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: steering
10 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Suspension, Structure, Mar 25, 2021
PURCHASED A 2002 JEEP FROM TWIN RIVERS AUTO SALES, I DID NOT RECEIVE A VEHICLE DISCLOSURE REPORT AND IT WAS SOLD TO ME WITH A CONTROL ARM BRACKET THAT WAS DAMAGED WAS NOT ATTACHED TO THE FRAME WHICH MAKES DRIVING THE VEHICLE IMPOSSIBLE IT IS NOT ATTACHED TO FRAME WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSE OTHER'AND MYSELF EXTREME HARM OR DEATH. I WAS NOT INFORMED OF ANY PROBLEM WITH FRAME, AFTER PURCHASE THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO ZIEBART AND IT WOULD BE UNDERCOATED FOR FREE, THEY TRIED TO COVER UP WITH THE UNDERCOATING WHERE THE CONTROL ARM BRACKET BECAME DETACHED FROM THE FRAME ALONG WITH OTHER DEFECTS IN THE FRAME I WAS ONLY ABLE TO DRIVE THE JEEP FROM DEALERSHIP TO ZIEBARTS FOR THE UNDERCOATING AND THEN HAD TO HAVE TOWED TO MY HOUSE DUE TO THE STABILIZER LINK BREAKING BECAUSE OF THE CONTROL ARM BRACKET BREAKING AWAY FROM FRAME DUE TO RUST, . I'VE TRIED CALL THE DEALERSHIP MANY TIMES WITH NO REPLY. I AM THANKFUL THAT NO ONE WAS INJURED OR DEAD IF THIS WOULD'VE HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON HWY, THE PURCHASE PRICE WAS 6700.00 AND THEN ADDITIONAL 5 NEW TIRES 600.00 AND TWO LEAKING AND BENT RIMS AT 75.00 FOR A TOTAL OF 7375.00 ON A UNSAFE VEHICLE WHICH THE DEALERSHIP NEW ABOUT . I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED, AND FRUSTRATED WITH THIS SITUATION. I NEED HELP GETTING THIS RESOLVED BUT THEY WILL NOT RERUN MY CALLS AND HAVE HUNG UP ON ME I HAVE PHOTOS AND A INSPECTION SAYING THAT IT WAS SAFE WHEN FAR FROM BEING SAFE POINT BLANK THIS DEALERSHIP SOLD ME A VEHICLE THAT WAS U SAFE FOR OTHERS AND MYSELF TO BE ON THE ROAD SO NOW I AM OUT ALL OF THIS MONEY AND I CAN'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS SITUATION SO THAT THEY CAN NOT DUE BUSINESS IN THIS MANNER AND I CAN RESOLVE THIS WITH EITHER GIVING ME BACK MY COST OF THE JEEP AND TIRES AND RIMS . I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO OR WHO TO CONTACT IN TRYING TO GET MY MONEY BACK IT IS A LOT OF MONEY FOR A JEEP I CAN'T DRIVE
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Nov 20, 2018
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.
Steering, Power train, Nov 6, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V234000 (POWER TRAIN , STEERING). THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE; THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE ARE NO FAILURES AT THIS TIME. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000.
Steering, Jul 29, 2013
VIOLENT SHAKING (WITHOUT WARNING) IN THE FRONT END OF MY JEEP WRANGLER ON A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. JARRING AND TERRIFYING, I HAD TO SLOW DOWN, GET OVER AND GET TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. CHRYSLER HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAS WRITTEN A TECHNICAL SERVICE ADVISORY 19-002-12 AUGUST 2012 BUT TO DATE AUGUST 2013 REFUSES TO RECALL AND CORRECT THIS ISSUE. I HAVE A STOCK JEEP (I.E. NO LIFT KITS, WHEELS, SUSPENSION COMPONENTS OR TIRES) THAT WOULD WEAR ON THE STEERING COMPONENTS AND I TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY WRANGLER. BE AWARE AND BE PREPARED - I WAS LUCKY, I GOT AN ELEVATED HEART RATE, SWEATY PALMS AND I HAD TO DRIVE SLOWLY TO A FRIEND'S HOUSE. THIS "STEERING SYSTEM" CONDITION HAS CAUSED ACCIDENTS AND ROLL OVERS PER OTHER REPORTS. *TR
Steering, Jun 13, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT LEAST 65 MPH, THE FRONT END WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SHOULDERS TO SIT FOR A WHILE BEFORE THE SHAKING WOULD STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
Steering, May 20, 2012
AS I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH THE FRONT END STARTED TO WOBBLE VERY VIOLENTLY, I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND IT STOPPED, THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND IS VERY SCARY AND DANGERS THING. I HAVE 3 SONS WHO ALSO EACH HAVE JEEP WRANGLERS AND THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED TO THEM REPEATEDLY. I HAVE ALSO TALKED TO SEVERAL OTHER JEEP OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED LONG AGO. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS MADE TO THE GOVERNMENT AND CHRYSLER WITH NO RESULTS. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND FIXED BEFORE PEOPLE ARE KILLED. *TR
Steering, Nov 28, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING 55 MPH OR HIGHER, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Equipment, Jan 31, 2007
WE ARE A JEEP FAMILY. JEEP LIBERTY 2002 WAS BROUGHT IN FOR RECALL ON THE BALL JOINTS ON 11/26/06. IN EARLY DEC WE STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH STEERING. BROUGHT THE JEEP INTO DEALERSHIP AND THEY QUOTED US $1680 TO REPLACE POWER STEERING PRESSURE LINE &SWITCH & RACK AND PINION. I WAS SURPRISED THAT A JEEP THIS NEW WOULD HAVE THIS PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP TOLD US THAT 3 OTHER JEEP LIBERTYS WERE SERVICED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM WITHIN THE LAST WEEKS. THEY SAID IT WAS STRANGE BECAUSE THE LIBERTYS HAD ALL JUST HAD THE RECALL WORK DONE ON THE BALL JOINTS. ALL 3 JEEP LIBERTYS HAD THE SAME POWER STEERING, RACK & PINON PROBLEM AFTER THE RECALL WORK WAS COMPLETED. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY THOUGHT MAYBE THERE WAS A CONNECTION TO THE RECALL BUT COULD NOT SAY THAT IT WAS DEFINITE. I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP THAT I WOULD CONTACT CHRYSLER JEEP AND SEE IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO MINE RECORDED. 1/31 I CONTACTED JEEP CUSTOMER SERVICE (REFERENCE #15916486) AND TALKED TO SENIOR STAFF AGENT ANGELA. THE AGENT SAID THAT SHE RESEARCHED AND NO OTHER PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN REPORTED ; JEEP DID NOT AGREE THAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE RELATED TO THE RECALL. I DID GO ON THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE COMPLAINTS NOTED ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT THE JEEP BALL JOINT PROBLEM CONTRIBUTED TO THE STEERING PROBLEM AND THAT JEEP SHOULD REPAIR MY CAR AT THEIR EXPENSE. JEEP DISAGREES. DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE OR APPEAL PROCESS TO MAKE CHRYSLER FIX THE RACK & PINION PROBLEM OR AT LEAST CONTRIBUTE TO THE REPAIR.
Steering, May 23, 2005
STEERING COLUMN MOVES SIDE TO SIDE AND AFTER REPEATED MOVEMENT THE TILT STEERING LEVER LOOSENS UP AND THE STEERING COLUMN MOVES UP AND DOWN. THE DEALER HAS MADE REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE COLUMN BUT DENIES THAT THERE IS A DEFECT. I FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM IN JUNE OF 2003 WHEN THE TILT STEERING BECMAE LOOSE GOING AROUND A CORNER. I RECOVERED THE VEHICLE AND DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT BUT WAS CLOSE. WHEN I EXAMINED THE PROBLEM I NOTICED THE STEERING COLUMN MOVES SIDE TO SIDE APPROXIMATELY 1/4". OTHER VEHICLES THAT I HAVE EXAMINED DO NOT HAVE THIS MUCH FREE PLAY. THE DEALERS HAS ATTEMPTED REPAIR ON THIS FOUR TIMES BUT THE ORIGINAL STEERING COLUMN IS STILL IN THE VEHICLE. I AM NOT CURRENTLY DRIVING THE VEHICLE AS IT DOES NOT MEET MAINE STATE INSPECTION STANDARDS AND THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
Steering, Oct 6, 2003
WHILE DRIVING AT 50/55 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE, THEN THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL VIBRATED. THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE CENTER STEERING LINK PIN BREAKING.*AK