Most common 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems
Share of the 1,295 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Jeep Grand Cherokee complaints by model year
Best Grand Cherokee years: 2016, 2020, 2017. Years to avoid: 2014, 2012, 2011, 2024, 2023. Compare all years →
2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls (8)
Air bags › Side/window
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured March 29, 2003, to July 3, 2003, and 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured May 27, 2003, to May 20, 2004.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag electronic control module and the side impact sensors, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 5, 2016.
Air bags › Frontal
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured January 9, 2001, to March 28, 2003, 2002-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 13, 2001, to May 23 2003, and 2003-2004 Dodge Viper vehicles manufactured November 1, 2001, to June 30, 2004.
Remedy: Chrysler dealers will replace the air bag control module and side impact sensors as required, free of charge. This recall remedy was applied during earlier recall campaigns of these vehicles under safety recalls 12V527…
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2002 and 2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured January 9, 2001, through March 28, 2003, and 2002 through 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 13, 2001, through May 23, 2003.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a supplemental jumper harness to the airbag control module, free of charge. Owners were notified of the recall by interim letter in January 2013.
Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler
Chrysler is recalling 103,409 my 2001-2004 Jeep grand cherokee vehicles with heated seats and with Chrysler recall no. 06v-197 completed (03-04 my) or seat heater elements service replacement (01-02 my). The front seat electric heater elements could overheat.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front seat heater elements free of charge. The recall began on November 23, 2009. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with heated seats, the front passenger seat electric heater element could overheat.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the heated seat elements. The recall began on July 24, 2006. Owners May contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Electrical system › Starter assembly
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 4.0l engines, the crankshaft position sensor wiring insulation May crack and expose the wire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the crankshaft position sensor. Owner notification began on March 29, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Show 2 more recalls
Equipment › Other › Labels
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.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with a corrected tire certification label. Owner notification began on March 1, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Steering › Gear box (other than rack and pinion)
On certain sport utility vehicles, the power steering gear May contain an improperly formed spacer clip, which could dislodge within the steering gear.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering gear assemblies. Owner notification began on March 12, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy…
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee:
Jeep inadvertent air bag deployment
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of inadvertent air bag deployments (IABD) occurring after the recall remedy for NHTSA recall 12V-527 had been installed on recalled model year (MY ) 2002-2003 Jeep Liberty and MY 2002-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).The recall was in response to the Office of Defects…
Crash Related Fuel Tank Fires
NHTSA has conducted extensive analysis of the data regarding fuel tank integrity for the model year (MY) 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee (JGC). As a result of that work, the agency has decided to upgrade its safety defect investigation to an Engineering Analysis and to expand the scope of vehicles included in the investigation.
Crash Related Fuel Tank Fires
ODI has completed an extensive analysis of rear crash fuel tank system integrity data for the subject Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Liberty vehicles (SVs).As of June 2013, ODI knew of 56 post-collision fatal fires, 28 non-fatal fires, and 6 fuel leak incidents (totaling 90 incidents, 75 fatalities and 58 injuries) involving the SVs.Based on this analysis, ODI issued a Recall Request Letter (RRL) on June 3, 2013…
Fuel Storage System Crash Related Fires
In a letter dated October 2, 2009, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned NHTSA to open a defect investigation and recall model year 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees.CAS alleged that the subject vehicles have defective fuel tank storage systems that present a fire hazard in crashes.
What 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners say
Air bags all 326 →
On 10/21/21 myself and my child (rear passenger in booster safety seat) were in a solo vehicle accident that resulted in our vehicle hitting an embankment before rolling 3x landing on the wheels again in the right position on the same side of vehicle we originally had impact. We were less than 1 mile from our home, headed to school, there was no unsafe conditions, and I don't have any memory of the morning or accident due to severe injury and brain injury, but there's no reason or logical reason for me to be driving in the manner or at the speeds that I was. I passed a car in front of me on a very rural road right as we came upon the almost figure 8 curves on a road I drive everyday. …
I scheduled a recall appointment for my Jeep Grand Cherokee. The dealer confirmed that the appointment was scheduled and that the necessary recall part had been ordered. However, when I arrived, my vehicle was parked and no work was started. I was not given an estimated repair time, and after waiting for 3 hours, no progress had been made. This recall is mandatory, and the dealer failed to complete it. I am reporting this as a safety issue and request that the matter be investigated.
Brakes all 159 →
The contact owns a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the brakes. The contact stated that the vehicle was not braking normally, and braking distance was extended while coming to a stop. The contact stated that the ABS warning illuminated after driving over a bump in the road. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken to several independent mechanics to be diagnosed. The contact stated that the calipers, rotors, and brake pads replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that recently after adding brake fluid to the brake fluid reservoir, there were signs of a brake fluid leak coming from the rear passenger's side wheel well. …
Car was bought at affordable auto. The parking break had to be used in order for car to stay parked. We got home the windows on passenger side did not go down. Transmissions slips and goes out of gear you must change gears like a stick shift and the jeep is automatic. The truck was as is but the safety hazards sHould have been fixed. We took back to the dealership affordable auto next day and two more times after that. All the problems still were there. Yesterday I asked could they put freon in the truck since they wont fix anything so the air conditioner does not work and I have a heart condition. I was told they will not put freon in the jeep until we catch up on car payments. we are a month behind because tried to get windows fixed but motors is dead completely. I told them that was wrong and we were threatened that they will repossess the jeep if we don't like it.
A/C & heater all 152 →
Tl*-the contact owns a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee limited. While the contact was driving approximately 70 MPH, the driver side heated seat unexpectedly activated without assistance. The seat exerted excessive heat. The failure occurred sporadic. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and waited until the seat was completely cooled down before he continued to drive the vehicle. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number 06V197000 (seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler). The VIN was excluded from the recall defect. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the identical failure on five separate occasions where diagnostic testing was performed. When the dealer performed the most recent diagnostic testing the technician informed that the owner he would be responsible for fifty percent of the repair cost. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint . …
Tl contact owns a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving 35 MPH, the front passenger seat electric heater element overheated. She turned the temperature gauge to low however, the temperature continued to rise. In addition, she noticed smoke coming from the front passenger seat then flames erupted. She was able to extinguish the fire. The dealer inspected the vehicle but was unable to determine the cause of the fire. There was recall repair work performed in 2006 for the seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler (NHTSA campaign id # 06V197000). The current and failure mileages were 41,600. Updated 3/11/08 updated 03/11/08
2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 19 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee a good car?
Based on 1,295 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 Grand Cherokee rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Grand Cherokee at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The air bags — 326 complaints, 25% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the brakes (159) and a/c & heater (152).
How many recalls does the 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
There are 8 recalls for the 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the most recent from October 19, 2015 (side/window). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2016, 2020 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2014, 2012, 2011, 2024 and 2023. See the full Jeep Grand Cherokee years comparison.
At what mileage do 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 62,000 miles; 40% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.