Jeep · Wrangler · 2002
2002 Jeep Wrangler
6
Recalls
108
Complaints
N/A
NCAP overall
The 2002 Jeep Wrangler has 6 recalls and 108 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most frequent stored component label: structure (15 reports).
Stored NHTSA configuration: 2002 Jeep Wrangler 2-DR. NCAP Vehicle ID: 4490
Ratings describe one stored NHTSA configuration, not every trim, body style or drivetrain for this model year. How this configuration is selected
If you're checking official NHTSA recalls for the 2002 Jeep Wrangler, this page gives you the recall list plus the complaint history that helps explain what owners were reporting around that model year.
Source: NHTSA Public Records
NHTSA source checks for this vehicle year
- Complaints
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Recalls
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Safety ratings
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Investigations
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Manufacturer communications
- Separate successful check not recorded.
Checks are recorded separately for each dataset, not for the whole page. Dates use UTC. A missing check date does not mean no records exist.
Vehicle import recorded: Apr 28, 2026. This is the stored import date, not confirmation that every source was successfully refreshed.
NHTSA Owner Complaint Summary
Most Reported Problems for the 2002 Jeep Wrangler
These are the largest leading-label component groups across 108 owner reports in the database. They describe complaint categories, not confirmed defect rates or mechanical diagnoses.
This group counts stored reports whose component label starts with one of this site's matching prefixes, ignoring case. Each matching report counts once within the group. Components mentioned later in the label or only in the narrative are not searched. How component counts work
Reported Area 1
Suspension
17
reports, 16% of all complaints
Reported Area 2
Body & Structure
16
reports, 15% of all complaints
Reported Area 3
Air Bags & Restraints
14
reports, 13% of all complaints
Reported Incident Signals
- Crash-flagged reports
- 15
- Fire-flagged reports
- 5
- Reports with injuries
- 13 (17 reported injuries)
- Reports with deaths
- 1 (1 reported deaths)
These fields are submitted with owner reports and do not establish that the vehicle caused an incident.
Year and Safety Context
Dated incidents in these records range from Dec 20, 2001 to Feb 28, 2022. Reports without an incident date are not included in this range.
This page also contains 6 NHTSA recalls and 0 linked investigations. A complaint category does not automatically mean that a recall or investigation covers the same issue.
Nearby tracked years: 2001 (170 complaints) and 2003 (102 complaints). Raw totals are not adjusted for sales volume, vehicle age, or time on the road.
Research Context
The 2002 Jeep Wrangler page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most frequent complete stored component label is structure with 15 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Compare the recall list with the complaint mix to see whether the most reported issues overlap with formal NHTSA safety campaigns.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2002 Jeep Wrangler currently shows 6 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 108 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows no overall NHTSA safety rating in our current dataset.
- The most frequent complete stored component labels on this page are structure (15), air bags (10), power train (9).
Recommended Reading For This Search
If this page matches the question you searched for, these guides usually make the next step clearer before you compare nearby years or decide what to check on a specific vehicle.
- Vehicle
- 2002 Jeep Wrangler
- Recalls
- 6
- Complaints
- 108
- Stored Configuration Overall Rating
- Not available in this dataset
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
Because this is an older vehicle year, official recalls and complaint patterns are usually more useful together than either signal alone.
NHTSA Configuration Test Results
Stored NHTSA configuration: 2002 Jeep Wrangler 2-DR. NCAP Vehicle ID: 4490
Ratings describe one stored NHTSA configuration, not every trim, body style or drivetrain for this model year. How this configuration is selected
No overall score is available in our current dataset. The individual results below are not a combined safety rating; compare vehicles within the same test program and model year.
Frontal Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Rollover Resistance
No rollover risk estimate available in this dataset
Safety Features
ESC: NoForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 06E026000March 23, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy Status
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
NHTSA ID: 06E022000March 13, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.
Remedy Status
AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.
NHTSA ID: 06E011000February 01, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET AIRTEX ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN 1997-2004 JEEP WRANGLER; 1997-2001 JEEP CHEROKEE; 1997-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE; AND 2000-2003 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES. THE PLASTIC ELECTRICAL GROMMET CONNECTORS AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUELS AND MAY DEGRADE CAUSING A POTENTIAL LEAK PATH FOR FUEL.
Remedy Status
AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRTEX CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-880-3056.
NHTSA ID: 04E041000June 07, 2004
EQUIPMENT
BESTOP AFTERMARKET REAR SHELL ROOF RACKS,MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 27 AND MAY 20, 2004, DESIGNED FOR USE WITH THE BESTOP HARDTOP MADE FOR THE 1986-1995 AND 1997-2003 JEEP WRANGLER. THE COCKPIT COVER MAY NOT STAY LATCHED TO THE ROOF RACK BECAUSE THE LATCH BRACKET MISPOSITIONS THE ROTARY LATCH TO THE COCKPIT COVER. AS A RESULT, THE COCKPIT COVER MAY NOT STAY LATCHED TO THE ROOF RACK AND COULD SEPARATE FROM THE ROOF RACK. THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REAR SHELL ROOF RACKS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER.
