2001 Jeep Wrangler
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 170 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 22nd highest complaint count among 26 Wrangler model years with reports.
Of the 2001 reports, 17 involved a crash and 16 involved a fire. 19 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006
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.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulicMar 13, 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, 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.
LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Campaign 06E022000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpFeb 1, 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. 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.
IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
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.
Campaign 06E011000 on NHTSA.gov
EquipmentJun 7, 2004
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.
SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE COCKPIT COULD CAUSE INJURY BY STRIKING PERSONS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE OR COULD BECOME A DISTRACTION OR AN OBSTACLE TO OTHER DRIVERS, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Campaign 04E041000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, fuel injection system, injectorsApr 8, 2002
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.
THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
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.
Campaign 02V104000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, ignition, switchMar 8, 2002
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, WATER AND IMPURITIES CAN ENTER INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT.
THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
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.
Campaign 02V075000 on NHTSA.gov
Child seatNov 9, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THE OWNER'S MANUALS FOR THESE VEHICLES ARE MISSING INSTRUCTIONS THAT PROVIDE A STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE, INCLUDING DIAGRAMS, FOR PROPERLY ATTACHING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM'S TETHER STRAP TO THE TETHER ANCHORAGE.
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDENDUM TO THE OWNER'S MANUALS.
Campaign 00V366000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: visibility
12 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Nov 3, 2022
There is a known problem with the electrical wiring to the climate control panel including the blower motor fan switch. The wiring attached to the assembly gets too hot and melts the blower motor fan switch. When this happens, you are unable to turn on any heat/ac/air speeds. You are not able to select any speed to turn on the air which means you can’t use it to defrost the windshield. This can lead to a poor visibility situation. I am the original owner of my 2001 TJ and I’ve had to have this problem fixed multiple times. There are several videos & discussions about this problem in Jeep forums. Chrysler should’ve recalled it years ago..
Electrical system, Visibility, Aug 5, 2014
THE BLOWER MOTOR SWITCH GROUND, CONNECTED TO THE MODE SELECTOR HAS MELTED IN MY JEEP. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. BACK IN JULY 2013 THE CONNECTION TO THE MODE SELECTOR MELTED. I REPLACED THE HVAC AC A/C & HEATER CONTROL WITH BLOWER MOTOR SWITCH ONLY TO HAVE IT MELT AGAIN ONE YEAR LATER. *TR
Visibility, Sep 22, 2012
THE A/C,HEATER BLOWER SWITCH MOPAR PART 305011214AA OVER HEATS AND THE WIRING START TO MELT,THE SWITCH STARTS TO MELT AND THEN THE SWITCH FAILS. THERE APPEARS TO BE TO MUCH CURRENT DRAW FROM THE BLOWER MOTOR. IT CAUSES THE DARK GREEN POWER LEAD CONNECTED TO THE SWITCH TO OVERHEAT MELTING THE INSULATION ON THE LEAD AND THE CONNECTIONS ON THE SWITCH. THIS HAS OCCURED AGAIN TODAY SEPTEMBER 22,2012. THIS CAUSED THE SAME PROBLEM,WIRES OVERHEAT,CONNECTIONS AND WIRES MELT AND SWITCH HOUSING AT CONNECTIONS START TO SMOLDER UNTIL SWITCH FAILS,WHEN SWITCH FAILS CURRENT CEASSES TO FLOW TO BLOWER MOTOR AND EVERYTHING COOLS DOWN ENOUGH TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE TO SWITCH WIRING. FUSE FOR THE CIRCUIT DOES NOT BLOW OUT. TO REPAIR, SWITCH MUST BE REPLACED AND NEW WIRE CONNECTORS INSALLED,AND THE DARK GREEN WIRE WILL START TO GET HOT ENOUGH TO BE UNCOMFABLE TO THE TOUCH. DEALERSHIP PARTS DEPT. EMPLOYEES HAVE CONFIRMED THAT THESE SWITCH FAIL REGULARLY., *TR
Electrical system, Visibility, Jul 31, 2012
THE DASH BLOWER CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING. WHEN THE MECHANIC CHECK IT AND THE SYSTEM, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BLOWER HAD OVER HEATED THE PIGTAIL CONNECTORS AND MELTED THEM. THE BLOWER CONTROL WAS VISIBLY MELTED AND MULTIPLE SIGNS OF OVERHEATING WERE APPARENT. THE BLOWER CONTROL, ALL PIGTAIL CONNECTORS AND THE BLOWER HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS CAUGHT JUST SHORT OF ME HAVING TO DEAL WITH A FIRE BEING CAUSED BY THIS OVER HEATING OF THE ELECTRICAL PARTS OF THE A/C-HEATER SYSTEM. THIS IS THE SAME SITUATION AS REPORTED IN OTHER COMPLAINTS. REFER TO ODI ID NUMBERS: 10364281, 10283272, 10181912 AND 10145512. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Jun 30, 2011
