21 of the
281 complaints about the 2004 Jeep Wrangler are about the
braking system — 7% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
28,500 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING HER DRIVEWAY CARPORT GOING 10 MPH, WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND THE CONTACT COULD NOT CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH SEIZED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKES WHICH FAILED CAUSING, THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE CARPORTS POLE ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. NO EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED. NO INJURIES, NO POLICE REPORT FILED, NO MEDICAL ATTENTION, NO DAMAGE'S TO THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED, AND NO DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #11221662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesClemmons, NCCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THE WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH DOWN A STEEP HILL WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS THAT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT VEERED THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS WAS STEERED ALONG SIDE A FENCE, IN ORDER TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE TWO FRONT AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE COLLISION INSURANCE. THE CONTACT DID NOT CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER TO INQUIRE ABOUT VIN NUMBER BEING INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
NHTSA complaint #10616809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,500 milesQueen Creek, AZ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
HAVE A JEEP 2004 WRANGLER. AT 60 MPH. IT BEGINS TO WOBBLE VERY BADLY! HAVE PURCHASED NEW TIRES,BALANCING,FRONT STABILIZING BAR,NEW BRAKES & ROTORS,ALIGNMENT. STILL WOBBLES! MANY OTHER JEEP OWNERS ARE HAVING SAME PROBLEM & JEEP DEALERS CANNOT COME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO STOP THIS! IT HAPPENS EVERYTIME I HIT 60MPH! VERY SCARY!!!!! ALMOST FLIPPED ME OFF THE ROAD COMING DOWN THE MOUNTAINS!
NHTSA complaint #10416303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesMidland, PACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MY DAUGHTER EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE IN HER 2004 JEEP WRANGLER CAUSING HER TO COAST THROUGH A STOP SIGN AND HIT AN ONCOMING CAR. UPON INSPECTION OF HER JEEP, THERE WAS A CLIP MISSING THAT SECURED THE CONNECTION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO THE ACTUATOR ROD THAT GOES INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER/MASTER CYLINDER. WITHOUT THE CLIP, THE TWO PARTS SEPARATED CAUSING COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. THIS CAR HAS NO HISTORY OF BRAKE REPAIR IN THAT AREA WHICH INDICATES A FAULTY CLIP OR A CLIP WAS NEVER INSTALLED FROM THE FACTORY.
NHTSA complaint #10252590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,000 milesMT Washington, KY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
2004 JEEP WRANGLER SPORT GOES INTO A VIOLENT SHAKE WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. I'VE READ ABOUT THE DEATH WOBBLE ON MORE THAN ONE WEB SITE OR BLOG. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE STEERING STABLIZER , BUT I BELIEVED THIS ONLY MASK, THE REAL PROBLEM. I SPOKE TO A LOCAL 4X4 SHOP AND THEY SAID JEEP MADE THE LOWER CONTOL ARM TOO SHORT AND THIS PUSHED THE FRONT END DOWN AND THE ANGLES WERE OFF. ALSO, SAID THE AFTERMAKET REPLACEMENTS WERE APPROX 3/4" LONGER THAN THE OEM. MY JEEP WAS STOCK, NOT LIFTED. THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED THE TIRES TO CUP, BRAKES, AND STEERING STABILIZER TO WEAR OUT EARLIER THAN NORMAL. IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE GOT KILLED OR INJURED.
NHTSA complaint #10190908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 24,000 milesVeradale, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
2004 JEEP WRANGLER 24,000 MILES. I DO NOT DRIVE MY WIFE'S JEEP THAT OFTEN SO NOT SURE WHEN THIS STARTED BUT IT DEVELOPED A SEVERE SHAKE IN FRONT END, TOOK INTO THE DEALER AND THEY CHANGED THE FRONT SHOCKS. I DROVE IT A FEW WEEKS LATER AND THE SAME THING WAS STILL HAPPENING, DEALER CHANGED THE STABILIZER. AGAIN, A FEW WEEK LATER HAD IT OUT AND STILL THE SAME PROBLEM...TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER, THIS TIME THEY ADVISED IT HAS WARPED ROTORS DUE TO BAD DRIVING HABITS. THIS IS MY WIFE'S VEHICLE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD AND DRIVES HIGHWAY MILES TO WORK, NOT SURE WHAT THE "BAD HABITS" ARE. THE SHAKE IS FAIRLY VIOLENT AT TIMES AND COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR AS BRAKES ARE NOT COVERED. I HAVE READ MANY REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM, WHY HAVE THEY NOT BEEN ADVISED TO REPAIR THIS CONDITION?
NHTSA complaint #10174355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 34,000 milesCenterville, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY BRAKES. MY RIGHH FRONT IS COMPLETELY GONE. I GET THE SAME ANSWER AS EVERYONE ELSE. ITS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE APPROXIMATELY 35000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10174067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yonkers, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
I CURRENTLY OWN A JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 2004, AT AROUND 12,000 MILES WHEEL STARTED SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLE. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEY DID IT FOR FREE AND TOLD ME NEXT TIME THEY ARE NOT COVERED. IT IS NOW 29,000 MILES AND SAME THING IS HAPPENING AGAIN I NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. I OWNED MANY CARS IN MY LIFE AND NEVER ONCE WENT THROUGH ROTORS ON ANY OF THEM. IF CHRYSLER KNOWS OF PROBLEM WHY WONT THEY ADDRESS IT.
