2002 Jeep WRANGLER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
108 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
60,499 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 80 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Body is the most frequently named component, appearing in 22 of 108 complaints (20.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 11 | 10.2% |
| Braking behavior | 10 | 9.3% |
| Steering behavior | 9 | 8.3% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 1.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body | 22 |
| Suspension | 16 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 10 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Power Train | 7 |
| Steering | 7 |
| Tires | 5 |
| Engine | 4 |
Structure:Body: 22; Suspension: 16; Air Bags:Frontal: 10; Unknown Or Other: 8; Power Train: 7; Steering: 7; Tires: 5; Engine: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 24 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 12 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 10 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 12 |
| 150,000 and above | 13 |
Under 25,000: 24; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 12; 150,000 and above: 13
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (24). 28 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 23 |
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2002: 7; 2003: 23; 2004: 10; 2005: 6; 2006: 6; 2007: 3; 2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 3; 2012: 5; 2013: 5; 2014: 11; 2015: 4; 2016: 2; 2017: 4; 2018: 3; 2019: 9; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Body leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 11 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10007736 · 2003-02-18 (February 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
Owner-reported narrative. 3,840 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007736 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10036675 · 2003-08-27 (August 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
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10036675 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10034519 · 2003-08-15 (August 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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10034519 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10058684 · 2004-02-22 (February 22, 2004)
AT 65 MPH ON I-95 IN MARYLAND, THE CLUTCH AND BEARINGS BURNED OUT. ALL POWER TO POWER BRAKES AND STEERING WERE LOST IMMEDIATELY MAKING AN EMERGENCY STOP AND STEERING WAS VERY DIFFICULT. RECENT DEALER MAINTENANCE FAILED TO DETECT ANY EXCESS IVE WEAR OR POTENTIAL FOR FAILURE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 16,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10058684 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042374 · 2003-10-06 (October 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
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10042374 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10048426 · 2003-11-20 (November 20, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10048426 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10108088 · 2005-01-27 (January 27, 2005)
RAPID SUDDEN ACCELERATION, JEEP DID NOT STALL, WOULD NOT SHUT OFF WITH ONLY BRAKE APPLIED. CONSEQUENCES , VEHICLE DRUG MY HUSBAND MORE THAN 30 FEET CAUSING INJURIES THAT RESULTED IN HIS DEATH. PLEASE HELP ME FIND OUT WHY THIS VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10108088 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8015851 · 2002-08-08 (August 8, 2002)
VEHICLE HAS INTERMITTENT STALLING AND STARTING PROBLEMS. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8015851 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10273183 · 2009-06-09 (June 9, 2009)
MARCH 2009: WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH, HEAR A RATTLE NOISE, THEN THE SHIFT ON THE FLOOR SHAKES VIOLENTLY. PULL OVER, CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, TRAVEL HOME LESS THAN 50 MPH, FINE. FEW MORE TIMES, ON THE HIGHWAY, CAR DOES IT AGAIN. PUT IN FUEL INJECTOR CLEANER, CHANGE OIL, CLEAN ALL AROUND BATTERY. DOES NOT DO IT FOR A WEEK OR TWO THEN DOES IT AGAIN. TOLD TO REPLACE CAMSHAFT SENSOR & CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. DID AND RAN FINE NO ISSUES FOR TWO WEEKS. 4/13/09 AFTER SITTING AT A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT, PROCEEDED TO TURN RIGHT, ENGINE DIED. NO WARNIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 105,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10273183 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11075394 · 2018-02-28 (February 28, 2018)
ON DECEMBER 1, 2017 WALMART INSTALLED 5 NEW GOODYEAR TIRES ON MY WRANGLER. THE FIFTH WAS FOR THE SPARE. THE OLD TIRES HAD TREAD BUT WERE 7 YEARS OLD. I TOW THIS JEEP BEHIND AN RV. I BOUGHT THE TIRES TO AVOID A BLOWOUT WHILE TOWING. ON JANUARY 20 WE STARTED OUR SEASONAL TRIP TO FLORIDA. ABOUT 4:00 PM, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE CAME APART DESTROYING THE FENDER, TURN SIGNAL, SIDE MARKER, BENT FRONT BUMPER, RIPPED THE WIRING FROM THE RV THAT CONTROLS LIGHTS, AS WELL AS THE FRONT JEEP WIRING LEFT SIDE. WHEN I STOPPED, NOTHING BUT A PIECE OF WIRE WAS WRAPP…
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11075394 at NHTSA ↗