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: structure
13 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Apr 15, 2023
My Jeep's frame is rusted. There are holes and cracks in the frame from the rust. The Jeep will not pass my states safety inspection because of the rust. Parts of the suspension that are attached to the frame are about to fall off.
Structure, Feb 8, 2023
The frame has been compromised due to rust. The frame rusted from the inside out because the frame was not properly engineered from the factory. There are no weep holes at the lowest point on the frame. This causes water to sit in the frame and rust from the inside out. The rust appears without warning. This is an extremely dangerous because the frame can break without warning and cause loss of control. My vehicle is available to be inspected upon request.
Structure, Dec 15, 2022
The frame on the Jeep TJ is prone to rot. Mine is so rusted that body shops refuse to repair it, claiming their insurance won't cover them. My Jeep has 123,233 miles and is otherwise in very good condition, but the frame has rust severe enough to make driving the vehicle unsafe. The Jeep Forum on the Internet is full of similar stories, so Chrysler has known about this problem for many years. You should make them recall the Jeeps and repair or replace the frame. A few years ago Toyota did a similar recall on their small pickup trucks.
Structure, Oct 31, 2016
DASHBOARD COVERING OVER PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS EXTREMELY STICKY. MY CONCERN IS NOT JUST FOR APPEARANCE, BUT FOR PROTECTION OF THE AIRBAG ITSELF AND THE NEED TO CONTINUALLY CLEAN THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD DUE TO A SLIGHT FILM PRODUCED FROM THE DECAYING VINYL DASHBOARD. THIS VEHICLE IS HOUSED IN A GARAGE IN FLORIDA. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Structure, Jul 21, 2016
THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT ON OUR 2004 JEEP WRANGLER BROKE OFF FROM THE FRAME WHILE DRIVING. WHILE ACCELERATING ON A CITY STREET, THERE WAS A LOUD BANG NOISE FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, AND THE JEEP BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND STARTED WANDERING ALL OVER THE ROAD. UPON PULLING OVER AND LOOKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WE FOUND THAT THERE WERE EXTREME AMOUNTS OF RUST AND CORROSION INSIDE THE FRAME THAT WAS VISIBLE FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS RUST CAUSED THE ENTIRE LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT TO BREAK OFF FROM THE FRAME. ANOTHER ROT HOLE WAS FOUND FURTHER UP THE FRAME NEAR THE TRANSMISSION SKIDPLATE/CROSS-MEMBER ASSEMBLY AS WELL.
Structure, Aug 13, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WELDING ON THE VEHICLE'S FRAME WAS DETERIORATING TO THE POINT OF POTENTIALLY DETACHING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PANELING. IN ADDITION, THE INTERIOR OF THE FLOOR WAS DETACHING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO PRIVATE MECHANICS WHO STATED THAT THE RUST AND CORROSION WAS EXCESSIVE AND THE PANELS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND WELDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,500.
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Structure, Tires, Jul 29, 2011
HAVE A JEEP 2004 WRANGLER. AT 60 MPH. IT BEGINS TO WOBBLE VERY BADLY! HAVE PURCHASED NEW TIRES,BALANCING,FRONT STABILIZING BAR,NEW BRAKES & ROTORS,ALIGNMENT. STILL WOBBLES! MANY OTHER JEEP OWNERS ARE HAVING SAME PROBLEM & JEEP DEALERS CANNOT COME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO STOP THIS! IT HAPPENS EVERYTIME I HIT 60MPH! VERY SCARY!!!!! ALMOST FLIPPED ME OFF THE ROAD COMING DOWN THE MOUNTAINS! *TR
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.
