Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
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
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!
I've had problems on and off with the power windows, door locks, interior lights and stereo system. The power windows/door locks do not work. Unless I turn the interior dimmer light switch to the off position, the lights stay on. When this is done, I cannot see the displays (I.e., speed, etc.). The stereo system will play and the cd player works; however, I cannot see the display at all --- channels, track #s, etc. All of these issues, except the stereo system, create driving hazards.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that after the ignition key was turned to the on position, the vehicle failed to start intermittently. The contact mentioned that when the vehicle was started, the instrument panel failed to illuminate. In addition, the contact stated that the front headlights became inoperable without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the tail lights became inoperable without warning. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the rear light system was replaced multiple times, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the exterior amber side reflectors did not illuminate while driving 30 MPH. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 06e064000 (exterior lighting). The failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While the vehicle was stationary, the tail lights and brake lights malfunctioned. The contact stated that the tail light and brake light coverings melted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 160,000.
I brought my 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee June 2004, barley used. I have repaired a lot of things under the hood especially with the sensors and the black harness wire in the drivers side door, it split in 2 and stopped running in the middle of traffic. I had to have it sliced and mended together, after 8 months recently, I had to repair the black wire again due to moisture setting in the tape and wires, I read on the internet Chrysler should have never put the black or yellow where's in the door, because they bend and break. This caused my the lights to stay on and remote side mirrors not to work. The dash board meters went haywire, I had the alternator replaced, sensors and throttle body cleaned and replaced. The engine light stays on constantly now, giving codes of p0141, p0137 with bad fuel mpg. It rides like it is smothered in feathers. I was advised that it could be the fuel pump. …
Both brake light lamps appeared to be blown. Plastic around the lamps are scorched and discolored to brown. The black plastic under the contacts on the larger light housing assembly have melted and dropped away lower than the contacts on the light assembly socket can reach, therefore continuity is broken and neither light will work. Plastic under the contacts is now deteriorating and cracking due to the heat of the bulb or too much current draw. This lamp is also the nighttime running lamp so it will be on constantly during the evening hours. It concerns me that the plastic around this lamp is defective and cant take the heat to the point that l/r brake light system fails. Other bulbs and sockets in use in this assy. Don't appear to be affected. Is there a fire hazard?
Headlight complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the lights of the 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2% of the model year's 1,295 complaints. The component named most often is turn signal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 103,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to lights 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.