RoadVitals

2000 Jeep Wrangler Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine 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.
24
Latest May 3, 2019
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.
10%
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.
10
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 engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. 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. 24 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 engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

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
EngineFuel system
Filed Jun 20, 2016
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 JEEP WRANGLER. AFTER PARKING AND SHUTTING OFF THE VEHICLE, SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V104000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID
10875168
Incident
Jun 13, 2016
Mileage
120,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 21, 2015
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE PARKED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED FLAMES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE NUMBER THREE CYLINDER WAS BURNED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ID
10750294
Incident
Jun 25, 2015
Mileage
160,000 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
Engine
Filed May 14, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE AND BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT AND CRANK SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIRS WERE MADE, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10716492
Incident
Dec 4, 2014
Mileage
120,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 11, 2014

THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD WAS CRACKED BETWEEN NUMBER THREE AND FOUR CYLINDERS FOR A UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME. JEEP WOULD NOT CONFIRM THAT A UPDATED CYLINDER WAS MADE TO FIX THE ISSUE. I WAS TOLD THAT JEEP HAD NO RECORDS OF CYLINDER HEADS CRACKING. A REPLACEMENT HEAD HAS BEEN INSTALLED BUT THE OIL PRESSURE IS LOW DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE BEARING WEAR CAUSE BY COOLANT IN THE OIL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10663723
Incident
Feb 25, 2013
Mileage
91,848 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 11, 2013
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 JEEP WRANGLER SAHARA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND BEGAN TO PERFORM ABNORMAL WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER DRIVING ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE, HE NOTICED SMOKE WAS EMITTING FROM THE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 204,000.

NHTSA ID
10547601
Incident
Oct 5, 2013
Mileage
204,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 5, 2013

THE ENGINE HAS RELEASED MORE THAN ONE GALLON OF ANTIFREEZE INTO THE OILING SYSTEM IN LESS THAN 500 MILES. AFTER REMOVAL OF THE VALVE COVER, A FRACTURE IN THE COOLING SYSTEM CYLINDER HEAD WATER JACKET HAS BEEN FOUND BETWEEN CYLINDERS 3 AND 4 THAT PERMITS COOLANT TO ENTER INTO THE OILING SYSTEM. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE CYLINDER HEADS ARE KNOWN TO CRACK WITHOUT CAUSE, CAN BE REPLACED WITH A CYLINDER HEAD THAT MAYBE PRONE TO CRACKING AGAIN AND IN ADDITION WILL REQUIRE SEVERAL MORE COMPONENTS TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED NO FURTHER INFORMATION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10501465
Incident
Feb 25, 2013
Mileage
91,912 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 3, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVER-CONSUMING ANTI FREEZE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE HEAD WAS CRACKED, CAUSING THE ANTIFREEZE TO MIX WITH THE ENGINE OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

NHTSA ID
10490914
Incident
Dec 17, 2012
Mileage
82,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 6, 2008

1) COOLANT LEAK - CRACKED HEAD (4.0 L V6 - THIS IS A COMMON COSTLY PROBLEM ACCORDING TO A TECH FRIEND AT CHRYSLER DEALER. EXPENSIVE REPAIR $1200 TO $2000+- CAUSE MAY BE DEFECTIVE MATERIAL WEAKENED BY OVERHEATING. 2) OIL PRESSURE (GAUGE) DROPS TO ZERO AT IDLE AND CHECK GAUGES LIGHT APPEARS 3) COOLANT GETS INTO OIL FROM INTERNAL HEAD LEAKAGE 4) CONTAMINATES THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10247874
Incident
May 3, 2007
Mileage
86,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 3, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WILL NEED TO TEST DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ID
10244307
Incident
Sep 30, 2008
Mileage
95,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 24, 2008
Crash reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT APPROACHED A RED LIGHT AND APPLIED THE BRAKES TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. WHEN HE REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DECREASE IN SPEED. INSTEAD, THE ENGINE REVVED A BIT HIGHER. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKED PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOWLY DECREASE IN SPEED; HOWEVER, IT DID NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO SERIOUS DAMAGE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT IF CHILDREN HAD BEEN PRESENT, THE CRASH COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT MORE SERIOUS. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS VERY COMMON; HOWEVER, NO RECALLS HAD BEEN ISSUED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 69,000.