Remedy Status
BESTOP WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A REPAIR KIT AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 16, 2004. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BESTOP CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT (800) 845-3567.
NHTSA ID: 02V104000April 08, 2002
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS
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.
Remedy Status
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 ID: 02V075000March 08, 2002
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, WATER AND IMPURITIES CAN ENTER INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT.
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
108 totalSUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
Feb 28, 2022
Frame is rotted out. Vehicle is well maintained and it is upsetting. After spending good money for a reputable brand, the frame did not last. It is not drivable and is unsafe to be on the road. It is not safe to travel with my family. Everyone I know that has these years wrangle...
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STEERING,SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
Mar 19, 2021
PURCHASED A 2002 JEEP FROM TWIN RIVERS AUTO SALES, I DID NOT RECEIVE A VEHICLE DISCLOSURE REPORT AND IT WAS SOLD TO ME WITH A CONTROL ARM BRACKET THAT WAS DAMAGED WAS NOT ATTACHED TO THE FRAME WHICH MAKES DRIVING THE VEHICLE IMPOSSIBLE IT IS NOT ATTACHED TO FRAME WHICH COULD HAVE...
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SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN
Dec 19, 2019
FRAME RUSTING OUT
SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Dec 17, 2019
FOR A POPULAR ON AND OFF ROAD VEHICLE WHICH HAS A REPUTATION FOR STRENGTH AND DURABILITY, WHY WOULD THE FRAME, THE VERY FOUNDATION OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE, BE SO SUSCEPTIBLE TO RUSTING OUT AND MAKING SAID VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. NOT COOL , JEEP, NOT COOL.
SUSPENSION
Dec 1, 2019
FRAME IS ROTTEN. THIS HAS TOOK DRIVING IT SAFELY AWAY
SUSPENSION
Nov 8, 2019
COMPLETE FRAME IS RUSTED OUT AND CANNOT BE DROVE SAFELY.
SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CRASHJul 13, 2019
MY 2002 JEEP WRANGLER TJ X, FRAME RAILS ROTTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT ON BOTH THE SIDES AND REAR CURVE UP OF THE FRAME. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO REALIZE THAT IT WAS ROTTING BECAUSE IT ROTTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. WHILE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE FRAME LOOKS PERFECTLY FINE AND PAINT WAS STILL W...
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STRUCTURE
Jan 17, 2019
EXCESSIVE FRAME ROT DUE TO POOR DESIGN BY MANUFACTURER.
STEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS
Nov 1, 2018
DEATH WOBBLE EXPERIENCED DAILY SEVERAL TIMES A DAY. I HIT A BUMP OR UNEVEN PATCH OF ROAD AND DEATH WOBBLE BEGINS IT USUALLY STARTS AT 35- 40 MPH. I SOMETIMES HAVE TO SLOW ALL THE WAY TO 20 MPH TO MAKE IT STOP. I HAVE REPLACED U JOINTS, REAR DRIVE SHAFT, BALL JOINTS, TIRES, STEERI...
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SUSPENSION
Jun 3, 2018
FRAME IS RUSTING OUT BY THE REAR END
Showing 10 recent complaints from 108 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2002 Jeep models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Jeep Wrangler Years
2003 Jeep WranglerCompare this year against 2002 for complaint and recall shifts.4r102c2001 Jeep WranglerCompare this year against 2002 for complaint and recall shifts.7r170c2004 Jeep WranglerCompare this year against 2002 for complaint and recall shifts.3r192c2000 Jeep WranglerCompare this year against 2002 for complaint and recall shifts.5r270c2005 Jeep WranglerCompare this year against 2002 for complaint and recall shifts.2r649c2006 Jeep WranglerCompare this year against 2002 for complaint and recall shifts.3r730c
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 2002 Jeep Wrangler have any official NHTSA recalls?
Yes. This page lists the official NHTSA recall campaigns recorded for the 2002 Jeep Wrangler and adds complaint context for the same year. To check whether a specific Wrangler still has an unrepaired open recall, use the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How many recalls does the 2002 Jeep Wrangler have?
The 2002 Jeep Wrangler has 6 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2002 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has received 108 owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Jeep Wrangler.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2002 Jeep Wrangler?
An overall NHTSA safety rating is not available in our current dataset for the 2002 Jeep Wrangler. Individual crash-test results may still be available.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Jeep Wrangler?
The most frequent complete stored component labels for the 2002 Jeep Wrangler are structure (15 reports), air bags (10 reports), power train (9 reports). These are exact-label counts, not broader component-group totals or confirmed defects.
Does the 2002 Jeep Wrangler have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 6 recalls on record for the 2002 Jeep Wrangler. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.