Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
210090310/02/2005210180510003524Automatic transmission diagnostic teardown procedure. various models including the 2004 ram truck, durango, sebring convertible, cherokee, vision, neon, and voyager. *tt *sc10/22/2003
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)
080150503/02/200510013731Powertrain control module initialization. *sc04/26/2005
180140405/25/200418014041000657442rle slow or harsh gear engagement after initial cold start. *tt *mj05/06/2004
POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
060020308/01/200310003535Clutch slipping. 2004 cherokee included. *tt10/23/2003
POWER TRAIN - TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
210100504/23/200510015064Spark knock or powertrain rattle-like sound from transfer case shifter area. *tt05/17/2005
210030403/09/200410006446Nv-241 transfer case fluid seepage from area of rear output shaft retainer. *tt05/03/2004

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
POWER TRAIN
02/27/2011550001
 The transmission went on a well taken care of 2004 jeep wrangler rubicon with only 55,000 miles took it in and the mechanic said that all the gears were stripped in the transmission. *tr
08/19/2012308/18/2012
 2004 jeep wrangler. consumer writes in regards to several issues found during inspection after purchase of vehicle *tgw the consumer stated the day she test drove the vehicle, she noticed some play in the steering, the engine seemed to miss a little, and the cd player in the radio seemed to work whenever it wanted to. the next day, the consumer noticed the front differential leaked an oil spot on the concrete driveway. the consumer took the vehicle to a pre-sales establishment and the inspection revealed, the rear axles were leaking on both sides, the pinion seal in the front differential needed to be replaced, the front track bar had play, the transmission needed a new pilot bearing; as there was a noise when accelerating and the rear sway bar links were loose. *jb
09/10/2008664841
 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? *tr
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
06/14/2009480001
 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! *tr
10/13/200727500110/01/2003
 Tl*the contact owns a 2004 jeep wrangler. when the vehicle was started, the gear would not shift out of park. the tow truck driver was able to shift the vehicle out of park. the vehicle was driven to the dealer and they stated that a part inside the lever failed. the failure mileage was 27,500 and current mileage was 28,000. the nylon rod was the part that faile inside the shifter lever.
09/01/2007325002001/02/2004
 I could not shift the automatic transmission from in gear to park. the shifter would get stuck in reverse, resulting in me inadvertently moving backwards - a very dangerous condition. i also could not shift down from park into gear. i had to remove the panel and manually move the anchor from the in-gear position to park. i notified my dealer of the problem and they performed the following: found shifter assemble internally damaged. removed and replaced shifter assemble and checked operation. the cost of the repair + labor was $483.27. there is a recall/defect for the exact same problem in the 2005 wrangler. i own a 2004 model. the recall number for the 2005 model is 05v460000. *jb
12/18/20033200210/11/2003
 Transmission fails to down shift between 45 and 55 mph. sounds like ball bearings in a tin can. this happens on a long grade incline and transmission will not down shift unless the accelerator is punched to the floor. taken to two different dealers over many months, both were unable to correct the problem. sounds similar to odi case # 10105648 & 10072841. *jb
08/20/20041500050007/19/2004
 Problem no. 1: my 2004 jeep wrangler unlimited has had a steering and wheel vibration problem since i purchased it brand new it in july 2004 from parrish jeep in fairfax, va. the problem continues to get worst. the wheels and steering vibrate abruptly between 45 - 60 miles mph. i have to hold the steering wheel with 2 hands to attempt to safely drive my jeep. as of august 2004, i have taken it to 2 virginia jeep dealerships for the vibration problem on several occasions, in which the problem was witnessed and noted. although the problem was witnessed by the jeep dealership, i was told i had to provide proof of my vehicle services, which i did. parrish jeep has copies of all of them. after contacting jeep customer service, which just told me to continue to call the dealership, i was finally told in december 2005 by the dealership that i had to bring my jeep in to the dealership again for a jeep engineer to test drive and diagnose. the service manager informed me that he believed the tires to be faulty, but now they were concerned about the mileage on my jeep. i reminded him that the receipts show that i have complained of this problem when i initially brought the vehicle new in 2004. so, now i have been waiting over one month for a call to have the jeep engineer review the problem. this is my 3rd jeep that i have owned, in addition to the 2 that my family members have owned because of my recommendation, and i have never had this problem before. this may be my and my family members' last time to buy jeep products due to safety and lack of customer service. problem no. 2: the transmission jerks as i come to a stop. this jerking happens after i have driven the vehicle and it has warmed up. this problem was noted as of the summer 2005. i have taken it in to the same 2 va dealerships, but the problem has not been resolved. the computer was checked and i was told that all updates had been made. however, the jerking is still persisted.*ak
