2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (426) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor (92) · Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System (91)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Jeep Grand Cherokee model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
907 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Air Bags:frontal 2015-01-28 · campaign 15V046000 · 752,644 vehicles
Defect: 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 manufactured November 1, 2001, to June 30, 2004. 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 pretensi
Risk: Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
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 safety recalls 12V527 and 13V040. All owners that have not had the recall repair performed under safety recalls 12V527 or 13V040 are strongly encouraged to have it performed and not wait for the final remedy to be deployed to the field. The recall began on December 29, 2015. Owners may contact Chrys
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/Control Module-Inactive 2012-11-08 · campaign 12V527000 · 744,822 vehicles
Defect: 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 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.
Risk: Inadvertent deployment of the airbags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
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 2013. The remedy for affected Liberty vehicles is expected to be available in April 2013. The remedy for affected Grand Cherokee vehicles is expected to be available later in the year. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753.
Service bulletins (98)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-08-15 · 9100645 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
verify reman part number availability. order the "r" part number for all orders: warranty, mopar, customer pay and service contract. order "68" part number for new unsold units only.
Power Train 2024-10-30 · 101232 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
plate - planetary
Electrical System:ignition:anti-Theft:immobilizer/Proximity:key/Sender 2020-07-22 · 9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
key, master if replacing the key/fobik on a wj, kj, tj, or pt cruiser, use the "ac" nic level part number. the "ab" nic level will not program to these platforms. for all other platforms, if the "ab" nic level will not program to the vehicle, use the "ac" nic level part and submit a part warranty.
Electrical System:ignition:anti-Theft:immobilizer/Proximity:key/Sender 2020-07-22 · 9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
key, master if replacing the key/fobik on a wj, kj, tj, or pt cruiser, use the "ac" nic level part number. the "ab" nic level will not program to these platforms. for all other platforms, if the "ab" nic level will not program to the vehicle, use the "ac" nic level part and submit a part warranty.
Structure 2020-04-30 · 23-015-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
disinfectant solution recommended for covid-19
Equipment 2020-04-22 · 08-049-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
charging system, battery diagnostic tools and warranty this information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.
Showing the 6 most recent of 98 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-04-17 · Fuel/Propulsion System“i just bought a 2002 jeep grand cherokee with the vin number listed above. i saw that there was a recall where the dealer had to put on trailer hitches on the vehicle as without it if rear ended the gas tank could explode. i understand this is a older vehicle but do they not service recalls anymore for something like that??? it could explode it h…”
2025-08-11 · Air Bags“i have been unable to get recall r06 completed. all the jeep dealers said that they are unable to get the needed parts. they are on a national recall list. this is a serious safety issue and needs to be addressed asap. they state that the orc module and other items needed to complete the recall cannot be obtained anywhere and the dealer's said that…”
2024-05-21 · Electrical System“i currently own 3 of the same vehicles myself, my husband and my son. each of the vehicles have been experiencing electrical issues. i have taken all of the vehicles at some point back to the mechanic for repairs for this issue. it was only a temporary fix. here are examples of some of the electrical issues. the blinkers and break lights may g…”
2023-10-02 · Air Bags · 137,849 mi“the contact owns a 2002 jeep grand cherokee. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v046000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. the vehicl…”
2023-06-23 · Suspension“taillight on back passenger side won't work, steering has been bad since i had, steering linkage and suspension failing, emergency brake doesn't work, cruise control won't work, oil pressure always reads high, airbag light stays on n seatbelt light stays on if i don't turn key on n let sit for an few seconds before starting jeep, gas pedal sticks ,…”
2023-02-07 · Air Bags · 206,000 mi“the contact owns a 2002 jeep grand cherokee. the contact stated while driving 40 mph, the front passenger’s side airbag inadvertently deployed without warning. the contact was able to drive the vehicle home. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not contacted. the failure mileage was 206,000.…”
2023-01-14 · Air Bags“while driving, airbags deployed on both the passager and driver's side. the car is available for inspection. the vehicle is with the dealership and awaiting repair. my safety was put at risk, the incident occurred while i was operating the vehicle. no other damage except to the vehicle itself, damaging my property. there were no notices, warnings …”
2023-01-08 · Air Bags“i have air bag module not working and dealer keeps say part back order for months now and can’t get repaired and can’t get jeep inspected till this is fixed brylea jeep,chrysler in rutland vermont is dealer working with for it …”
2022-05-17 · Engine · 205,000 mi“the contact owns a 2002 jeep grand cherokee. the contact stated that while the vehicle was turned off, there was an abnormal sound coming from the dashboard. additionally, while driving at various speeds, the speedometer failed to display the correct speed. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. the contact was informed o…”
2022-03-09 · Air Bags“i brought in my car in to roger williams chrysler in weatherford tx, 1102 washington dr, weatherford, tx 76086, for safety recall r06. the first appointment i dropped off the vehicle and received a rental, which was covered by fca under the recall. a couple of days pass as they order parts and perform the maintenance. i return to my vehicle once th…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.