2002 Jeep Wrangler Fuel System Problems
4 owner-reported fuel system complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Fuel System Recalls (2)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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.
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS
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.
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.
Owner Complaints (4)
I WAS DRIVING ON THE PALISADES PARKWAY GOING ABOUT 60 MPH AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK AND WOULD NOT RETURN TO IDLE. I WAS ABLE TP PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD AND SHUT VEHICLE OFF. WHEN VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED THE IDLE WAS OVER 4000 RPMS. I AM AN ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND ON INSPECTION FOUND THE THROTTLE BODY SEIZED OPEN. THROTTLE BODY WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY SERIOUS IF TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY OR AN INEXPERIENCED PERSON WAS BEHIND THE WHEEL. *TR
THE 2002 JEEP WRANGLER CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING ON I270 AROUND ST LOUIS AND BURNED TO THE GROUND. THE FIRE STARTED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. I HAVE BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES. COMPLETE PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE AFTER THE FIRE. R.A. BOTT, SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR FOR JEEP, CLAIMED NO MALFUNCTION BY JEEP. THIS WAS A FUEL LINE EXPLOSION IN THAT THE FUEL LINE ENDED UP WITH A PIN HOLE LEAK AND SPRAYED FUEL ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE WRANGLER CAUGHT FIRE AND BLEW UP MINUTES AFTER I GOT OFF THE ROAD. THANK YOU TO A VEHICLE THAT ALERTED ME TO THE FIRE COMING OUT THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE AS I WAS DRIVING. *JS
LAST NIGHT A FIRE TRUCK (HOOK AND LADDER) SHOWED UP IN MY DRIVEWAY. I WENT OUT TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON. AS I WALKED OUT THE DOOR I NOTICED THREE FIREMEN LOOKING UNDER AND AROUND MY 2002 JEEP WRANGLER. WHEN I ASKED WHAT WAS GOING ON THE FIREMEN INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF GAS REPORTED BY ON OF MY NEIGHBORS! TURN OUT THE SMELL WAS GASOLINE AND WAS INDEED ORIGINATING FROM MY 2002 JEEP WRANGLER. WE BROUGHT THE JEEP INTO THE SHOP AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE AND INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A SOLENOID PURGE VALUE ASSOCIATED WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM THAT WENT BAD AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE EXCESS FUEL IS DISCHARGED OUT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND THAT WAS WHAT WE WERE SMELLING. THE FAILURE OF THIS COMPONENT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO RUN RICH, FOUL SPARK PLUGS, REDUCE MILEAGE AND YES, THERE'S THE CONCERN OVER THE EXCESS FUEL, NOT TO MENTION THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" WAS ALSO NOW ON. THE JEEP HAS ~32K MILES AND IS NOW PAST 3 YEARS (3YR/36MILES) HOWEVER WE PURCHASED THE "EXTENDED WARRANTY" WHICH AS IT TURNS OUT DOES NOT COVER THIS FAILED COMPONENT. COST $180.00 TO US. MY CONCERNS: 1. FIRE HAZARD? THE SMELL WAS VERY STRONG! STRONG ENOUGH TO WARRANT A VISIT BY THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT! 2. FUEL ECONOMY....$2.15/GALLON FOR 87 OCTANE 3. ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS? THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT IS THE EXCESS FUEL IS ROUTED STRAIGHT OUT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM! DO I REALLY WANT TO GO OFF READING WITH THIS VEHICLE SPEWING EXCESS GASOLINE OUT THE EXHAUST AS I TAKE IN THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED? MY QUESTION: IS THIS COMPONENT FAILURE COMMON? IS THE FAILURE MODE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY? ARE THERE ANY CONCERNS TO MY WELL BEING IN THE EVENT WE HAVE A RECURRENCE? HAS ANYONE SEEN THIS BEFORE?
AT START UP, VEHICLE SHAKES AND SOUNDS LIKE INJECTORS ARE MISSING, NOT TAKEN TO DEALER YET. *AK VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES, HOWEVER DEALERSHIP CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. VEHICLE BOGGS AND RUNS ROUGH/HESITATES WHEN COLD. REAR PORTION OF SOFT TOP LOCATED NEAR BOTTOM OF TAILGATE HAS GAP. REAR WEATHERSTRIP ADJUSTED. *TT