2004 Jeep Wrangler Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 14%of 192 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 32,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Jeep Wrangler, 14% of the 192 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 32,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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!”
NHTSA complaint #10274139, filed 2009-06, 48,000 miles“Throw out bearing and noisy transmission I was told at the dealer when I took this 2004 Jeep Wrangler in for service, took the Jeep to canyonlands in utah where it wouldn't go into any gear at all, had to pull it home behind a friends Jeep. This needs to be address as a recall issue! I was told by the service department representative to take my Jeep someplace else for service real rudely. …”
NHTSA complaint #10198473, filed 2007-08, 20,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10418644, filed 2011-08, 48,000 miles“Automatic transmission would not shift to park - unable to remove key from ignition - taken to the Jeep dealership and told them the same problem with the same transmission 42rle was recalled in 2005 wranglers and I wanted to know why the 2004 wranglers were not part of the same recall when we are dealing with the same transmission - the vehicle has less than 22,000 miles - the 2005 Wrangler recall number is 05v460000: a/t parking pawl shaft anchoring and recall - a/t parking pawl cup plug defect - safety recall e14.”
NHTSA complaint #10210840, filed 2007-12, 21,710 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10061894, filed 2004-03, 100 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11010205Oct 30, 2024Plate - Planetary
- 10015064Apr 23, 2005Spark knock or powertrain rattle-like sound from transfer case shifter area.
- 10013731Mar 2, 2005Powertrain control module initialization.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 8% |
| 2025 | 13 | 18% |
| 2024 | 179 | 24% |
| 2023 | 51 | 14% |
| 2022 | 68 | 17% |
| 2021 | 149 | 16% |
| 2020 | 47 | 8% |
| 2019 | 80 | 11% |
| 2018 | 177 | 10% |
| 2017 | 50 | 16% |
| 2016 | 74 | 16% |
| 2015 | 51 | 11% |
| 2014 | 88 | 13% |
| 2013 | 230 | 35% |
| 2012 | 282 | 34% |
| 2011 | 40 | 8% |
| 2010 | 68 | 10% |
| 2009 | 34 | 9% |
| 2008 | 67 | 8% |
| 2007 | 46 | 8% |
| 2006 | 57 | 8% |
| 2005 | 41 | 6% |
| 2004 | 26 | 14% |
| 2003 | 22 | 22% |
| 2002 | 14 | 13% |
| 2001 | 23 | 14% |
| 2000 | 70 | 28% |
| 1999 | 20 | 9% |
| 1998 | 33 | 12% |
| 1997 | 53 | 13% |
| 1995 | 32 | 16% |
| 1994 | 19 | 13% |
| 1993 | 13 | 12% |
| 1992 | 11 | 14% |
| 1991 | 8 | 11% |
| 1990 | 5 | 6% |
| 1989 | 7 | 11% |
| 1988 | 2 | 4% |
| 1987 | 2 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2004 Jeep Wrangler
67 complaintsSuspension
59 complaintsBrakes
18 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsSeat belts
10 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsTires
7 complaintsAir bags
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Jeep Wrangler
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology