IllustrationRIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE RUSTED ALONG FRAME RAIL CAUSING LINE TO SPLIT AT WHICH TIME BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT AS WELL AS BOTH REAR BRAKE OPERATION FAILED COMPLETELY. *TR
2002 Jeep Wrangler
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Fewer warning signs than most model years
Owner complaints for the 2002 Jeep Wrangler are lower than the model-year median of 265.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Wrangler years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
240–25K
1225–50K
950–75K
1075–100K
12100–150K
13150K+
80 reports with mileage · 28 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 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
15 crash reports5 fire reports13 injury reports
Service Brakes complaints
3 reportsWHILE DRIVING 65 MPH IN MY JEEP WRANGLER ON THE HIGHWAY I BRAKE AS USUAL AND NEXT THING I KNOW THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR. I HAD A TOTAL BRAKE LOSS FAILURE. I PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE PEDAL WOULD NOT REGAIN STOPPING POWER. I SWERVED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND ALMOST REAR ENDED A TRUCK.…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH IN MY JEEP WRANGLER ON THE HIGHWAY I BRAKE AS USUAL AND NEXT THING I KNOW THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR. I HAD A TOTAL BRAKE LOSS FAILURE. I PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE PEDAL WOULD NOT REGAIN STOPPING POWER. I SWERVED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND ALMOST REAR ENDED A TRUCK. I MANAGED TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN MY JEEP WRANGLER. NO INJURIES, NO PROPERTY DAMAGE...LUCKY ME. THE REASON FOR BRAKE PEDAL LOSS WAS DUE TO RUST WHICH ATE AT THE BRAKE LINE OVER TIME AND THEN FINALLY THE BRAKE LINE GAVE OUT. I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINES IN MY JEEP WRANGLER. VERY PRICEY REPAIR. WISH I WAS INFORMED OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE PROBLEM. THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE! *TR
CORROSION ON THE REAR BRAKE LINES CAUSED CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF BRAKES. THIS IS A TEN YEAR OLD VEHICLE THAT I BOUGHT FROM THE DEALER. FORTUNATELY, THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT. *TR
Official recalls
202V104000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:injectors
Apr 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 & 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.
02V075000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch
Mar 8, 2002
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.