2004 Jeep Liberty Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 52about this part
- Share
- 5%of 1,101 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 45,075miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 52 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Jeep Liberty, 5% of the 1,101 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,075 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11372303, filed 2020-10, 157,284 miles“Car just shuts off on highway... This has happened several times.... After restarting works okay as if re-starting booting electrical system... Engine light on.. Rear hatch does not open... I believe this vehicle has major electrical problems from what I have read and experienced...”
NHTSA complaint #10501080, filed 2013-03, 79,000 miles“Transmission went at roughly 35,000 miles and again at 70,000 miles and then again at 120,000 miles first 2 times I was driving slow in town the third time I was on the highway when transmission slipped out of gear almost had an accident!”
NHTSA complaint #10445164, filed 2012-01, 35,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10669448, filed 2015-01, 192,260 miles“We were at a berry farm picking raspberries, we looked up and saw our vehicle rolling towards us. The transmission must of popped out gear(park) the car continued gaining speed down the hill as it slammed into a tree.”
NHTSA complaint #10524146, filed 2013-07, 95,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10220471Feb 22, 2021Mechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio.
- 10217728Jul 30, 2014Generic Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Procedure This bulletin involves programming a generic PCM with software.
- 10141243Jul 30, 2014Generic Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Procedure This bulletin involves programming a generic PCM with software.
- 10030347Nov 6, 2009Chrysler/jeep: flash: esp system may prematurely activate momentarily when negotiating a curve or mil illumination due to diagnostic trouble code p0340, p0344 or p0116. This…
- 10021684Apr 26, 2007Generic powertrain control module (pcm) procedure.
- 10021239Aug 25, 2006Powertrain control module initialization.
- 10017000Sep 1, 200545rfe/545rfe trans - delayed engagement due to cooler return filter replacement.
- 10013731Mar 2, 2005Powertrain control module initialization.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 34 | 9% |
| 2011 | 10 | 6% |
| 2010 | 12 | 6% |
| 2009 | 3 | 3% |
| 2008 | 30 | 6% |
| 2007 | 40 | 6% |
| 2006 | 76 | 6% |
| 2005 | 97 | 9% |
| 2004 | 52 | 5% |
| 2003 | 64 | 5% |
| 2002 | 84 | 5% |
| 2000 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2004 Jeep Liberty
456 complaintsFuel system
186 complaintsBody and structure
128 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
121 complaintsElectrical system
80 complaintsSteering
54 complaintsOther or unknown
42 complaintsBrakes
40 complaintsExterior lighting
40 complaintsAir bags
39 complaintsEngine
32 complaintsEngine cooling
27 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Jeep Liberty
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology