2002 Jeep WRANGLER: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10002933 · 2003-01-19 (January 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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002933 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004604 · 2003-01-24 (January 24, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 12,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004604 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006209 · 2003-02-03 (February 3, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006209 at NHTSA ↗
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 10013750 · 2003-04-01 (April 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
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10013750 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014781 · 2003-03-31 (March 31, 2003)
VEHICLE T-BONED ANOTHER AT 45 MPH. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED, DRIVER SUFFERED SEVERE HEAD INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10014781 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023978 · 2003-06-29 (June 29, 2003)
TREAD ON THE TIRES ARE FALLING OUT IN "PATCHES" SIDEWALLS ARE BLOWING OUT. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 995 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023978 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029694 · 2003-07-18 (July 18, 2003)
THE SEAT BELT FOLDED OVER IN THE SPADE PORTION OF THE BUCKLE. IT WAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. DEALER NOTIFIED. PH *CB *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029694 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V075000 · Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
Reported: 2002-03-08 (March 8, 2002)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗02V104000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors
Reported: 2002-04-08 (April 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.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