2004 Jeep Wrangler problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension (45) · Steering (24) · Suspension:front (8)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Jeep Wrangler model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
163 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (47)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Power Train 2024-10-30 · 101232 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
plate - planetary
Electrical System 2022-07-09 · S2208000136 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
security module lock out after entering the pin to unlock the wireless control module (wcm)
Electrical System 2022-07-09 · S2208000136 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
security module lock out after entering the pin to unlock the wireless control module (wcm)
Electrical System:ignition:anti-Theft:immobilizer/Proximity:key/Sender 2020-07-22 · 9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
key, master if replacing the key/fobik on a wj, kj, tj, or pt cruiser, use the "ac" nic level part number. the "ab" nic level will not program to these platforms. for all other platforms, if the "ab" nic level will not program to the vehicle, use the "ac" nic level part and submit a part warranty.
Electrical System:ignition:anti-Theft:immobilizer/Proximity:key/Sender 2020-07-22 · 9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
key, master if replacing the key/fobik on a wj, kj, tj, or pt cruiser, use the "ac" nic level part number. the "ab" nic level will not program to these platforms. for all other platforms, if the "ab" nic level will not program to the vehicle, use the "ac" nic level part and submit a part warranty.
Electrical System 2020-06-01 · S2025000005 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illumination. diagnostic trouble codes p0407 ? egr sensor b circuit low, or p0408 ? egr sensor b circuit high set
Showing the 6 most recent of 47 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-04-15 · Structure:body“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. …”
2023-02-08 · Structure:body“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 t…”
2022-12-15 · Structure:body“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 chrys…”
2020-09-23 · Electrical System · 135,000 mi · 🔥 fire“driving while dark, had smoke smell from inside cab. driving in daylight later, and saw smoke coming from behind steering colomn. smoke got much worse, endangered driving, and column started to get hot. pulled over, and noticed the fog lights were still on despite the switch, and key being off. pulled the fuse, and relay, then problem stopped. …”
2020-03-11 · Suspension · 67,000 mi · 💥 crash“hit a regular bump in the road, at 35 miles per hour on a strait stretch of road and the attachment point for the front suspension pulled away from the frame and i lost control of the jeep, upon further inspection i discovered that the entire center section of the frame is rusted from the inside out on both sides, the frame should be the last thing…”
2020-03-09 · Tires · 70,859 mi“on march 8, 2020 while driving at 75 mph on interstate 75, the right rear (rr) tire on my 2004 jeep wrangler blew out. the tires were purchased at sam's club in may 2018. the vehicle had a matching set of tires all purchased at the same time (may 18) - bf goodrich all terrain ta ko2. size 31 x 10.5 r15. the mileage on the tire at time of blo…”
2020-01-01 · Steering · 170,000 mi“i have a right hand drive 2004 jeep wrangler. the right seat belt latch is always sticking causing my seat belt to come loose. the steering wheel starts shaking violently when reaching speeds above 50 mph,if you hit a bump, or if it's windy or an 18 wheeler passes you on highway, the jeep will rock side to side like it's going to turn over. it's ve…”
2019-10-25 · Seat Belts · 44,500 mi“passenger front seat belt jammed in 2004 jeep rubicon.…”
2019-06-21 · Steering · 130,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owned a 2004 jeep wrangler. the contact stated that while exiting her driveway carport going 10 mph, without warning the vehicle accelerated and the contact could not control the steering wheel which seized. the contact attempted to depress the brakes which failed causing, the contact to crash into the carports pole allowing the veh…”
2018-11-19 · Suspension · 40,000 mi“when the wrangler reaches approximately 55 mph, it begins to violently (and terrifyingly) shake uncontrollably. it makes it difficult to maintain any control of the vehicle, and we have had several near misses, barely avoiding accidents. we have reported this for *years* to our auto repair and tire companies, had several things done in a desperat…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.