Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
140–25K
1325–50K
1850–75K
1775–100K
26100–150K
15150K+
103 reports with mileage · 67 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Structure. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
17 crash reports16 fire reports16 injury reports
What owners actually said
170 reports
7,000 miles · Mar 16, 2004
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION MAKES A RATTLE/CHATTERING SOUND WHILE IN NEUTRAL (CLUTCH MUST BE LEFT OUT TOO). IT ONLY DOES THIS AS THE ENGINE GETS WARM. VEHICLE HAS BEEN LOOKED AT ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AT VARIOUS DEALERSHIPS. I HAVE EXPRESSED MY CONCERN THAT THE TRANSMISSION MAY FAIL ONCE OUT OF WARRANTY IF THIS IS NOT REMEDIED. DEALERS ALL…
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THE TRANSMISSION MAKES A RATTLE/CHATTERING SOUND WHILE IN NEUTRAL (CLUTCH MUST BE LEFT OUT TOO). IT ONLY DOES THIS AS THE ENGINE GETS WARM. VEHICLE HAS BEEN LOOKED AT ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AT VARIOUS DEALERSHIPS. I HAVE EXPRESSED MY CONCERN THAT THE TRANSMISSION MAY FAIL ONCE OUT OF WARRANTY IF THIS IS NOT REMEDIED. DEALERS ALL SAY THIS IS NORMAL, BUT NEW VENTURE GEAR (TRANSMISSION MANUFACTURER) WHEN CONTACTED SAYS IT WAS NOT DESIGNED TO MAKE THIS NOISE. ONLY SOME VEHICLES WITH THIS TRANSMISSION HAVE THIS PROBLEM, WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THERE WERE A SERIES OF FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS MADE. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND I DON'T WANT MY WARRANTY TO EXPIRE BEFORE IT FINALLY BREAKS. I FEEL THAT OTHER OWNERS AND I ARE BEING GIVEN THE RUN AROUND DUE TO THE HIGH COST TO DEALERSHIPS IF THEY ADMIT THIS IS A PROBLEM.*AK. IT ALSO HAS POPPED OUT OF REVERSE WHEN PARKED CAUSING THE JEEP TO ROLL. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10062306
7,000 miles · Mar 16, 2004
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION MAKES A RATTLE/CHATTERING SOUND WHILE IN NEUTRAL (CLUTCH MUST BE LEFT OUT TOO). IT ONLY DOES THIS AS THE ENGINE GETS WARM. VEHICLE HAS BEEN LOOKED AT ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AT VARIOUS DEALERSHIPS. I HAVE EXPRESSED MY CONCERN THAT THE TRANSMISSION MAY FAIL ONCE OUT OF WARRANTY IF THIS IS NOT REMEDIED. DEALERS ALL…
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THE TRANSMISSION MAKES A RATTLE/CHATTERING SOUND WHILE IN NEUTRAL (CLUTCH MUST BE LEFT OUT TOO). IT ONLY DOES THIS AS THE ENGINE GETS WARM. VEHICLE HAS BEEN LOOKED AT ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AT VARIOUS DEALERSHIPS. I HAVE EXPRESSED MY CONCERN THAT THE TRANSMISSION MAY FAIL ONCE OUT OF WARRANTY IF THIS IS NOT REMEDIED. DEALERS ALL SAY THIS IS NORMAL, BUT NEW VENTURE GEAR (TRANSMISSION MANUFACTURER) WHEN CONTACTED SAYS IT WAS NOT DESIGNED TO MAKE THIS NOISE. ONLY SOME VEHICLES WITH THIS TRANSMISSION HAVE THIS PROBLEM, WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THERE WERE A SERIES OF FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS MADE. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND I DON'T WANT MY WARRANTY TO EXPIRE BEFORE IT FINALLY BREAKS. I FEEL THAT OTHER OWNERS AND I ARE BEING GIVEN THE RUN AROUND DUE TO THE HIGH COST TO DEALERSHIPS IF THEY ADMIT THIS IS A PROBLEM.*AK. IT ALSO HAS POPPED OUT OF REVERSE WHEN PARKED CAUSING THE JEEP TO ROLL. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10062305
12,000 miles · Feb 28, 2004
Structure
DRIVING THROUGH WATER RESULTS IN CHRONIC WATER ACCUMULATION IN VEHICLE (FRONT DRIVER & PASSENGER FLOOR, REAR DRIVER & PASSENGER FLOOR, AND TAILGATE FLOOR). THIS BEGAN THE VERY FIRST TIME I DROVE THROUGH WATER WITH THE VEHICLE. THAT WAS OVER 2 YEARS AGO. SINCE THEN, THIS PROBLEM HAS PLAGUED MY VEHICLE ... OCCURING AT LEAST 3 MA…
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DRIVING THROUGH WATER RESULTS IN CHRONIC WATER ACCUMULATION IN VEHICLE (FRONT DRIVER & PASSENGER FLOOR, REAR DRIVER & PASSENGER FLOOR, AND TAILGATE FLOOR). THIS BEGAN THE VERY FIRST TIME I DROVE THROUGH WATER WITH THE VEHICLE. THAT WAS OVER 2 YEARS AGO. SINCE THEN, THIS PROBLEM HAS PLAGUED MY VEHICLE ... OCCURING AT LEAST 3 MAJOR TIMES SINCE THEN. AS A RESULT, I'VE HAD DAMAGE TO WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BE ON THE FLOOR AT THE TIME (BOOKS, CLOTHES, SHOES, WALLET, PURSE). NOT TO MENTION THE SMELL!*AK
