RoadVitals

2000 Jeep Wrangler Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
56
Latest Aug 13, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
22%
of 251 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2000 Jeep Wrangler submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 56 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming body or structure

The 25 most recent of 56, in the owner's own words

Body & structure
Filed Aug 13, 2020

THE FRONT FRAME CAP, OR MOUNTING BRACKET HAS STARTED IS ROTTING AND DETERIORATING. THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN WHICH HAS COURSES MANY OTHER SEVERE ISSUES. THIS IS A MAJOR SUSPENSION COMPONENT THAT IS ROTTING AWAY.

NHTSA ID
11349085
Incident
Aug 7, 2020
Mileage
150,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Aug 13, 2020

FRAME ROTTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT AROUND THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THE CHASSIS IS OTHERWISE RUST FREE, BUT IT SPONTANEOUSLY ROTTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM DISCONNECTED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, LEAVING THE REAR AXLE FREE FLOATING, UNSTABLE, AND VERY LIKELY TO CAUSE A CRASH. THE FRAME HAS HOLES IN IT THAT LET WATER IN. THERE IS NO DRAINAGE HOLE WHERE THE FRAME GOES FROM FLAT ON THE BOTTOM AND CURVES UP AROUND THE WHEEL WELLS. WATER GETS INTO THE FRAME, SITS THERE, AND ROTS IT FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THERE IS NO WAY TO SEE THIS ROT FROM THE OUTSIDE AND THERE IS NO WAY TO FIX IT WITHOUT CUTTING OPEN THE FRAME AND WELDING IN REPAIRS. IF YOU GOOGLE IMAGE SEARCH "JEEP TJ FRAME ROT" YOU CAN SEE OTHER CASES OF THE FRAME FAILING IN THE EXACT SAME LOCATION. HERE'S A BLOG POST WITH SEVERAL INSTANCES OF IT HTTPS://SARAHSTONESADIE.BLOGSPOT.COM/2019/05/JEEP-TJ-FRAME-RECALL.HTML IF YOU GOOGLE "TJ FRAME CAP" YOU'LL SEE THERE'S AN ENTIRE SUB MARKET OF PRODUCTS SPECIFICALLY MADE TO ADDRESS THIS FAILURE. TOYOTA HAD A FRAME RECALL, WHY CAN'T JEEP? IT'S CLEARLY FAILING IN THE EXACT SAME PLACE AND CAN CAUSE SEVERE SAFETY ISSUES. ATTACHED IS A PICTURE "PRE_ROT" THAT SHOWED IT ABOUT 6 MONTHS(?) BEFORE IT COMPLETELY ROTTED THROUGH. THE OTHER PICTURE IS AFTER IT FAILED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS A SMALL RUST BUBBLE THAT STARTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT THAT FAIRLY RAPIDLY RESULTED IN COMPLETE STRUCTURAL FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
11349047
Incident
Aug 16, 2019
Mileage
200,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed May 13, 2020

2000 JEEP WRANGLER TJ WITH VISIBLE FRAME RUST IN FRONT OF REAR WHEELS. LACK OF DRAINAGE HOLES ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER THROUGH FACTORY DRILLED FRAME HOLES LOCATED IN FRONT AND REAR WHEEL WELLS AND ACCUMULATE IN THE LOWER PARTS OF THE FRAME. BY THE TIME RUST IS VISIBLE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE FRAME, THE INSIDE HAS ALREADY BEEN COMPROMISED TO A GREATER DEGREE AS THE RUST PROGRESSES FROM THE INSIDE OUT. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. THERE ARE READILY AVAILABLE KITS TO REPAIR THESE JEEP FRAMES FROM SEVERAL PRIVATE COMPANIES WHICH ILLUSTRATES THE SEVERITY AND PREVALENCE OF THIS PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE AND INEXPENSIVE, THE COST OF INSTALLATION AS WITH MOST MAJOR VEHICLE REPAIR, IS DANGEROUS AND REQUIRES WELDING WITH SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT AND SKILLS. A REPAIR COMPLETED BY AN UNQUALIFIED PERSON MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE UNSAFE FOR USE ON PUBLIC ROADS. THIS VEHICLE HAS 175000 MILES DRIVEN ENTIRELY (EXCEPT ONE TRIP TO ATLANTA) IN TENNESSEE. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN ALMOST ENTIRELY ON PAVED PUBLIC ROADS. *TR

