The 2004 Jeep Liberty is a Piece of Garbage

When I wrote about cars and computers at the first of the month, I neglected to mention a problem with my son's 2004 Jeep Liberty, a problem other than gas guzzling. Apparently, this particular model doesn't like its electronics as well as its computer.

Why am I writing about this? It's simple, really. This vehicle has cost me a small fortune in repairs. Normal maintenance costs are to be expected. What happened was NOT to be expected. Okay, so I wrote about how the computer had to be reset so that it would top drinking gasoline like there's no tomorrow, but I didn't mention equipment failures.

Just before I arrived (maybe a week or so) in the U.S. to be with my wife when she had her surgery, the rear left window motor failed and she had to have it taped to the body in order to keep it it the closed position. After I arrived, I paid $330 USD to have it fixed. Last week, the front right window failed. She had it repaired for $440 USD.

My opinion isn't going to change. This particular 2004 Jeep Liberty is a piece of garbage and it's turning into a money pit as well. Just in case you're wondering, the warranty expired at 36,000 miles. It has about 48,000 on it now.

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ray from place of stuff on 2008-04-16 at 5:40 pm (Reply)

Wouldn't it be cheaper to write it off and buy a new one?

ray's last blog post..Virgin Media Thinks Net Neutrality Is “Bollocks”

RT Cunningham | Untwisted Vortex | Philippines on 2008-04-16 at 6:39 pm (Reply)

My son's in Germany with his Air Force wife. *My* wife is using the Jeep temporarily until she returns to the Philippines.
RT Cunningham | Untwisted Vortex | Philippines on 2008-04-16 at 6:40 pm (Reply)

And I agree, but it's not ours to trade in.
2. ray from place of stuff on 2008-04-16 at 10:47 pm (Reply)
  
  Could you not just call your son and point out that you could have saved a fortune by getting a replacement and giving it to him when he wants it back? Surely you could reach a compromise where you go halves?
  
  Otherwise he'll get a fully restored piece of junk back and you'll be out of pocket. (I'm not trying to provoke a family feud here by the way )
  
  ray's last blog post..The Churner Prize
3. RT Cunningham | Untwisted Vortex | Philippines on 2008-04-16 at 11:01 pm (Reply)
  
  Ummm… since my wife is returning in a few months, it wouldn't be cost effective. If anything else breaks, she's not getting it fixed.

Tim from Redneck Bar & Grill on 2008-04-16 at 8:07 pm (Reply)

Is such a short warranty common down there? I haven't heard of any shorter than 60 0000 kilometers up here, and most of them are extended to 80000 or 120000 km (around 80000 miles I think).
It must be the longer driving distances we have.

Tim's last blog post..Fun With Hydrogen: HHO Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Generators

RT Cunningham | Untwisted Vortex | Philippines on 2008-04-16 at 8:12 pm (Reply)

The warranty on different parts of the vehicle are different. This is other than the power train.
2. Tim from Redneck Bar & Grill on 2008-04-16 at 8:16 pm (Reply)
  
  That makes sense. I just looked at mine, the power train is covered until 120000 and the other parts till 60000.
  Even with supposed coverage the dealership can sometimes weasel out of covering it anyways.
  
  Tim's last blog post..Fun With Hydrogen: HHO Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Generators

Comedy Plus on 2008-04-17 at 1:13 am (Reply)

Sounds like this vehicle fell through the lemon law crack. I'm sorry RT.
Comedy Plus's last blog post..The Divorce Letter

Debo Hobo on 2008-04-18 at 4:29 am (Reply)

I too own a jeep and yes it guzzles up the gas. Unfortunately I just bought it 6 or 7 months ago so too soon to trade it in. No electical problems yet, finger crossed now.

Debo Hobo's last blog post..Palau Live Aboard Diving with Ocean Concepts

RT Cunningham | Untwisted Vortex | Philippines on 2008-04-18 at 4:36 am (Reply)

Hey, long time no see, Deborah!
2. Love and Hate it on 2008-04-29 at 7:21 am (Reply)
  
  I got my 2004 Liberty brand new. Last year the back driver window motor went out exactly like yours. The dealer said it was typical,yet not under warranty or recalled.Cost from one dealer $450.April 3, 2008 the driver window did the same thing cost $494 different Chrysler dealer. The part cost $303. Just last week, April 24, 2008,the passenger window did the same.We went to an auto glass co brought the part from the same dealer who charged $303 and paid $170 and the cost to get the auto glass co charged for labor was $85 to replace a plastic regulator. I love my Jeep but it is a gas gussler. Next year I will sell it for a hybrid. Chrysler has no hybrids in the near future.
  2. Ted on 2008-07-08 at 1:42 am (Reply)
    
    Chrysler is planning on making hybrids:
    http://www.jeepz.com/forum/general-chat/22292-chrysler-offer-hybrid-version-every-vehicle.html
    
    also, they are currently making a diesel for the Egyptian military, once they work out the smog requirements, they should bring it here.
3. RT Cunningham | Untwisted Vortex | Philippines on 2008-04-29 at 7:26 am (Reply)
  
  I knew I wasn't the only hating a Jeep. I have a Toyota Corolla Altis over here and it's like a night and day difference.

leandro on 2008-05-06 at 12:39 am (Reply)

Same problems mate.

I have a 2004 just like the one on the picture.
Drinks all the gas.
Right front power window exploded the other day.

Tonight i have to drive from miami to west palm beach, to see radiohead concert. And i will have to go with the window open, on the highway.

Thanks JEEP &*()*&^%#@!

I will never buy a jeep again.
Will go japanese or swedish the next time.

Leandro

J on 2008-05-27 at 10:22 pm (Reply)

just had my pcm go up in my 04 jeep liberty… $976 only has 82457 miles…

Thanks Jeep

EDB on 2008-07-08 at 2:18 am (Reply)

It was me not Deborah April 29th. Got rid of my Jeep Liberty(Libby)sold it to Car Max only got $6000.I had 60,600 miles.Got my hybrid(Prius)I love it too. Average 51mpg,the tank is only 11gal.I don't care what they say about long run savings it is better to fill up with $40 running 500mi(not hitting reserve) than $68 and squeezing 323mi.