Problems · NHTSA complaints
2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems
Owners filed 1,295 complaints about the 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee with NHTSA between Jul 2003 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (326).
Complaints
1,295
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
110
Reported by owners
Fires
25
Reported by owners
Injuries
85
People reported injured
Deaths
3
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags326
- Visibility202
- Seats149
- Electrical system144
- Service brakes, hydraulic142
- Vehicle speed control77
- Steering73
- Engine and engine cooling55
- Power train54
- Structure36
- Engine35
- Seat belts27
- Exterior lighting27
- Fuel/propulsion system23
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
6
67
93
117
116
104
71
77
53
32
74
77
114
171
44
28
26
9
4
5
3
1
2
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 67 |
| 2005 | 93 |
| 2006 | 117 |
| 2007 | 116 |
| 2008 | 104 |
| 2009 | 71 |
| 2010 | 77 |
| 2011 | 53 |
| 2012 | 32 |
| 2013 | 74 |
| 2014 | 77 |
| 2015 | 114 |
| 2016 | 171 |
| 2017 | 44 |
| 2018 | 28 |
| 2019 | 26 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
326 reports47 crashes2 fires3 related recalls
“Driving normally on the highway came to an exit slowed down my passenger air bag went off and 10-15 seconds later the driver one. I was able to be aware the driver might go off so I pushed my seat back and immediately after it went off. White smoke from the airbags engulfed the cabin I stepped out on the side of the highway and waited for the white smoke to dissipate”
Visibility
202 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while adjusting the side mirrors on the driver side console, the contact noticed that the mirror failed to adjust as designed. The contact attempted to unlock the doors by pressing the unlock button on the driver’s side console and the doors failed to unlock. The contact stated that the buttons on the driver’s side console failed to function as needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 86,000.”
Seats
149 reports2 crashes13 fires2 related recalls
“FRONT SEAT FRAME BROKEN.. CAUSING SEAT TO MOVE FROM TRACK MOUNTING THAT IS BOLTED TO FLOOR CAUSING DRIVER TO BE ABLE TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND IN CAUSE OF ACCIDENT CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY AND OR DEATH.”
Electrical system
144 reports4 crashes9 fires1 related recall
“On 08/01/ 19 took my Jeep in to have brakes fixed at big o tires they changed front and back pads and rotors. After that they found the Master Cylinder to be defective and replaced that also. I have the bill to show this work. In 2022 my Check Brake light would stay on all the time, my brakes were good to me. Big O’s had burned down the year before, I live within 2 streets of their business, their fire was in my front window! Odometer : Readings on Dates: 1) 102,335 : Original date of Brake work! 2) 107,000 : day when brought in to fix light on, 9/29/22. Day before on the phone, the man who answered the phone said I would never fail inspection because of brake light on, only check engine light!! 3) 107,453 : the Gentleman on 9/29/2022 said he had changed the Master Cylinder again, while explaining that some master cylinders had sensors on the inside and other could be replaced. On the 9/29/22 got no paperwork, was there all day! 4) 4 pm: today called the store, have at the moment a 2/21/23 for 8 am, I called to give them the current odometer reading, the gentleman that answered the phone, Was well aware of me and said, I would be be getting a call from the GM. [XXX]”
Service brakes, hydraulic
142 reports8 crashes1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the brakes. The contact stated that the vehicle was not braking normally, and braking distance was extended while coming to a stop. The contact stated that the ABS warning illuminated after driving over a bump in the road. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken to several independent mechanics to be diagnosed. The contact stated that the calipers, rotors, and brake pads replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that recently after adding brake fluid to the brake fluid reservoir, there were signs of a brake fluid leak coming from the rear passenger’s side wheel well. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 260,000.”
Vehicle speed control
77 reports31 crashes
“On 10/21/21 myself and my child (rear passenger in booster safety seat) were in a solo vehicle accident that resulted in our vehicle hitting an embankment before rolling 3x landing on the wheels again in the right position on the same side of vehicle we originally had impact. We were less than 1 mile from our home, headed to school, there was no unsafe conditions, and I don't have any memory of the morning or accident due to severe injury and brain injury, but there's no reason or logical reason for me to be driving in the manner or at the speeds that I was. I passed a car in front of me on a very rural road right as we came upon the almost figure 8 curves on a road I drive everyday. The people I passed and many witnesses including my small child stated that I was gaining more speed as we came to the sharp curves, I crashed at approximately 65-70mph on a 30mph road, there were no brake marks or any sign of an attempt to slow down on my part, but I have too wonder because I am not sure anything that would have made me want to drive that recklessly, especially when I had my child in the vehicle. My child was asked what was happening before we wrecked and she said…”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.