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SuspensionPart report

2002 Jeep Wrangler Suspension Problems

Complaints
19about this part
Share
18%of 108 total for the year
Median mileage
131,622miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the suspension of the 2002 Jeep Wrangler, 18% of the 108 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 131,622 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

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

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11404830, filed 2021-03, 148,868 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11152658, filed 2018-11, 125,000 miles

“My 2002 Jeep Wrangler tj x, frame rails rotted from the inside out on both the sides and rear curve up of the frame. It was difficult to realize that it was rotting because it rotted from the inside out. While on the outside of the frame looks perfectly fine and paint was still well coated, it was rotting from the inside. The problem did not disclose itself until the bracket got the spring are the axle attaches to the frame broke off when the rot from the inside made it all the way through. When it broke off, it caused my vehicle to crash. …”

NHTSA complaint #11242713, filed 2019-08, 123,000 miles

“I know the Jeep is a 2002, but this rusting, to be this bad, had to have started awhile ago. I went to have two new tires installed and was told by the shop that they could not jack or lift the vehicle due to the rust. This is part of the frame, god forbid if it would have failed. It is so rusted that I can put my finger through the frame in spots. I do not use the Jeep for off road activities nor park it in the ocean. I also wash the road salt off during the winter. I have included pictures of the rusted pass side and the not too rusted driver side. This is just an around town vehicle. …”

NHTSA complaint #11029924, filed 2017-09, 146,839 miles

“Purchased a 2002 Jeep Wrangler sahara with 4 miles on it. All required maintenance has been done routinely. This vehicle has never been off road and was strictly a daily driver averaging 12k miles per year. I took the vehicle to the shop for an oil change and the mechanic brought me into the garage to show me the frame was almost completely rotted through near the front suspension. The frame where the cross bracket that holds the transmission in place has also rotted. The bolts in the bracket have nothing to hold onto because the frame has rotted through. …”

NHTSA complaint #10598325, filed 2014-06, 138,244 miles

Suspension: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2024132%
20233810%
20225914%
202118119%
2020518%
201913318%
201834319%
201783%
201682%
2015174%
2014152%
2013203%
2012202%
2011398%
2010426%
20096317%
200810812%
200710018%
20067210%
2005518%
20045931%
20031818%
20021918%
20012112%
20002510%
199952%
19982610%
1997277%
199573%
199421%
199333%
199211%
199123%
199034%

Other parts of the 2002 Jeep Wrangler

Body and structure
26 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
Engine cooling
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 30, 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