Structure, Oct 21, 2005, fire
VEHICLE IS A 2004 JEEP WRANGLER 4X4 PURCHASED 12/04. DEBRIS ACCUMULATED UNDER THE SKID PLATE, APPARENTLY IGNITED BY EXHAUST SYSTEM. I SMELLED AND SAW SMOKE AND HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER WHICH I USED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DAMAGED BY THE FIRE, REPAIRS ABOUT $2,000. SKID PLATE DESIGN ALLOWS DEBRIS TO COME IN FRONT OF SKID PLATE BUT NOT BE BLOWN OUT THE BACK OR BOTTOM. I BOUGHT THE JEEP IN PART FOR ITS OFFROAD CAPABILITIES, BUT AM AFRAID TO USE IT NOW. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Parking brake, Power train, Visibility, Structure, May 8, 2005, crash
I DRIVING MY JEEP AND WAS HIT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BY A MERCEDES THAT WAS MOVING 35MPH. I WATCH THE WHOLE SCENE COMING THROUGH MY FRONT SOFT TOP GLASS WINDOW. MY FACE HIT THE SOFT TOP WINDOW AND BROKE MY NOSE PRETTY BAD ACCORDING TO DR. CHARLES SHAFFER (MY SURGIEON). BY THE WAY THE SOFT TOP AND UPPER DOOR HALFS WERE THE FACTORY EQUIPPED "WILLY'S EDITION" MODEL SPECIFIC WHICH ARE SUPPLIED TO DAILMER CHRYSLER BY HERTZ. BLOOD WAS EVERYWHERE AND TOOK 3 HOURS TO COMPLETELY STOP THE BLEEDING. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT BY THE WAY. I HAD TO HAVE SURGERY TO MY NOSE AND SEVERAL FOLLOW UP SESSIONS. I FEEL VERY LUCKY THAT IT WAS A MERCEDES THAT HIT ME BECAUSE THEY ARE ABLE TO CRUSH VERY WELL. HIS VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND HAD NECK PAIN AND I DROVE HOME WITH A BROKE NOSE, BENT REAR AXLE SHAFT (BEND WAS OUTSIDE OF THE AXLE BEARING, WHICH MAKES ONE OF MY REAR BRAKES USELESS), DAMAGED FACTORY ROCKER PANEL (WILLY'S EDITION MODEL SPECIFIC), DAMAGED BODY, REAR FENDER FLARE, I ALSO HAD TO STRAIGHTEN AND REWELD THE BODY MOUNT THAT TORE OFF THE FRAME( THERE ARE 3 BODY MOUNTING POINTS THAT ARE CLEARLY VISIBLE BETWEEN THE 2 DRIVERS SIDE WHEELS, THE MOUNT CLOSEST TO THE REAR TIRE WAS TORN OFF THE FRAME) PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ASK ME MORE QUESTIONS AT (704) 506-4592.
Structure, Apr 20, 2005
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. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Structure, Seats, Dec 4, 2004
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 OUT WELL OVER 2.000 DOLLARS ON ROTORS AND BRAKES. THE REAR BRAKES HARDLRY WORK ALSO I CAN PULL I=THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THE TRUCK WILL NOT EVEN SLOW DOWN THE FRONTS DO ALL THE WORK AND IT HAS BEEN IN FOR BRAKE REPAIRS BY SEVERAL DIFFERENT SHOPS. THERE MUST BE A RECALL BECAUSE THIE IS A SEVERE DANGER AND IS GOING TO REALLY CAUSE A PROBLEM OR WORSE DEATHS.*AK
Structure, Oct 13, 2004
I PURCHASED A NEW 2004 JEEP WRANGLER SPORT ON SEPT 30,2004. ON OCT 1, 2004 I DISCOVERED DEFECTIVE PAINT ON THE LEFT FRONT FENDER NEAR THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT(APPEARS TO BE A CHEMICAL CONTAMINANT AS WELL AS GRAZING OF THE BASE COAT), DENT ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE RIGHT HAND PASSENGER DOOR, WELDING SPLATTERS ON THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER, DENTS ON THE INSIDE OF THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER, RIGHT FRONT FENDER IS WARPED. ALL BODY DAMAGE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN PRE-DELIVERY. DEALER SERVICE PERSONNEL TOLD ME TO IGNORE THE PAINT DAMAGE. I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW THE VEHICLE LEFT THE FACTORY IN THIS CONDITION. IAM DISGUSTED AND DEPRESSED AFTER SPENDING $26,000 DOLLARS ON THIS JEEP. IAM A U.S. NAVY VETERAN, AVIATION STRUCTURAL MECHANIC. *AK