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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Structure complaints

26 reports
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81,000 miles · Apr 7, 2014
Structure

I PURCHASED THE JEEP 6/04. I PURCHASED IT FOR TRANSPORTATION BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. IT WAS NEVER USED OFF ROAD. IT ONLY HAS APPROX 81000 MILES AND THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED FROM APPROX. THE BACK OF THE FRONT TIRES TO THE FRONT OF THE REAR TIRE. THERE MAY BE MORE BUT WE HAVE TO COMPLETELY STRIP DOWN VEHICLE TO ESTABLISH …

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I PURCHASED THE JEEP 6/04. I PURCHASED IT FOR TRANSPORTATION BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. IT WAS NEVER USED OFF ROAD. IT ONLY HAS APPROX 81000 MILES AND THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED FROM APPROX. THE BACK OF THE FRONT TIRES TO THE FRONT OF THE REAR TIRE. THERE MAY BE MORE BUT WE HAVE TO COMPLETELY STRIP DOWN VEHICLE TO ESTABLISH IF THERE IS MORE DAMAGE. ITS SO BAD THAT YOU CAN PUT A SCREW DRIVER THROUGH AND THROUGH THE FRAME AND THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TRAY IS DISCONNECTED FROM FRAME TO FRAME AND IS COMPLETELY HANGING. SCARE TO DRIVE IT. JEEP MAY FOLD CRUMBLE IN HALF. THIS I DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. IF I DIDN'T SEE ALL THE RUST ON THE DRIVEWAY I WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND GOD ONLY KNOW IF THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A FATALITY. WITH THE JEEP ONLY BEING 11 YEARS AT THE TIME OF THE OCCURRENCE. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN AND THERE IS NO WARRANTY ON THIS THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND. SO SAD WITH OUT MY JEEP!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10577937

60,000 miles · Jul 20, 2013
StructureSuspension

FRAME IS DANGEROUSLY RUSTED RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10525865

34,000 miles · Aug 24, 2004
Structure

FRONT/REAR FENDERS AND FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS ARE FADING BADLY. DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10088517

4,900 miles · Sep 4, 2003
Structure

WATER LEAKS INTO FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COMPARTMENT FROM AIR CONDITIONER DRAIN HOLE IN FIREWALL. WATER SOAKS FRONT CARPET, AND THE DRAIN PLUG IN FLOOR MUST BE REMOVED TO ALLOW WATER TO DRAIN OUT OF VEHICLE. APPEARS FOAM SURROUNDING DRAIN HAS FAILED ALLOWING THE WATER INTO THE VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10037196

10,121 miles · Aug 5, 2003
Structure

PAINT IS FLAKING OF ON FENDER, HOOD, DOOR, AND REAR DOOR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10030872

Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2002
Fuel System, GasolineStructure

AT START UP, VEHICLE SHAKES AND SOUNDS LIKE INJECTORS ARE MISSING, NOT TAKEN TO DEALER YET. *AK VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES, HOWEVER DEALERSHIP CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. VEHICLE BOGGS AND RUNS ROUGH/HESITATES WHEN COLD. REAR PORTION OF SOFT TOP LOCATED NEAR BOTTOM OF TAILGATE HAS GAP. REAR WEATHERSTRIP ADJUSTED. *TT

NHTSA ODI #8011477

Official recalls

2

02V104000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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