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2004 Jeep Wrangler

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Jeep Wrangler do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 265.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

164 reports with mileage · 28 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 59 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports7 fire reports9 injury reports

Power Train complaints

26 reports
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277,407 miles · Jul 6, 2017
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DOWNSHIFTING, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED ROUGHLY AND JERKED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED INDEPENDENTLY WHILE STOPPED.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DOWNSHIFTING, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED ROUGHLY AND JERKED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED INDEPENDENTLY WHILE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AGAIN WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO LAKE ELSINORE CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (31400 AUTO CENTER DR, LAKE ELSINORE, CA 92530) WHO SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ESCALATED THE CASE IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIND A SOLUTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 277,407.

NHTSA ODI #11003414

91,500 miles · Mar 19, 2016
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

AT 91,500 MILES THE PCM FAILED FOR A SECOND TIME. I AM NOT CERTAIN WHEN THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED, BUT IT WAS SHOWN TO HAVE BEEN FLASHED PREVIOUSLY. THIS ISSUE SURFACED IN THE FORM OF A STALL OUT AT A LIGHT. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM AN IDLE POSITION THE ENGINE STALLED. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, TURNING OVER THE E…

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AT 91,500 MILES THE PCM FAILED FOR A SECOND TIME. I AM NOT CERTAIN WHEN THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED, BUT IT WAS SHOWN TO HAVE BEEN FLASHED PREVIOUSLY. THIS ISSUE SURFACED IN THE FORM OF A STALL OUT AT A LIGHT. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM AN IDLE POSITION THE ENGINE STALLED. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, TURNING OVER THE ENGINE WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY GIVING IT GAS, THE VEHICLE TURNED OVER. ACCORDING TO THREE DIFFERENT MECHANICS THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AMONG '04 JEEP WRANGLERS THAT THEY HAVE ENCOUNTERED RECENTLY (12 YEARS AFTER MARKET AND 2 YEARS COMPLETELY OUT OF WARRANTY). NO ONE CAN FIND A REPLACEMENT PCM BECAUSE THEY ARE NO LONGER MANUFACTURED, AND IT WAS CHRYSLER'S RECOMMENDATION THAT CUSTOMERS EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE GO TO A SCRAP YARD TO FIND A REPLACEMENT (LIKELY TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE). AS A CUSTOMER I AM APPALLED THAT WE ARE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS. DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY MY BATTERY CHARGED TO 20 VOLTS AND COULD HAVE EXPLODED.

NHTSA ODI #10850515

39,000 miles · Jan 27, 2016
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE HUB BEARING AND AXLE SEAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND WAS REPAIRED AT 41,846, 46,297, 52,000 AND 55,600 MILES. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE HUB BEARING AND AXLE SEAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND WAS REPAIRED AT 41,846, 46,297, 52,000 AND 55,600 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

NHTSA ODI #10822621

55,000 miles · Dec 31, 2012
Power Train

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

NHTSA ODI #10490585

Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2012
EngineEquipmentPower Train

2004 JEEP WRANGLER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL ISSUES FOUND DURING INSPECTION AFTER PURCHASE OF VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE DAY SHE TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED SOME PLAY IN THE STEERING, THE ENGINE SEEMED TO MISS A LITTLE, AND THE CD PLAYER IN THE RADIO SEEMED TO WORK WHENEVER IT WANTED TO. THE NEXT…

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2004 JEEP WRANGLER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL ISSUES FOUND DURING INSPECTION AFTER PURCHASE OF VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE DAY SHE TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED SOME PLAY IN THE STEERING, THE ENGINE SEEMED TO MISS A LITTLE, AND THE CD PLAYER IN THE RADIO SEEMED TO WORK WHENEVER IT WANTED TO. THE NEXT DAY, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL LEAKED AN OIL SPOT ON THE CONCRETE DRIVEWAY. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A PRE-SALES ESTABLISHMENT AND THE INSPECTION REVEALED, THE REAR AXLES WERE LEAKING ON BOTH SIDES, THE PINION SEAL IN THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE FRONT TRACK BAR HAD PLAY, THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED A NEW PILOT BEARING; AS THERE WAS A NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING AND THE REAR SWAY BAR LINKS WERE LOOSE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10474863

