"How reliable is the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee?"

"Based on 1770 NHTSA complaints, the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee has a median complaint mileage of 74000 miles. The most common issue is Air Bags."

"What are common problems with the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee?"

"The most frequently reported component in NHTSA complaints for the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee is Air Bags, accounting for a significant portion of the 1770 total complaints filed."

2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 1770 complaints

1770

Total Complaints

74,000mi

Median Mileage

Air Bags

Top Issue

Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

45,850 25th Percentile

74,000 Median Mileage

112,600 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

Air Bags

467

Rotor

Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System

Fan/Motor

Fan

Electrical System

Seats

Visibility

Power Window Devices And Controls

Vehicle Speed Control

Severity Assessment

Crashes

Fires

131

Injuries

Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL STATES MINIMUM WHEEL/TIRE SIZE 17 INCHES. VEHICLE DELIVERED EQUIPPED WITH 16 INCH WHEELS AND TIRES. *AK"

"VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY IN FRONT OF HOUSE. IGNITION WAS OFF. NOBODY WAS IN CAR AT TIME OF INCIDENT. TRANSMISSION SHIFTED FROM 'PARK' TO 'REVERSE' AND VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD IN DRIVEWAY, JUMPED CURB AND RETAINING WALL, CROSSED STREET, ROLLED DOWN HILL, HIT TREE, ROLLED THROUGH FENCE AND CONTIN..."

"I AM CONCERNED THAT JEEP HAS UNDER ENGINEERED THE BRAKE SYSTEM FOR THIS MODEL OF CAR. I HAVE THREE COLLEAGUES IN MY OFFICE WHO HAVE THE SAME MODEL AND ALL OF THEM HAVE HAD TO HAVE ROTORS RE-SURFACED OR REPLACED MORE THAN ONCE. THEY WARP REPEATEDLY. I HAVE READ CONSUMER GROUPS FORUMS ON THE INTERN..."

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

When Were Complaints Filed?

Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.

When Does Each Component Fail?

Median mileage at complaint for top components.

Air Bags 467 complaints

25th: 97,500 mi Median: 130,000 mi 75th: 155,979 mi

Rotor 95 complaints

25th: 13,000 mi Median: 16,000 mi 75th: 26,000 mi

Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System 95 complaints

25th: 54,000 mi Median: 69,500 mi 75th: 87,500 mi

Fan/Motor 81 complaints

25th: 50,000 mi Median: 64,500 mi 75th: 82,518 mi

Fan 70 complaints

25th: 51,000 mi Median: 65,271 mi 75th: 83,596 mi

Where Are Complaints Coming From?

Top states by complaint count.

FL: 136 NY: 133 CA: 119 TX: 93 NJ: 85 PA: 82 VA: 77 IL: 65 GA: 63 NC: 57

Who Files Complaints?

23.3%

Original Owners

76.7%

Second+ Owners

Jeep Grand Cherokee — Other Years

See how this model compares across different model years.

Year	Complaints	Median Mileage	Top Issue	Crashes
1993	784	129,000	Rotor	68
1994	775	146,000	Vehicle Speed Control	142
1995	983	115,461	Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch	146
1996	1249	139,000	Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch	156
1997	1432	120,000	Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch	143
1998	1349	105,000	Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch	194
1999	2319	80,800	Rotor	157
2000	1855	85,000	Rotor	132
2001	1128	69,000	Rotor	95
2003	887	71,000	Air Bags	60
2004	1570	64,000	Air Bags	149
2005	2732	80,000	Electrical System	137
2006	1750	81,000	Electrical System	79
2007	1475	70,000	Electrical System	47
2008	990	76,200	Electrical System	35
2009	195	62,360	Electrical System	9
2010	171	70,000	Electrical System	18
2011	2421	64,000	Electrical System	90
2012	2308	65,000	Electrical System	72
2013	1102	66,000	Electrical System	41
2014	3365	46,865	Power Train	224
2015	1725	40,000	Power Train	179
2016	434	32,537	Power Train	45
2017	552	33,000	Engine	38
2018	1160	19,000	Electrical System	75
2019	516	31,000	Electrical System	25
2020	329	7,100	Electrical System	39
2021	643	17,500	Electrical System	34
2022	415	26,000	Electrical System	12
2023	617	13,266	Electrical System	26
2024	355	12,000	Electrical System	9
2025	87	-	Electrical System	3

Active Recalls (16)

Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.

Frontal

Campaign 15V046000 | 28/01/2015

Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.

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 safety recalls 12V527 and 13V040. All owners that have not had the recall repair performed under safe

Air Bags

Campaign 12V527000 | 08/11/2012

Inadvertent deployment of the airbags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.

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 2013. The remedy for affected Liberty vehicles is expected to be available in April 2013. The remedy fo

Seat Heater/Cooler

Campaign 09V117000 | 09/04/2009

OVERHEATING COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE OR INJURY.

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Campaign 06E022000 | 13/03/2006

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.

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.

Exterior Lighting

Campaign 09E012000 | 07/04/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Headlights

Campaign 06E023000 | 13/03/2006

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Headlights

Campaign 09E025000 | 11/05/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Exterior Lighting

Campaign 06E064000 | 17/07/2006

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Fan

Campaign 06V199000 | 08/06/2006

IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE HOOD IS OPEN, A PERSON IN THE VICINITY OF THE ENGINE COULD BE STRUCK BY THE BLADE AND INJURED.

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.

Fuel Pump

Campaign 06E011000 | 01/02/2006

IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

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.

Injectors

Campaign 02V104000 | 08/04/2002

THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

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

Frontal

Campaign 02V099000 | 26/03/2002

THIS COULD CAUSE IMPROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS.

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 UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERC

Delivery

Campaign 01V374000 | 05/12/2001

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

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. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIV

Emission Control

Campaign 01V348000 | 13/11/2001

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

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 BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 3, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHOR

Interior/Under Dash

Campaign 01V288000 | 10/09/2001

DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH AN INOPERATIVE CLUSTER COULD CAUSE A DISTRACTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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 AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-8

Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Campaign 02V032000 | 31/01/2002

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

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. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECE

Airbag Safety

Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.

Check for open airbag recalls at NHTSA.gov using your VIN
Never ignore the airbag warning light — get it diagnosed immediately
Don't install aftermarket steering wheel covers that block the airbag
Keep the area around airbag deployment zones clear of accessories

Compare Jeep Grand Cherokee

vs Ford Explorer →

Vehicle Rankings

Most complained Worst transmissions Worst engines Worst brakes Most crashes Compare vehicles

Looking for a replacement?

Based on the data above, here are relevant options.

2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee parts on Amazon

→

Affiliate link

Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28