Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
The contact owns a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine failed to turn over. The contact stated that the vehicle started after approximately five attempts. The contact then stated that she heard a loud noise near the fuel tank after the vehicle was started and while driving. The check fuel warning light, the check engine warning light, and the check pressure warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the brakes were serviced; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact then stated that the mechanic noticed that the fuel pump was in the back seat of the vehicle and stated that the fuel pump was missing. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
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. …
While driving down the highway all of a sudden I heard a loud hissing sound. Noticed it was a manifold leak after further inspection noticed two bolts were broke on the drivers side, left side of the motor by the firewall. There is no possible way to remove these broken bolts other than pulling the motor. No mechanic will touch it. Therefore leaving the cost on the consumer. The grade of the bolts are very poor. They knew the 4.7 v8 motor would not have enough space for the consumer to fix these issues. Leaving the consumer to pay thousands of dollars to fix their mistake it is not safe it is not fair. Now the consumer has to worry that's excessive heat that escaped out the manifold due to the broken bolts doesn't catch anything on fire under the hood while driving possibly injuring or fatally injuring the people in the vehicle as well as others driving on the road. …
While parallel parking, with my right foot on the brake pedal, I shifted the automatic transmission out of reverse. Immediately the engine rapidly revved up and lurched forward. I pressed more firmly on the brake, causing the car (a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee) and motor to pause, then the motor rapidly revved up again, overcoming braking. Horrified, and unable to stop the car, I watched as the car raced into the vehicle ahead of me. Immediately after the impact, the engine returned to normal idle. I then checked the car: cruise control was off, my hands were still gripping the steering wheel in order to provide additional leverage for my foot on the brake pedal, my right foot was still firmly in the middle of the brake pedal and not near the accelerator pedal, and the gear shift lever was in neutral. The vehicle ahead of me sustained damage to its bumper and tailgate. …
Tl contact owns a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving about 25 MPH toward a green light to make a right turn, the vehicle then shut off. The vehicle lost all power therefore the driver could not make a right turn and the vehicle continued driving nt straight ahead. The failure caused the contact to crash head on into another vehicle. The driver attempted to apply pressure to the brakes to avoid the crash. The driver took her vehicle to the dealer to be repaired. The driver also paid $500 and the dealer only changed the spark plugs and stated that they could not find anything else wrong with the vehicle. The driver stated that her vehicle was still at the dealer and they have encouraged her to pick it up. The failure mileage was 62,500. The current mileage was 62,500.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle shifted gears automatically and jerked roughly. In addition, the transmission failed and the vehicle lost power. The contact was forced to stop at the middle of the road, turned off and restarted the engine, and coasted to the side of the road. The transmission and check engine lights illuminated. The vehicle was restarted and taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the vehicle needed a new transmission; however, a new transmission would not be available until November. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and promised to work with the dealer and provide a rental vehicle. The failure mileage was 17,800.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle stalled but was able to restart. The check engine light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where informed that the crank senor malfunctioned and no crank shaft sensor and provided code p0320. The contact called the local dealer precision Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram (1341 route 23 south, butler, nj 07405,[phone]) where the contact was informed that the repairs would be at the owners expense. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted however no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 121,984
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning and lost power in the middle of the freeway. There were no warning lights illuminated and the vehicle was towed to a local mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed with crank shaft sensor failure and was repaired. However, less than 24 hours after being repaired, the vehicle lost power again. The vehicle was towed to a local shop, but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was experiencing the same failure as described in NHTSA campaign number: 04V112000 (electrical system) the failure mileage was 131,000.
After doing wuite alot of research I have found that the 2004 Jeep Grand cheerokees have a known stalling problem that cannot be explained. These vehicles stall without warning causing the power steering and power brakes to fail. Creating a huge safety issue for anyone in the immediate area. Every complaint I have seen states that the owners have sunk lots of money and replaced several parts only to have the problem return time and time again. Why has this stalling issue never been addressed, and Jeep held accountable for the repairs? I have found hundreds of complains all over the internet describing this same stalling hazard.
Engine complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 90 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 7% of the model year's 1,295 complaints. The component named most often is engine (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 4 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.