Is the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee a bad year?
1,475 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Grand Cherokee years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee are in line with other Grand Cherokee years. Air bags and seats stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2002 Grand Cherokee owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 125,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 485 (33%) | 94k–155k miles · around this mileage | — |
| SeatsSTANDS OUT | 91 (6%) | 71k–131k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 85 (6%) | 55k–155k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine | 67 (5%) | 72k–164k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fuel system | 57 (4%) | 72k–153k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Speed control | 38 (3%) | 54k–169k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 24 (2%) | 52k–131k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 19 (1%) | 50k–130k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 17 (1%) | 56k–146k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 326 (22%) | 52k–88k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 174 (12%) | 14k–44k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Engine and coolingSTANDS OUT | 95 (6%) | 50k–88k miles · mostly behind | Water pump replacement $400–$1,106 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 58 (4%) | 38k–92k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Steering | 41 (3%) | 25k–95k miles · mostly behind | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 125,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 1,475 complaints: 75 mention a crash · 20 mention a fire · 61 report an injury · 14 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Apr 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Large vibration in car was noted along with noises emanating from under the hood. I lifted the hood to find the radiator and shroud shaking violently and pieces of plastic was thrown from the fan at me!.
When I put my car in drive, there was a loud bang - sounded like the car was shot, so I pulled over. Coolant was leaking out and there were pieces of black plastic all over the ground.
My Jeep experienced the failure in the NHTSA campaign id 06V199000 prior to the recall. At the time, I contacted Chrysler to see if this was warranted part.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 125,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 16
Due to electrical noise beyond the tolerance of the air bag electronic control module (ECM), a component in the ECM may fail, causing the front air bags, side air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
A component in the air bag control module may fail causing the front airbags, side curtain airbags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated. Inadvertent deployment of the airbags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
The front seat electric heater elements could overheat. Overheating could potentially cause a fire or injury.
These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
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, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment. Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash.
On certain sport utility vehicles, the plastic blades of the electric motor driven cooling fan may separate and penetrate the shroud. If this occurs while the hood is open, a person in the vicinity of the engine could be struck by the blade and injured.
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, reflective devices, and associated equipment." Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
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. 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.
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. In the presence of an ignition source, a fuel leak could result in a fire.
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. This could result in a vehicle fire.
On certain sport utility vehicles, the passenger air bag wiring harness was improperly manufactured. This could cause improper air bag deployment in certain crash conditions.
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 leakage. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.
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. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
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. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Under certain conditions, the cluster, with the majority of its gauges, illumination, and warning lamps, could become inoperative. Driving the vehicle with an inoperative cluster could cause a distraction, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Jeep: 16
Repair instructions Jeep sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
Advanced Field Action Communication - M3511082012 Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) announced a safety recall on 2002 and 2003 model year…
New CSN Advanced Communication - N47062013 Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) announced a Customer Satisfaction Notification…
NHTSA defect investigations: 7
Jeep inadvertent air bag deployment
Crash Related Fuel Tank Fires
Crash Related Fuel Tank Fires
Fuel Storage System Crash Related Fires
Fan blade failure (Engine cooling fan)
Neighbouring years
2001 Grand Cherokee: 882 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2003 Grand Cherokee: 762 complaints, keep it.
Every Jeep Grand Cherokee year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Grand Cherokee years side by side
Other Jeep models: Jeep Cherokee · Jeep Commander · Jeep Compass · Jeep Gladiator · Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe · Jeep Grand Cherokee L · Jeep Grand Wagoneer · Jeep Laredo · Jeep Liberty · Jeep Patriot · Jeep Renegade · Jeep Wagoneer · Jeep Wrangler · Jeep Wrangler 4xe · Jeep Wrangler Sahara. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee a bad year?
1,475 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Grand Cherokee years. At 125,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: air bags (485), seats (91), electrical system (85), engine (67), fuel system (57).
How many recalls does the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
16 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 15V-046), Air bags (NHTSA 12V-527), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E025000), Seats (NHTSA 09V-117) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.