Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (air conditioning, heater, defroster, HVAC controls).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving 45 MPH the heated seat was extremely warm. The contact stated that she felt a pinch on her lower back noticed a hole, and a red glowing illuminating light from the seat. The contact turned the heated seat switch off and attempted to push on the seat to remove the red glow. The dealer advised the contact to turn the temperature down. The dealer inspected the seat and advised the contact that there was a recall 06V197000 for the heated seat. The vehicle was repaired, and there have been no failures since the repair. The current mileage was 28,000.
Tl contact owned a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee limited. While driving, she turned on the air conditioner and smoke started coming from under the passenger side floor board; near the air vents. The fire department extinguished the fire. The cause of the failure has not been determined. The failure mileage was 67,000. Updated 01/20/10. The consumer stated once she pulled over, fire began emitting from the passenger floorboard. A recall regarding the heated seats was issued in 2005 and 2006. The consumer took the vehicle to have the repairs done. A second recall went out in November. Updated 01/21/10.
Tl* - the contact called regarding the 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated on 2/27/06 the driver's side heated seat element was replaced due to the driver's seat catching on fire. The seat was also replaced. On February 2, 2007 the seat started to smoke. The driver was able to turn the switch off before any further damage was done. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. The contact stated that the defective heated seat element was replaced with another defective heated seat element. The contact received recall 06V197000 for the heated seat element.
Jeep Grand Cherokee fire. I had a fire in my up 2004 Jeep . At the time my insurance co fire expert could not find the cause ,only that it started in the cab on the driver's side. The vehicle was burnt too badly too determine the exact cause. We called Chrysler and asked for them too investigate. They sent their fire expert out. They would never give us the findings they kept referring us too our insurance co. Now there is a recall on this vehicle for fire cause by the heated seats. We are trying too get Chrysler too look at our case again but with no luck.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving at no particular speed the heated seat warmer burned through the seat cushion without warning. The occupant sustained minor injuries from the heat. Although no visible flames were present there was slight charring to the seat cushion area. The vehicle was seen by the dealer for replacement of the heated seat element and cushion. The dealer determined there was an internal short of the seat warmer.
Dt*: the contact stated while opening the driver door smoke was noticed inside the vehicle. The fire department was called to the scene. The fire marshal filed a report and determined there was a short in the seat heater. The dealership and manufacturer were alerted.
I own a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee limited......I took my car in for the seat heater recall and since then I have terrible problems with the sudden acceleration of the car....(700rpms to 1800) I constantly have to push the brake down and be very conscious of keeping my foot on the brake. The check engine light then came on with a p0505 code. Air intake sensor. Well a new one was put in and the problem was not resolved. The mechanic could not control the idle even with the diagnostic computer attached to it. It was found that two wires on the wiring harness were shorting out and melting......then after driving approx 1200 miles the idle starts jumping again.....the check engine light come on about two days later......then within the same day the idle calms down and the check engine light goes off. …
I own a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee limited with 66,000 miles. In August 2006, the ac quit functioning when air temperatures exceeded 85f. After a recalibrating, everything seemed fine. But when the temperature dropped the passenger heat failed while the drivers side continued to function. The dealership replaced the "blend air assembly" per the TSB - at my expense. Didn't fix the problem so they recalibrated the system again. Worked for about 1 month. Then no heat on the driver side while passenger side has heat from the top vent but not the lower. The right side blend doors have been replaced twice & system recalibrated 4 times- again at my expense. Still no heat on drivers side or lower passenger side. Keeping the windshield is problematic in poor weather conditions. Service manager says he isn't getting any help from daimler Chrysler. …
Related recalls
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.
AC & Heater complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are ac & heater problems on the 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 152 complaints about the a/c & heater of the 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 12% of the model year's 1,295 complaints. The component named most often is defroster/defogger/hvac system (56 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee ac & heater problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 09V-117 (seat heater/cooler, Apr 9, 2009); NHTSA recall 06V-197 (seat heater/cooler, Jun 7, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee ac & heater problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 11 fires and 7 injuries to a/c & heater problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.