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.
Of the 2004 reports, 17 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 12 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
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: steering
67 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Suspension, Aug 16, 2010
I HAVE A 2004 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED. I HAVE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND I HAVE PERSONALLY BE DEALING WITH THE INTENSE SHAKING OF THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE RECENTLY TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP TO BE WORKED ON BECAUSE I COULD NOT PUT UP THE "DEATH WOBBLE" THAT EVERYONE ELSE HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT, AND SHOP THAT WORKED ON MY VEHICLE RECOMMENDED A STEERING STABILIZER THAT IT WAS WHAT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. WELL IT WORKED FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND NOW THE JEEP IS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING. NOTHING SEEMS TO MAKE IT GO AWAY. THESE JEEPS THAT ARE HAVING PROBLEMS SUCH AS THIS ONE NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL AND FIX THE TRUE PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT GIVING JEEP A GOOD REPUTATION. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Jul 21, 2010
2004 JEEP WRANGLER DEATH WOBBLE. FRONT END SHAKES VIOLENTLY AFTER HITTING POTHOLES AT 45 TO 70 MILES AND HOUR. WILL NOT STOP UNLESS YOU COME TO ALMOST A STOP. THIS HAPPENS DAILY. KEY IN JEEP DEATH WOBBLE INTO ANY SEARCH ENGINE OR YOUTUBE VIDEO FOR A LENGHTY LIST OF DISCUSSION ON THIS SUBJECT. I MYSELF HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT IT PERMANENTLY WITH STABILIZERS, NEW TIRES, ALIGNMENT, WHEEL BALANCING AND STEERING COMPONENT TIGHTENING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. THIS IS A STOCK JEEP, NO LIFT, STANDARD SIZE TIRES. THIS IS NOT ONE INCIDENT, BUT AN ON-GOING PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL YEARS. NEW TIRES HAVE FIXED IT TEMPORARILY ONCE, NEW STEERING STABILZER FIXED IT TEMPORARILY ONCE, NEW SWAY BAR ALSO DID A SHORT TEMP FIX. I NEED A PERMANENT FIX AS DO MANY MANY OTHER JEEP OWNERS OUT THERE. *TR
Steering, Jul 18, 2010
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 THEY PUT NEW STEERING STABILIZER AND DRAG LINK, ONLY FIXED IT FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS, THE JEEP JUST SITS NOW WITH BRAND NEW TIRES, NEW STABILIZER, AND NEW DRAG LINK, I HAVE JUST OVER 50,000 MILES ON IT, STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON IT AND I CAN ONLY TRUST TO DRIVE IT TO THE MAIL BOX AND BACK. THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT UNDER CONTROL IS TO BRAKE TO A DEAD STOP BEFORE THE JEEP STOPS SHAKING. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO TO GET THIS FIXED, I HAVE BEEN THINKING TO JUST STOP MAKING THE PAYMENTS AND LETTING IT GET REPOED? WHAT SHOULD OR WHAT CAN BE DONE? *TR
Steering, Suspension, May 25, 2010
WHAT SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE JEEP WRANGLER MODEL LINE IS A PROBLEM KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY AS THE "DEATH WOBBLE." I PURCHASED A USED JEEP WRANGLER RUBICON ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO, AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM EVER SINCE. MY JEEP, ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS LIKE IT, HAS ABSOLUTELY NO AFTERMARKET MODIFICATIONS, YET HAS A VERY DANGEROUS SYMPTOM WHICH MAKES ME SCARED TO DRIVE IT OVER 40 MPH. THE "DEATH WOBBLE" CAN ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS AN INCREDIBLY VIOLENT SHAKE OF THE STEERING WHEEL FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AFTER GOING OVER A BUMP OR IMPERFECTION IN THE ROAD. IT WILL USUALLY START OFF SLOWLY, BUT WITHIN HALF A SECOND THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE CAR IS SHAKING OUT OF CONTROL, AND ONLY STOPS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BROUGHT TO A STOP. WITH THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING VIOLENTLY, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. ALSO, SINCE THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THIS PROBLEM IS TO SLOW DOWN RAPIDLY, THIS CREATES A VERY HAZARDOUS TRAFFIC SITUATION. