Is the 2004 Jeep Wrangler a bad year?
192 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Wrangler years.
Keep it. You picked a good year.
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2004 Jeep Wrangler are in line with other Wrangler years. Steering and suspension stand out for this year: see below.
4th quietest of 20 Wrangler years by owner complaints (years with 7+ years on the road).
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 Wrangler owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 49,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 67 (35%) | 30k–69k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 59 (31%) | 28k–68k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 26 (14%) | 10k–56k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 12 (6%) | 35k–86k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Fuel system | 12 (6%) | 36k–68k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Engine | 11 (6%) | 30k–88k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Brakes | 18 (9%) | 8k–46k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 13 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 10 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 49,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 192 complaints: 17 mention a crash · 7 mention a fire · 9 report an injury.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Apr 2023.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
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.
I could not shift the automatic transmission from "In gear" To park. The shifter would get stuck in reverse, resulting in me inadvertently moving backwards - a very dangerous condition.
Problem no. 1: my 2004 Jeep Wrangler unlimited has had a steering and wheel vibration problem since I purchased it brand new it in july 2004 from parrish Jeep in fairfax, va.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 49,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2004 Jeep Wrangler: 3
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. 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.
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. In the presence of an ignition source, a fuel leak could result in a fire.
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. The vehicle owner would not be aware of the tire, wheel, and inflation pressure information for their vehicle.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Jeep: 16
Repair instructions Jeep sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 Jeep Wrangler. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illumination
MIL Illumination - DTC P1776 Solenoid Switch Valve Latched in LR Position
Neighbouring years
2003 Wrangler: 98 complaints, keep it · 2005 Wrangler: 650 complaints, keep it.
Every Jeep Wrangler year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Wrangler years side by side
Other Jeep models: Jeep Cherokee · Jeep Commander · Jeep Compass · Jeep Gladiator · Jeep Grand Cherokee · Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe · Jeep Grand Cherokee L · Jeep Grand Wagoneer · Jeep Laredo · Jeep Liberty · Jeep Patriot · Jeep Renegade · Jeep Wagoneer · Jeep Wrangler 4xe · Jeep Wrangler Sahara. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2004 Jeep Wrangler a bad year?
192 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Wrangler years. At 49,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Jeep Wrangler?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (67), suspension (59), transmission and drivetrain (26), electrical system (12), fuel system (12).
How many recalls does the 2004 Jeep Wrangler have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Brakes (NHTSA 06E022000), Fuel system (NHTSA 06E011000), Equipment (NHTSA 04V-048). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.