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
192 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, Jul 26, 2015
I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE. THE ENGINE STARTED TO RACE AT VERY HIGH R.P.M.'S FOR NO REASON. I WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING WITH HARD BRAKE PRESSURE AND QUICKLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE RETURNED TO NORMAL IDLE AFTER SEVERAL SECONDS. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 5 ADDITIONAL TIMES SINCE THEN FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I CHECK FLOOR MATS, GAS PEDAL MOVEMENT AND EVEN ATTEMPTED TO APPLY PRESSURE TO BOTH THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME WHICH WAS IMPOSSIBLE. THERE SEEMS TO BE NO COMMON FACTOR TO THESE INCIDENTS. I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY WARNING LIGHTS OR CODES.
Steering, Suspension, Jun 23, 2015
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT ANYWHERE ABOVE 40MPH AND HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD SENDS THE VEHICLE INTO A VIOLENT SHAKE/WOBBLE. THIS DOES NOT STOP UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS SLOWED DOWN TO BELOW 40. THE JEEP IS COMPLETELY STOCK. NO LIFT, NO BIGGER TIRES.
Steering, May 11, 2015, crash
MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON NORMAL DRY PAVEMENT WHEN THE CASTING THAT ANCHORS THE TIE ROD TO THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL SNAPPED OFF. THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY PULLED TO THE RIGHT CAUSING IT TO GO OFF THE PAVED ROAD SURFACE AND CRASHING INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE HAS THE ORIGINAL FACTORY SUSPENSION AND TO MY KNOWLEDGE HAS NEVER BEEN MODIFIED.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 15, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 02/04/15*LJ UPDATED 6/8/2015*JS
Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 14, 2014
I DROVE TO THE GAS STATION ONE MORNING FILLED MY GAS TANK WHEN I GOT HOME AND PARKED ON THE DRIVE WAY; I GOT OFF THE JEEP I SMELLED GAS WHEN I LOOKED BACK BEHIND THE JEEP I SAW GAS RUNNING DOWN FROM THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK . [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine, Dec 12, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK AND RESTARTED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
Air bags, Oct 28, 2014, crash
TEXTING DRIVER TURNED INTO MY LANE WITH NO CHANCE TO HIT BRAKES FOR ME WE HIT HEAD ON AT 35 MPH. THE CHEVY IMPALAS AIR BAGS WENT OFF OURS DID NOT . AFTER THE HARDEST HIT OR IMPACT OF MY LIFE WE ROLLED OVER AND LANDED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD AND ROLL CAGE , COLLAPSED ON MY WIFE'S HEAD TO LACERATE AND FRACTURE MY WIFE'S SCULL. HAD AIR BAGS WORKED I WOULDN'T HAVE GOTTEN A BROKEN NOSE ON BOTH CODES AND A FRACTURED CHEEK.
Steering, Suspension, Sep 27, 2014
"JEEP DEATH WOBBLE"....VIOLENT SHAKING OF FRONT END CALLED......AFTER HIGHWAY BUMP OR UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE......HAD TO PULL OVER ONTO SHOULDER TO STOP IT.......... I HAVE HAD THIS FIXED NUMEROUS TIMES, WITH NEW TIRES, ALIGNMENT, AND IT KEEPS COMING BACK.... *TR
Suspension, Wheels, Sep 20, 2014
WHILE DRIVING FRONT END STARTED TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY, HAD TO ALMOST COME TO A STOP TO GET IT STOP SHAKING. *TR
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.
Service brakes, Jul 28, 2014, crash
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THE WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH DOWN A STEEP HILL WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS THAT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT VEERED THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS WAS STEERED ALONG SIDE A FENCE, IN ORDER TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE TWO FRONT AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE COLLISION INSURANCE. THE CONTACT DID NOT CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER TO INQUIRE ABOUT VIN NUMBER BEING INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Suspension, Jul 9, 2014
VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY AFTER HITTING A ROUGH SPOT ON THE INTERSTATE. HAD TO BRAKE HARD AND PULL OFF THE INTERSTATE TO REGAIN CONTROL. CHECKED OUT THE VEHICLE FOR ANYTHING OBVIOUSLY WRONG AND DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WHILE ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. RETURNED HOME AT A SLOWER SPEED. *TR
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jun 12, 2014, fire
THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 35 MINUTES AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY BEGAN TO PRODUCE A THICK WHITE SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND PLACED INTO PARK; THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY ON FIRE UPON EXITING. THE GRASS BENEATH HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE AS WELL. THE HOOD BEGAN TO BLACKEN INDICATING A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CLOSE TO THE FIREWALL. THE ENTIRE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE IN ABOUT THIRTY SECONDS; FROM THE TIME IT BEGAN TO SMOKE TO THE TIME IT WAS ON FIRE BEGIN THE ENTIRE INCIDENT. A TRUCK DRIVER WITH A DRY CHEMICAL FIRE EXTINGUISHER PUT THE ENGINE FIRE OUT; AFTER LIFTING THE HOOD TO A BALL OF FIRE. THE ONLY INJURY BEGIN LIGHT BURNS FROM LIFTING THE HOOD. ESSENTIALLY, MY JEEP WRANGLER, WITH NO AFTERMARKET PARTS INSTALLED, BURST INTO FLAMES FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR
Seat belts, May 9, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO AVOID CRASHING INTO A DEER AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BECAME SEPARATED FROM THE BELT CLIP. THE DRIVER WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND SUFFERED FROM FATAL INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE SEAT BELT FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. KMJ
Electrical system, Apr 3, 2014, fire
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 ELECTRICAL? CONTRACTED JEEP (CHRYSLER) ABOUT ANY RECALL OR TSB BUT WAS TOLD THERE WASN'T ANY! THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM COMMON IN A WIDE YEAR RANGE OF WRANGLERS. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Mar 4, 2014
THE VEHICLE HAS EXHIBITED THE "DEATH WOBBLE" ALMOST AS LONG AS I'VE HAD IT. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW. AT 50-55 MPH, THE FRONT-END SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY. SOMETIMES THE SHAKING IS INSTIGATED BY A BUMP - MOST OFTEN IT STARTS SIMPLY BY REACHING THE AFOREMENTIONED SPEED. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO SLOW DOWN (WHICH IS NOT ALWAYS AN EASY OPTION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS) OR PUT IT INTO 4WD WHILE MOVING. I'VE TAKE IT TO MULTIPLE DEALERS AND MECHANICS, AND NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO RECTIFY THE CONDITION. WHILE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY SINGLE TIME I CROSS THE 50-55 MPH THRESHOLD, SHAKES MORE OFTEN THAN NOT. IT'S TERRIBLY ALARMING, CERTAINLY UNSAFE, AND COMPLETELY APPROPRIATE FOR A RECALL AND COST-FREE FIX.
Steering, Suspension, Vehicle speed control, Aug 28, 2013
MY JEEP WRANGLER SHAKES SPORADICALLY AT 45 MPH AS DESCRIBED IN PREVIOUS POSTS BY OTHERS. WHEN MY JEEP SHAKES IT IS VERY AGGRESSIVE AND I OFTEN HAVE TO APPLY MY BRAKES SUDDENLY TO EASE THE JOLTING OF MY VEHICLE. I HAVE ALMOST WRECKED MY JEEP A COUPLE TIMES, I HAVE SPRAINED MY WRIST, AND HAVE HAD BRUISES MERELY FROM MAINTAINING MY VEHICLE. I JUST TRADED IN MY OTHER CAR FOR THIS IN APRIL 2013 AND CAN'T AFFORD TO TRADE AGAIN. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. I CAN'T EVEN TAKE MY CHILDREN IN MY JEEP OR TOW MY CAMPER. ALL BECAUSE I CAN'T EVEN REASONABLY BEGIN TO FIX THE PROBLEMS THAT I PURCHASED WITH MY JEEP. I WISH I HAD KNOWN I WAS PURCHASING A DEATH TRAP BEFORE HAND. THERE IS A VERY GOOD REASON THESE LOW MILAGE JEEP'S HAVE MADE WAY TO USED CAR DEALERSHIPS. *TT
Suspension, Aug 7, 2013
HELLO I BOUGHT THE JEEP FROM A PRIVATE PARTY, IT HAS 72,150 MILES ON IT, AND WHEN I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD EITHER DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE IT WILL SHAKE PRETTY GOOD. IT HAS NOT BEEN MODIFIED. STOCK FACTORY TIRES AND RIMS NO LIFT KIT, I HAVE HAD SEVERAL JEEP MECHANIC LOOK AT IT BUT STILL NO ANSWERS TO THE PROBLEM, I AM A DISABLED VET 100% AND CAN NOT AFFORD THE GUESSING GAME OF THIS MAY BE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP! *TR
Steering, Jun 6, 2013
WHEN DRIVING THE WRANGLER DOWN ANY ROAD SURFACE THE WHEELS WILL START TO WOBBLE AND SHAKE VERY HARD LIKE YOU ARE LOOSING CONTROL. THEN YOU HAVE TO STOP QUICKLY INORDER TO KEEP YOUR CAR FROM DRIVING OFF THE ROAD. *TR
Steering, Suspension, May 25, 2013
WHILE DRIVING OVER 45 MPH, IF YOU HIT A SMALL BUMP OR EVEN UNEVEN PAVEMENT, THE JEEP SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY UNTIL YOU EITHER SLAM ON THE BRAKES AND SLOW DOWN TO 10 MPH OR YOU HAVE TO COMPLETELY STOP, IF YOU ARE IN TRAFFIC, IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE VEHICLE SHAKES AND THE TIRES BOUNCE UP AND OFF THE PAVEMENT. THE STIRRING WHEEL SHAKES SO MUCH YOU CAN BARELY HANG ON TO IT. VERY DANGEROUS!! *TR
Steering, Suspension, Mar 12, 2013
DRIVING ONTO HIGHWAY. SPEEDING UP TO 35-40 MPH. JUST SHIFTED TO 4TH GEAR. WHOLE VEHICLE BEGAN WOBBLING VIOLENTLY. HAD TO ALMOST STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY TO GET IT STOP SHAKING VIOLENTLY. VEHICLE BEHIND ME HAD TO SWERVE TO MISS ME. STEEP SHOULDER COULDN'T PULL OVER. I THINK THIS IS REFERRED TO AS THE "DEATH WOBBLE". HAVE READ ABOUT NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS WITH JEEP WRANGLERS ON THE INTERNET AFTER THIS HAPPENED TODAY. I WISH I WOULD OF KNOWN OF THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM BEFORE I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Suspension, Feb 12, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOBBLED OUT CONTROL WHEN DRIVEN OVER 45 MPH OR GREATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TIRES WERE BALANCED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT ALSO REPLACED THE FRONT UNIVERSAL JOINTS, BRAKE, ROTORS, TRACK BAR, WHEEL BEARINGS, AND THE STEERING STABILIZER BUT WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Power train, Dec 31, 2012
THE TRANSMISSION WENT ON A WELL TAKEN CARE OF 2004 JEEP WRANGLER RUBICON WITH ONLY 55,000 MILES TOOK IT IN AND THE MECHANIC SAID THAT ALL THE GEARS WERE STRIPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Nov 24, 2012
THE FIRST TIME I HAD DEATH WOBBLE WAS WHILE TOWING MY KAYAKS AND KAYAK TRAILER AFTER HITTING A BUMP.SINCE THEN I HAVE STOPPED DRIVING IT TILL I GET SOME CASH TO START DIVING IN TO FIND THE FIX. *TR
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 17, 2012
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. *TR