KnownCarProblems2004 Jeep Wrangler Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 192 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Jeep Wrangler, most often about the steering (35% of complaints, typically around 48,500 miles). It is 22nd of 27 Wrangler model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2004 Jeep Wrangler problems
Steering
67 complaints · 35%Half of these problems showed up before 48,500 miles. Parts named most often: gear box (other than rack and pinion).
I have been a proud owner of my Jeep since 2004 until towards the end of last year when I began to experience problems with a violent shaking when I was driving at 55mph and would hit a bump. I took it to my mechanic a few times but they couldn't find anything wrong with it. They checked my tires, the brakes, etc. It…
Three years ago I bought a 2004 Jeep rubicon with just under 49,000 miles on it in mint condition from a local dealer with an extended warranty, soon after the Jeep started the death wobble, I have taken it back to the dealer numerous times only to be told they cant find a single problem, I took it to big o tires and…
Suspension
59 complaints · 31%Half of these problems showed up before 46,500 miles. Parts named most often: front.
2004 Jeep Wrangler sport has an extreme violent shake causing entire front of vehicle to bounce off the ground at speeds between 45 - 60 MPH.
I have what is called death wobble in my 2004 Jeep Wrangler. After reading about this problem in various forums, I believe it needs to be adressed. I have done everything that has been suggested by experts but still have the problem. The Jeep has around 30,000 miles,and it has been off road,but some people have not…
Transmission
26 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 32,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly, manual transmission, driveline.
I could not shift the automatic transmission from "in gear" to park. The shifter would get stuck in reverse, resulting in me inadvertently moving backwards - a very dangerous condition. I also could not shift down from park into gear. I had to remove the panel and manually move the anchor from the in-gear position to…
Tl contact owns a 2004 Jeep Wrangler. When the vehicle was started, the gear would not shift out of park. The tow truck driver was able to shift the vehicle out of park. The vehicle was driven to the dealer and they stated that a part inside the lever failed. The failure mileage was 27,500 and current mileage was…
Brakes
18 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 26,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, pedals and linkages, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
On two occasions, I have rear-ended someone due to what I believe is a faulty design in the position of the brake pedal in relationship to the accelerator pedal in my 2004 Jeep Wrangler unlimited. In instances where I had to stop suddenly therefore applying extreme pressure to the brake pedal, the brake pedal…
My break peddle began to violently vibrate when I would break. I took my Jeep to the dealer where I bought it and was told my rotors were warped. They said it was because of the way I drove the car. I am 36 years old and do not go "off-roading". I have never had to replace the rotors on any car! This car is less than…
Engine
13 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 4,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.
Dt: the contact stated car shut down at slow speeds. He owns a 2004 Jeep Wrangler unlimited. Has been having this problem since 3-05. There were 4,000 miles on the car when it first shut down. The car did not make any noise before this happened. No lights came on. The dealership could duplicate the problem. The…
While trying to use the AC on my 2004 Jeep Wrangler , it was overheating. I took to a dealership service dept.they said it was the clutch fan.replaced under warranty and told me it worked fine after being test driven and verified. I drove the next day,could not use the air because as soon as the motor warmed up it…
Body and structure
13 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 49,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Front brake vibrate violently,and have been changed 4 times within the 1.5 yrs I have owned the truck. My drivers seat frame is cracked (the metal frame) I use a pillow to keep it streight because it leans to thee left due to the weld crack in the frame. I have gotten no where with 2 different dealerships and shelled…
While driving at approximately 70 MPH the cloth top came off the vehicle. Owner had to hold it down with his hand. Owner contacted the manufacturer, and was told that this defect did not fall under the warranty.
Fuel system
12 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage.
Vehicle stopped running while driving locally. Steering and braking became difficult. Could have been dangerous at higher speed. Diagnosis by a local mechanic (superior collision & auto service, gardnerville, nv [phone]) was an internal short in the fuel pump module which caused the fuel pump to stop operating and the…
Every time I fuel my 2004 Jeep Wrangler the fuel splashes all over around the gas cap. I think this is a major problem because of a chance of fire. Alot of Jeep Wrangler owners are having this problem and its only a mater of time before a fire happens.
Electrical
12 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 75,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, starter assembly.
It seems that fuel pump in car is not working appropriately, everytime I drive vehicle it wants to shut down and the radio shuts down or comes on when it wants too.
I drove my Jeep from home to work about twenty miles without any problems no warning lights or any visible problems. I shut it off went into work only to learn it had caught on fire about thirty minutes after being shut off ! The heater motor and glove box area is where the fire started. Fire department called it…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Jeep Wrangler recalls
Equipment: labels
Risk: The vehicle owner would not be aware of the tire, wheel, and inflation pressure information for their vehicle.
Fix: Owners will be provided with a corrected tire certification label. Owner notification began on march 1, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles, due to a recent software programming error, the tire, wheel, and inflation pressure information was inadvertently omitted from the vehicle certification label.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2004 Jeep Wrangler
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Jeep Wrangler?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (67 complaints, typically around 48,500 miles); suspension (59 complaints, typically around 46,500 miles); transmission (26 complaints, typically around 32,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Jeep Wrangler have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 3, 2004 (equipment). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Jeep Wrangler?
- It is 22nd of 27 Wrangler model years by number of complaints, with 192 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.