MYRModel Year Report

2002 Jeep Wrangler

▲ Better than typical
2002 Jeep Wrangler
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:54:25.650Z

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
108
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Structure

24% of complaints

Complaints per year

1986: 1 complaint 1986 1987: 41 complaints 1988: 53 complaints 1989: 63 complaints 1990: 80 complaints 1991: 77 complaints 1991 1992: 77 complaints 1993: 109 complaints 1994: 159 complaints 1995: 202 complaints 1996: 2 complaints 1996 1997: 401 complaints 1998: 265 complaints 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 251 complaints 2001: 170 complaints 2002: 108 complaints 2002 108 2003: 98 complaints 2004: 192 complaints 2005: 649 complaints 2006: 730 complaints 2007: 555 complaints 2008: 873 complaints 2009: 372 complaints 2010: 686 complaints 2011: 485 complaints 2011 2012: 835 complaints 2013: 657 complaints 2014: 658 complaints 2015: 477 complaints 2016: 461 complaints 2016 2017: 312 complaints 2018: 1,823 complaints 2019: 746 complaints 2020: 616 complaints 2021: 953 complaints 2021 2022: 411 complaints 2023: 373 complaints 2024: 752 complaints 2025: 71 complaints 2026: 12 complaints 2026
1986: 1 complaint 1986 1987: 41 complaints 1988: 53 complaints 1989: 63 complaints 1989 1990: 80 complaints 1991: 77 complaints 1992: 77 complaints 1992 1993: 109 complaints 1994: 159 complaints 1995: 202 complaints 1995 1996: 2 complaints 1997: 401 complaints 1998: 265 complaints 1998 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 251 complaints 2001: 170 complaints 2002: 108 complaints 2002 108 2003: 98 complaints 2004: 192 complaints 2005: 649 complaints 2006: 730 complaints 2007: 555 complaints 2007 2008: 873 complaints 2009: 372 complaints 2010: 686 complaints 2010 2011: 485 complaints 2012: 835 complaints 2013: 657 complaints 2013 2014: 658 complaints 2015: 477 complaints 2016: 461 complaints 2016 2017: 312 complaints 2018: 1,823 complaints 2019: 746 complaints 2019 2020: 616 complaints 2021: 953 complaints 2022: 411 complaints 2022 2023: 373 complaints 2024: 752 complaints 2025: 71 complaints 2025 2026: 12 complaints
1986: 1 complaint 1986 1987: 41 complaints 1988: 53 complaints 1988 1989: 63 complaints 1990: 80 complaints 1990 1991: 77 complaints 1992: 77 complaints 1992 1993: 109 complaints 1994: 159 complaints 1994 1995: 202 complaints 1996: 2 complaints 1996 1997: 401 complaints 1998: 265 complaints 1998 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 251 complaints 2000 2001: 170 complaints 2002: 108 complaints 2002 108 2003: 98 complaints 2004: 192 complaints 2004 2005: 649 complaints 2006: 730 complaints 2006 2007: 555 complaints 2008: 873 complaints 2008 2009: 372 complaints 2010: 686 complaints 2010 2011: 485 complaints 2012: 835 complaints 2012 2013: 657 complaints 2014: 658 complaints 2014 2015: 477 complaints 2016: 461 complaints 2016 2017: 312 complaints 2018: 1,823 complaints 2018 2019: 746 complaints 2020: 616 complaints 2020 2021: 953 complaints 2022: 411 complaints 2022 2023: 373 complaints 2024: 752 complaints 2024 2025: 71 complaints 2026: 12 complaints 2026

2002: 108 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19840
19850
19861
198741
198853
198963
199080
199177
199277
1993109
1994159
1995202
19962
1997401
1998265
1999213
2000251
2001170
2002108
200398
2004192
2005649
2006730
2007555
2008873
2009372
2010686
2011485
2012835
2013657
2014658
2015477
2016461
2017312
20181,823
2019746
2020616
2021953
2022411
2023373
2024752
202571
202612

Known problem areas

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

Structure

24% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing body and underbody shields.

CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 2015-12-28

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, 2002-06-11

Also filed under Fuel system, gasoline

Suspension

18% · 19 reports

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, 2019-08-08

Power train

13% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing manual transmission and transfer case (4-wheel drive).

Air bags

12% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle t-boned another at 45 MPH. Neither air bag deployed, driver suffered severe head injuries. Vehicle was totaled.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-03-31

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-01-24

Also filed under Seat belts

Steering

9% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing rack and linkages.

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2002-04-08Electrical system02V075000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2002-05-13Fuel system, gasoline02V104000 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.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2004-06-16Equipment04E041000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2005-01-25Fuel system, gasoline06E011000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2006-03-20Service brakes, hydraulic06E022000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Jeep Wrangler — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Structure: 26 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 19 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 14 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 02V075000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 02V104000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 04E041000 · Equipment
  • Recall 06E011000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 06E022000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2002 Jeep Wrangler reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Jeep Wrangler is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Jeep Wrangler?
The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Jeep Wrangler have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.