VehicleVerdict

2002 Jeep Wrangler problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2002 Jeep Wrangler is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 6 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 139 owner complaints run below the Wrangler median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 22 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across body & structure (26), suspension (19), and transmission (14), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

139

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

22

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

22

Injuries

1

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Wrangler years?

See all Wrangler years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Jeep Wrangler problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure2619%
Suspension1914%
Transmission1410%
Airbags139%
Steering107%
Engine86%
Other86%
Tires & Wheels86%
Brakes75%
Electrical System75%
Seat Belts54%
Visibility & Wipers43%
Fuel System43%
Speed Control43%
Seats11%
Lighting11%

Does the 2002 Jeep Wrangler have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

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.

06E022000BrakesMarch 13, 2006 · 7,440 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

06E011000Fuel SystemFebruary 1, 2006 · 7,291 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

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.

04E041000OtherJune 7, 2004 · 80 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

02V104000Fuel SystemApril 8, 2002 · 1,115,322 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

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.

02V075000Electrical SystemMarch 8, 2002 · 95,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, WATER AND IMPURITIES CAN ENTER INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TAKATA RECALL- DRIVING DOWN A DARK COUNTY ROAD- LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND WENT OFF ROAD AND HIT A TREE- UPON IMPACT THE JEEP BURST INTO FLAMES- THE DRIVER WAS PULLED OUT BECAUSE SHE WAS TRAPPED INSIDE THE BURNING JEEP- THE JEEP WAS TOTALED DUE TO THE FIRE

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 15, 2010 · crash · fire

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

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · crash

THE 2002 JEEP WRANGLER HAS APPROX. 85000 MILES ON IT. NEVER USED OFF ROAD - JUST TO AND FROM WORK. BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR WORK ON CLUTCH AND REPAIR SHOP STATES THAT THE VEHICLE FRAME IS ROTTED THROUGH AND NEED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE TRANSMISSION IS ABLE TO BE REMOVED. FRONT FENDERS HAVE RUSTED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 12, 2014

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

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 19, 2003 · crash

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · November 2, 2013

2002 Jeep Wrangler — common questions

Is the 2002 Jeep Wrangler reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 139 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Wrangler year, with 6 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2002 Wrangler problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (26 complaints), suspension (19 complaints), transmission (14 complaints).

Does the 2002 Jeep Wrangler have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Jeep Wrangler. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Jeep Wrangler years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Wrangler years to avoid are 2018, 2021, 2024, 2012, 2008, 2019, 2013, 2010, 2006, 2014, 2007, 2020, 2005, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2022, 2023, 2009, 2017. The cleanest record among Wrangler years belongs to 1985.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.