NHTSA ID
11324387
Incident
May 13, 2020
Body & structure
Filed Aug 8, 2019

I BOUGHT MY JEEP IN OCTOBER 2000 AND HAD IT UNDERCOATED AT THE DEALERSHIP BEFORE IT EVER LEFT THE LOT. I HAD TAKEN IT BACK IN MULTIPLE TIMES TO HAVE IT RECOATED AND WHILE THE THE BODY EXPERIENCED SOME RUST DUE TO STONE CHIPS AND AGE THE FRAME STILL LOOKED GOOD UNTIL LAST YEAR WHEN I WENT TO HAVE SOME WORK DONE ON THE JEEP. WHEN LIFTING UP THE JEEP TO WORK ON IT, WE FOUND THAT THE FRAME HAD SOME STRANGE MARKS THAT SEEMED TO BE SHOWING ON THE FRAME. WHEN WE SCRATCHED OFF SOME OF THE UNDERCOATING WE FOUND THAT THE FRAME WAS CRUMBLING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. AFTER LOOKING CLOSER AT THE FRAME WE DISCOVERED THAT DAIMLER CHRYSLER HAD LEFT OPEN HOLES IN THE FRAME INSIDE OF BOTH FRONT AND REAR WHEEL WELLS ON THE SIDE OF THE FRAME NEAR THE TOP OF THE ARC OF THE CURVE IN THE FRAME. THIS MAY HAVE BEEN AN OK DESIGN BUT THEY DID NOT LEAVE ANY DRAIN HOLES IN THE FRAME AT ALL. THIS HAS LEAD TO THE ENTIRE FRAME BEING COMPROMISED WITH NO WAY TO KNOW THAT IT WAS HAPPENING AND NO WAY TO TRY TO PREVENT IT. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS A FAILURE OF THE FRAME WHILE DRIVING WILL LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL AS WELL AS THE RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.

NHTSA ID
11242683
Incident
Mar 10, 2018
Mileage
118,000 mi
Body & structureEngineFuel system
Filed May 3, 2019
Fire reported

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY JEEP CAUGHT FIRE FROM UNDERNEATH. I HAD TO STOP AND JUMP OUT TO SURVIVE. IT BURNT COMPLETELY. NOTHING SURVIVED.

NHTSA ID
11205618
Incident
Apr 29, 2019
Mileage
189,873 mi
Body & structure
Filed Mar 19, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE THE FRAME ON BOTH SIDES UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 177,000.

NHTSA ID
11189933
Incident
Mar 18, 2019
Mileage
177,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 14, 2018

FRAME TOTALLY RUSTED WHEN BOUGHT FROM PRIVATE SELLER. THERE ARE HOLES AND RUST EVERYWHERE. WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO SAID IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE JEEP ONLY HAS 114,000 MILES ON IT! WE PAID 7500 AND ALL WE BOUGHT IS A RUSTED FRAME BUT A BEAUTIFUL VEHICLE. NOW WE MUST PARK IT. WE CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT!!! CHRYSLER SHOULD HAVE A RECALL. WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED DRIVING IT!!!

NHTSA ID
11119958
Incident
Jul 5, 2018
Body & structure
Filed Jun 30, 2018

2000 JEEP WRANGLER FRAME RUSTED COMPLETELY OUT !

NHTSA ID
11104902
Incident
Jun 1, 2018
Mileage
176,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 15, 2018

JEEP FAILED STATE INSPECTION DUE TO RUSTED FRAME COMPONENTS. CANNOT BE DRIVEN DAFELY UNTIL REPAIRS ARE MADE AT OWNERS EXPENSE. NEW FRAME ESTIMATES INCL LABOR AND MATERIAL ABOUT $10000. JEEP CUSTOMER SERVICE REPR HUNG UP ON ME WHEN CALLED.

NHTSA ID
11102211
Incident
Jun 13, 2018
Mileage
59,903 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Jun 14, 2018

JEEP HAS LESS THAN 40,000 MILES AND IS WELL MAINTAINED NEVER OFF ROAD. . WAS DRIVING OVER A BRIDGE WHEN THE REAR END FELT LIKE IT WAS SEPARATING FROM THE BODY OF THE JEEP. JEEP BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL AND I WAS ALMOST HIT TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. JEEP WAS TOWED TO MECHANIC WHO SAID THE FRAME IS NO GOOD REAR CONTROL ARMS SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME THE FRAME HAD RUSTED OUT FROM THE INSIDE. THERE IS NO SOLID STEEL LEFT TO WELD ONTO.

NHTSA ID
11101873
Incident
Jun 7, 2018
Mileage
38,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 26, 2018

SKID PLATE (WHICH SUPPORTS TRANSMISSION) DETACHED FROM FRAME DUE TO RUST ON FRAME RAILS. THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE PATCHED TO REATTACH THE SKID PLATE.

