Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 288 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Jeep Wrangler, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 64 | 22% |
| Structure | 45 | 16% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 18 | 6% |
| Suspension | 16 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 15 | 5% |
| Seat belts | 15 | 5% |
| Air bags | 13 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 12 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 9 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 8 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 1994 N/A Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that the vehicle failed the State Inspection because the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 02V041000 (PARKING BRAKE). However, the part to do the rec
NHTSA complaint: Parking brake
The contact owns a 1993 N/A Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that there was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle after the vehicle was refueled. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing r
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
WE HAVE FOUND THAT AFTER REMOVING THE BOLTS FROM THE CROSS MEMBER UNDER THE JEEP THAT THE HOLES ARE RUSTED OUT. IN FACT THE FRAME ON BOTH SIDES OF OUR JEEP ARE RUSTED THROUGH FROM NOT HAVING ANY DRAIN HOLES FOR THE WATER
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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, LEAV
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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 complaint: Structure
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, SPEED DOESN'T MATTER BC IT HAS HAPPENED AT MULTIPLE SPEEDS, THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER WILL DROP TO NOTHING, WHILE THE OTHER GAUGES LIKE GAS, OIL PRESSURE, TEMPERATURE AND SUCH DO NOT HAV
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE FRONT PORTION OF THE FRAME HAS RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT, NEARLY SEVERING THE STEERING GEAR BOX AND FRAME, FROM THE REST OF THE FRAME. IN ADDITION THE FRAME IN THE SAME LOCATION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS ALSO SOFT T
NHTSA complaint: Steering
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 PA
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2000 Jeep Wrangler. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE
Risk: 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.
Fix: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-32
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE D
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET AIRTEX ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN 1997-2004 JEEP WRANGLER; 1997-2001 JEEP CHEROKEE; 1997-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE; AND 2000-2003 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES. THE PLASTIC ELECTRICAL GROMMET CONNECTORS AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE AR
Risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRTEX CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-880-305
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. OWNER
| Reliability raw | 73 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | good |
| Maintenance | 70 | good |
| Depreciation | 66 | good |
| Performance | 71 | good |
| Efficiency | 29 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 288 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 64 of them (22%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 73/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2000 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.