JeepLiberty20042.4L/jeep/liberty/2004/2-4l/
KJ platform

2004 Jeep Liberty — 2.4L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Liberty 2.4L.

Body SUVEngine 2.4LTransmission Manual 5-spd

The 2004 Jeep Liberty is a compact SUV built on the KJ platform, powered by a 2.4L four-cylinder engine paired with a 5-speed manual transmission that achieves EPA ratings of 17 city/22 highway/19 combined mpg, with maintenance requiring 5 quarts of 5W-30 API oil per service interval. Among the 1,100 total owner complaints filed for this model year—a figure that places it between the 2002 peak of 1,807 complaints and the 2000 low of just 6 across the broader 2000–2012 model span—suspension emerged as the most frequently reported problem area, complemented by 13 total recalls addressing various systems. This complaint profile indicates that while the 2004 Liberty experienced elevated owner dissatisfaction compared to the model's early years, the issues fell within a range the nameplate would continue to face throughout its production run rather than representing a dramatic departure.

Model year200520042003

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-110 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/22/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 34 · 600 CCA battery, 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.

Battery groupBCI 34 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
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.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionManual 5-spd

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

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 22 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API engine oil, Front: 80W-; Rear: 198RB in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-110 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 20.0 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

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or StudsM6 Bolts: 9 ft-lbs, M8 Bolts: 18 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts100 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts70 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts20.8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts14.5 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs21 ft-lbs

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
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.51-.61 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance11,500-13,500 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.048-0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.63 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeSP-15
Oil Capacity8.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test16 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief18-21 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature195 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)47-51 psi
Engine Compression225
Engine Oil Pressure25-80 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm
Intake 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

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Coat bolt threads with clean engine oil

125 ft. lbs.25 ft. lbs
250 ft. lbs.50 ft. lbs
350 ft. lbs.50 ft. lbs
490
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4520 ft. lbs

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; spark plugs every 60,000 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) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)
At 120,000 miTiming Belt (replace) · Transfer 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 in the early-generation arc after the disastrous 2002 launch year (1,807 complaints, 14 recalls) and a still-troubled 2003 (1,349 complaints, 13 recalls), showing meaningful improvement with 1,100 complaints and 5 investigations — though recalls held at 13 and TSBs rose to 70. Suspension dominates the complaint profile at 388 reports, followed by visibility (88) and fuel-system structure (53), while 86 crash and 39 fire complaints indicate safety-relevant concerns the data doesn't specify root causes for. The 2005 model year saw complaints tick up slightly to 1,118 with fewer recalls (8), and 2006 spiked again to 1,368, suggesting the platform's issues persisted beyond 2004. By 2007, complaints dropped to 703 with 7 recalls, marking the start of a sustained decline through 2012. The 2004 represents a modest improvement over the two prior years but remains in the high-complaint tier of the generation with significant suspension and safety-related reports. For a buyer, this is a below-average year to purchase unless the specific vehicle has documented suspension repairs and all 13 recall campaigns completed.

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

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

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

How much oil does the 2004 Liberty 2.4L take?

5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2004 Liberty have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the 2.4L get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 22 highway / 19 combined mpg.