CarModelProblems.com

2004 Jeep Wrangler Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Steering — runs 5.5× the fleet median for that category across the 1656 model-years tracked on this site.
192Complaints
3Recalls
17Crashes
7Fires
12Injured
1Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Steering (34.4% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Steering complaints here are 5.5× the median for that category across the 1656 model-years tracked on this site.

None of the 6 most-reported categories on this page have a recall or open investigation on file — they rest on unverified owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Steering66 · 34.4%No official action
Suspension50 · 26%No official action
Electrical System10 · 5.2%No official action
Power Train:automatic Transmission8 · 4.2%No official action
Suspension:front8 · 4.2%No official action
Structure:body6 · 3.1%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

STEERING66 · 34.4%
SUSPENSION50 · 26%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM10 · 5.2%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION8 · 4.2%
SUSPENSION:FRONT8 · 4.2%
Unspecified / other7 · 3.6%
STRUCTURE:BODY6 · 3.1%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR6 · 3.1%
TIRES6 · 3.1%
POWER TRAIN6 · 3.1%

Percentages are the share of the 192 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 3 campaigns

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

NHTSA campaign 06E022000 · 2006 · reported 03/13/2006

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

NHTSA campaign 06E011000 · 2006 · reported 02/01/2006

IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment:other:labels

NHTSA campaign 04V048000 · 2004 · reported 02/03/2004

THE VEHICLE OWNER WOULD NOT BE AWARE OF THE TIRE, WHEEL, AND INFLATION PRESSURE INFORMATION FOR THEIR VEHICLE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT ANYWHERE ABOVE 40MPH AND HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD SENDS THE VEHICLE INTO A VIOLENT SHAKE/WOBBLE. THIS DOES NOT…”NHTSA complaint 10726915 — filed 06/23/2015 · STEERING
“MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON NORMAL DRY PAVEMENT WHEN THE CASTING THAT ANCHORS THE TIE ROD TO THE FRONT LEFT…”NHTSA complaint 10715738 — filed 05/11/2015 · STEERING
“WHEN DRIVING THE WRANGLER DOWN ANY ROAD SURFACE THE WHEELS WILL START TO WOBBLE AND SHAKE VERY HARD LIKE YOU ARE LOOSING CONTROL. THEN YOU…”NHTSA complaint 10515405 — filed 06/06/2013 · STEERING

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

102008830201035342012101920149122016522018362020122023

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Jeep Wrangler?

Steering issues are the most-reported category, cited in 66 of 192 NHTSA complaints (34.4%), followed by suspension (50), electrical system (10), power train:automatic transmission (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2004 Jeep Wrangler have?

192 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 17 involved a crash, 7 involved a fire, and 12 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 2004 Jeep Wrangler have any recalls?

Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 06E022000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2004 Jeep Wrangler's reported problems?

0 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.