NHTSA ODI #10059974
Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 2003
Air BagsCrashInjury
AIR BAG DID NOT INFLATE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10050868
57,000 miles · Oct 31, 2003
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH SMELL OF BURNING STYROFOAM PERMEATED THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. A FEW SECONDS LATER, HEATED STYROFOAM BEGUN TO BE EJECTED FROM DRIVER'S SIDE AIR VENTS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10046115
50,000 miles · Oct 17, 2003
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE FRONT END COLLAPSED .AS A RESULT, DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10044215
55,000 miles · Oct 10, 2003
Air BagsCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER HITTING A PHONE POLE. SCARES WERE LEFT ON DRIVER'S FACE AS A RESULT OF THIS INCIDENT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10042749
Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
HI MY COMPLAINT IS THAT WHEN MY VEHICLE IS STARTED THERE IS A STRONG SCENT OF FUEL. THIS SMELL CONTINUES UNTIL THE VEHICLE WARMS UP THEN IT CEASES. I ALSO GET APPROXIMATELY 80 MILES LESS TO THE TANK ON GAS MILEAGE. I HAVE TALKED TO NUMEROUS PERSONS OF WHOM OWN JEEPS, 2000 OR NEWER AND THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. MOST OF THESE…
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HI MY COMPLAINT IS THAT WHEN MY VEHICLE IS STARTED THERE IS A STRONG SCENT OF FUEL. THIS SMELL CONTINUES UNTIL THE VEHICLE WARMS UP THEN IT CEASES. I ALSO GET APPROXIMATELY 80 MILES LESS TO THE TANK ON GAS MILEAGE. I HAVE TALKED TO NUMEROUS PERSONS OF WHOM OWN JEEPS, 2000 OR NEWER AND THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. MOST OF THESE WERE NOTICED WHILE STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY, SO THE PROBLEMS WERE SIMPLY FIXED. ESSENTIALLY THEY WERE GIVEN A NEW GAS TANK AND FUEL LINES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO PUT OUT THERE THAT THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL WHICH COULD LEAD TO A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS COMPLAINED OF THIS OR HAD ANY PROBLEMS OF THIS KIND. HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND. KEVIN CHAMPAIGNE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10039087
12,256 miles · Jun 27, 2003
Power Train
CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER FAILED AT 12K MILES. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10023865
23,950 miles · May 16, 2003
Seat BeltsInjury
SEAT BELTS DO NOT LOCK PROPERLY RESULTING IN INJURY TO MY TWO CHILDREN. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. HIT BRAKES HARD AND SEAT BELTS DO NOT RESTRAIN CHILDREN IN CHILD SEATS, CHILD SEATS ARE INSTALLED PROPERLY. I AM NOT COMFORTABLE WITH MY FAMILY IN THIS JEEP. HAVE HEARD MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER JEEP WRANGLER OWNERS ON THIS …
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SEAT BELTS DO NOT LOCK PROPERLY RESULTING IN INJURY TO MY TWO CHILDREN. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. HIT BRAKES HARD AND SEAT BELTS DO NOT RESTRAIN CHILDREN IN CHILD SEATS, CHILD SEATS ARE INSTALLED PROPERLY. I AM NOT COMFORTABLE WITH MY FAMILY IN THIS JEEP. HAVE HEARD MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER JEEP WRANGLER OWNERS ON THIS MATTER. *NLM
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 & remedy
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.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, WATER AND IMPURITIES CAN ENTER INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence & remedy
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THE OWNER'S MANUALS FOR THESE VEHICLES ARE MISSING INSTRUCTIONS THAT PROVIDE A STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE, INCLUDING DIAGRAMS, FOR PROPERLY ATTACHING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM'S TETHER STRAP TO THE TETHER ANCHORAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDENDUM TO THE OWNER'S MANUALS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