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED THROUGHOUT THE HISTORY OF THE JEEP WRANGLER, AND CHRYSLER HAS ONLY ISSUED A TEMPORARY SOLUTION TO REPLACE THE STEERING STABILIZER. I HAVE DONE THIS TWICE NOW, AND IT IS ONLY A BAND-AID TO MASK THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM, WHICH JEEP REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL OR PAY THE BILL TO FIX. I AM LITERALLY SCARED TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE ON ANY HIGHWAY, AND I AM SURE THOUSANDS OF OTHER JEEP WRANGLER OWNERS OUT THERE ARE IN THE EXACT SAME POSITION I AM IN. *TR
Steering, Jul 29, 2009
I BOUGHT A 2004 JEEP WRANGLER ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO AND 3 OF THE MONTHS THAT I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE ITS HAS A SHAKE IN THE FRONT END KNOWN AS THE DEATH WOBBLE (GOOGLE DEATH WOBBLE)MY JEEP HAS 63,000 MILES ON IT AND NO WARRANTY, BOUGHT IT USED. WHEN I DRIVE THIS JEEP 40-55 MILES A HOUR AND IF I HIT A BUMP THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE JEEP SHAKES OUT OF CONTROL, VERY DANGEROUS. MY JEEP WRANGLER HAS HAD NOTHING DONE TO IT (NO LIFTS OR ADDED PARTS ALL STOCK) I HAVE BROUGHT THIS JEEP TO A MECHANIC 1 MONTH AGO AND THIS FRIDAY IT WILL BE GOING BACK TO ANOTHER MECHANIC. WHEN MY JEEP FIRST DID THIS DEATH WOBBLE I DID SOME RESEARCH AND I WAS VERY SURPRISED HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE RECEIVED THE SAME PROBLEM AS I DID. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO? THIS JEEP SAT AT THE DEALERS LOT FOR 1 YEAR BEFORE HE SOLD IT, DID HE KNOW? MAYBE NOTHING WILL COME OUT OF THIS BUT I FEEL JEEP NEED TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM AND FIX IT CORRECT BEFORE SOMEONE GET HURT BAD. I HAVE TWO DAUGHTERS AND I WILL NOT LET THEM RIDE IN MY JEEP UNTIL I FIND THE CORRECT WAY TO FIX IT. MY JEEP HAS THIS PROBLEM AT LEAST 1 TIME A DAY. *TR
Steering, May 7, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A MAJOR "SHIMMY" IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A LOT OF MOVEMENT IN THE FRONT END THAT CAUSED HIM TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND SUGGESTED AN ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS ALIGNED AND THE TIRES WERE BALANCED, BUT THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY; THEREFORE, THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,150 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,000.
Steering, Apr 17, 2008
2004 JEEP WRANGLER EXPERIENCES SEVERE VIOLENT FRONT END SHIMMY/WOBBLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SHIMMY OCCURS WHEN HITTING BUMPS ON HIGHWAY WHEN TRAVELING STRAIGHT AT 40 TO 70 MPH. SHIMMY IS UNCONTROLLABLE AND ONLY CEASES WITH SLOWING DOWN. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Oct 31, 2007
2004 JEEP WRANGLER WITH A VIOLENT VIBRATION. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE VIBRATION AND SHAKING BEGAN WHEN SHE WENT OVER SOME UNEVEN PAVEMENT ON THE HIGHWAY. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TRACK BAR AND STEERING DAMPER NEED TO BE REPLACED. *KB *JB
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 16, 2007
