2002 Jeep Wrangler
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 108 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 23rd highest complaint count among 26 Wrangler model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 15 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 17 people were injured and 1 person died.
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
Representative owner complaints: service brakes
7 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Nov 10, 2014
RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE RUSTED ALONG FRAME RAIL CAUSING LINE TO SPLIT AT WHICH TIME BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT AS WELL AS BOTH REAR BRAKE OPERATION FAILED COMPLETELY. *TR
Service brakes, May 21, 2014
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH IN MY JEEP WRANGLER ON THE HIGHWAY I BRAKE AS USUAL AND NEXT THING I KNOW THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR. I HAD A TOTAL BRAKE LOSS FAILURE. I PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE PEDAL WOULD NOT REGAIN STOPPING POWER. I SWERVED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND ALMOST REAR ENDED A TRUCK. I MANAGED TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN MY JEEP WRANGLER. NO INJURIES, NO PROPERTY DAMAGE...LUCKY ME. THE REASON FOR BRAKE PEDAL LOSS WAS DUE TO RUST WHICH ATE AT THE BRAKE LINE OVER TIME AND THEN FINALLY THE BRAKE LINE GAVE OUT. I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINES IN MY JEEP WRANGLER. VERY PRICEY REPAIR. WISH I WAS INFORMED OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE PROBLEM. THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE! *TR
Service brakes, Sep 15, 2012
CORROSION ON THE REAR BRAKE LINES CAUSED CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF BRAKES. THIS IS A TEN YEAR OLD VEHICLE THAT I BOUGHT FROM THE DEALER. FORTUNATELY, THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 20, 2011
PULLING OUT FROM GAS STATION AFTER FUELING UP, ALMOST KILLED A PEDESTRIAN WALKING ACROSS MY PATHWAY BECAUSE SUDDENLY WITHOUT ANY WARNING LOST ALL BRAKE FUNCTIONALITY DUE TO PREMATURE BRAKE LINE CORROSION INDUCED BRAKE LINE RUPTURE AND LOSS OF THE ENTIRE BRAKE FLUID. THE JEEP WRANGLER HAS A 82,455 MILE IN IT. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD JUST A YEAR BEFORE INSPECTED (AND PASSED AS OK) ITS BRAKE SYSTEM BY A QUALIFIED DODGE SERVICE STATION. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 25, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH APPROACHING A STOP SIGN WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN. THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN UPON THE CURB TO STOP IT AND THEN TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE ENTIRE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM WAS REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06E022000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) BUT THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 15, 2003
PROBLEMS WITH 2002 JEEP WRANGLER BRAKING SYSTEM.* MR THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE ABOUT PROBLEMS CONCERNING THE BRAKES, BOTH TIMES THEY HAVE FAILED TO FIX THEM. PLEASE RESPOND PROMPTLY IN FINDING A RESOLUTION TO BRAKE PROBLEM. *CB *JB
Service brakes, Air, Air bags, Seat belts, Tires, Aug 15, 2003, crash
2002 JEEP WRANGLER COLLIDED WITH REAR OF PASSENGER VAN AT APPROXIMATELY 25 -35 MPH. WHEELS BRAKED AND RELEASED ON WET PAVEMENT. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, DRIVER SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD. DRIVER'S FACE HIT WINDSHIELD, RESULTING IN BROKEN NOSE. FRONT ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS CRUSHED.*AK