2004 Jeep Wrangler

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Steering is the leading concern among 192 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 21st highest complaint count among 26 Wrangler model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 192

Of the 2004 reports, 17 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 12 people were injured and 1 person died.

Primary concernSteering67 reports · 35% of complaints
Owner complaints192Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship3 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Steering67
  2. Suspension59
  3. Power train26
  4. Service brakes18
  5. Hydraulic16
  6. Structure13
  7. Electrical system12
  8. Seat belts10

Recalls and investigations

  1. Service brakes, hydraulicMar 13, 2006

    CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.

    LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.

    Campaign 06E022000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpFeb 1, 2006

    CERTAIN AFTERMARKET AIRTEX ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN 1997-2004 JEEP WRANGLER; 1997-2001 JEEP CHEROKEE; 1997-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE; AND 2000-2003 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES. THE PLASTIC ELECTRICAL GROMMET CONNECTORS AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUELS AND MAY DEGRADE CAUSING A POTENTIAL LEAK PATH FOR FUEL.

    IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

    AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRTEX CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-880-3056.

    Campaign 06E011000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Equipment, other, labelsFeb 3, 2004

    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.

    THE VEHICLE OWNER WOULD NOT BE AWARE OF THE TIRE, WHEEL, AND INFLATION PRESSURE INFORMATION FOR THEIR VEHICLE.

    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.

    Campaign 04V048000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: power train

26 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Power train, Mar 11, 2004

    NEW 2004 JEEP WRANGLER SE. THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION CLUNKS CLINKS & SOMETIMES GRINDS WHEN UPSHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. I WAS NEARLY REARENDED LAST WEEK. I WAS GOING UP A HILL FROM A STOP. WHEN I SHIFTED FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR THE SYNCROS STARTED GRINDING. NOT WANTING TO ABUSE MY JEEP, I BACKED OFF TO NEUTRAL AND WAS NEARLY REARENDED BY THE CAR BEHIND ME. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER AND THE FACTORY REP. THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THAT IT IS"THE NATURE OF THE BEAST", ALL OF THESE TRANSMISSION ARE A LITTLE NOISY, BUT NOT TO WORRY BECAUSE I HAVE A 7 YEAR,70,000 MILE WARRANTY. WHAT GOOD IS A WARRANTY IF THEY REFUSE TO ADMIT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM? *AK