The 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Driver seat mounting bracket failure.” Jeep vehicles use the Oil Change Indicator system to signal when oil is due. Wrangler and Gladiator owners who actually use 4WD off-road should treat the schedule below as Schedule A (severe) — water crossings, sand, and rock crawling demand differential and transfer case service at half the published intervals. Grand Cherokee and Cherokee follow the standard Mopar schedule.
No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
SEATS
10 NHTSA complaints · 2016-12 → 2019-12
“THE DRIVERS SEAT MOUNTING BRACKET (FRONT, LEFT) HAS BROKEN DURING NORMAL USE 8 TIMES.THE PART WAS WELDED BACK TOGETHER EACH TIME SO FAR”
“THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE BRACKET UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT BROKE/SNAPPED IN HALF TURNING MY DRIVERS SEAT INTO A ROCKING CHAIR MAKING IT VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. BRACKET SNAPPED WHILE I WAS DRIVING”
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
13 NHTSA complaints · 2016-06 → 2023-05
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE WIRING HARNESS FRACTURED AND CAUSED ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE VEHICLE NOT TO WORK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES”
“FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WIRING HARNESS BROKE AT 165,150 MILES. (THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF MY 1999 JEEP ALSO). MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET OF THIS VERY PROBLEM!!! HAPPENS TO ALMOST ALL JEEPS AT SOME POINT”
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
11 NHTSA complaints · 2016-11 → 2020-01
“THE PART OF FACTORY INSTALLED GAS TANK SKID PLATE BROKE. THE PIECE UNDERNEATH THE TANK BACK PART FELL TO THE GROUND WHILE THE FORWARD PART REMAINED ATTACHED”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK DETACHED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE DRIVER PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, STRAPPED THE TANK BACK TO THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE HOME”
AIR BAGS
60 NHTSA complaints · 2016-05 → 2025-09
“I scheduled a recall appointment for my Jeep Grand Cherokee. The dealer confirmed that the appointment was scheduled and that the necessary recall part had been ordered. However, when I arrived, my vehicle was parked and no work was started”
“LAST YEAR, 11/25/2015, I TOOK MY 2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE TO A JACKSONVILLE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE ORC MODULE REPLACED TO PREVENT AN INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE”
“FCA RECALL R60/NHTSA 15V-673 AFTER I GOT THE MAIL ON MAY 10, I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER HENDRICK CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM AT DULUTH GA. I WAS TOLD THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN ONE DAY, SO I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT ON MAY 14”
AIR BAGS
16 NHTSA complaints · 2016-07 → 2021-12
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED AND FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
AIR BAGS
5 NHTSA complaints · 2016-06 → 2018-10
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR BURNS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT”
STEERING
17 NHTSA complaints · 2016-07 → 2022-11
“My jeep does the death wobble anytime I hit a small bump in the road, pothole, Lane marker...etc. it is very hard to control at that point and seems as though it might flip if it gets any worst or hit a big enough bump”
“DEATH WOBBLE - AT CERTAIN SPEEDS ON CERTAIN ROAD SURFACES THE VEHICLE WILL HIT A BUMP INITIATING A VIOLENT SHAKING IN THE STEERING COMPONENTS OF THE CAR AND CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIE ROD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED”
ENGINE
16 NHTSA complaints · 2016-05 → 2022-08
“WITHOUT WARNING MY JEEPS ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT IS WHILE STOPPED OR DRIVING IT WILL SHUT OFF AND NOT TURN BACK ON UNTIL ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS”
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Pentastar 3.6L: SAE 0W-20 every 8,000 miles. Wrangler 392 6.4L HEMI: SAE 5W-20 every 8,000 miles. EcoDiesel 3.0L: 10,000 miles. 4xe plug-in hybrid: 8,000 miles or annually.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Rotate tires every 8,000 miles. Wrangler with 33+ inch off-road tires: rotate every 5,000 miles to prevent uneven wear from solid axles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Inspect pads, rotors, and parking brake every 8,000 miles. Wrangler and Gladiator pads wear faster than Grand Cherokee due to higher curb weight per axle.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
Replace front differential fluid every 60,000 miles. Wrangler off-road use (water crossings, sand): inspect every 30,000 miles for water contamination.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$150–$195
Shop
~$105–$135
DIY
~$20–$50
Rear axle fluid every 60,000 miles. Limited-slip differentials require Mopar friction modifier. Wrangler Rubicon with locking differentials: same schedule.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$150–$195
Shop
~$105–$135
DIY
~$20–$50
Replace transfer case fluid every 60,000 miles. Use Mopar ATF+4 for NV3500 and NV245. Wrangler Rock-Trac: 60,000 mi normal, 30,000 mi with regular off-road use.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$105–$140
Shop
~$75–$100
DIY
~$15–$40
AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.
Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 2 years regardless of mileage. Wrangler off-road use accelerates moisture intake — annual fluid testing recommended.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Severe service: ZF 8HP fluid every 60,000 miles. Normal: 120,000 miles. Use Mopar ATF+4 — never substitute.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Wrangler driven in dust or sand: inspect at every oil change and replace early.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Pentastar 3.6L: 16 spark plugs total, replace at 100,000 miles. Wrangler 392 6.4L HEMI: 16 plugs at 100,000 miles. EcoDiesel: glow plug inspection only.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Mopar HOAT (purple) for gas engines: first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000. Do not mix with green or orange coolants.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Replace cabin air filter every 20,000 miles. Grand Cherokee, Cherokee, and Compass: behind the glove box. Wrangler/Gladiator: optional cabin filter on later models only.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
600 crashes 1990–2024
How the 600 occupant deaths break down
456
driver deaths
144
passenger deaths
600
occupant deaths
Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2003 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.
FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number
FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.
Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.
Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.
IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.
Owner-reported problem signals
Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.
110
complaints mentioning a crash
25
complaints mentioning a fire
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee reflects Jeep's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.