NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 170 owner complaints for the 2001 Jeep Wrangler. Most complaints involve structure (38) and electrical system (37). The EPA rates it 15–17 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Wrangler model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 411 |
| 1998 | 265 |
| 1999 | 217 |
| 2000 | 270 |
| 2001 | 170 |
| 2002 | 108 |
| 2007 | 1,059 |
| 2008 | 1,255 |
| 2009 | 650 |
| 2010 | 686 |
| 2011 | 486 |
| 2012 | 835 |
| 2013 | 657 |
| 2014 | 658 |
| 2015 | 479 |
| 2016 | 462 |
| 2017 | 312 |
| 2018 | 1,827 |
| 2019 | 747 |
| 2020 | 618 |
| 2021 | 958 |
| 2022 | 412 |
| 2023 | 374 |
| 2024 | 970 |
| 2025 | 83 |
| 2026 | 0 |
“MY JEEP WAS MAKING GRINDING SOUNDS WHEN I SHIFTED GEARS. AT FIRST IT WAS JUST A QUICK GRIND (METAL AGAINST METAL). THEN IT GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AS THIS LAST WEEK WENT BY. IT BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND IT WOULD POP OUT OF GEAR UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD.LUCKILY I DIDN'T DRIVE IT MUCH. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID I WAS LUCKY- MY TRANSMISSION(?) WAS TILTED AND SITTING ON SOMETHING AND THAT WAS CAUSING THE NOISE (THE LUCK WAS THAT THE TRANSMISSION DIDN'T FALL ALL THE WAY DOWN). THE DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM FROM PRESTIGE HI-TECH IS "CHECK FOR NOISE/ GRINDING IN DRIVETRAIN. FRAME BADLY RUSTED OUT, CROSS MEMBER UNDER TRANSFER CASE, BOLTS PULLED OUT OF RUSTED FRAME." I WAS THEN TOLD IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. VISUALLY IT IS IN GREAT CONDITION WITHOUT RUST ON THE BODY. PRESTIGE SAID BOTH SIDES OF THE FRAME ARE RUSTED THROUGH BECAUSE OF POOR DESIGN. THERE WERE NO HOLES FOR TRAPPED WATER TO ESCAPE THROUGH.”
“There is a known problem with the electrical wiring to the climate control panel including the blower motor fan switch. The wiring attached to the assembly gets too hot and melts the blower motor fan switch. When this happens, you are unable to turn on any heat/ac/air speeds. You are not able to select any speed to turn on the air which means you can’t use it to defrost the windshield. This can lead to a poor visibility situation. I am the original owner of my 2001 TJ and I’ve had to have this problem fixed multiple times. There are several videos & discussions about this problem in Jeep forums. Chrysler should’ve recalled it years ago..”
“I HAVE A 2001 JEEP WRANGLER WITH ONLY 89,000 MILES. THE ENTIRE FRAME AND UNDERCARRIAGE IS RUSTED OUT AND THE TRANSFER CASE HAS FALLEN OFF. I'M UNABLE TO DRIVE IT IS SO UNSAFE!! I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT A VEHICLE ONLY 15 YEARS OLD WOULD BE IN THIS CONDITION!! I WILL BE GETTING AN ATTORNEY!! APPARENTLY THERE IS NOT PROPER HOLES FOR DRAINAGE IN THE FRAME AND IT HAS CAUSED THE WATER TO POOL AND RUST OUT THE FRAME. I STILL OWE $6000 ON THIS VEHICLE! I WILL NEVER BUY A JEEP AGAIN! I CALLED CHRYSLER AND BECAUSE IT'S SO FAR OUT OF WARRANTY AND NO RECALLS THEY ARE UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING FOR ME...UGH”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wrangler 4WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 19 | 17 | $3,650 | 523 |
| Wrangler 4WD Auto 3-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
| Wrangler 4WD Auto 3-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 16 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
| Wrangler 4WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
7 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 170 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (38), electrical system (37), power train (23). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2001 Jeep Wrangler at 15–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).