2004 Jeep WRANGLER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
192 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
46,296 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 164 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 66 of 192 complaints (34.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 44 | 22.9% |
| Braking behavior | 35 | 18.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 20 | 10.4% |
| Engine operation | 9 | 4.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 4.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 4.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 66 |
| Suspension | 50 |
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 8 |
| Suspension:Front | 8 |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 6 |
| Power Train | 6 |
Steering: 66; Suspension: 50; Electrical System: 10; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 8; Suspension:Front: 8; Unknown Or Other: 7; Fuel System, Gasoline: 6; Power Train: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 47 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 45 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 34 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 18 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 17 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 47; 25,000 to 49,999: 45; 50,000 to 74,999: 34; 75,000 to 99,999: 18; 100,000 to 149,999: 17; 150,000 and above: 3
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (47). 28 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 18 |
| 2005 | 15 |
| 2006 | 21 |
| 2007 | 16 |
| 2008 | 9 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2010 | 19 |
| 2011 | 23 |
| 2012 | 16 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 13 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
2004: 18; 2005: 15; 2006: 21; 2007: 16; 2008: 9; 2009: 8; 2010: 19; 2011: 23; 2012: 16; 2013: 6; 2014: 13; 2015: 6; 2016: 7; 2017: 5; 2018: 1; 2019: 2; 2020: 4; 2022: 1; 2023: 2
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 44 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 35 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 20 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10055357 · 2004-01-20 (January 20, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10055357 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10061894 · 2004-03-11 (March 11, 2004)
NEW 2004 JEEP WRANGLER SE. THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION CLUNKS CLINKS & SOMETIMES GRINDS WHEN UPSHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. I WAS NEARLY REARENDED LAST WEEK. I WAS GOING UP A HILL FROM A STOP. WHEN I SHIFTED FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR THE SYNCROS STARTED GRINDING. NOT WANTING TO ABUSE MY JEEP, I BACKED OFF TO NEUTRAL AND WAS NEARLY REARENDED BY THE CAR BEHIND ME. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER AND THE FACTORY REP. THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THAT IT IS"THE NATURE OF THE BEAST", ALL OF THESE TRANSMISSION ARE A …
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10061894 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10064503 · 2004-04-04 (April 4, 2004)
LEFT FRONT AXLE SEAL LEAK. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 3,742 miles reported. Look up ODI 10064503 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10064504 · 2004-04-04 (April 4, 2004)
OIL LEAK FROM ENGINE/TRANSMISSION. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 5,050 miles reported. Look up ODI 10064504 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10065661 · 2004-04-06 (April 6, 2004)
RIGHT FRONT BRAKES SEIZED ON MY WAY HOME. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 5,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10065661 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10066814 · 2004-04-29 (April 29, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH VEHICLE HIT A TREE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, AND SUSTAINED A CUT AND BRUISES ABOVE RIGHT EYE. *AK *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 6,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10066814 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067837 · 2004-04-26 (April 26, 2004)
GOT IN VEHICLE. PUT RIGHT FOOT ON BRAKE, PUT CAR IN DRIVE, TOOK MY FOOT OFF BRAKE AND THEN IMMEDIATELY REAPPLIED IT AS CAR PULLED IN FRONT OF ME. WRANGLER BEGAN CREEPING FORWARD AND I APPLIED MORE PEDAL PRESSURE ONLY TO FIND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATING HARDER. HIT CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THOUGHT I HAD MY RIGHT FOOT ON BRAKE WHEN IN FACT, MOST OF MY RIGHT FOOT WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR. WHY ARE THESE PEDALS SO CLOSE? I'M NORMALLY A LEFT FOOT BRAKER SO THIS ISN'T A BIG ISSUE, BUT IN THE CASE, I USED MY RIGHT FOOT AND ENDED UP HAVING MY RIGHT FOOT ON B…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10067837 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10068490 · 2004-05-08 (May 8, 2004)
LEAKING TRANSMISSDIONTRANSFERE CASE. DEALER HAS TRYED TO FIX WITHOUT SUCCESS. BRAND NEW RUBICON LESS THAN 2500 MILES ON IT AND LEAKING BAD.DEALER HAS TRYED TO REPLACE SEALS WITHOUT ANY SUCCESS.NOW THEY SAY ITS A MANUFACTORES DEFECT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 2,090 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068490 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V048000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2004-02-03 (February 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