2002 Jeep Wrangler: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 108 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (19% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 108 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Frame is rotted out. Vehicle is well maintained and it is upsetting. After spending good money for a reputable brand, the frame did not last. It is not drivable and is unsafe to be on the road. It is not safe to travel with my family. Everyone I know that has these years wrangler TJ model has this problem. Lower and upper control arms need to be welded back because they rotted off.”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2022
“For a popular on and off road vehicle which has a reputation for strength and durability, why would the frame, the very foundation of the entire vehicle, be so susceptible to rusting out and making said vehicle unsafe to drive. Not cool , jeep, not cool.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2019
“Death wobble experienced daily several times a day. I hit a bump or uneven patch of road and death wobble begins it usually starts at 35- 40 mph. I sometimes have to slow all the way to 20 mph to make it stop. I have replaced u joints, rear drive shaft, ball joints, tires, steering stabilizer, tie rods, gotten wheel balances many times, replaced drag link and all bushings. Nothing has helped so far.”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“The main right side frame support for the centerline skid plate/transmission rusted from the inside out. This resulted in almost dropping the skid plate and transmission while the vehicle was in motion. I would dearly love to know why jeep sold vehicles that begin rusting where it can't be found until catastrophic damage occurs.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2017
“The frame is rotting terribly and the front control arms are about to crack off and the trans/skid plate has already rusted through causing the transfer case and trans to fall off of the frame, vehicle was city driving when this happend”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2017
“Found during vehicle inspection for other repairs. Called chrysler and was told that vehicle had to be taken to a dealer and was given case# 31813048 dealer inspected (see file below) on 7-10-17 called chrysler 800-992-1997 and spoke with bri, she said that there is no coverage available through chrysler. I find with mileage and knowing that I keep my car inside during winter weather conditions and have maintained vehicle as per chrysler that this should not have happened.”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 jeep wrangler. While the vehicle was at an independent mechanic, the contact was informed that the valve cover gasket was defective, leaking, and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 jeep wrangler. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle vibrated abnormally. The contact stated that the subframe of the vehicle showed severe rust from the front to the rear of the vehicle. Additionally, the leaf spring on the passenger's side of the vehicle was fractured. The contact also stated that the subframe on the driver and passenger's side of the vehicle showed a 60% fracture. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2016
“Due to a poor design of side holes but no bottom drain holes, water and dirt, etc collected inside the rear frame section and rusted it from the inside out.”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2016
“"rusted frame" I bought a 2002 jeep wrangler and the left side of the frame in the middle where the skid plate bolts in to the frame is rusted out pretty bad and I have a cause for concern for safety. Well I didn't find this problem but I thought the universal joint was causing my bad shake when I pulled the front drive shaft out I noticed that problem. Its a 14 year old vehicle but I don't believe that the frame should be rusted like this. Please fix my problem.. The vehicle was stationary in my driveway”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 15 of these complaints and injuries in 17 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.
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 1-800-323-0354.
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 SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
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.
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 DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
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 COVER MAY NOT STAY LATCHED TO THE ROOF RACK BECAUSE THE LATCH BRACKET MISPOSITIONS THE ROTARY LATCH TO THE COCKPIT COVER. AS A RESULT, THE COCKPIT COVER MAY NOT STAY LATCHED TO THE ROOF RACK AND COULD SEPARATE FROM THE ROOF RACK. THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REAR SHELL ROOF RACKS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER.
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 REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BESTOP CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT (800) 845-3567.
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. THE PLASTIC ELECTRICAL GROMMET CONNECTORS AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUELS AND MAY DEGRADE CAUSING A POTENTIAL LEAK PATH FOR FUEL.
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 1-800-880-3056.
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. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2002 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Wrangler by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Jeep Wrangler reliable?
NHTSA has 108 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Jeep Wrangler. The most complained-about area is structure (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Jeep Wrangler problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 65,000 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Jeep Wrangler have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.