NHTSA complaint #10159363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Morrison, CO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
MY 2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AFTER 30,000 MILES HAS DEVELOPED WHAT IS KNOWN AS "WARPED ROTORS" THERE IS A PULSATION WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL AT HIGH SPEEDS. THIS HAS BECOME EVEN WORSE. IT SEEMS THAT THESE ROTORS KEEPS GOING BAD FOR THE JEEP CHEROKEE. THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON THE FRONT ROTORS OF ALL CHEROKEES FROM 1999 TO 2004. MY WIFE USES THE CAR EVERYDAY TO TAKE OUR TWO SMALL CHILDREN TO SCHOOL. SHE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR NOW. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I AM SUPPOSED TO PAY FOR A NEW SETS OF ROTORS BUT THE REAL PROBLEM IS THE MATERIAL THAT WAS USED TO MAKE THE ORIGINAL ROTORS.
NHTSA complaint #10158490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 24,900 milesSpring Grove, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
MY BREAK PEDDLE BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY VIBRATE WHEN I WOULD BREAK. I TOOK MY JEEP TO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND WAS TOLD MY ROTORS WERE WARPED. THEY SAID IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE WAY I DROVE THE CAR. I AM 36 YEARS OLD AND DO NOT GO "OFF-ROADING". I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS ON ANY CAR! THIS CAR IS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD.
NHTSA complaint #10155653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,500 milesAtlanta, GACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
ON TWO OCCASIONS, I HAVE REAR-ENDED SOMEONE DUE TO WHAT I BELIEVE IS A FAULTY DESIGN IN THE POSITION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN MY 2004 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED. IN INSTANCES WHERE I HAD TO STOP SUDDENLY THEREFORE APPLYING EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE PEDAL DESCENDED BELOW THE ACCELERATOR AND THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY FOOT CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE ACCELERATOR CAUSING THE ACCELERATOR TO BE DEPRESSED AT THE SAME TIME. I WOULD HAVE HAD ADEQUATE STOPPING DISTANCE IN BOTH INSTANCES HAD THE ACCELERATOR NOT CAUSED ME TO BE PUSHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME.
NHTSA complaint #10150744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,790 milesLincoln Park, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WARPED FRONT DISC BRAKES AT 15790 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10148246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,000 milesLancaster, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
2004 JEEP WRANGLER'S FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPED.*MR
NHTSA complaint #10130246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,000 milesSalisbury, MDCrash2 injured
PARKING BRAKE
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. HIS VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND HAD NECK PAIN AND I DROVE HOME WITH A BROKE NOSE, BENT REAR AXLE SHAFT (BEND WAS OUTSIDE OF THE AXLE BEARING, WHICH MAKES ONE OF MY REAR BRAKES USELESS), DAMAGED FACTORY ROCKER PANEL (WILLY'S EDITION MODEL SPECIFIC), DAMAGED BODY, REAR FENDER FLARE, I ALSO HAD TO STRAIGHTEN AND REWELD THE BODY MOUNT THAT TORE OFF THE FRAME( THERE ARE 3 BODY MOUNTING POINTS THAT ARE CLEARLY VISIBLE BETWEEN THE 2 DRIVERS SIDE WHEELS, THE MOUNT CLOSEST TO THE REAR TIRE WAS TORN OFF THE FRAME) PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ASK ME MORE QUESTIONS AT (704) 506-4592.
NHTSA complaint #10120194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,000 milesSalisbury, MDCrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
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. HIS VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND HAD NECK PAIN AND I DROVE HOME WITH A BROKE NOSE, BENT REAR AXLE SHAFT (BEND WAS OUTSIDE OF THE AXLE BEARING, WHICH MAKES ONE OF MY REAR BRAKES USELESS), DAMAGED FACTORY ROCKER PANEL (WILLY'S EDITION MODEL SPECIFIC), DAMAGED BODY, REAR FENDER FLARE, I ALSO HAD TO STRAIGHTEN AND REWELD THE BODY MOUNT THAT TORE OFF THE FRAME( THERE ARE 3 BODY MOUNTING POINTS THAT ARE CLEARLY VISIBLE BETWEEN THE 2 DRIVERS SIDE WHEELS, THE MOUNT CLOSEST TO THE REAR TIRE WAS TORN OFF THE FRAME) PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ASK ME MORE QUESTIONS AT (704) 506-4592.
