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
What owners actually said
108 reports
138,244 miles · Jun 14, 2014
StructureSuspension
PURCHASED A 2002 JEEP WRANGLER SAHARA WITH 4 MILES ON IT. ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN DONE ROUTINELY. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD AND WAS STRICTLY A DAILY DRIVER AVERAGING 12K MILES PER YEAR. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THE MECHANIC BROUGHT ME INTO THE GARAGE TO SHOW ME THE FRAME WAS ALM…
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PURCHASED A 2002 JEEP WRANGLER SAHARA WITH 4 MILES ON IT. ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN DONE ROUTINELY. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD AND WAS STRICTLY A DAILY DRIVER AVERAGING 12K MILES PER YEAR. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THE MECHANIC BROUGHT ME INTO THE GARAGE TO SHOW ME THE FRAME WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY ROTTED THROUGH NEAR THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE FRAME WHERE THE CROSS BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE TRANSMISSION IN PLACE HAS ALSO ROTTED. THE BOLTS IN THE BRACKET HAVE NOTHING TO HOLD ONTO BECAUSE THE FRAME HAS ROTTED THROUGH. THE MECHANIC STATED, "YOU ARE ONE POT HOLE AWAY FROM A MAJOR ACCIDENT". I BROUGHT IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO STATED "THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY RISK AND I WOULD NOT SUGGEST DRIVING IT." OTHER THAN THE FRAME ROTTING OUT, THE VEHICLE IS IN PERFECT WORKING ORDER WITH NORMAL WEAR. I CAN PROVIDE PHOTOS IF INTERESTED. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10598325
85,000 miles · Jun 12, 2014
Power TrainStructure
THE 2002 JEEP WRANGLER HAS APPROX. 85000 MILES ON IT. NEVER USED OFF ROAD - JUST TO AND FROM WORK. BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR WORK ON CLUTCH AND REPAIR SHOP STATES THAT THE VEHICLE FRAME IS ROTTED THROUGH AND NEED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE TRANSMISSION IS ABLE TO BE REMOVED. FRONT FENDERS HAVE RUSTED THROUGH IN SAME SPOT ON EACH SIDE…
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THE 2002 JEEP WRANGLER HAS APPROX. 85000 MILES ON IT. NEVER USED OFF ROAD - JUST TO AND FROM WORK. BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR WORK ON CLUTCH AND REPAIR SHOP STATES THAT THE VEHICLE FRAME IS ROTTED THROUGH AND NEED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE TRANSMISSION IS ABLE TO BE REMOVED. FRONT FENDERS HAVE RUSTED THROUGH IN SAME SPOT ON EACH SIDE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10597868
108,317 miles · May 21, 2014
Service Brakes
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.…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10592955
84,000 miles · May 13, 2014
Air Bags
AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING QUIT WORKING NO HORN NO AIRBAG THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10588012
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
165,000 miles · Apr 3, 2014
Engine
VEHICLE OIL PRESSURE DROPPED TO 0, CHECK GAUGES LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OVER TO PARK AND RIDE LOT AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF ASSUMING LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE. WAITED 15 MINUTES AND TRIED TO START IT AGAIN, WOULD NOT START. CHECKED OIL DIP STICK AND DISCOVERED ANTIFREEZE MIX, OPENED OIL CAP AND SAW COFFEE-COLORED MIX. DEALERSHIP I HAD I…
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VEHICLE OIL PRESSURE DROPPED TO 0, CHECK GAUGES LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OVER TO PARK AND RIDE LOT AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF ASSUMING LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE. WAITED 15 MINUTES AND TRIED TO START IT AGAIN, WOULD NOT START. CHECKED OIL DIP STICK AND DISCOVERED ANTIFREEZE MIX, OPENED OIL CAP AND SAW COFFEE-COLORED MIX. DEALERSHIP I HAD IT TOWED TO AT THE TIME STATED AT CYLINDERS 3 & 4 HAD CRACKED, WAS NOT OWNERS FAULT AS THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE WITH CYLINDERS HEADS WITH CASTING 0331. WOULD NOT REPAIR AS IT WAS NOT A MANUFACTURE RECALL. MEANWHILE VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE. I LOOKED UP THIS ISSUE AND IT I SEE OVER 500 RESPONSES FOR THE SAME VEHICLES 2000 YEAR AND UP WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10577017
6,500 miles · Dec 17, 2013
Power Train
