Skip to content
Engine coolingPart report

2002 Jeep Wrangler Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
4%of 108 total for the year
Median mileage
105,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 Jeep Wrangler, 4% of the 108 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 105,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“While exiting the offramp from a highway, I downshifted my Jeep Wrangler. The clutch went on me, and I proceeded to pull off the highway. Before I could stop the vehicle, an extremely quick fire erupted from under the engine, and spread to the cab, completely placing myself and girlfriend in a life or death situation. Within minutes, the entire Jeep was engulfed in flames, with us barely escaping. Have had no cooperation from the dealer, or chrysler. The vehicle was in perfect running condition, which leads me to believe that there was a mechanical error. …”

NHTSA complaint #10244884, filed 2008-10, 140 miles

“March 2009: while driving at 55mph, hear a rattle noise, then the shift on the floor shakes violently. Pull over, cannot find anything wrong, travel home less than 50 MPH, fine. Few more times, on the highway, car does it again. Put in fuel injector cleaner, change oil, clean all around battery. Does not do it for a week or two then does it again. Told to replace camshaft sensor & crankshaft sensor. Did and ran fine no issues for two weeks. 4/13/09 after sitting at a red traffic light, proceeded to turn right, engine died. …”

NHTSA complaint #10273183, filed 2009-06, 105,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202511%
202321%
202220%
202140%
202061%
201951%
201840%
201710%
201661%
201541%
201491%
201341%
201271%
201161%
2010152%
200951%
2008111%
2007285%
2006203%
2005223%
200495%
200366%
200244%
20012112%
2000156%
19995023%
19985320%
199710927%
19953216%
19942517%
19931817%
199279%
19911216%
199079%
19891016%
1988714%
1987513%

Other parts of the 2002 Jeep Wrangler

Body and structure
26 complaints
Suspension
19 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
14 complaints
Air bags
13 complaints
Steering
10 complaints
Other or unknown
8 complaints
Brakes
7 complaints
Electrical system
7 complaints
Tires
6 complaints
Seat belts
5 complaints
Engine
4 complaints
Fuel system
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 Jeep Wrangler

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology