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
108 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Feb 2, 2004, crash
MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION THAT ENDED UP TOTALING MY VEHICLE. *JB
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.
Air bags, Dec 3, 2003, crash, fire
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK THE VEHICLE CRASHED WITH INTO A LARGE TREE. *SCC *JB
Power train, Visibility, Seats, Dec 2, 2003
WHEN DRIVING ON ICE OR SNOW THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE KICKS OUT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO JERK AND POTENTIALLY SLID. NO IMPACT HAD BEEN REPORTED. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN IT FELT AS IF THE TRANSMISSION DROPPED OUT. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE STOPPED TO GET BACK INTO 4WD. THE LEVER WAS HELD TIGHTLY AND POPPED OUT AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN IN 2WD FOR SEVERAL MILES THEN WAS ABLE TO BE PLACED BACK INTO 4WD AND STAYED. ALSO, THE UPHOLSTERY HAD STARTED TO TEAR ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND THE GASKETS ON BOTH MIRRORS DETERIORATED. *SCC *JB
Air bags, Nov 20, 2003, crash
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, SOMEHOW THE VEHICLE HIT THE REAR OF A SCHOOL BUS. THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER'S CHEST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE PASSENGER'S HEAD HIT THE DASHBOARD. NO ONE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *PH
Visibility, Nov 11, 2003, crash
I PURCHASED A 2002 JEEP WRANGLER FROM SHAKERS JEEP DEALER. SOUTH MAIN STREEET, WATERBURY, CT. AFTER HAVING THE JEEP FOR ONE MONTH THE WINDSHIELD PIITED INBETWEEN THE GLASSS.IT WAS ALSET TO HAVE PLYMOUTH GLASS TO INSTALL. THEN SHAKER JEEP WENT OUT OF BUISNESS! ALL THERE CUSTOMERS WHERE SENT TO BRADSHAW JEEP. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT WHEN THE SUN OR HEAD LIGHTS HIT THE WINSHILD IT IS BLINDING! IN OCTOBER I WENT TO BRADSHAW AND SPOKE TO DAIMLER/CHRYSLER ABOUT THE PROBLEM. FOR 2 MONTH'S I HAVE E-MAILED AND CALL BOTH WITH NO SUCCESS, SINCE THEN AT 4:30 A.M. A ONCOMING CAR HAD IT HIGH BEEMS ON AND I JUST TAP THE CORNER OF MY JEEP ON A BRANCH OF A TREE. IT HAS KNOW COST ME 250.00 FOR A RENTAL AND 650.00 FOR THE JEEP TO BE FIXXED. THE AUTO BODY SHOP TOLD ME IT WAS A CHEAP FACTORY INSTALLED WINDSHIELD!!!!M NOT LOOKING TO GET REINBURST FOR THE WORK BUT I STILL HAVE THE WINDSHIELD PROBLEM.. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP THANK YOU IN ANCE LIAM E. BEHR JR. *AK
Air bags, Oct 31, 2003, crash
DAUGHTER INVOLVED IN SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT IN WHICH 2002 JEEP WRANGLER ROLLED OVER 3 TIMES AND LANDED NOSE DOWN IN DITCH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. COMPLAINT WAS ISSUED TO CHRYSLER, THEY STATED THAT THE FRONT END HAS TO BE HIT JUST RIGHT BEFORE AIR BAGS ARE DEPLOYED. MY DAUGHTER WAS ALMOST KILLED AND DON'T BELIEVE THAT STATEMENT WAS TRUE. I FEEL IT IS IN FACT FAULTY EQUIPMENT AND AFTER READING THESE REPORTS , I FEEL THAT SOME KIND OF COMPENSATION IS DUE. MY DAUGHTER IS STILL SUFFERING BAD HEAD ACHES AND BACK PAINS. I ASKED FOR $50,000. AND WAS IGNORED. *LA
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
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 18, 2003
CHRYSLER ORIGINALLY OFFERED TO REIMBURSE FERRY FARE REQUIRED TO TAKE CAR IN FOR A SAFETY RECALL. I HAVE SUBMITTED RECEIPTS AND CHRYSLER HAS NOW REFUSED TO MAKE THE REIMBURSEMENT. CHRYSLER'S REFERENCE CODE IS 11552946. *JB
Structure, Sep 4, 2003
WATER LEAKS INTO FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COMPARTMENT FROM AIR CONDITIONER DRAIN HOLE IN FIREWALL. WATER SOAKS FRONT CARPET, AND THE DRAIN PLUG IN FLOOR MUST BE REMOVED TO ALLOW WATER TO DRAIN OUT OF VEHICLE. APPEARS FOAM SURROUNDING DRAIN HAS FAILED ALLOWING THE WATER INTO THE VEHICLE.*AK
