2004 Jeep Liberty Limited 3.7 from North America

Summary:

The Liberty is probably the best 4x4 value on the market

Faults:

There have been no major problems to speak of.

General Comments:

If you are looking for a tough yet very roadworthy compact SUV, the Jeep Liberty is worth a look.

Compared to other compact SUV's, (most which feel like tall wagons) the Liberty exudes a feeling of solidity and ruggedness second to none.

The 210hp 3.7 liter V6 is a smooth powerful unit, which when coupled to the 4 speed automatic, provides quick and seamless acceleration.

The Liberty handles quite well, is reasonably quiet, and the cabin is roomy and comfortable.

Two four wheel drive systems are available; Command-Trac, which is the part-time (wet roads only) shift on the fly system, or Selec-Trac (which I prefer) this is a full-time four wheel drive system which does have a two-wheel drive mode.

With Selec-trac you can set and leave the transfer case in full-time four-wheel-drive if you so desire.

The only complaints are an intermittent buzzing which comes through the sound system in any mode- radio, CD etc. (I suspect it may be a problem with the amplifier), and of course less than stellar gas mileage. (Expect 16-20 in normal driving).

The interior is well appointed, and in the Limited model, fairly luxurious.

I opted for the optional ABS brakes, as well as the 17" wheel and tire package.

I believe that Jeep should make ABS standard equipment on this model, as they do with Grand Cherokees.

A loaded Liberty Limited stickers in the $30k range. Where a well-equipped Sport model stickers in the $23-24k range. The Renegade model is priced somewhere in between the Sport and Limited.

You won't be disappointed with any model.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th November, 2004

7th Nov 2004, 11:14

Although it is true that the base price of a Renegade is a few hundred dollars more than the Limited's base price, the typically equipped Renegade's price falls in between the Sport and Limited model 90% of the time. Most Limited's end up loaded and priced around $28-30k, most Renegades come in at around 27k.

It depends what you do with the option list, but again Limited's tend to be loaded with leather, moonroof etc.

As far as Command-trac goes. Command-Trac can only be used on wet roads and in slippery conditions. It is not made to be used on dry roads. Select-Trac on the other hand can be used on dry or wet roads when the full-time 4wd drive mode is selected.

Select-Trac splits the torque 48% front 52% rear (axles) therefore the wheels do not turn at the same speed in turns, allowing it to be used in dry conditions without "binding". Command-Trac is not a bad system at all, however Select-Trac gives you the full-time option.

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2004 Jeep Liberty Columiba 3.7 from North America

Summary:

Junk

Faults:

After the Jeep has run at 65 miles per hour, and the engine is HOT, it will shake forward as the transmission jerks.

It has been in the shop 4 times, and now we are told that the transmission has a memory. Meaning, the mechanic can adjust it, but after many miles, it starts to downshift hard.

Is this true?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 11th October, 2004

12th Oct 2004, 06:01

So your engine and transmission are running normal for the ammount of miles you have on the Jeep and you're complaining? All engines move, not one engine stays perfectly still in a car. And all Chrysler Transmissions clunk and shift hard sometimes...it's just what they do.

22nd Nov 2004, 21:10

My 2002 Liberty had jerked when accelerating from from purchase at 0 miles. I had brought it to the dealer and the dealer said it was a normal thing. Last month, at 40k miles, the transmission would jerk forward hard while the brake was depressed. Again the dealer said there was no problem. Now at 56K miles the transmission fluid burnt after the Trans Temp light lit. The vehicle after 30 miles was on the side of the road needing towing to the dealer. I was traveling at normal interstate speeds.

The dealer tried to tell me that the transmission fluid was low which caused my problems. At each event I had checked the fluid and all was at the proper level. Even at the last event the level was correct, however the transmission fluid was dark.

I did not change the transmission oil at the recommended interval thinking the oil should last 100k mile. I may have been wrong and the OEM oil had a timer installed to break down at 56k miles.

Make sure the transmission oil is changed!!!

26th Nov 2004, 11:58

I've worked on many of these jeeps that have the rough, hard shifting issues and I would say that about 80% of them are due to dirty transmission fluid and dirt in the transmission from being driven off road in dirty environments. The other 20% are transmission failures for various reasons, but again many of them fall back to very dirty oil. I would recommend you have the system flushed and refilled. The transmission should never push forward and if it is, you are going to have some serious problem in a few months due to excess wear and tear.

8th Jan 2007, 14:06

I owned a '04 Jeep Liberty Columbia Edition... I regret ever purchasing it. I liked the looks of it, and wanted a 4X4, had always driven GM products or Chev's, wanted to try something new. Big mistake, for me anyway. The thing felt like it was bottoming out every time it hit a little bump in the road, and the fuel consumption was horrible.

The interior felt cramped, the stereo system always sounded rather like it was being broadcast through a tin can, and in general I was not happy with the whole thing, rather than to go on and on...

I now drive an H3 which gets me better mileage, and am totally happy with it, will never go back to a Jeep again.