Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 1,294 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and it carries 14 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 278 | 21% |
| Visibility | 182 | 14% |
| Seats | 132 | 10% |
| Service brakes | 124 | 10% |
| Electrical system | 75 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 54 | 4% |
| Steering | 47 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 42 | 3% |
| Power train | 38 | 3% |
| Air bags | 19 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 an
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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 norm
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
Car was bought at affordable auto. The parking break had to be used in order for car to stay parked. We got home the windows on passenger side did not go down. Transmissions slips and goes out of gear you must change gea
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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 unlo
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
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 thi
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
There was an open recall for rear structural enhancement of the vehicle that required a hitch be installed. I scheduled the recalled repair, it was marked completed and i was told they are no longer doing that repair. M
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
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.
NHTSA complaint: Steering
When the steering wheel is turned either completely to the right or left while moving forward or in reverse, a scrubbing noise is heard that appears to be the tire wheel coming in contact with the suspension.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for the 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured January 9, 2001, to March 28, 2003, 2002-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 13, 2001, to May 23 2003, and 2003-2004 Dodge Viper vehicles manufactured November 1, 2001, to June 30,
Risk: Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Chrysler dealers will replace the air bag control module and side impact sensors as required, free of charge. This recall remedy was applied during earlier recall campaigns of these vehicles under sa
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured March 29, 2003, to July 3, 2003, and 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured May 27, 2003, to May 20, 2004. Due to electrical noise beyond the tolerance of the air bag electronic control module (ECM
Risk: Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag electronic control module and the side impact sensors, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 5, 2016. Owners may con
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 103,409 MY 2001-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE VEHICLES WITH HEATED SEATS AND WITH CHRYSLER RECALL NO. 06V-197 COMPLETED (03-04 MY) OR SEAT HEATER ELEMENTS SERVICE REPLACEMENT (01-02 MY). THE FRONT SEAT ELECTRIC HEATER ELEMENTS COULD OVERHEAT.
Risk: OVERHEATING COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE OR INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT HEATER ELEMENTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2002 and 2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured January 9, 2001, through March 28, 2003, and 2002 through 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 13, 2001, through May 23, 2003. A component in the air bag control module may fail causing the f
Risk: Inadvertent deployment of the airbags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a supplemental jumper harness to the airbag control module, free of charge. Owners were notified of the recall by interim letter in January 2013.
| Reliability raw | 61 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 68 | good |
| Maintenance | 71 | good |
| Depreciation | 80 | excellent |
| Performance | 65 | good |
| Efficiency | 31 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 1,294 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 278 of them (21%). There are 14 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 61/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 68/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2004 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 65/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.