01/02/2005110/31/2003
 Motor rattles from 42mph to 60mph in 4l i-6 automatic transmission in od. with o/d off, it rattles from 35 to 45mph.*ak
05/16/20041
 Motor rattles going from 3rd to 4th in the 4l automatic engine. *ak
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
12/01/200721710103/31/2004
 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. *tr
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - LEVER AND LINKAGE - FLOOR SHIFT
04/24/2007400002
 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. *tr
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY
03/24/200957000
 Tl*the contact owns a 2004 jeep wrangler. two weeks after purchasing the vehicle, the rear driver's side axle failed. the contact took the vehicle back to the dealer for the repairs, but the failure recurred three months later. he returned the vehicle to the dealer to repair the axle and the pumpkin. the dealer has been unable to determine the cause of the axle failure. the contact is concerned that the axle will fail while driving and cause a crash. the vin was unknown. the current mileage was 60,000 and failure mileage was 57,000.
12/11/2003200011/18/2003
 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.
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY - AXLE SHAFT
12/11/2003200011/18/2003
 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.
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY - AXLE SHAFT - SEAL
08/19/2012308/18/2012
 2004 jeep wrangler. consumer writes in regards to several issues found during inspection after purchase of vehicle *tgw the consumer stated the day she test drove the vehicle, she noticed some play in the steering, the engine seemed to miss a little, and the cd player in the radio seemed to work whenever it wanted to. the next day, the consumer noticed the front differential leaked an oil spot on the concrete driveway. the consumer took the vehicle to a pre-sales establishment and the inspection revealed, the rear axles were leaking on both sides, the pinion seal in the front differential needed to be replaced, the front track bar had play, the transmission needed a new pilot bearing; as there was a noise when accelerating and the rear sway bar links were loose. *jb
10/04/200723000104/28/2004
 Right rear axle seal leaking fluid onto brake shoes. *tr updated 12/12/07.
03/18/20043742112/26/2003
 Left front axle seal leak. *nm
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE
08/19/201072964
 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 assesment for my work and have determined incorrect heat treating of the critical drive train componants to be suspect. this is suppose to be a heavy duty vehicle. moving rocks is hardly heavy duty. there are also a lot of repalcement 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.
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
08/19/2012308/18/2012
 2004 jeep wrangler. consumer writes in regards to several issues found during inspection after purchase of vehicle *tgw the consumer stated the day she test drove the vehicle, she noticed some play in the steering, the engine seemed to miss a little, and the cd player in the radio seemed to work whenever it wanted to. the next day, the consumer noticed the front differential leaked an oil spot on the concrete driveway. the consumer took the vehicle to a pre-sales establishment and the inspection revealed, the rear axles were leaking on both sides, the pinion seal in the front differential needed to be replaced, the front track bar had play, the transmission needed a new pilot bearing; as there was a noise when accelerating and the rear sway bar links were loose. *jb
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - DRIVESHAFT
01/05/200958000
 Tl* the contact owns a 2004 jeep wrangler. while driving approximately 10 mph on a snow covered road surface, the rear end of the vehicle began to shimmy. next without warning the vehicle stalled. the vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for inspection, and the rear passenger side drive shaft was replaced. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on two separate occasions for the identical failures. the vehicle was repaired for the malfunctions. the failure mileage was 58,000. the current mileage was 68,526.
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION
07/12/200720000302/22/2007
 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. also paid for a 7 year 70,000 mile power train warranty transfer from original owner to me, this same dealer also showed i paid for nothing, since it wasn't applicable even though it was sent to me by daimler chrysler.*jb
05/03/20042090104/06/2004
 Leaking transmissdiontransfere case. dealer has tryed to fix without success. brand new rubicon less than 2500 miles on it and leaking bad.dealer has tryed to replace seals without any success.now they say its a manufactores defect.*ak
04/03/20045050112/26/2003
 Oil leak from engine/transmission. *nm
03/03/2004100102/26/2004
 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 isthe 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? *ak