Problems · NHTSA complaints
2002 Jeep Wrangler problems
Owners filed 108 complaints about the 2002 Jeep Wrangler with NHTSA between Feb 2002 and Feb 2022. The most-cited component is structure (26).
Complaints
108
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
15
Reported by owners
Fires
5
Reported by owners
Injuries
17
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Structure26
- Suspension19
- Power train14
- Air bags13
- Steering10
- Electrical system7
- Tires6
- Seat belts5
- Vehicle speed control4
- Engine4
- Engine and engine cooling4
- Service brakes3
- Fuel system, gasoline3
- Service brakes, hydraulic3
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
7
23
10
6
6
3
1
2
1
3
5
5
11
4
2
4
3
9
1
1
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 23 |
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Structure
26 reports1 crash1 fire
“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 wrangler TJ model has this problem. Lower and upper control arms need to be welded back because they rotted off.”
Suspension
19 reports2 crashes
“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 CAUSE OTHER'AND MYSELF EXTREME HARM OR DEATH. I WAS NOT INFORMED OF ANY PROBLEM WITH FRAME, AFTER PURCHASE THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO ZIEBART AND IT WOULD BE UNDERCOATED FOR FREE, THEY TRIED TO COVER UP WITH THE UNDERCOATING WHERE THE CONTROL ARM BRACKET BECAME DETACHED FROM THE FRAME ALONG WITH OTHER DEFECTS IN THE FRAME I WAS ONLY ABLE TO DRIVE THE JEEP FROM DEALERSHIP TO ZIEBARTS FOR THE UNDERCOATING AND THEN HAD TO HAVE TOWED TO MY HOUSE DUE TO THE STABILIZER LINK BREAKING BECAUSE OF THE CONTROL ARM BRACKET BREAKING AWAY FROM FRAME DUE TO RUST, . I'VE TRIED CALL THE DEALERSHIP MANY TIMES WITH NO REPLY. I AM THANKFUL THAT NO ONE WAS INJURED OR DEAD IF THIS WOULD'VE HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON HWY, THE PURCHASE PRICE WAS 6700.00 AND THEN ADDITIONAL 5 NEW TIRES 600.00 AND TWO LEAKING AND BENT RIMS AT 75.00 FOR A TOTAL OF 7375.00 ON A UNSAFE VEHICLE WHICH THE DEALERSHIP…”
Power train
14 reports
“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”
Air bags
13 reports10 crashes1 fire
“ALL IN ONE MINUTE BOTH THINGS HAPPENED WHILE ON THE WAY TO TAKE MY SON TO THE ER. MY HORN AND THEN AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID CLOCK SPRING. THEY REPLACED AT $300.00 THEN STILL NOT FIXED. THEY THEN SAID ITS MY AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE AT A COST OF $510.00. I AM GETTING UPSET AND BROKE. *JB”
Steering
10 reports
“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, STEERING STABILIZER, TIE RODS, GOTTEN WHEEL BALANCES MANY TIMES, REPLACED DRAG LINK AND ALL BUSHINGS. NOTHING HAS HELPED SO FAR.”
Electrical system
7 reports1 related recall
“S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM CONSTITUENT RE SHARING THE COPY OF A RESPONSE FROM GENERAL MOTORS (GM), REGARDING IGNITION SWITCHES. *SMD THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE IGNITION KEY VIBRATED OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONSUMER STATED ONCE HE REMOVED THE EXTRA KEYS FROM THE KEY RING, AND PUSHED THE KEY IN SEVERAL TIMES, WHEN HITTING POTHOLES, THE PROBLEM CEASED.*JB”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.