Jeep›Wrangler›2004›2.4L/jeep/wrangler/2004/2-4l/

TJ platform

2004 Jeep Wrangler — 2.4L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Wrangler 2.4L.

Body SUVEngine 2.4LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2004 Jeep Wrangler is a TJ-platform SUV that, when configured with the 2.4L engine and a 4-speed automatic transmission, yields an EPA-estimated 17 mpg combined. Routine servicing of this powerplant requires just 4 quarts of 5W-30 API oil with a filter, though the vehicle's overall operational footprint is better defined by its reliability standing. With 192 owner complaints primarily focused on steering and suspension alongside three recalls, this model year occupies a moderate position within the Wrangler's broader 1990-2023 complaint history. Sitting far above the model's lowest point of five complaints in 1996 but significantly below the 1,793 complaints of the 2018 peak, the 2004 Wrangler's history means researchers should anticipate a vehicle with a pronounced but middling propensity for steering and suspension issues rather than an extreme reliability outlier.

Model year2006 2005 2004 2003

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4 qt w/ filterOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque85-110 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy16/19/17 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 34 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 34 · 600 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP215-75R15OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	05281090AB alt 04105409AE
Engine air filter	04797777AC alt 05019443AA
Fuel filter	04798301 discontinued
Spark plug	SP000ZFR5N alt 68307021AA
Battery	BB34F101AA
Front wiper blades	55154762AF discontinued
Serpentine belt	04854033AC alt 53013209AD
Thermostat	52028186AC alt 53010552AC

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	16 / 19 / 17 mpg
Drivetrain	4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 · SYNTHETIC in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-110 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 20.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	4
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5 · SYNTHETIC
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	4 pints, mvc front, non_mvc 216
Engine Coolant	HOAT · MS9769
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	M6 Bolts: 9 ft-lbs, M8 Bolts: 18 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	100 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	70 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	20.8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	14.5 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	20.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	21 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	85-110 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	Steel case: 35.0, Aluminum case: 18.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	Steel case: 35.0, Aluminum case: 18.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	175 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-5-3-6-2-4
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	.51-.61 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	11,500-13,500 ohms
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Champion
Spark Plug Gap	0.048-0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	ND 8 oil
Oil Capacity	6.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	18-21 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	192-199 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	47-51 psi
Engine Compression	120-150 PSI. 30 Maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure	4 psi @ Idle, 25-80 psi @ 3000 rpm psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	11 ft-lbs / 18 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	0.030 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.030
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0005 in / 0.0007 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.005 in / 0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.94 in / 0.472 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.94 in / 0.472 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	0.894 in / 0.433 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

15 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Coat bolt threads with clean engine oil

1	25 ft. lbs.	25 ft. lbs
2	50 ft. lbs.	50 ft. lbs
3	50 ft. lbs.	50 ft. lbs
4	90

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

20 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45

20 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 6,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 12,000 mi	Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 18,000 mi	Brake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 mi	Timing Belt (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified

Tool required	DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
Why	Transmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module

Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified

When needed	After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required	DRBIII scan tool
Also required	The vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2004 Jeep Wrangler sits at a pivotal point in the TJ generation (1997–2006). After complaints peaked at 455 in 1997 and then steadily declined to a generation low of 102 in 2003, 2004 saw a near-doubling to 192 complaints—still well below the early TJ years but marking the start of an upward trend that would escalate sharply to 649 in 2005 and 730 in 2006. Recalls for 2004 are low at 3, matching the generation’s best years, and there were zero investigations, suggesting no major systemic probe was triggered. The top complaint areas are steering and suspension (33 combined), with 17 crash and 7 fire reports, but the data does not specify root causes. Overall, 2004 is a relatively stable year within the TJ arc, but it is not the generation’s low point; if you want the most trouble-free TJ, 2003 is statistically better, though 2004 remains a reasonable buy compared to the problematic 2005–2006 models.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

192

Owner complaints

17 involved a crash · 7 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03’04’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 192 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering,Suspension33

Power Train21

Steering19

Suspension17

Service Brakes, Hydraulic11

Structure8

Fuel System, Gasoline7

Visibility7

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E022000Service Brakes, HydraulicReported 13/03/2006

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA… Remedy: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER…

06E011000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 01/02/2006

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET AIRTEX ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN 1997-2004 JEEP WRANGLER; 1997-2001 JEEP CHEROKEE; 1997-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE; AND 2000-2003 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES… Remedy: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRTEX CUSTOMER SERVICE…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 47 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
101232	2024-10-29	Power Train	Plate - Planetary
S2208000136	2022-07-09	Electrical System	Security Module Lock Out After Entering the PIN to Unlock The Wireless Control Module…
S2208000136	2022-07-09	Electrical System	Security Module Lock Out After Entering the PIN to Unlock The Wireless Control Module…
9004275	2020-07-22	Electrical System	KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
9004275	2020-07-22	Electrical System	KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Wrangler. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 34 battery Vehicles taking 4 qt w/ filter TJ-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 05281090AB Engine air filter 04797777AC Fuel filter 04798301 Spark plug SP000ZFR5N

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2004 Wrangler 2.4L take?

4 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2004 Wrangler have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.4L get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 19 highway / 17 combined mpg.