The Lemon Index2002 Jeep Wrangler.
The 2002 Jeep Wrangler is better than average by owner complaints: 46 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 69, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 14 to 17 mpg combined. The best Jeep Wrangler year is 2015.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 108 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Jeep Wrangler year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 17K to 124K miles on the car (80 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- body structure complaints mostly came at 60K–147K miles
- suspension complaints mostly came at 44K–150K miles
Recalls 6
- lights 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- brakes 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- fuel system, gasoline 2006
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.
Show all 6 recalls
- equipment 2004
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.
- fuel system, gasoline 2002
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.
- electrical 2002
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, WATER AND IMPURITIES CAN ENTER INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Jeep told dealers about
Jeep sent dealers 43 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Automatic transmission fluid usage atf+4
- Part Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve - Valve Body - RWD Transmission Issue…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side — · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3800–4600 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
In manual transmission the fifth gear "dog leg" sticks when shifting from fifth to fouth and back to fifth and does not allow fifth gear to be chosen until you place the gearshift in the neutral position and then shift into fifth
2002 Jeep Wrangler owner · NHTSA complaint 10007736
More owner reports
The 5 speed transmission makes a rattling sound when idling in neutral. Nlm
NHTSA complaint 786458
While driving at 30 mph, the vehicle was involved in a head on collision and the airbags did not deploy.
NHTSA complaint 10042800
Quick answers
Is the 2002 Jeep Wrangler reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 69; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Jeep Wrangler year by this measure is 2015.
What are the most common 2002 Jeep Wrangler problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (24%), transmission & drivetrain (15%) and tires (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Jeep Wrangler have?
6 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Jeep Wrangler get?
14 to 17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Jeep Wrangler problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 17,500 and 124,800 miles. The middle report was at 60,500 miles, from 80 complaints.
Does the 2002 Jeep Wrangler have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 15% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2002 Jeep Wrangler cost in fuel a year?
About $3800 to $4600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Jeep Wrangler have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl.
What Jeep Wrangler year is better than the 2002?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2015, 2017 and 2011.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works