Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2002 Jeep Wrangler
NHTSA data on file today
The 2002 Jeep Wrangler has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 108 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #06E026000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E022000 BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDER NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E011000 AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS/LEAKS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04E041000 BESTOP/REAR SHELL ROOF RACK NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #02V104000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/DEBRIS IN MANIFOLD NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #02V075000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/IGNITION SWITCH NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Structure 26 complaints
- Suspension 19 complaints
- Power Train 14 complaints
- Air Bags 13 complaints
- Steering 10 complaints
- Unknown or Other 8 complaints
Of the 108 complaints on file, 15 report a crash and 5 a fire; across all 108 complaints, owners report 17 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,500–$9,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2002 Jeep Wrangler has a mix of aftermarket-related recall issues and moderate complaint levels for its age. Common issues involve the structure, suspension, and power train. While not leading in severe problems, potential buyers should be cautious about older components.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| structure | 80,000–120,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | very common |
| suspension | 70,000–100,000 miles | $300–$1,000 | common |
| power train | 90,000–130,000 miles | $800–$2,000 | common |
| brake system | 60,000–100,000 miles | $250–$800 | occasional |
| electrical system | 80,000–120,000 miles | $300–$700 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change every 5,000 miles
- Replace air filter every 20,000 miles
- Inspect brakes every 15,000 miles
- Coolant flush every 30,000 miles
- Transmission fluid change every 60,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Clunking noises from suspension
- Delayed shifting in transmission
- Rust or damage to frame
- Brake pedal sponginess
- Intermittent electrical failures
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2002 Jeep Wrangler at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.