The 2002 Jeep Wrangler has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,210,322 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 139 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the structure. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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
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…
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, WATER AND IMPURITIES CAN ENTER INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT.
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.
Complaints by component
STRUCTURE:BODY
22
1crashes1fires1injuries
SUSPENSION
16
1crashes
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
10
9crashes10injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
8
1crashes
POWER TRAIN
7
STEERING
7
TIRES
5
2crashes3injuries
ENGINE
4
1fires
AIR BAGS
3
1crashes1fires1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3
Total complaints139
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“Frame rusting out”
“Frame rusting out”
“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.”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2002 Jeep Wrangler as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.