2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls and problems

The 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 10 safety recalls and 1,476 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Jeep dealer.

Recalls
10
Complaints
1,476
Crashes / fires
75 / 20
Injuries / deaths
97 / 4

Recalls may cover only some 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls

Recall 15V-046: Air Bags

Reported Jan 28, 2015 · 752,644 vehicles affected · Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

Problem: 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 pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.

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 Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R06.

Recall 12V-527: Air Bags

Reported Nov 8, 2012 · 744,822 vehicles affected · CHRYSLER GROUP LLC

Problem: 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.

Recall 09V-117: Seats

Reported Apr 9, 2009 · 103,409 vehicles affected · CHRYSLER LLC

Problem: 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.

Risk: Overheating could potentially cause a fire or injury.

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.

Recall 06V-199: Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Jun 8, 2006 · 189,479 vehicles affected · DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles, the plastic blades of the electric motor driven cooling fan may separate and penetrate the shroud.

Risk: If this occurs while the hood is open, a person in the vicinity of the engine could be struck by the blade and injured.

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.

Recall 02V-104: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Apr 8, 2002 · 1,115,322 vehicles affected · DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

Problem: 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.

Risk: This could result in a vehicle fire.

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. 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 1-800-853-1403.

Recall 02V-099: Air Bags

Reported Mar 26, 2002 · 27 vehicles affected · DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles, the passenger air bag wiring harness was improperly manufactured.

Risk: This could cause improper air bag deployment in certain crash conditions.

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 upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Recall 02V-032: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Jan 31, 2002 · 71,677 vehicles affected · DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

Problem: 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.

Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.

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. 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 1-800-853-1403.

Recall 01V-374: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Dec 5, 2001 · 50,200 vehicles affected · DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

Problem: 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.

Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.

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. 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 1-800-853-1403.

Recall 01V-348: Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Nov 13, 2001 · 38,700 vehicles affected · DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

Problem: 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.

Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.

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 be replaced. Owner notification began december 3, 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 1-800-853-1403.

Recall 01V-288: Electrical System

Reported Sep 10, 2001 · 43,000 vehicles affected · DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

Problem: 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 inoperative.

Risk: Driving the vehicle with an inoperative cluster could cause a distraction, increasing the risk of a crash.

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 and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Air Bags488
Visibility345
Service Brakes, Hydraulic185
Engine and Engine Cooling152
Seats91
Electrical System88
Power Train60
Steering41
Vehicle Speed Control38
Fuel System, Gasoline36
Unknown or Other33
Equipment26

Most reported parts

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor — 95
  • Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System — 95
  • Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Fan/Motor — 81
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Fan — 70
  • Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls — 56
  • Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core — 30
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 25
  • Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler — 24

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 75,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Apr 17, 2026
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 hit in the back. When I put my VIN in it says no outstanding recalls yet it does not or ever had a hitch on it for this repair. Any info on this is appreciated....Thanks
Air Bags · reported Aug 11, 2025
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 they have been waiting months for the back ordered parts so the recall can be completed. This is a serious safety issue that needs to be completed on these jeeps. My air bag light is on and the parts needed is on the recall list r06 to fix it.…
Electrical System · reported May 21, 2024
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 go out and not work while we are driving and some days they work just fine. But it has now become a safety hazard because we never know when they will work and are afraid to be hit by another car from the rear. Another example is when I am driving down the…
Air Bags · at 137,849 miles · reported Oct 2, 2023
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 vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The local dealer was contacted several times and advised the contact that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…
Electrical System · reported Jun 23, 2023
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 , power steering fluid is leaking bad, steering linkage close to breaking heard noise so I pulled over. Also shocks bad, when hit an small bump it sounds like whole front end breaks

Other Jeep Grand Cherokee years

Compare all Jeep Grand Cherokee years · All Jeep models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 15V-046 (air bags), 12V-527 (air bags), 09V-117 (seats), 06V-199 (engine and engine cooling), 02V-104 (fuel system, gasoline) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Owners report air bags problems most often (488 reports), followed by visibility (345). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 75,000 miles.

Are Jeep recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Jeep dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.