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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

Structure complaints

13 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2023
Structure

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.

NHTSA ODI #11517197

Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2023
Structure

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11506269

Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2022
Structure

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 simil…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11497639

102,000 miles · Oct 31, 2016
Structure

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

NHTSA ODI #10920249

120,000 miles · Jul 21, 2016
SteeringStructureSuspension

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 UN…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10887617

84,500 miles · Aug 13, 2014
Structure

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 P…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10622053

20,500 miles · Jul 29, 2011
Service Brakes, HydraulicStructureSuspension

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!!!!!…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10416303

91,560 miles · Nov 3, 2006
SteeringStructureCrash

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 M…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10172542

890 miles · Oct 21, 2005
StructureFire

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10140424

2,000 miles · May 8, 2005
Parking BrakePower TrainService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

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 E…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10120194

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.

Go deeper into Jeep Wrangler problems