JeepLiberty20042.5L/jeep/liberty/2004/2-5l/
KJ platform

2004 Jeep Liberty — 2.5L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Liberty 2.5L.

Body SUVEngine 2.5L

The 2004 Jeep Liberty 2.5L is a compact SUV built on the KJ chassis and powered by a 2.5‑liter engine, positioning it squarely in Jeep’s early‑2000s off‑road‑oriented lineup. Across its production run the model logged 1,100 owner complaints, with suspension issues emerging as the most frequent problem and a total of 13 recalls underscoring its service challenges. Compared with the broader 2000‑2012 complaint record, 2004 sits between the peak of 1,807 complaints in 2002 and the low of six complaints in the inaugural 2000 year, indicating a moderate reliability standing for this generation. Researchers should therefore view the 2004 Liberty as a mid‑point in the model’s overall durability profile, offering useful context for longitudinal analyses.

Model year20042003

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque85-110 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 04105409AE. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tire sizeP215-75R16OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04105409AE alt 04781452BF
Engine air filter05018777AC alt 05019443AA
Spark plugSPZFR6F11G alt 68307021AA
BatteryBB34F101AA
Front wiper blades05066974AA alt 05066973AC
Serpentine belt53032037AJ alt 53013352AD
Thermostat53010552AC alt 68174083AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length166.1 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height70.5 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Curb weight4043 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine Front: 80W-; Rear: 198RB in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-110 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-6-5-4-3-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilFront: 80W-; Rear: 198RB
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.6 Pints mvc Front
Differential Gear OilFront: 80W-; Rear: 198RB
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.8 Pints
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-110 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub100 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-6-5-4-3-2

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.63 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeSP-15
Oil Capacity8.00 oz

Service checks

Pressure Test16 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief18-21 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature195 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)47-51 psi
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket11 ft-lbs / 18 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.030 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.030
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in / 0.0007 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 0.472 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.472 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.024 in / 0.433 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi.

Every 6,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 18,000 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect)
At 120,000 miTransfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2004 Jeep Liberty sits within a generation that saw its highest complaint and recall volumes in the early years, with 2002 recording a peak of 1,807 complaints and 14 recalls. By 2004, complaints had declined to 1,100 and investigations to 5, yet the 13 recalls remain elevated, matching 2003 and far exceeding later years like 2007 (7 recalls) or 2008 (5 recalls). The trend across the generation shows a gradual improvement, but 2004 still falls in the high-problem arc before a steeper drop after 2006. Notably, suspension issues dominate the 2004 complaints at 388, and the year also saw 86 crash complaints and 39 fire complaints, though the data does not specify root causes. Given the persistent recall count and complaint volume relative to later model years, a 2004 Liberty represents a riskier choice compared to 2007 or newer examples.

13
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
70
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
5
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1,100
Owner complaints
86 involved a crash · 39 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,100 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension388
Visibility88
Fuel System, Gasoline,Structure53
Fuel/Propulsion System44
Structure,Fuel/Propulsion System36
Power Train30
Fuel System, Gasoline29
Electrical System28

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 13 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V278000Suspension:RearReported 01/05/2018

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…

12V085000Suspension:RearReported 05/03/2012

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 70 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
S22080001362022-07-09Electrical SystemSecurity Module Lock Out After Entering the PIN to Unlock The Wireless Control Module…
S22080001362022-07-09Electrical SystemSecurity Module Lock Out After Entering the PIN to Unlock The Wireless Control Module…
90017842021-02-22Power TrainMechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio.
90017842021-02-22EquipmentMechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio.
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

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VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Liberty. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2004 Liberty have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 13 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.