VehicleVerdict

2004 Jeep Wrangler problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2004 Jeep Wrangler sits mid-pack among Wrangler years: 281 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 401, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 27 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across steering (67), suspension (59), and transmission (29), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

281

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

27

Crash-involved

9

Fires reported

27

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Wrangler years?

Wrangler NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted2,613 complaints1984: 0 complaints1985: 0 complaints1986: 1 complaints1987: 51 complaints1988: 55 complaints1989: 86 complaints1990: 105 complaints1991: 100 complaints1992: 100 complaints1993: 134 complaints1994: 184 complaints1995: 259 complaints1996: 2 complaints1997: 548 complaints1998: 401 complaints1999: 262 complaints2000: 311 complaints2001: 235 complaints2002: 139 complaints2003: 130 complaints2004: 281 complaints2005: 756 complaints2006: 852 complaints2007: 792 complaints2008: 1,253 complaints2009: 495 complaints2010: 899 complaints2011: 677 complaints2012: 1,282 complaints2013: 1,042 complaints2014: 847 complaints2015: 660 complaints2016: 633 complaints2017: 413 complaints2018: 2,613 complaints2019: 1,064 complaints2020: 773 complaints2021: 1,481 complaints2022: 622 complaints2023: 571 complaints2024: 1,362 complaints2025: 104 complaints2026: 12 complaints
Wrangler NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Wrangler years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Jeep Wrangler problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering6724%
Suspension5921%
Transmission2910%
Brakes217%
Electrical System145%
Body & Structure135%
Engine135%
Tires & Wheels124%
Fuel System124%
Seat Belts124%
Visibility & Wipers114%
Other72%
Airbags52%
Speed Control21%
Lighting21%
Seats10%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2004 Jeep Wrangler have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E022000BrakesMarch 13, 2006 · 7,440 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

06E011000Fuel SystemFebruary 1, 2006 · 7,291 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

04V048000OtherFebruary 3, 2004 · 96 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · April 27, 2015 · crash

“HIT A REGULAR BUMP IN THE ROAD, AT 35 MILES PER HOUR ON A STRAIT STRETCH OF ROAD AND THE ATTACHMENT POINT FOR THE FRONT SUSPENSION PULLED AWAY FROM THE FRAME AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE JEEP, UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE CENTER SECTION OF THE FRAME IS RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · March 11, 2020 · crash

“MY 2004 JEEP WRANGLER WAS IN PARK AND RUNNING AND DRIFTED DOWN A HILL AND INTO ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE CAUSING 4K WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY JEEP AND WHO KNOWS HOW MUCH TO THE OTHER VEHICLE. THERE IS A RECALL ON 2005 AND 2006 JEEP WRANGLERS FOR TRANSMISSION "PARK" PROBLEMS, I THINK THEY ARE MISSING A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 14, 2009 · crash

“MY DAUGHTER EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE IN HER 2004 JEEP WRANGLER CAUSING HER TO COAST THROUGH A STOP SIGN AND HIT AN ONCOMING CAR. UPON INSPECTION OF HER JEEP, THERE WAS A CLIP MISSING THAT SECURED THE CONNECTION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO THE ACTUATOR ROD THAT GOES INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER/MASTER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 22, 2008 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 19, 2012 · fire

2004 Jeep Wrangler — common questions

Is the 2004 Jeep Wrangler reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 281 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Wrangler year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2004 Wrangler problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (67 complaints), suspension (59 complaints), transmission (29 complaints).

Does the 2004 Jeep Wrangler have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Jeep Wrangler. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Jeep Wrangler years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Wrangler years to avoid are 2018, 2021, 2024, 2012, 2008, 2019, 2013, 2010, 2006, 2014, 2007, 2020, 2005, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2022, 2023, 2009, 2017. The cleanest record among Wrangler years belongs to 1985.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.