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 category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Steering
66 · 34.4%
No official action
—
Suspension
50 · 26%
No official action
—
Electrical System
10 · 5.2%
No official action
—
Power Train:automatic Transmission
8 · 4.2%
No official action
—
Suspension:front
8 · 4.2%
No official action
—
Structure:body
6 · 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.
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.
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
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 itPark 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
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.
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