48,000 miles · Aug 12, 2011
Power Train

FAILURE TO SHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO 1ST, 3RD, AND 4TH GEARS. ONLY STAYS IN 2ND GEAR OR REVERSE. WAS TOLD BY A DEALER THAT THE PCM WAS CAUSING THE MALFUNCTION. REPLACED THE PCM AND THE TCM ALSO BLEW OUT. THERE ARE ONLY 48000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND IS TAKEN CARE OF WELL. THERE SHOULDN'T BE ALL THE COMPUTERS GOING …

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FAILURE TO SHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO 1ST, 3RD, AND 4TH GEARS. ONLY STAYS IN 2ND GEAR OR REVERSE. WAS TOLD BY A DEALER THAT THE PCM WAS CAUSING THE MALFUNCTION. REPLACED THE PCM AND THE TCM ALSO BLEW OUT. THERE ARE ONLY 48000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND IS TAKEN CARE OF WELL. THERE SHOULDN'T BE ALL THE COMPUTERS GOING OUT ALL AT ONCE. NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO ASSIST FROM CHRYSLER. UNFORTUNATE, SINCE THIS IS MY THIRD WRANGLER AND I HAVEN'T EVER HAD THIS MANY ISSUES WITH ANY VEHICLE EVER. WAS A DIE-HARD FAN AND STOOD BY JEEP PRODUCTS. NOW I WILL MAKE SURE EVERYONE KNOWS NOT TO PURCHASE THESE FAULTY VEHICLES. HOPEFULLY AFTER $1050 IN REPAIRS THIS RESOLVES THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES....BUT SOMEHOW WON'T COUNT ON IT!!! BOOOOO TO JEEP! YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10418644

72,964 miles · Sep 3, 2010
Power Train

WHILE MOVING ROCKS IN MY YARD, I PUT THE TRANSFER CASE IN LOW AND LOCKED THE AXLES, BOTH FRONT AND REAR. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE U-JOINT EXPLODED, DAMAGING THE INNER AND OUTER AXLES. THE VEHICLE WAS UNDRIVABLE. I DO FAILURE ASSESSMENT FOR MY WORK AND HAVE DETERMINED INCORRECT HEAT TREATING OF THE CRITICAL DRIVE TRAIN COMPONENTS TO…

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WHILE MOVING ROCKS IN MY YARD, I PUT THE TRANSFER CASE IN LOW AND LOCKED THE AXLES, BOTH FRONT AND REAR. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE U-JOINT EXPLODED, DAMAGING THE INNER AND OUTER AXLES. THE VEHICLE WAS UNDRIVABLE. I DO FAILURE ASSESSMENT FOR MY WORK AND HAVE DETERMINED INCORRECT HEAT TREATING OF THE CRITICAL DRIVE TRAIN COMPONENTS TO BE SUSPECT. THIS IS SUPPOSE TO BE A HEAVY DUTY VEHICLE. MOVING ROCKS IS HARDLY HEAVY DUTY. THERE ARE ALSO A LOT OF "REPLACEMENT" AXLES AVAILABLE ON THE AFTERMARKET THAT STATE THEY ARE "MORE" HEAVY DUTY THAN STOCK. A NEIGHBOR DOWN THE STREET EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE PRIOR TO ME. MY VEHICLE MISSED THE WARRANTY BY 2,700 MILES BUT IS 2 YEARS UNDER. REPAIRS ARE EXPECTED TO BE $1,000 PLUS LABOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353830

58,000 miles · Nov 13, 2009
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH ON A SNOW COVERED ROAD SURFACE, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIMMY. NEXT WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DRIVE SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH ON A SNOW COVERED ROAD SURFACE, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIMMY. NEXT WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DRIVE SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,526.

NHTSA ODI #10292081

48,000 miles · Jun 17, 2009
Power TrainCrash

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 YEAR! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10274139

57,000 miles · Mar 31, 2009
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JEEP WRANGLER. TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE AXLE FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE REPAIRS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE MONTHS LATER. HE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE AXLE AND THE PUMPKIN. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNAB…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JEEP WRANGLER. TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE AXLE FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE REPAIRS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE MONTHS LATER. HE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE AXLE AND THE PUMPKIN. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE AXLE FAILURE. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THE AXLE WILL FAIL WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE A CRASH. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

NHTSA ODI #10263767

Official recalls

1

04V048000 · Equipment:other:labels

Feb 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.

Consequence & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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