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 Wrangler owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I driving my Jeep and was hit on the drivers side by a Mercedes that was moving 35mph. I watch the whole scene coming through my front soft top glass window. My face hit the soft top window and broke my nose pretty bad according to dr. Charles shaffer (my surgieon). By the way the soft top and upper door halfs were the factory equipped "willy's edition" model specific which are supplied to dailmer Chrysler by hertz. Blood was everywhere and took 3 hours to completely stop the bleeding. I was wearing my seat belt by the way. I had to have surgery to my nose and several follow up sessions. I feel very lucky that it was a Mercedes that hit me because they are able to crush very well. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Jeep Wrangler. While driving 30 MPH and attempting to shift from first to second gear, the vehicle jerked forward without warning. The failure recurred intermittently. Additionally, while downshifting, the vehicle shifted roughly and jerked forward. The vehicle downshifted independently while stopped. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic again who diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact spoke to lake elsinore Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (31400 auto center dr, lake elsinore, ca 92530) who scheduled an appointment, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
At 91,500 miles the PCM failed for a second time. I am not certain when the first failure occurred, but it was shown to have been flashed previously. This issue surfaced in the form of a stall out at a light. When attempting to accelerate from an idle position the engine stalled. After parking the vehicle, turning over the engine while simultaneously giving it gas, the vehicle turned over. According to three different mechanics this is a common issue among '04 Jeep wranglers that they have encountered recently (12 years after market and 2 years completely out of warranty). No one can find a replacement PCM because they are no longer manufactured, and it was Chrysler's recommendation that customers experiencing this issue go to a scrap yard to find a replacement (likely to have the same issue). As a customer I am appalled that we are aware of this issue and there have been no recalls. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that when the vehicle was taken in for routine maintenance, the technician stated that the rear passenger side hub bearing and axle seal needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure recurred and was repaired at 41,846, 46,297, 52,000 and 55,600 miles. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 39,000.
My 2004 Jeep Wrangler was in park and running and drifted down a hill and into another parked vehicle causing 4K worth of damage to my Jeep and who knows how much to the other vehicle. There is a recall on 2005 and 2006 Jeep wranglers for transmission "park" problems, I think they are missing a year!
I was driving and when I stopped the Jeep would not go into park. I found a piece of level ground to stop on but then since it would not go into park, I could not take the key out of the ignition. I was very lucky the dealer was open so I could drive it there to be fixed. They told me the center pin/shaft on shift assembly was broke. I ask if that wasn't a safety part and was told no even if it had been, the Jeep was out of warranty so it would not make a difference any way. The lady in write up said that was the second one they had to fix. I believe this could be a very dangerous thing. There was no warning that it was going to happen! I live on a hill and there was no way I could go home with it not being able to put it in park, I could not even get out of it in my drive way because of the incline. What's happen to the steel with which they make the car parts today?
Failure to shift automatic transmission into 1st, 3rd, and 4th gears. Only stays in 2nd gear or reverse. Was told by a dealer that the PCM was causing the malfunction. Replaced the PCM and the TCM also blew out. There are only 48000 miles on this vehicle and is taken care of well. There shouldn't be all the computers going out all at once. No one seems to be able to assist from Chrysler. Unfortunate, since this is my third Wrangler and I haven't ever had this many issues with any vehicle ever. Was a die-hard fan and stood by Jeep products. Now I will make sure everyone knows not to purchase these faulty vehicles. Hopefully after $1050 in repairs this resolves the electrical issues....but somehow won't count on it!!! Booooo to Jeep! You should be ashamed of yourselves.
I could not shift the automatic transmission to park. The shifter would get stuck in reverse, resulting in me inadvertently moving backwards when taking my foot off the brake- a very dangerous condition. Turned the engine off, waited and then was able to shift into park. The next day I also could not shift down from park into gear. Had it towed to the dealer in jeffersonville in, they said the shifter was bad and replace it at a cost of $ 325 to me. After driving for a day I notice that I did not need to press the brake to shift out of park. Took it back and they said "sorry"....and fix it but the indicator still is not right but I don't trust them. It seems like Jeep has 2 major safety problems with the 2004 Wrangler. The death wobble and the shifter.
While moving rocks in my yard, I put the transfer case in low and locked the axles, both front and rear. The front driver side u-joint exploded, damaging the inner and outer axles. The vehicle was undrivable. I do failure assessment for my work and have determined incorrect heat treating of the critical drive train components to be suspect. This is suppose to be a heavy duty vehicle. Moving rocks is hardly heavy duty. There are also a lot of "replacement" axles available on the aftermarket that state they are "more" heavy duty than stock. A neighbor down the street experienced the same failure prior to me. My vehicle missed the warranty by 2,700 miles but is 2 years under. Repairs are expected to be $1,000 plus labor.
New 2004 Jeep Wrangler se. The manual transmission clunks clinks & sometimes grinds when upshifting from 1st to 2nd and from 2nd to 3rd gear. I was nearly rearended last week. I was going up a hill from a stop. When I shifted from 2nd to 3rd gear the syncros started grinding. Not wanting to abuse my Jeep, I backed off to neutral and was nearly rearended by the car behind me. I have been told by the dealer and the factory rep. That there is nothing wrong with the transmission. That it is"the nature of the beast", all of these transmission are a little noisy, but not to worry because I have a 7 year,70,000 mile warranty. What good is a warranty if they refuse to admit that there is a problem?
Transmission complaints in other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2004 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2004 Jeep Wrangler, 14% of the model year's 192 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Jeep Wrangler transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 33,000 miles, and 43% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 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.