NHTSA complaint #10120194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10 milesTillamook, OR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
JUST STARTED WITH POWER LOSS FROM SHOW ROOM FLOOR,CAM REPLACED LIFTERS REPLACED BREAKS STICKING TO THE POINT WHERE THE JEEP IS HARD TO MOVE SAYS IT IS BECAUSE OF RUST USED DAYLY,TIMING OUT 15 DEGREES FRONT AND REAR DIF LEAKING WITH METAL SHAVINGS INSIDE MECHANIC SAYS DANA PROBLEM GRINDING RIGHT FRONT AXEL NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #10107655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,000 milesHoltsville, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
FRONT BRAKE VIBRATE VIOLENTLY,AND HAVE BEEN CHANGED 4 TIMES WITHIN THE 1.5 YRS I HAVE OWNED THE TRUCK. MY DRIVERS SEAT FRAME IS CRACKED (THE METAL FRAME) I USE A PILLOW TO KEEP IT STREIGHT BECAUSE IT LEANS TO THEE LEFT DUE TO THE WELD CRACK IN THE FRAME. I HAVE GOTTEN NO WHERE WITH 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AND SHELLED OUT WELL OVER 2.000 DOLLARS ON ROTORS AND BRAKES. THE REAR BRAKES HARDLRY WORK ALSO I CAN PULL I=THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THE TRUCK WILL NOT EVEN SLOW DOWN THE FRONTS DO ALL THE WORK AND IT HAS BEEN IN FOR BRAKE REPAIRS BY SEVERAL DIFFERENT SHOPS. THERE MUST BE A RECALL BECAUSE THIE IS A SEVERE DANGER AND IS GOING TO REALLY CAUSE A PROBLEM OR WORSE DEATHS.
NHTSA complaint #10102148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,000 milesHoltsville, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
FRONT BRAKE VIBRATE VIOLENTLY,AND HAVE BEEN CHANGED 4 TIMES WITHIN THE 1.5 YRS I HAVE OWNED THE TRUCK. MY DRIVERS SEAT FRAME IS CRACKED (THE METAL FRAME) I USE A PILLOW TO KEEP IT STREIGHT BECAUSE IT LEANS TO THEE LEFT DUE TO THE WELD CRACK IN THE FRAME. I HAVE GOTTEN NO WHERE WITH 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AND SHELLED OUT WELL OVER 2.000 DOLLARS ON ROTORS AND BRAKES. THE REAR BRAKES HARDLRY WORK ALSO I CAN PULL I=THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THE TRUCK WILL NOT EVEN SLOW DOWN THE FRONTS DO ALL THE WORK AND IT HAS BEEN IN FOR BRAKE REPAIRS BY SEVERAL DIFFERENT SHOPS. THERE MUST BE A RECALL BECAUSE THIE IS A SEVERE DANGER AND IS GOING TO REALLY CAUSE A PROBLEM OR WORSE DEATHS.
NHTSA complaint #10102148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,000 milesHoltsville, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT BRAKE VIBRATE VIOLENTLY,AND HAVE BEEN CHANGED 4 TIMES WITHIN THE 1.5 YRS I HAVE OWNED THE TRUCK. MY DRIVERS SEAT FRAME IS CRACKED (THE METAL FRAME) I USE A PILLOW TO KEEP IT STREIGHT BECAUSE IT LEANS TO THEE LEFT DUE TO THE WELD CRACK IN THE FRAME. I HAVE GOTTEN NO WHERE WITH 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AND SHELLED OUT WELL OVER 2.000 DOLLARS ON ROTORS AND BRAKES. THE REAR BRAKES HARDLRY WORK ALSO I CAN PULL I=THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THE TRUCK WILL NOT EVEN SLOW DOWN THE FRONTS DO ALL THE WORK AND IT HAS BEEN IN FOR BRAKE REPAIRS BY SEVERAL DIFFERENT SHOPS. THERE MUST BE A RECALL BECAUSE THIE IS A SEVERE DANGER AND IS GOING TO REALLY CAUSE A PROBLEM OR WORSE DEATHS.
NHTSA complaint #10102148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,000 milesDeerfield, ILCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
GOT IN VEHICLE. PUT RIGHT FOOT ON BRAKE, PUT CAR IN DRIVE, TOOK MY FOOT OFF BRAKE AND THEN IMMEDIATELY REAPPLIED IT AS CAR PULLED IN FRONT OF ME. WRANGLER BEGAN CREEPING FORWARD AND I APPLIED MORE PEDAL PRESSURE ONLY TO FIND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATING HARDER. HIT CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THOUGHT I HAD MY RIGHT FOOT ON BRAKE WHEN IN FACT, MOST OF MY RIGHT FOOT WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR. WHY ARE THESE PEDALS SO CLOSE? I'M NORMALLY A LEFT FOOT BRAKER SO THIS ISN'T A BIG ISSUE, BUT IN THE CASE, I USED MY RIGHT FOOT AND ENDED UP HAVING MY RIGHT FOOT ON BOTH PEDALS. VERY POOR DESIGN AND DANGEROUS, IN MY OPINION.
NHTSA complaint #10067837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,500 milesNEW Castle, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
RIGHT FRONT BRAKES SEIZED ON MY WAY HOME.
NHTSA complaint #10065661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.