2004 Jeep Wrangler problems
The 2004 Jeep Wrangler has 281 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (24%) concerns steering. After that come suspension (21%) and brakes (7%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 281 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Steering 24% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 27 and 9
- Injuries and deaths
- 27 and 2
- Typical mileage
- 47,000 miles 239 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 53 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 49 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 50 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 35 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 22 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 13 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 10 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 4 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Among the 239 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 47,000 miles. For steering specifically, the median reported mileage is about 49,000 miles (58 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 27 complaints mention a crash; 9 complaints mention a fire; 27 injuries reported; 2 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2004 ranks 26th most-complained-about out of 35 model years of the Jeep Wrangler with enough data (129 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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 vehicle caught on fire. The consumer was hit on the passenger side door causing the other drivers bumper to wedge into the consumers gas tank. The back door of the consumers jeep was torn off along with the spare tire. The consumers jeep did not stop until it flipped over. The consumer stated that the sturdy jeep saved her life. The consumer purchased the same vehicle and the gas tank blew up. The consumer son barely escaped due to the flamable seats. The jeep burned to the ground.
I have what is called death wobble in my 2004 jeep wrangler. After reading about this problem in various forums, I believe it needs to be adressed. I have done everything that has been suggested by experts but still have the problem. The jeep has around 30,000 miles,and it has been off road,but some people have not been offroad at all and have the same problem. With mileage I don't think this jeep should be considered warnout. The problem is still ongoing.
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.