JEEP WRANGLER SE, 2001. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD GLASS CRACKED THREE TIMES IN THE SAME LOCATION (NEAR THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER). I THINK THE STRESS CRACK IS DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD STRUCTURE OF POSSIBLYALL 2001 JEEP WRANGLER SE MODELS. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility, Nov 6, 2010
THIS IS ONE MORE CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING THE HEATER/FAN/BLOWER WIRING DESIGN FAILURE FOR THE 2001 MODEL OF THE JEEP WRANGLER. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS CONTINUES TO OCCUR IN OTHER TJ MODEL YEARS AS WELL SO I THINK IT IS A SYSTEMIC DESIGN PROBLEM THAT IF NOT CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE A SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. MY CASE IS TYPICAL OF THE FAILURES DESCRIBED BY OTHER 2001 WRANGLER OWNERS IN THAT THE HEATER BLOWER FAN SWITCH BEGAN TO DROP SPEEDS UNTIL ONLY THE HIGHEST SPEED WAS LEFT OPERATIONAL [WHICH I UNDERSTAND IS HOW THE UNDERLYING ELECTRONICS SPECIFICALLY A RESISTOR BANK FAIL IN THIS MODEL]. RECENTLY, THIS 4TH SPEED HAS FAILED AND I AM NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNTIL I CAN RECEIVE SOME ASSURANCE THAT THE HEATER BLOWER WILL NOT CONTINUE TO HEAT UP UNTIL IT CATCHES FIRE AS HAS BEEN REPORTED IN OTHER INSTANCES. AS I WRITE THIS COMPLAINT, IT IS ABOUT 25 DEGREES OUTSIDE, SO DRIVING MY 2001 WRANGLER WITHOUT HEAT IS NOT AN OPTION. I GUESS I AM LUCKY THAT (A) IT FAILED COMPLETELY IN COLD WEATHER FORCING ME TO (B) RESEARCH THE ISSUE LEARNING THAT (C) THIS OBVIOUS VEHICLE DEFECT CAN RESULT IN THE WRANGLER CATCHING FIRE WHICH HAS FORCED ME TO (D) GO WITHOUT THE USE OF THE WRANGLER UNTIL A FACTORY DESIGNED AND SPONSORED FIX IS ENGINEERED AND INSTALLED. SO, IN SUMMARY, 2001 WRANGLER ' FAILED HEATER/FAN/BLOWER SWITCH ' MANY OTHER CASES FOR THIS MODEL YEAR AND SURROUNDING MODEL YEARS ' HAS A HISTORY OF CAUSING VEHICLE FIRES ' THIS NEEDS TO BE A FACTORY SPONSORED RE-ENGINEER AND RECALL, AND NEEDS TO BE DONE NOW BEFORE A FIRE SITUATION CAUSES A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR INJURY OR DEATH ! *TR
Electrical system, Visibility, Sep 8, 2009
THERE IS A SERIOUS PRODUCT DEFECT IN THE FAN MOTOR-SWITCH-RESISTER ASSEMBLY IN MY 2001 JEEP WRANGLER. THIS CONDITION HAS BEEN REPAIRED SEVEN TIMES, SIX TIMES UNSUCCESSFULLY (THE FIRST TIME WAS IN 2004, THE YEAR I BOUGHT MY JEEP FROM A DEALERSHIP) AND THE LAST ONE ACCOMPLISHED AUGUST 20, 2009 AND WHO KNOWS HOW LONG THIS WILL LAST. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE FAN SWITCH SUDDENLY FAILS TO OPERATE AND WHEN THE MATTER IS INVESTIGATED THE MECHANIC FINDS THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR, RELAY AND SWITCH HAVE MELTED. THERE IS SOME SORT OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEM OR SURGE WHICH SIX REPAIRS HAVE FAILED TO CORRECT AND MY FEAR IS MY JEEP WILL CATCH ON FIRE AS HAS BEEN REPORTED IN A NUMBER OF CASES. *TR
Visibility, Equipment, Jul 25, 2009
DRIVING 2001 JEEP WRANGLER WITH BESTOP SLIDER WINDOWS, INSTALLED ABOVE FACTORY HALF DOORS. UPPER DOOR SLIDER FOR TJ WRANGLER PART NUMBER 51787. *TR PLASTIC TABS ON WINDOW UNIT ALL OF A SUDDEN BROKE AND WINDOW FLEW INTO DRIVER'S HEAD AND FACE. BESTOP IN BROOMFIELD COLORADO800 845 3561 REFUSED TO REPLACE OR REPAIR PRODUCT AND REFUSED TO COMMENT ON FAILURE OR SAFETY.
Visibility, Jan 23, 2009
FAILURE OF HEATING SYSTEM (EXTREMELY COMMON IN ALL JEEPS & CHRYSLER CARS IN GENERAL) EITHER BLOWER SWITCH (REPLACED), BLOWER FAN RESISTOR (REPLACED), AND / OR BLOWER FAN ITSELF. BLOWER SWITCH ASSEMBLY MELTED, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A POTENTIAL FIRE. *TR
Visibility, Dec 7, 2007
MULTIPLE FAILURES OF THE HEATING FAN BLOWER MOTOR SWITCH AND THE FAN RESISTOR. *TR
Visibility, May 2, 2003
WATER CAME INTO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD BECAUSE IT WAS NOT SEALED PROPERLY. *NLM
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Electrical system, Visibility, Structure, Equipment, May 22, 2002
WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION STARTS TO SLIP.*AK A NEW TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE INSTALLED. THERE WAS A LEAKING TANK SEAL. WATER LEAKS THROUGH THE A/C AND HEATER HOSES. THERE ARE HOLES AT THE BULK HEAD. THERES A FAULTY KEY CYLINDER. THE PASSENGER DOOR IS DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND CLOSE. THERE ARE 2 RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. ONE FOR A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH AND THE OTHER FOR HTE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *JG