NHTSA ID
11090201
Incident
Jul 20, 2017
Mileage
145,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 18, 2017

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT WHEN I SHIFTED THE BACK END OF THE VEHICLE MOVED. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE LOWER REAR PASSENGER CONTROL ARM HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED OFF AND BROKE AND THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS ABOUT TO BREAK AT ANY TIME. I WAS ADVISED TO STOP DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR SAFETY REASONS

NHTSA ID
11006171
Incident
Mar 15, 2017
Mileage
130,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 17, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE REAR FRAME SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

NHTSA ID
11005993
Incident
Jul 13, 2017
Mileage
175,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Mar 16, 2017

MY FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT RIGHT BEFORE THE REAR WHEELS. THIS IS RESULTING IN A FRAME SWAP, AND MY MECHANIC SAID THIS IS WHERE HE ALWAYS SEE WRANGLERS GET RUST ROT. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGE KEPT, AND HAD RUST PROTECTANT EVERY WINTER.

NHTSA ID
10966415
Incident
Mar 16, 2017
Mileage
136,800 mi
Body & structure
Filed Feb 13, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED THROUGH AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,529.

NHTSA ID
10954310
Incident
Nov 1, 2016
Mileage
176,529 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 31, 2016

WHILE UNDER JEEP NOTICED THE FRAME IS REALLY RUSTED. REAL BAD IN FRONT OF LEFT REAR WHEEL AND BEHIND RIGHT FRONT. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. BODY LOOKS LIKE NEW HAS 100000 MILES ON IT

NHTSA ID
10871707
Incident
May 19, 2016
Mileage
100,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 8, 2016

FRAME IS ROTTING HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT ,ALL ITS LIFE

NHTSA ID
10863791
Incident
Jan 6, 2006
Mileage
30,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 28, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 JEEP WRANGLER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN INSPECTION, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE WELDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10862018
Incident
Apr 28, 2016
Mileage
73,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 25, 2016

THE RIGHT REAR LOWER TRAILING (CONTROL) ARM DETACHED OR BROKE OFF THE FRAME WHILE DRIVING MY JEEP ON A FAIRLY BUSY ROAD AT 50 MPH. ON INSPECTION FOUND THE ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FRAME IS ROTTED AND THIN IN SEVERAL KEY AREAS OF THE FRAME. IN THE SHOP NOW. JEEP HAS 150,000 ON IT. LEFT SIDE OF THE FRAME IS BETTER. EXPECTED MORE FROM JEEP, THIS PUT US IN A HUGE AMOUNT OF DANGER AND WE ARE LUCKY WE DIDN'T WRECK OR WORSE, FLIP THE JEEP. I SEE ONE COMPLAINT AFTER THE OTHER WITH THE SAME DAMAGE. THANKS JEEP AND CHRYSLER FOR THAT. WE WERE DOING 50 IN A SLIGHT LEFT HAND CURVE, THINK ABOUT IT. INSPECT YOUR FRAMES.

NHTSA ID
10861279
Incident
Apr 25, 2016
Mileage
150,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Feb 8, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE ROTATING THE REAR TIRES, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME IN FRONT OF THE REAR TIRE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

NHTSA ID
10824840
Incident
Feb 2, 2016
Mileage
175,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 3, 2015

WHILE PUTTING MY T.J. ON A LIFT FOR INSPECTION THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME CRACKED IN HALF. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE FRAME WILL HAVE TO BE REPAIRED DUE TO DETERIERATION.

NHTSA ID
10787906
Incident
Nov 2, 2015
Mileage
163,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Sep 23, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS SERVICING THE VEHICLE, HE OBSERVED THE CHASSIS WAS RUSTED. AS A RESULT, THE ENTIRE CHASSIS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000. UPDATED 11/18/15*LJ

NHTSA ID
10775081
Incident
Sep 9, 2015
Mileage
87,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 15, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S SKID PLATE WAS WITNESSED UNDER THE VEHICLE, WHICH IS WHAT PROMPTED A CLOSER LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. UPON LOOKING MORE CLOSELY, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE'S FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AT THE BOTTOM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 09/10/15*LJ

NHTSA ID
10734357
Incident
Jan 2, 2015
Mileage
200,000 mi
Body & structureEngine
Filed Jun 19, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SOUND AND THE CROSS MEMBER FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 191,106.

NHTSA ID
10726278
Incident
Jun 19, 2015
Mileage
191,106 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 7, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERE RUSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

NHTSA ID
10715133
Incident
Nov 3, 2014
Mileage
41,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .