2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee Problems, Recalls & Reliability
1,771 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee, alongside 16 recall campaigns and 7 defect investigations. It scores 52/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Airbags leads the reports, typically around 124,750 miles.
Below average
Where 2002 sits among all Grand Cherokee years
What owners report
“This recall has been open for sometime now is there a time frame that parts will come available. ???”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Grand Cherokee
“Blend door failure. No heat to window defroster/defogger. Unable to clear window to see out.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Grand Cherokee
“When the brakes were applied steering wheel vibrated, making it hard to steer straight. Brake pads and rotors were replaced. At 22,000 miles brake pads and rotors were replaced again.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Grand Cherokee
“While driving the engine will shut off without warning causing a loss of control of the vehicle. The vehicle has a new battery and all electrical functions of the vehicle work except the engine. Vehicle may restart after a period of time. This has happened at all speeds and driving conditions while…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Grand Cherokee
“Ignition switch sticks and hard to turn, also have shut off while driving. Starter keeps turning.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Grand Cherokee
“The seat bracket on the driver side is broken. I researched this and this is a widespread issue with companies actually manufacturing thicker aftermarket brackets due to the demand for the product.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Grand Cherokee
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 1,110 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 75,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 48,000 and 112,660 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (16)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured January 9, 2001, to March 28, 2003, 2002-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 13, 2001, to May 23 2003, and 2003-2004 Dodge Viper vehicles…
Fix: Chrysler dealers will replace the air bag control module and side impact sensors as required, free of charge. This recall remedy was applied during earlier recall campaigns of these vehicles under…
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2002 and 2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured January 9, 2001, through March 28, 2003, and 2002 through 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 13, 2001, through May 23, 2003. A component in the air…
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a supplemental jumper harness to the airbag control module, free of charge. Owners were notified of the recall by interim letter in January…
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY…
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 103,409 MY 2001-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE VEHICLES WITH HEATED SEATS AND WITH CHRYSLER RECALL NO. 06V-197 COMPLETED (03-04 MY) OR SEAT HEATER ELEMENTS SERVICE REPLACEMENT (01-02 MY). THE FRONT SEAT ELECTRIC HEATER ELEMENTS COULD OVERHEAT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT HEATER ELEMENTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY…
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108,…
Fix: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE PLASTIC BLADES OF THE ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVEN COOLING FAN MAY SEPARATE AND PENETRATE THE SHROUD.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRIC COOLING FAN MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
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,…
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…
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS,…
Fix: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
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…
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…
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.…
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS WAS IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED.
Fix: DEALERS WILL ADD A WIRING JUMPER TO THE EXISTING CIRCUITRY TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 29, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED…
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A FUEL TANK BRUSH GUARD FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THE ONBOARD REFUELING VAPOR RECOVERY (ORVR) CONTROL VALVE CAN BECOME DETACHED DURING A CRASH, ALLOWING FUEL…
Fix: DEALERS WILL EITHER REPLACE THE FUEL TANK BRUSH GUARD WITH A SKID PLATE OR REINFORCE THE EXISTING FUEL TANK BRUSH GUARD WITH A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN MARCH 4, 2002.…
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE FUEL INLET CHECK VALVE COULD STICK IN THE PARTIALLY OPEN POSITION. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE FUEL TO SPILL OUT OF THE FILLER TUBE DURING REFUELING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL INLET CHECK VALVE. VEHICLES FOUND TO HAVE A STICKING FUEL INLET CHECK VALVE WILL HAVE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 24, 2001.…
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE ONBOARD VAPOR RECOVERY SYSTEM VENT HOSE MAY HAVE BEEN MISROUTED. THIS COULD ALLOW WATER TO ENTER THE CANISTER WHICH CAN CAUSE FUEL TO SPILL OUT OF THE FILLER TUBE WHEN REFUELING THE TANK.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT (AND REPOSITION AS NECESSARY) THE VENT HOSE. IF THE VENT HOSE IS FOUND IN THE BENT DOWN POSITION, AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN MORE THAN 20 MILES, THE CANISTER ASSEMBLY WILL…
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED FOR A SOFTWARE ERROR IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MICROPROCESSOR. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE CLUSTER, WITH THE MAJORITY OF ITS GAUGES, ILLUMINATION, AND WARNING LAMPS, COULD BECOME…
Fix: DEALERS WILL RE-FLASH THE CLUSTER SOFTWARE TO CORRECT THE CONDITION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 8, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE…
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 15V043000.
Led to recall campaign 13V252000.
Led to recall campaign 06V199000.
Led to recall campaign 06V199000.
Led to recall campaign 02V053000.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?
The 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee drew 1,771 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 52/100, scored against the model's worst year (2014).
What are the most common 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems?
The top reported problems for the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee are airbags (488 complaints), visibility & wipers (350), and brakes & stability (212).
At what mileage do 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems show up?
Owners most often report 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems around 75,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 48,000 and 112,660 miles.
Does the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee have recalls?
16 recall campaigns apply to the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.