NHTSA ID
10243299
Incident
Sep 20, 2008
Mileage
69,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 17, 2008

RADIATOR ON 2000 JEEP WRANGLER SPORT (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) JUST RECENTLY I WAS INFORMED BY THE JEEP DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED MY JEEP THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. PURSUANT TO CONVERSATIONS WITH OTHERS WHO KNOW ME, THEY TOLD ME IT COULD PROBABLY BE REPAIRED INSTEAD OF REPLACED COSTING ME LESS. A RADIATOR SHOP CONFIRMED THAT THE RADIATOR, HAVING A PLASTIC TOP, HAD TO BE REPLACED INSTEAD OF REPAIRED. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT NORMALLY RADIATOR PROBLEMS OCCURRED ON MUCH OLDER VEHICLES AND THAT MOST OLDER VEHICLES HAD ORIGINAL RADIATORS IN THEM EVEN IF THEY WERE REPAIRED. MY COMPLAINT IS SIMPLE. I THINK THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD NEVER HAVE PLACED A RADIATOR IN A VEHICLE WITH PLASTIC PARTS THAT CAN NOT BE REPAIRED ESPECIALLY ON A RADIATOR. CHRYSLER'S USE OF RADIATORS WITH PLASTIC ON TOP ARE CAUSING THE RADIATORS TO LEAK EASIER/QUICKER THAN NORMAL AND THEY CAN NOT BE REPAIRED. THEY MUST BE REPLACED. THIS SEEMS TO BE JUST ANOTHER WAY FOR THEM TO GET CASH FROM CONSUMERS BY MAKING THEM REPLACE INSTEAD OF REPAIR. MY JEEP HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT SINCE I PURCHASED IT AND THE RADIATOR SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED THIS SOON SINCE I HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF IT AND TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND REPAIRS. I THINK HAVING PLASTIC ON RADIATORS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO BE PLACED IN ANY VEHICLE. IT WEARS OUT QUICKER AND CANNOT BE FIXED. REPLACEMENT COST IS MUCH GREATER THAN A REPAIR COST. THANKS, CHRYSLER! I WILL NEVER LOOK AT ANOTHER JEEP AS LONG AS THEY CONTINUE TO USE RADIATORS WITH PLASTIC PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10215230
Incident
Jan 10, 2008
Mileage
118,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 2, 2006

2000 WRANGLER ENGINE HEAD WAS DEFECTIVE. *TS THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE HEAD FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *NM

NHTSA ID
10159468
Incident
Apr 26, 2006
Mileage
504,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 16, 2006

FAILS TO START AND STALLS ABRUPTLY WHEN IN GEAR, AT ANY SPEED AND IN ANY GEAR. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. FIRST DEALER REPLACED LEAK DETECTION PUMP. PROBLEM PERSISTED AND DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. SECOND DEALER STATED THERE WAS A DIRTY THROTTLE BODY. PUT CONDITIONER IN GAS TANK. PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED TO PERSIST WITH NO SOLUTION. *NM

NHTSA ID
10147875
Incident
Feb 10, 2004
Mileage
56,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 11, 2004

FAN CONTROL SWITCH WAS MELTING IN BACK AT ONE OF THE CONTACTS. THE FAN WOULD RUN ONLY AT THE HIGH SPEED SETTING AND IF IT DID RUN AT ANOTHER SETTING IT WOULD START TO SMELL LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING.*AK

NHTSA ID
10057028
Incident
Oct 20, 2003
Mileage
62,000 mi
Body & structureEngineTransmission
Filed Jun 9, 2003