GOING DOWN THE FREEWAY ABOUT 60MPH AROUND 5:30PM. FEEL SOME HUMMING FROM THE VEHICLE FOLLOW BY A LOUD HIGH PITCH. THEN HEARD A LOUD BAND AND PARTS STARTED TO FALL ON THE FREEWAY. THE CAR WAS STILL MOVING WITHOUT POWER AND LIGHT. I WAS ON THE THIRD LANE OF A FIVE LANE FREEWAY. CARS BEHIND ME SLOW DOWN AND ALLOW ME TO PULL TO …
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GOING DOWN THE FREEWAY ABOUT 60MPH AROUND 5:30PM. FEEL SOME HUMMING FROM THE VEHICLE FOLLOW BY A LOUD HIGH PITCH. THEN HEARD A LOUD BAND AND PARTS STARTED TO FALL ON THE FREEWAY. THE CAR WAS STILL MOVING WITHOUT POWER AND LIGHT. I WAS ON THE THIRD LANE OF A FIVE LANE FREEWAY. CARS BEHIND ME SLOW DOWN AND ALLOW ME TO PULL TO THE SIDE. I WAS STOP BETWEEN AN ENTRANCE AND THE FREEWAY. AFTER EXAM THE CAR WITH THE SHOP. THE TRANSFER CASE WAS BROKEN INTO PIECES. CALLED JEEP AND WAS TOLD TO TOLL THE CAR TO A DEALER. AFTER DEALER CONFIRMED THE TRANSFER CASE WAS BROKEN INTO PIECES WITH NO CLUE. JEEP REFUSED TO PAY BECAUSE WARRANTY WAS DUE ON 2004 EVEN KNOWING THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 6500 MILES ON IT. THIS JEEP WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE MOST OF THE PAST YEARS. AND EVERY TIME WHEN I CAME BACK FROM OVERSEA. OIL AND FILTER CHANGE WERE SERVICE ON THE CAR. I DON'T BELIEVE A 6500MILES TRANSFER CASE WILL JUST BLOW UP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10556452
13,000 miles · Nov 6, 2013
Power TrainSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V234000 (POWER TRAIN , STEERING). THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE; THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE ARE NO FAILURES AT THIS TIME. THE VIN WAS NOT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V234000 (POWER TRAIN , STEERING). THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE; THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE ARE NO FAILURES AT THIS TIME. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000.
NHTSA ODI #10551152
165,280 miles · Sep 20, 2013
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
I WAS DRIVING ON THE PALISADES PARKWAY GOING ABOUT 60 MPH AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK AND WOULD NOT RETURN TO IDLE. I WAS ABLE TP PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD AND SHUT VEHICLE OFF. WHEN VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED THE IDLE WAS OVER 4000 RPMS. I AM AN ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND ON INSPECTION FOUND THE THROTTLE BODY SEIZED OPEN. THROTTLE BO…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE PALISADES PARKWAY GOING ABOUT 60 MPH AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK AND WOULD NOT RETURN TO IDLE. I WAS ABLE TP PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD AND SHUT VEHICLE OFF. WHEN VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED THE IDLE WAS OVER 4000 RPMS. I AM AN ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND ON INSPECTION FOUND THE THROTTLE BODY SEIZED OPEN. THROTTLE BODY WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY SERIOUS IF TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY OR AN INEXPERIENCED PERSON WAS BEHIND THE WHEEL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10544565
74,900 miles · Jul 29, 2013
Steering
VIOLENT SHAKING (WITHOUT WARNING) IN THE FRONT END OF MY JEEP WRANGLER ON A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. JARRING AND TERRIFYING, I HAD TO SLOW DOWN, GET OVER AND GET TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. CHRYSLER HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAS WRITTEN A TECHNICAL SERVICE ADVISORY 19-002-12 AUGUST 2012…
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VIOLENT SHAKING (WITHOUT WARNING) IN THE FRONT END OF MY JEEP WRANGLER ON A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. JARRING AND TERRIFYING, I HAD TO SLOW DOWN, GET OVER AND GET TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. CHRYSLER HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAS WRITTEN A TECHNICAL SERVICE ADVISORY 19-002-12 AUGUST 2012 BUT TO DATE AUGUST 2013 REFUSES TO RECALL AND CORRECT THIS ISSUE. I HAVE A STOCK JEEP (I.E. NO LIFT KITS, WHEELS, SUSPENSION COMPONENTS OR TIRES) THAT WOULD WEAR ON THE STEERING COMPONENTS AND I TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY WRANGLER. BE AWARE AND BE PREPARED - I WAS LUCKY, I GOT AN ELEVATED HEART RATE, SWEATY PALMS AND I HAD TO DRIVE SLOWLY TO A FRIEND'S HOUSE. THIS "STEERING SYSTEM" CONDITION HAS CAUSED ACCIDENTS AND ROLL OVERS PER OTHER REPORTS. *TR
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