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: other or unspecified
8 reports, newest first. Show all
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 27, 2019
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.
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Aug 8, 2019, crash
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. WHILE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE FRAME LOOKS PERFECTLY FINE AND PAINT WAS STILL WELL COATED, IT WAS ROTTING FROM THE INSIDE. THE PROBLEM DID NOT DISCLOSE ITSELF UNTIL THE BRACKET GOT THE SPRING ARE THE AXLE ATTACHES TO THE FRAME BROKE OFF WHEN THE ROT FROM THE INSIDE MADE IT ALL THE WAY THROUGH. WHEN IT BROKE OFF, IT CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO CRASH. THERE WAS NO FORETELLING THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN BECAUSE THE ROT FROM THE INSIDE WAS INVISIBLE AND NOT ABLE TO BE DETECTED. MYSELF I BELIEVE THIS IS A BIG ENOUGH FLAW THAT SHOULD BECOME THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANUFACTURER TO REPAIR OR REPLACE. MY JEEP WAS TREATED LIKE MY BABY. I TOOK EXTREMELY WELL GOOD CARE OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE INSIDE AND OUT. INSPECTING THE FRAME AND BODY EVERY YEAR IN THE SPRING TO MAKE SURE IT ALL PAINT WAS TOUCHED UP AND FRAME PARTS WERE KEPT COATED WITH PAINT. NOWADAYS PRETTY MUCH UNHEARD OF FOR ONLY A 12 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. WHEN PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 2002 AT A COST OF $21,000, A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY, BUT ONLY TO LAST FOR 12 YEARS IS A HIGH PRICE TO PAY. I BELIEVE IT'S IN THE BEST INTEREST THAT A RECALL RULING BE MADE FOR ALL 2002 AND OTHER YEARS THAT HAS THE INTERNAL ROTTING OF THE FRAME RAIL. EITHER NEW PATCH FRAME RAILS BE INSTALLED, OR A NOMINAL AMOUNT A MONEY BE COMPENSATED FOR THE COST OF A ENTIRE NEW FRAME, FOR THOSE WISHING TO REPLACE THE FRAME ENTIRELY. I BELIEVE THAT IF THE NHTSA FAILS TO MAKE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, COULD INCUR FUTURE ACCIDENTS THAT COULD RESULT IN INJURY OR EVEN DEATH BECAUSE OF THE INABILITY TO DETECT THE ROTTING OF THE RAIL FROM THE INSIDE.
Suspension, Structure, Other or unspecified, Jul 19, 2019
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
Suspension, Structure, Other or unspecified, Sep 26, 2017
I KNOW THE JEEP IS A 2002, BUT THIS RUSTING, TO BE THIS BAD, HAD TO HAVE STARTED AWHILE AGO. I WENT TO HAVE TWO NEW TIRES INSTALLED AND WAS TOLD BY THE SHOP THAT THEY COULD NOT JACK OR LIFT THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE RUST. THIS IS PART OF THE FRAME, GOD FORBID IF IT WOULD HAVE FAILED. IT IS SO RUSTED THAT I CAN PUT MY FINGER THROUGH THE FRAME IN SPOTS. I DO NOT USE THE JEEP FOR OFF ROAD ACTIVITIES NOR PARK IT IN THE OCEAN. I ALSO WASH THE ROAD SALT OFF DURING THE WINTER. I HAVE INCLUDED PICTURES OF THE RUSTED PASS SIDE AND THE NOT TOO RUSTED DRIVER SIDE. THIS IS JUST AN AROUND TOWN VEHICLE. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND JEEP SHOULD BE ASHAMED TO RELEASE A VEHICLE WITH SUCH A DANGEROUS DEFECT. I WONDER IF THIS IS A VEHICLE FROM A FLOOD. FOR THIS AMOUNT OF DETERIORATION, I WOULD NOT DOUBT IT AND I WILL TRY TO FIND OUT. THANKS FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN PROVIDE.
Other or unspecified, Oct 17, 2015
FRAME IS RUSTY, NOT JUST THE OUTSIDE BUT IS RUSTING IN THICK LAYERS OF SCALE FROM THE INSIDE OUT. APPEARS TO BE NO DRAINAGE HOLES IN BOTTOM SIDE OF THE FRAME, WHILE HAVING HOLES IN THE SIDE OF THE FRAME ALLOWING SALT, SAND, AND WHATEVER ROAD CHEMICALS AN ENTRY POINT WHILE BY DESIGN RESTRICTS THE DRAINAGE OF SUCH ELEMENTS. THE VEHICLE IS STILL OPERATIONAL, BUT ONLY A MATTER OF TIME TILL STRUCTURE FAILURE. WON'T BE SEEING THE ROADS THIS WINTER.
Other or unspecified, Jan 15, 2004
FRONT END WILL SHIMMY/VIBRATE TO THE POINT OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF STEERING
Other or unspecified, Jan 15, 2004
PAINT IS FLACKING ON THE HOOD FENDERS AND REAR DOOR.
Other or unspecified, Jan 19, 2003
FLOOR HEATER DOES NOT WARM NEAR CENTER CONSOLE CREATING AN ANNOYING COLD DRAFT ON RIGHT LEG. IT'S VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND CREATES AN UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING EXPERIENCE.