Power train, Aug 27, 2003
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS VERY HARSH ENGAGEMENT AND PRODUCES A LOUD CLICKING NOISE. OVER THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS I HAVE HAD MY 2002 JEEP WRANGLER IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THE REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN PERFORMED SATISFACTORILY. I AM TOLD CHRYSLER WILL NOT AUTHORIZE THE REPAIRS OR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER FULL FACTORY WARRANTY, THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE REPLACED IF IT CAN NOT BE REPAIRED.*AK
Air bags, Seat belts, Aug 25, 2003, crash
I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT IN OCTOBER 2002 WITH MY 2002 JEEP WRANGLER X. I HIT THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME GOING ABOUT 40MPH, AND WAS THEN HIT FROM BEHIND. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED, NOR DID THE SEAT BELT TIGHTEN. I HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEARING WHEEL. I TRIED TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH DAIMLER-CHRYSLER CORPORATION AND WAS TOLD SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS ALREADY BEING WORKED ON THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT. I WAS IN ANOTHER ACCIDENT AUGUST 8, 2003. SOMEONE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME ON THE HIGHWAY AND I HIT HIM GOING ABOUT 55 MPH. THE AIRBAGS AGAIN DID NOT DEPLOY. I AM TRYING TO GET AN ANSWER OUT OF DAIMLER-CHRYSLER AGAIN AND THEY KEEP GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND ABOUT IT.*AK
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
Structure, Aug 5, 2003
PAINT IS FLAKING OF ON FENDER, HOOD, DOOR, AND REAR DOOR.*AK
Suspension, Aug 1, 2003, crash
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY OUT OF CONTROL, CAUSING VEHICLE TO FALL INTO A DITCH. CAUSE UNKWOWN. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Aug 1, 2003
CONSUMER STATES WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS APPLIED IT STICKS, MORE PRESSURE HAS TO BE APPLIED TO GAS PEDAL BEFORE VEHICLE WILL MOVE DUE TO AN INTERNAL COOLANT LEAK. *AK
Seat belts, Jul 18, 2003
THE SEAT BELT FOLDED OVER IN THE SPADE PORTION OF THE BUCKLE. IT WAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. DEALER NOTIFIED. PH *CB *JB
Tires, Jun 29, 2003
TREAD ON THE TIRES ARE FALLING OUT IN "PATCHES" SIDEWALLS ARE BLOWING OUT. *NLM
Power train, Apr 1, 2003
IN 4-LOW TRYING TO GET OUT OF SNOW IN A 2002 JEEP WRANGLER, THE AXLE BROKE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THIS IS NOT BEING COVERED BY WARRANTY SINCE I WAS TOLD IT HAPPENED WHEN SPINNING TIRES HIT PAVEMENT, ALTHOUGH I NEVER DID GET TO PAVEMENT. *JB
Air bags, Mar 31, 2003, crash
VEHICLE T-BONED ANOTHER AT 45 MPH. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED, DRIVER SUFFERED SEVERE HEAD INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *JB
Power train, Feb 18, 2003
IN MANUAL TRANSMISSION THE FIFTH GEAR "DOG LEG" STICKS WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIFTH TO FOUTH AND BACK TO FIFTH AND DOES NOT ALLOW FIFTH GEAR TO BE CHOSEN UNTIL YOU PLACE THE GEARSHIFT IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION AND THEN SHIFT INTO FIFTH
Tires, Feb 3, 2003
CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT.
Air bags, Seat belts, Jan 24, 2003, crash
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A ROLL OVER, THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONSUMER, WHICH CAUSED HIM TO BE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE, ALSO THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. POLICE REPORT TAKEN. *TS *JB