Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
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.
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. …
Wife was dropping off son at swim practice. Wife noticed son had left a drink in the Jeep. Wife placed the vehicle in park and was walking up the sidewalk to take my son his drink when she heard a noise (popping) from the direction of the Jeep. She turned to see the Jeep rolling backwards across the parking lot. My wife attempted to stop the Jeep but was knocked to the ground. The Jeep continued backward until it hit a fence and a sign pole. Damage to the Jeep includes the drivers door and hinges, scratches to the paint on the rear door, bumper and most of the drivers side of the vehicle, and a broken tail light cover. I talked with the dealer(pomoco Chrysler, Jeep in hampton) and they told me that they would not do anything but check out the transmission once the Jeep was drivable. …
I bought my vehicle in December at one of your dealerships and when I test drove it I told my salesman that is swayed in the back end and he said I just have to get used to it cause I'm used to a car. This problem has gotten worse and I had it looked at and the ball joint is about to fall out and the rear tension bars and parts are broke and have been since I purchased it. This is unsafe and I have my children in this car. It has even ruined my tires especially the passengers back one. The dealership looked at it and said it will be over 1,000 to fix and they will only cover 220 of the cost and I pay the rest. I paid over 7,000 for the Jeep and I feel it's their job to fix it all. If not I will never buy another Chrysler product again. This motion is enough to pull me all over the road in all weather conditions.
My Jeep was parked facing down a hill in a parking lot. I went to get into it, started it and then exited the vehicle as it was hot and I was letting the ac get going. As I exited the vehicle it started to roll down the hill and proceeded to hit 2 parked cars , jump a curb throwing my sister in law out as she was not all the way in then continued down the hill until it hit a tree and stopped. I never took it out of park and when we got to it the gear shift was in neutral. My sister suffered a broken clavicle, torn ligaments in her knee, severely bruised ribs and pelvis and my Jeep is totaled. Apparently this is not a new problem as I have been doing my research. When will this be stopped and how many more people have to die or be injured?
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.
I drove into my driveway a short distance and put the Jeep into park. I got out of the Jeep walked behind it to go get the mail, before I reached the mailbox I noticed that the Jeep had started rolling backwards. It rolled across the road, down into a very large ditch and hit a tree. I ran after it to try and stop it but I was unsuccessful. I had just begun to push the brake as the back tire went into the ditch. The force of the Jeep going down the ditch knocked me on my back and my foot got caught in the door so I was dragged down the ditch with the Jeep. Luckily I didn't receive any serious injury just sore and shook up but the Jeep has extensive damage to the rear end.
I was in a car wash. When I was to move to the drying position I could not get the Jeep out of park. I turned the engine off and wiggled the shift level. I then started the engine and tried to move out of park, but the engine roared and took off like a rocket. I could not stop the car or turn engine off. I crashed into a block wall of a store. The car was totaled. It was like being on a rocket with no control. According to police report I traveled about 60 yards. Have no idea of speed attained. The car was accelerating all the way. I reported the incident to daimler-Chrysler on 10/27/06. They said they would inspect Jeep, but have not heard back from the yet.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal sound coming from the front and rear underneath the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to spitzer Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (13001 brookpark rd, cleveland, oh 44142 [phone]) where it was diagnosed and it was determined that the rear differential failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred and worsened. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While the vehicle was parked, it continued to drive forward. The vehicle stopped when it struck a tree while the gear was still in park. The dealer and manufacturer have not been notified. The vehicle has severe damage, estimating approximately $4,000 in repairs. The vehicle is currently in the repair shop. The contact sustained arm injuries from being stuck in the seat belt and the vehicle rolled over her right leg and face. The vehicle also ran over a dog. A police report was filed. The current and failure mileages were 35,000.
Transmission complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 54 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 4% of the model year's 1,295 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (24 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles, and 36% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 19 crashes, 0 fires and 10 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.