2004 JEEP WRANGLER SPORT GOES INTO A VIOLENT SHAKE WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. I'VE READ ABOUT THE DEATH WOBBLE ON MORE THAN ONE WEB SITE OR BLOG. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE STEERING STABLIZER , BUT I BELIEVED THIS ONLY MASK, THE REAL PROBLEM. I SPOKE TO A LOCAL 4X4 SHOP AND THEY SAID JEEP MADE THE LOWER CONTOL ARM TOO SHORT AND THIS PUSHED THE FRONT END DOWN AND THE ANGLES WERE OFF. ALSO, SAID THE AFTERMAKET REPLACEMENTS WERE APPROX 3/4" LONGER THAN THE OEM. MY JEEP WAS STOCK, NOT LIFTED. THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED THE TIRES TO CUP, BRAKES, AND STEERING STABILIZER TO WEAR OUT EARLIER THAN NORMAL. IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE GOT KILLED OR INJURED. *AK
Steering, Suspension, Seat belts, Apr 30, 2007
VEHICLE GOES INTO A VIOLENT SHAKE (SHIMMY, VIBE, WOBBLE) WHEN THERE IS ANY CHANGE IN ROADWAY CONDITION (BUMP, LIP, HOLE, UNEVEN ROADWAY). MY JEEP HAS NOT BEEN ALTERED IN ANYWAY. I HAVE HAD THE TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED. IN ADDITION MY SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER BELT BOTH CATCH IN THE DOOR - THEY DO NOT RETRACT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR 5 MONTHS. *AK
Steering, Dec 28, 2006
HIT A BUMP BETWEEN 50-55 MPH AND THE STEERING VIOLENTLY SHAKES. COMMON TERM FOR THIS IN JEEP COMMUNITY IS "DEATH WOBBLE" YOU MUST SLOW DOWN TO STOP IT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY ONLY TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE WHICH WILL ALMOST NEVER WORK. *JB
Steering, Seat belts, Dec 27, 2006
2004 JEEP WRANGLER, 16,000 MILES ON IT AND THE FRONT END SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN HITTING A BUMP OR EVEN A SMALL POTHOLE IN THE ROAD. I HAVE READ REPORTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE HAPPENING OVER AND OVER AGAIN WITH THE DEALERS TELLING CUSTOMERS THAT IT'S "BAD DRIVING HABITS" CAUSING THE ROTORS TO WARP. WARPED ROTORS CAN BE FELT IN THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN APPLING THE BRAKES, BUT THERE IS NO SHAKING HAPPENING WHILE BRAKING. WHY DON'T MANUFACTURERS "DO THE RIGHT THING" AND FIX THE PROBLEMS. SEAT BELT RETRACTORS NOT RETRACTING PROPERLY OR EVEN EXTENDING OUT WHEN TRYING TO FASTEN THEM IS ANOTHER PROBLEM THAT I ENCOUNTER ON A FREQUENT BASIS.
Steering, Structure, Nov 3, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PITMAN ARM FELL OFF FROM THE STEERING GEAR BOX WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SIDESWIPE ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED, AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR EVALUATION. ALSO, THE FRONT END SHOOK WHEN DRIVING 50 MPH FOR TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED BUT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.
Steering, Suspension, Jul 7, 2006
VEHICLE WILL ENTER INTO A VIOLENT WOBBLE AND SHAKE WHEN HITTING A BUMP AT HIGHWAY SPEED. VIOLENT SHAKING DOES NOT STOP UNTIL SPEED IS REDUCED TO UNDER 20 MPH. HAD WHEELS ROTATED AND BALANCED, WHEELS ALIGNED. CHECKED ALL TIE RODS, BALL JOINTS, AND LINKAGE WITH NO NOTICEABLE WEAR. DEATH WOBBLE STILL PRESENT. *JB
Steering, Jun 16, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH A CAR CUT IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER TURNED THE WHEEL SLIGHTLY AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THEN STRUCK A GUARD RAIL. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE STEERING GEAR SHEERED AND FRACTURED. THE STEERING GEAR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
Steering, Sep 17, 2005
VEHICLE WILL ENTER INTO A VIOLENT WOBBLE AND SHAKE WHEN HITTING A BUMP AT HIGHWAY SPEED. VIOLENT SHAKING DOES NOT STOP UNTIL SPEED IS REDUCED TO UNDER 15 MPH. *JB
Steering, Jun 23, 2005
AFTER HITTING A BUMP, (POT HOLE, DIP, ETC) WITH THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY.