Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Jeep Wrangler owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Hit a regular bump in the road, at 35 miles per hour on a strait stretch of road and the attachment point for the front suspension pulled away from the frame and I lost control of the Jeep, upon further inspection I discovered that the entire center section of the frame is rusted from the inside out on both sides, the frame should be the last thing to fail on any vehicle, this Jeep has only 65,000 miles on it and has never been off roaded or abused. For a vehicle that is known to last 200K miles plus to have frame failure at 65K miles is not only negligent on chryslers behalf but it also poses a real safety hazard to the general public, imagine how many people are driving these jeeps down the road at 70-80 miles per hour with a frame that could fail at anytime. …
The driver's side lower control arm mount on our 2004 Jeep Wrangler broke off from the frame while driving. While accelerating on a city street, there was a loud bang noise from underneath the vehicle, and the Jeep became extremely difficult to control and started wandering all over the road. Upon pulling over and looking underneath the vehicle we found that there were extreme amounts of rust and corrosion inside the frame that was visible from the outside. This rust caused the entire lower control arm mount to break off from the frame. Another rot hole was found further up the frame near the transmission skidplate/cross-member assembly as well.
When the Wrangler reaches approximately 55 MPH, it begins to violently (and terrifyingly) shake uncontrollably. It makes it difficult to maintain any control of the vehicle, and we have had several near misses, barely avoiding accidents. We have reported this for *years* to our auto repair and tire companies, had several things done in a desperate attempt to remedy it, including 2 sets of tires, with no success. With reports of the "death wobble" now becoming widely known, we instantly knew that we were not alone, and that this is a widespread issue that Jeep needs to address. This is a huge safety issue.
While moving down highways 40 to 65mph ive noticed that whenever I hit pot holes or bumps my car imediately goes into a major wobble like I have a flat tire, however as soon as I tap my brake it stops. My friend told me this is a death wobble factory recall but Jeep dealers tell me my car VIN isnt included. Why not since it has the problem?!
Driving down the highway at anywhere above 40mph and hitting a bump in the road sends the vehicle into a violent shake/wobble. This does not stop until the vehicle is slowed down to below 40. The Jeep is completely stock. No lift, no bigger tires.
My 2004 Jeep Wrangler has developed what I later found out is known to Jeep drivers as the "death wobble." at highway speeds, the front end begins to shake violently. Once the oscillations start, the vehicle becomes difficult to steer and must be brought to a full stop for them to go away. Very dangerous on the freeway surrounded by other traffic. This is an entirely unmodified, stock suspension with less than 20K miles on the vehicle. I took it to the dealer, who could not find anything wrong, but suggested I replace the power steering pump. I had the vehicle aligned and the tires rotated, but the problem continued. This is a much more violent and uncontrollable shake than what is caused by out of balance tires or warped brake rotors. I took the Jeep to a shop specializing in 4x4 suspension. …
The problem is violent front end vibration when vehicle is operated between 45mph-55mph. The vibration is so intense it causes the steering wheel and front end to vibrate violently. This problem has occurred numerous times over 5 years of operation and especially after tire changes. I have had 2 different sets of tires on this Jeep which were balanced and have continued to have this problem. In the past I overcame this problem by rotating the tires until I found the tire orientation that gave the least amount of violent vibration I had thought that I May have had a hairline fracture on one of the rims but after installing new rims and the third set of tires the problem is back and as bad as ever. Out of frustration I turned to the internet to find out if their are any other Jeep Wrangler owners experiencing this problem. …
What seems to be a very common problem with the Jeep Wrangler model line is a problem known throughout the community as the "death wobble." I purchased a used Jeep Wrangler rubicon almost two years ago, and have been experiencing this problem ever since. My Jeep, along with many others like it, has absolutely no aftermarket modifications, yet has a very dangerous symptom which makes me scared to drive it over 40 MPH. The "death wobble" can only be described as an incredibly violent shake of the steering wheel from left to right after going over a bump or imperfection in the road. It will usually start off slowly, but within half a second the entire front end of the car is shaking out of control, and only stops when the vehicle is brought to a stop. …
Multiple incidents of violent vibration in the vehicle front end, including the steering wheel and front wheels, are occurring after hitting a minor pot hole in the road. Incidents occur at highways speeds, normally 45 - 55 MPH. The driver must reduce speed to near zero in order to recover safe and effective control of the vehicle. This vehicle defect appears to be the well-known and major safety issue in Jeep Wrangler vehicles known as "the death wobble". I purchased this vehicle new from a Jeep dealership and have had it professionally maintained per the manufacturer's instructions since the day I bought it. My spouse and I have both experienced this defect several times in the past few years, most recently on December 15, 2011. …
I own a 2004 Jeep Wrangler which I purchased from a Jeep dealership in 2006. Just weeks after I bought it, the Jeep shook uncontrollably at speeds of 45 MPH or faster. Braking did not help. I literally have to let the Jeep slow down on its own , so that it can re-adjust itself. Driving over any kind of bump in the road also causes this uncontrollable shaking at the same speeds. I have now owned this Jeep now for 6 years , and the problem still exists. In this time period, I have replaced the track bar twice. Changed the shocks, have had countless wheel balancing and alignments, and have replaced the steering stabilizer. More times than not, the shaking is so bad, I have to pull off the highway. I live in the lake tahoe area and experience this shaking effect often times while driving on winding roads in this area. …
Suspension complaints in other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2004 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has 59 complaints about the suspension of the 2004 Jeep Wrangler, 31% of the model year's 192 complaints. The component named most often is front (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Jeep Wrangler suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 2004 Jeep Wrangler, though it has 1 recall 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 Wrangler suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 46,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to suspension 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.