2002 Jeep Wrangler

▲ Better than typical

2002 Jeep Wrangler
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:45:26.370Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2002: 108 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1984	0
1985	0
1986	1
1987	41
1988	53
1989	63
1990	80
1991	77
1992	77
1993	109
1994	159
1995	202
1996	2
1997	401
1998	265
1999	213
2000	251
2001	170
2002	108
2003	98
2004	192
2005	649
2006	730
2007	555
2008	873
2009	371
2010	686
2011	485
2012	833
2013	650
2014	654
2015	469
2016	460
2017	309
2018	1811
2019	737
2020	607
2021	910
2022	383
2023	344
2024	686
2025	62
2026	9

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

STRUCTURE 24%

24% of complaints: structure — 26 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and underbody shields.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

TAKATA RECALL- DRIVING DOWN A DARK COUNTY ROAD- LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND WENT OFF ROAD AND HIT A TREE- UPON IMPACT THE JEEP BURST INTO FLAMES- THE DRIVER WAS PULLED OUT BECAUSE SHE WAS TRAPPED INSIDE THE BURNING JEEP- THE JEEP WAS TOTALED DUE TO...

NHTSA ODI report, 20151228

AT START UP, VEHICLE SHAKES AND SOUNDS LIKE INJECTORS ARE MISSING, NOT TAKEN TO DEALER YET. *AK VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES, HOWEVER DEALERSHIP CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. VEHICLE BOGGS AND RUNS ROUGH/HESITATES WHEN COLD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20020611

Also filed under FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

SUSPENSION 18%

18% of complaints: suspension — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front and lower ball joint.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

MY 2002 JEEP WRANGLER TJ X, FRAME RAILS ROTTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT ON BOTH THE SIDES AND REAR CURVE UP OF THE FRAME. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO REALIZE THAT IT WAS ROTTING BECAUSE IT ROTTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190808

Also filed under UNKNOWN OR OTHER

POWER TRAIN 13%

13% of complaints: power train — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing manual transmission and transfer case (4-wheel drive).

AIR BAGS 12%

12% of complaints: air bags — 13 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE T-BONED ANOTHER AT 45 MPH. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED, DRIVER SUFFERED SEVERE HEAD INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20030331

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A ROLL OVER, THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONSUMER, WHICH CAUSED HIM TO BE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE, ALSO THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. POLICE REPORT TAKEN. *TS *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20030124

Also filed under SEAT BELTS

STEERING 9%

9% of complaints: steering — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rack and linkages.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20020408 — electrical system

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, WATER AND IMPURITIES CAN ENTER INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH WITH A REDESIGNED SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 8, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND

Campaign 02V075000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20020513 — fuel system, gasoline

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.0L ENGINE ONLY, THE DESIGN OF THE INTAKE AND EXHAUST MANIFOLDS COULD ALLOW DEBRIS TO ACCUMULATE AT THE #3 CYLINDER LOCATION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MANIFOLD SHIELD TO MODIFY THE AIR FLOW CHARACTERISTICS AND TO PREVENT THE ACCUMULATION OF DEBRIS IN THE AREA OF THE #3 CYLINDER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 13, 2002. OWNER

Campaign 02V104000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20040616 — equipment

BESTOP AFTERMARKET REAR SHELL ROOF RACKS,MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 27 AND MAY 20, 2004, DESIGNED FOR USE WITH THE BESTOP HARDTOP MADE FOR THE 1986-1995 AND 1997-2003 JEEP WRANGLER. THE COCKPIT COVE

Remedy: BESTOP WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A REPAIR KIT AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 16, 2004. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A

Campaign 04E041000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20050125 — fuel system, gasoline

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 DOD

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 DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-880-305

Campaign 06E011000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060320 — service brakes, hydraulic

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 BRAN

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 SERVICE AT 1-800-32

Campaign 06E022000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER S

Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed