for the Cherokee. The first Jeep with rack and pinion steering, packed with a couple Power Tech engines, and reintroducing the independent front suspension Jeep dropped after discontinuing the Wagoneer in 1965.
2003: The suspension was lowered by an inch for 2003, the automatic transmission was overhauled, and the Liberty got a bunch of little tweaks here and there to improve the braking and make the SUV safer to drive.
2004: The 2004 model got a new set of roof handles and a tire pressure monitor in the instrument cluster.
2005: The 2.8L diesel model made its debut in 2005, as did new fog lights and fender flares.
2006: Jeep made their Electronic Stability Program a standard feature for 2006. Traction control, roll mitigation, and anti-lock brakes were made standard, as well.
2007: No big changes for 2007. The Renegade trim was dropped, as was the diesel engine option.
How Does the 2004 Jeep Liberty Compare to the Competition?
There’s not much you can compare the Jeep Liberty to, as the SUV’s competitors tend to value versatility over sheer off-road performance. But, if you’re looking for a daily driver that can handle some light off-roading, the Ford Escape isn’t a bad choice, and it lists in the same price range.
If you don’t care about off-roading at all, the Honda CR-V is a much better choice than any Jeep. It’s It typically lists at a thousand dollars more, but it’s also likely to last about 50,000 miles longer, and it surpasses the Liberty for comfort, convenience, and fuel economy.
Jeeps are hard to beat if you’re looking at off-road performance, but they’re some of the worst vehicles on the market if you want a versatile grocery-getter.
Do Owners Recommend the 2004 Jeep Liberty?
Absolutely. However, depending on how many miles are put on it when you get it, things can be not 100% but that’s expected with an older car.
Yes very reliable. I love it because it small and very convenient for the small trips me and my husband take out of town.
Yes the 2004 Jeep Liberty is a good vehicle, and I would recommend it to anyone else who is trying to get a hold of a good car.
It is okay, I have had 2 transmissions replaced. One under warranty and one not. I only have 84,000 Miles approximately. The liberty does handle nicely in the snow.
I feel like it is. I know many people that have had this vehicle and have never had many major issues with it.
Yes, it is good on gas, slight maintenance and fits my personality. It is my favorite car that I have owned and I plan on keeping it as long as it'll run.
