CarModelProblems.com

2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Air Bags — runs 3.7× the fleet median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
1,476Complaints
16Recalls
75Crashes
20Fires
97Injured
4Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Air Bags (31.6% of complaints) — is covered by 3 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Air Bags complaints here are 3.7× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.

4 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 2 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Air Bags467 · 31.6%RecalledRecall 15V046000 · Recall 12V527000 · Recall 02V099000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor95 · 6.4%RecalledRecall 06E022000
Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System95 · 6.4%No official action
Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:fan/motor81 · 5.5%No official action
Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan70 · 4.7%RecalledRecall 06V199000 · Recall 01V348000
Electrical System66 · 4.5%RecalledRecall 01V288000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS467 · 31.6%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM66 · 4.5%
SEATS65 · 4.4%
VISIBILITY57 · 3.9%
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS56 · 3.8%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL33 · 2.2%

Percentages are the share of the 1,476 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 16 campaigns

Air Bags:frontal

NHTSA campaign 15V046000 · 2015 · reported 01/28/2015

Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags

NHTSA campaign 12V527000 · 2012 · reported 11/08/2012

Inadvertent deployment of the airbags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler

NHTSA campaign 09V117000 · 2009 · reported 04/09/2009

OVERHEATING COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE OR INJURY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

NHTSA campaign 06E022000 · 2006 · reported 03/13/2006

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 06E023000 · 2006 · reported 03/13/2006

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 09E025000 · 2009 · reported 05/11/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 06E064000 · 2006 · reported 07/17/2006

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan

NHTSA campaign 06V199000 · 2006 · reported 06/08/2006

IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE HOOD IS OPEN, A PERSON IN THE VICINITY OF THE ENGINE COULD BE STRUCK BY THE BLADE AND INJURED. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

NHTSA campaign 06E011000 · 2006 · reported 02/01/2006

IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:injectors

NHTSA campaign 02V104000 · 2002 · reported 04/08/2002

THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal

NHTSA campaign 02V099000 · 2002 · reported 03/26/2002

THIS COULD CAUSE IMPROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery

NHTSA campaign 01V374000 · 2001 · reported 12/05/2001

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control

NHTSA campaign 01V348000 · 2001 · reported 11/13/2001

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash

NHTSA campaign 01V288000 · 2001 · reported 09/10/2001

DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH AN INOPERATIVE CLUSTER COULD CAUSE A DISTRACTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

NHTSA campaign 02V032000 · 2002 · reported 01/31/2002

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG HARNESS SHORT CIRCUITED. RELATED RECALL 02V099000, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN.”NHTSA complaint 10022074 — filed 06/03/2003 · AIR BAGS
“THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN 2 SEPARATE COLLISIONS, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY ON BOTH OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN 2 SEPARATE…”NHTSA complaint 10015090 — filed 04/03/2003 · AIR BAGS

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

25201214715220141951192016291620182242020132022712024112026

Frequently asked questions

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

Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 467 of 1,476 NHTSA complaints (31.6%), followed by service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor (95), visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system (95), visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:fan/motor (81). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?

1,476 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 75 involved a crash, 20 involved a fire, and 97 reported injuries. 4 deaths were reported.

Does the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee have any recalls?

Yes — 16 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 15V046000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee's reported problems?

4 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.