Model year record

2001 Jeep Wrangler recalls & problems

The 2001 Jeep Wrangler has 7 safety recalls and 170 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is structure (39 complaints).

Recalls7safety recalls

Complaints170filed by owners

Crashes · fires17 · 16reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths19 · 0reported in complaints

2001 Jeep Wrangler in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E02600061,944 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Service brakes, hydraulicMar 13, 2006

Service brakes, hydraulic

Recall 06E0220007,440 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.
Risk: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.

Fuel system, gasolineFeb 1, 2006

Delivery › Fuel pump

Recall 06E0110007,291 vehicles

Problem: 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. THE PLASTIC ELECTRICAL GROMMET CONNECTORS AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUELS AND MAY DEGRADE CAUSING A POTENTIAL LEAK PATH FOR FUEL.
Risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRTEX CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-880-3056.

EquipmentJun 7, 2004

Equipment

Recall 04E04100080 vehicles

Problem: 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. THE COCKPIT COVER MAY NOT STAY LATCHED TO THE ROOF RACK BECAUSE THE LATCH BRACKET MISPOSITIONS THE ROTARY LATCH TO THE COCKPIT COVER. AS A RESULT, THE COCKPIT COVER MAY NOT STAY LATCHED TO THE ROOF RACK AND COULD SEPARATE FROM THE ROOF RACK. THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REAR SHELL ROOF RACKS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER.
Risk: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE COCKPIT COULD CAUSE INJURY BY STRIKING PERSONS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE OR COULD BECOME A DISTRACTION OR AN OBSTACLE TO OTHER DRIVERS, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: BESTOP WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A REPAIR KIT AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 16, 2004. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BESTOP CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT (800) 845-3567.

Fuel system, gasolineApr 8, 2002

Fuel injection system › Injectors

Recall 02V1040001,115,322 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: 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 WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Electrical systemMar 8, 2002

Ignition › Switch

Recall 02V07500095,000 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, WATER AND IMPURITIES CAN ENTER INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: 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.

Child seatNov 9, 2000

Child seat

Recall 00V3660001,211,756 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THE OWNER'S MANUALS FOR THESE VEHICLES ARE MISSING INSTRUCTIONS THAT PROVIDE A STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE, INCLUDING DIAGRAMS, FOR PROPERLY ATTACHING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM'S TETHER STRAP TO THE TETHER ANCHORAGE.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.
Fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDENDUM TO THE OWNER'S MANUALS.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2001 Jeep Wrangler 2-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Wrangler 4WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Wrangler 4WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

Wrangler 4WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

Wrangler 4WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
StructureBody; Frame and members	39	3	1	4	97,000 mi
Electrical systemIgnition › Switch; Wiring › Front underhood	37	0	13	1	105,000 mi
Power trainManual transmission; Clutch assembly	25	2	0	0	90,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	24	0	4	0	79,898 mi
SuspensionFront › Shock absorber; Multiple axle	21	2	0	3	120,000 mi
Air bagsFrontal	20	11	0	10	55,000 mi
VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system; Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Fan/motor	13	0	0	1	45,000 mi
Unknown or other	12	1	1	3	116,000 mi
SteeringHydraulic power assist system; Gear box (other than rack and pinion)	10	2	0	3	55,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Drum; Foundation components	6	2	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Carburetor system	6	0	0	0	—
EquipmentOther › Labels; Appliance › Air conditioner	5	0	0	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Air bags
The airbag clock spring has failed causing an airbag light and shut down of airbag system. The part, Airbag clock spring with speed control has been discontinued by Jeep and nobody makes the 2001-2002 clock springs aftermarket.
Apr 21, 2024
Electrical system
There is a known problem with the electrical wiring to the climate control panel including the blower motor fan switch. The wiring attached to the assembly gets too hot and melts the blower motor fan switch. When this happens, you are unable to turn on any heat/ac/air speeds. You are not able to select any speed to turn on the air which means you canât use it to defrost the windshield. This can lead to a poor visibility situation. I am the original owner of my 2001 TJ and Iâve had to have this problem fixed multiple times. There are several videos & discussions about this problem in Jeep forums. Chrysler shouldâve recalled it years ago..
Nov 30, 2021
Structure › Body
MY JEEP WAS MAKING GRINDING SOUNDS WHEN I SHIFTED GEARS. AT FIRST IT WAS JUST A QUICK GRIND (METAL AGAINST METAL). THEN IT GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AS THIS LAST WEEK WENT BY. IT BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND IT WOULD POP OUT OF GEAR UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD.LUCKILY I DIDN'T DRIVE IT MUCH. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID I WAS LUCKY- MY TRANSMISSION(?) WAS TILTED AND SITTING ON SOMETHING AND THAT WAS CAUSING THE NOISE (THE LUCK WAS THAT THE TRANSMISSION DIDN'T FALL ALL THE WAY DOWN). THE DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM FROM PRESTIGE HI-TECH IS "CHECK FOR NOISE/ GRINDING IN DRIVETRAIN. FRAME BADLY RUSTED OUT, CROSS MEMBER UNDER TRANSFER CASE, BOLTS PULLED OUT…
Sep 25, 2019
Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JACKSONVILLE CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM ARLINGTON (9600 ATLANTIC BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32225) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, YEARS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,468.
Jan 15, 2013 · 56,468 miles
Unknown or other
FRAME ROTTED BY TRAIL ARMS AND CENTER BY SKID PLATE WHY DID CHRYSLER NEVER RECALL THESE FAULTY FRAMES?
Dec 4, 2018 · 198,000 miles
Unknown or other
FRAME BEGAN ROTTING OUT AT ROUGHLY 100,000 MILES. I DISCOVERED THIS WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ON MY COMMUTE HOME FROM WORK. WHILE ACCELERATING I FELT A SUDDEN POWER LOSS. THIS WENT ON FOR ANOTHER ROUNDTRIP THE FOLLOWING DAY. UPON RETURNING HOME THE FOLLOWING DAY I SAW SOMETHING HANGING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. IT WAS THE SKID PLATE, HANGING BY THE PASSENGER'S SIDE BOLTS, SUPPORTING THE ENTIRE WEIGHT OF THE DRIVETRAIN. THE DRIVESHAFT BEING AT THAT UNNATURAL ANGLE IS WHAT CAUSED THE LOSS OF POWER. TO THINK THAT I HAD DRIVEN 100 MILES THAT WAY WAS SLIGHTLY UNSETTLING. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD THE FRAME WELDED, WHICH RAN $1,200. I HAVE SINCE HAD THE REAR RAILS (BEHIND REAR WHEELS)…
Mar 15, 2010 · 100,000 miles
Unknown or otherFire
SPONTANEOUS VEHICLE FIRE WHILE PARKED FOR TWO WEEKS
Sep 13, 2018 · 108,000 miles
Structure › Frame and members › Underbody shields
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 JEEP WRANGLER. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE'S FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME WAS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
Jun 25, 2018 · 107,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.