10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
36,750 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Jeep Liberty engine problems

engine problem

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2004 Jeep Liberty Owner Comments

problem #16

Mar 292019

Liberty

  • 94,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I drove for about an hour on a steep mountain road. Sometimes using the overdrive to go up steep grades. The cruise control would not work. I made it to town and was on the main road stopped in traffic. Suddenly, the rpms raced and the Jeep accelerated on its own. I had my foot on the brake, but had to put it in park to stop it, but not before it hit then truck in front of me. I was shaken up and checked the floor mat to make sure it was not touching the gas pedal. It was not.

- Santa Fe, NM, USA

problem #15

Nov 152015

Liberty 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,800 miles
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

- Columbia, NC, USA

problem #14

Mar 082017

Liberty

  • 105,000 miles
At interstate speed the Jeep accelerates unexpectedly as if the throttle is pressed to the floor. This is the third time this has happened. Accelerates to 80 miles per hour almost instantly.

- Zanesville, OH, USA

problem #13

Aug 262013

Liberty

  • 40,560 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2004 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while entering a parking space with the brakes engaged, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into another vehicle. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 40,560.

- Mantor, OH, USA

problem #12

Jun 252012

Liberty 6-cyl

  • 72,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, the vehicle accelerated up to 75 mph on its own. The contact was able to decelerate. The failure recurred, and while depressing the brake, the vehicle accelerated instead of braking. There was a warning light illuminated with a symbol of a car and the contact was unsure of what that meant. The vehicle was taken to dealer; however an inspection or repair did not take place. The manufacturer was notified and no assistance was provided. The failure and current mileages were 72,000. Updated 08-07-12 updated 08/08/2012

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #11

May 072011

Liberty

  • miles
The contact owns a 2004 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that there was a momentary increase in engine rpms as the vehicle was stopped. The failure recurred sporadically. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Empire, MI, USA

problem #10

Aug 032009

Liberty 6-cyl

  • 58,739 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2004 Jeep Liberty parked in parking garage. Put key in ignition and had foot on brake. Turned key on, put it in reverse and car accelerated out of control. Put second foot on brake and tried to stop car. Continued to accelerate. Front drivers side tire caught a pillar and between that and practically standing on brake finally stopped car. Took car to dealer in West valley ut. They could not repeat a diagnostic problem but did state the throttle body was dirty and cleaned it, along with $1575.95 worth of parts and labor. They replaced a bent steering gear. I had the car for 5 years and it never happened before. I wrote to Chrysler and they sent me a check for half of the $1575.95 damage. They did not include any other paperwork. I called them and they again would not put anything in writing as to why they did not pay the entire amount. I strongly feel that it was a problem with the acceleration system and I should be reimbursed for the rest of the money.

- Meadowlakes, TX, USA

problem #9

Feb 022010

Liberty

  • 74,940 miles
I was at a complete stop with my foot firmly on the brake waiting to exit a parking lot to enter traffic, when the Jeep started to accelerate into oncoming traffic. I was holding the brake down and I could hear a grinding noise as the car continued to advance into traffic. I took my foot from the brake and put on the accelerator to narrowly miss being hit broadside by a pickup truck. I called Chrysler and was told that she had never heard of this happening, but I have found many other peoples' stories online of the same problem.

- Fairchance, PA, USA

problem #8

Sep 292009

(reported on)

Liberty

  • miles
2004 Jeep Liberty unintended acceleration. The consumers husband is a mechanic. Her husband and his employer were trying to maneuver the vehicle into the work bay, due to a broken ball joint the vehicle could not be steered. The consumers husband was guiding the vehicle with a floor jack, while the other mechanic was gently giving it gas to slowly move forward, when all of a sudden, the vehicle shot forward at full speed on its own. The consumers husband was dragged 15 feet then crushed against in an upright position. The consumers husband was seriously. Injured.

- Unknown, DC, USA

problem #7

Feb 012009

Liberty

  • miles
Our Honda civic was in motion when struck from behind by an out-of-control 2004 Jeep Liberty. The Jeep pushed our car for 1 1/2 blocks before veering to the right, taking out a utility pole and hitting 3 cars in a used car lot before coming to a stop. The driver of the Jeep stated the brakes would not work and the car was clearly accelerating throughout the accident.

- Ashland, MA, USA

problem #6

Nov 102007

Liberty 4WD 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The speedometer / mileage odometer have intermittently stopped working on several occasions. I brought this up to the dealership since prior to the vehicle going out of the 36mo/36000 mile warranty and was told there was nothing wrong with it, there obviously is. The final time they went out was on Nov 10th while we were going through the mountains of Tennessee on our way to nc. It has not worked since. After much looking on the internet I have discovered there are a lot of other consumers with the identical complaint on the 2001 through 2006 Jeep Liberty's. I then called the Chrysler consumer hotline and the first person I spoke with was very understanding and said that Chrysler would be able take care of it, he then transferred me to a supervisor to have the repairs authorized and the supervisor was very rude and said "Chrysler didn't owe me anything, and they would not provide any assistance". this is unacceptable to me as a consumer.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #5

Nov 102004

Liberty 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles
At about 5-6,000 miles my 04 Jeep Liberty sport's acceleration began to stutter at around 50 mph. If you drive consistently between 50-60 mph for a few miles and then try to accelerate the engine pressure drops, the rpms drop and the gas peddle feels like it's disappeared. Eventually it will catch and the rpms spike to about 4000 rpms and the car accelerates but in an emergency situation I feel that the cars acceleration will fail. I've brought it to the dealer on several occasions and every time the dealer can not replicate the problem as the problem happens only when you sustain 50-60 mph over a period of time.

- Kew Gardens, NY, USA

problem #4

Jan 122006

Liberty 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,360 miles
: 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.

- Kershaw, SC, USA

problem #3

Nov 232005

Liberty 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,000 miles
This is follow-up to complaint 10145198. Just received letter in mail from diamler Chrysler that they could not find anything wrong with our 2004 Jeep Liberty. This is the Jeep that almost killed my wife when it accelerated without her pushing on the pedal. We are now sitting on a boat anchor that we can not get back in to. If anyone wants it let us know! we know of at least one other case of a Jeep taking off and injuring someone. I will again ask how many times has someone been killed or injured in a Jeep because of excess speed. Could this be what happened to them.

- Oshkosh, WI, USA

problem #2

Nov 232005

Liberty 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,000 miles
Driver had just completed turn on to an approach ramp to a 4 lane highway. As Jeep Liberty started down ramp it sped up with no pedal pressure. The Jeep pulled sharply to the left, the driver was able to correct but because of continued increase of speed hit guard rail on opposite side of ramp. The driver had both feet on the brake and held Jeep against guard rail for approx 300 ft before being able to stop. The uncontrolled acceleration had caused the Jeep to swerve side to side and it was only the skill of the driver that prevented this Jeep from going over the edge of the ramp and rolling over. The driver received a broken wrist in her effort to keep the Jeep on the road. The Jeep was taken to the local dealer and is still sitting there. The manufacturer has inspected the Jeep and told the dealer not to touch it. They have not responded to phone calls about what is wrong and when the owners may expect their Jeep back, in driving condition. The only answer the owners have received is the manufacturers legal dept has the file. The road on the date of this incident was dry and the Jeep had approx 27000 miles on it. The owners would like to know if someone can tell them how many more Jeep have had this problem and what is being done about it. How many deaths in Jeep are the result of excess speed. Could these be the result of this type of uncontrolled acceleration.

- Oshkosh, WI, USA

problem #1

Jun 132004

Liberty 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,600 miles
While backing out of the driveway vehicle suddenly accelerated, and the accelerator pedal was stuck to the floor. Consumer was not able to maintain control of the vehicle. Consumer placed both feet on the brake pedal and vehicle continued to accelerate into a house. Driver sustained back and neck injuries and was transported to the hospital. The vehicle was totaled by the insurance company.

- Richmond, VA, USA

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