PERSISTENT LEAK PROBLEMS SINCE JEEP WAS 6 MONTHS OLD. RETURN TO DEALER OVER 5 TIMES BEFORE NOTICEABLE LEAKS STOPPED (BEHIND DASH BOARD, FLOOR AT DRIVERS AND A PASSENGER SIDE) FIX UNDER ORIGINALLY WARRANTY. 4 NEW LEAKS AND RETURN OF TWO OLD LEAKS - NOT COVERED BY EXTENDED WARRANTY NOW DEALER WANTS $650 TO FIX. ADDITIONALLY HAVE NUMEROUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND PAINT RUSTING PROBLEMS SINCE A MONTH AFTER I PURCHASE THE VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10021291
Incident
Jun 6, 2003
Mileage
2,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 24, 2003
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING, FLAMES EMITTED FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10017550
Incident
Apr 24, 2003
Engine
Filed Jan 17, 2002
Fire reported

INSURED STATES THAT THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. CLAIM NUMBER 52-2466-618. *YH

NHTSA ID
6900783
Incident
Feb 26, 2001
Engine
Filed Jan 17, 2002
Fire reported

INSURED STATES THAT ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CLAIM NUMBER 35-W644-773. *YH

NHTSA ID
6900782
Incident
Apr 14, 2001
Engine
Filed Jan 17, 2002
Fire reported

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. CLAIM NUMBER 43-R799-130. *YH

NHTSA ID
6900780
Incident
Oct 12, 2001
Engine
Filed Jun 26, 2001
Fire reported

THE CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE FOR 10 MINUTES AND SHE SAW SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD, THE ESTIMATOR STATED IT APPEARED THAT THERE WAS GAS ON TOP OF THE INJECTORS WHICH CAUSED A FULE FIRE, BUT WAS VERY HARD TO TELL. CLAIM NUMBER 46-0457-574. *YH

NHTSA ID
6900779
Incident
Jan 17, 2000
Body & structureEnginePowertrain (other)+1 more
Filed Jul 4, 2000

NEW TRANSMISSION AT 479 MILES PLUS SEVERAL OTHER REPAIRS. SPEEDOMETER OFF 8 MILES PER HOUR. THIS PROBLEM STILL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. DING IN DOOR POST BETWEEN WINDSHIELD AND DRIVER'S DOOR ON DELIVERY. WIND NOISE ABOVE PASSENGER DOOR FRAME. LEAKS AROUND DRIVER AND BACK DOOR SEALS. OIL GALLERY PLUG HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 3,149 MILES. HAD TO REMOVE TRANSMISSION AND TRANSFER CASE. JEEP WAS IN SHOP FOR A TOTAL OF 32 DAYS IN ORDER TO HAVE ALL WORK ACCOMPLISHED. NEW TRANSMISSION STILL NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. TRANSMISSION JUMPS OUT OF FIRST GEAR SOMETIMES WHEN VEHICLE IS MOVING FORWARD. NEW TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED, BUT PROBLEM OF CLUNKING SOUND DURING GEAR CHANGE AND KICKING OUT OF GEAR IS NOT SOLVED. WAS TOLD BY AGENCY SHOP THAT CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAD A NEW MANFACTURER FOR 2000 JEEP TRANSMISSIONS AND THE NOISE WAS JUST PART OF THE LIGHTER TRANSMISSON. TRANSMISSION STILL IS NOISY AND SOUNDS DRY ALL THE TIME. WE ARE AFRAID TO DIRVE THE VEHICLE AS WE DON'T REALLY HAVE FAITH THE TRANSMISSION WILL HOLD UP AND WE WILL BE IN TROUBLE AT SOME POINT IN TRAFFIC.*AK

NHTSA ID
724915
Incident
Nov 2, 1999
EngineFuel system
Filed Jun 14, 2000

THE DEALERSTATES "CHRYSLER SAID A 4 CYLINDER AUTOMATIC WILL TOP OUT A 64MPH." THIS JEEP LOSES POWER AT 60MPH AND EVEN WHEN FLOORED WILL NOT REACH 70MPH.IT ALSO HAD A FUEL INJECTOR REPLACED AT 179MILES. *AK

NHTSA ID
724033
Incident
Jun 8, 2000

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 .