Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
On 08/01/ 19 took my Jeep in to have brakes fixed at big o tires they changed front and back pads and rotors. After that they found the Master Cylinder to be defective and replaced that also. I have the bill to show this work. In 2022 my Check Brake light would stay on all the time, my brakes were good to me. Big O's had burned down the year before, I live within 2 streets of their business, their fire was in my front window! Odometer : Readings on Dates: 1) 102,335 : Original date of Brake work! 2) 107,000 : day when brought in to fix light on, 9/29/22. Day before on the phone, the man who answered the phone said I would never fail inspection because of brake light on, only check engine light!! 3) 107,453 : the Gentleman on 9/29/2022 said he had changed the Master Cylinder again, while explaining that some master cylinders had sensors on the inside and other could be replaced. …
When driving the truck will randomly shut off or stall no matter the speed or if its parked. replaced the crankshaft and cam shaft position sensor and still has the same issue. These vehicles must have a bad ECM unit on them or something.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Without warning, there was a catastrophic engine failure. The instrument cluster warning indicators dimmed. In addition, the service engine warning light only illuminated moments before the engine failed and the vehicle was unable to be driven. While driving 65 MPH, another motorist alerted the contact that the vehicle was overheating and smoking. The contact was able to coast the vehicle over to the side of the road. The service engine light illuminated shortly before the vehicle stalled completely and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic who diagnosed that there was an engine failure. The contact was advised to check with the manufacturer or a dealer to determine what caused the failure and for a solution to repair the vehicle. The contact was unable to determine who would repair the vehicle. …
I was on my way home from work at 1145 pm when out of no wear the headlights went out ? The turning signals worked but headlights went out and wouldnt come back on, this has happened a few other times but when I had the autoshop look at it they couldn't find a issue? Tonight when the headlights shut off I couldnt see anything causing me to go into the ditch and back on the road causing damages to front bumper ,radiator, undercarriage!!! This is a dangerous issue and when I talked to other Jeep owners they have the same issues !!! My jeeps been in texas , iowa , new york, florda .... I had a Ford with this same issue and they fixed it beacuse it was a safty issue as it was a infernal motherboard issue! Jeep you need to fix the jeeps of buy them back for top book value for their year! Attached is photo of the headlight out and bumper damage.
The break tail lamp shots out and had to replace the unit twice this year and the was wiring shots to the break light and it cost me $1500 for the break light wiring shot and the tail light assemble. I have had this problem for 3 yrs consecutive and I think it is a safety issue since it is the breaks lighting and their has been multiple complaints about the same issue for this vehicle on line. I think that Chrysler should recall all this vehicles and rewire them for free since it is a safety fitcher. The whole break wiring had melted because it had a shot and burnt the bulb sockets and assemble unit
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle suddenly shut off and caused a second vehicle to crash into the rear of the contact's vehicle. No injuries were reported and a police report was not filed. After restarting the engine and driving a short distance, the vehicle continued to shut off. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000.
Seat heater wiring inside both front seats cracked at seat heater elements causing electrical resistance and melting of seat cushion material surrounding wiring. This defect was previously addressed via safety recall 09v11700 in 2009. Chrysler claimed my vehicle had received the safety recall, and the parts are only warranted for 2 years. If this is true, the new parts have the same fire hazard as the old parts.
Replaced tail light housing units only to have them go bad again. Wire harness needed to be replaced numeral times, electrical system for doors and windows had to be replaced numeral times. Gauges on dash board wouldn't work half the time. Just had a mva with a deer and extensive damage to the front of the car and no airbags were deployed, the accident was so extensive that the car was totaled!
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving 30 MPH, there was a burning odor coming from the vehicle. The contact noticed the resistor pack was melted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
My car keeps cutting off while driving. It has done this several times on highway, rural roads and main roads. It has caused me to almost have several wrecks. When the car cuts off, I lose all power. I have been stranded several times. I have had to walk back home or get someone to come get me if it was further away. I have had to use someone car because I am afraid it will do it and I will wreck my brother-in-law was killed in a similar accident. After a while the vehicle will start again, but does the same thing over and over again. It started off about 1 month after I purchased it, when I would just crank the car and the first time it would not crank but the 2nd time it would. In the last 2 weeks it has become more frequent occurance. When I put it in neutral to see if it will crank. It does and then I put in drive. It cuts off again. …
Related recalls
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.
Electrical complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 144 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 11% of the model year's 1,295 complaints. The component named most often is wiring (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-112 (starter assembly, Mar 4, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 9 fires and 5 injuries and 2 deaths to electrical system 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.