Faults:

When I first saw the Wrangler at the dealer, the first thing I asked "Was there a fire? Was the interior changed?". It was the first time I'd seen the Apex addition. I didn't care much for the hood "Apex" stickers on the hood, but what really through me off was the light tan leather seats clashing with the gray and black everything else. Those seats and the awesome sound system is what makes up the Apex package, otherwise just an X model.

After a test drive I knew it was coming home with me. I purchased the Jeep in Prescott, AZ in 2008 with 42000 miles on it. As a Field Service Technician, I doubled that in just over a year. I change the oil regularly, and have gone through a battery and a set of tires, and bought a new top, but that is all. With no lift it will handle 31 inch tires and it goes where I point it. Slips into four wheel hi or low with no grinding. It came with the Dana 35 in the back, so I won't be adding much of a lift if I decide to install one.

The only problems I've had are as follows:

The check engine light will come on for no reason then disappear after a few starts. Sometimes the air will stop blowing out of the vents for a few minutes, but I understand this is a common problem. The lever for the wipers is heavy enough that when I drive some bumpy terrain, it will move and the wipers will start. Center console lid latch is broken and difficult to open.

General Comments:

I love the stereo, but it's time to upgrade to something that will play MP3 format. I might even replace the weak speakers up inside the dash. It came with the overhead sound bar and a sub woofer in the center console. I may just upgrade the speakers all around, come to think of it. It would have been nice if it had come with grab handles for the passenger and back seaters.

This style of Wrangler is the last of the 4.0's. I had a 1992 Cherokee that had been totaled in a accident, and this is the replacement.

Faults:

Absolutely nothing has gone wrong. Recall on ignition switch (if it gets wet from the top being off, it could have had problems). Mine was fine, even after being doused in rain a few times, but replaced it anyhow.

General Comments:

After reading reviews on other cars having MULTIPLE problems, my Jeep has been running flawlessly. Granted it may not be as sophisticated as some, but it still has electronic warning devices... beeps when you leave your headlights on, parking brake on, etc. Honestly, I've never had a single issue with it, not even a "Check engine light." It's a fun ride. Not one I'd want to drive across the country, road noise is a bit high, even in the hard top/steel doors. After six years of ownership, I still look forward to driving it. It's a keeper, my 8 yr. old son will be driving it when he is old enough.

After owning an '83 CJ7, the '02 Wrangler is just as capable if not more so offroad than the previous CJ versions, and has many more creature comforts and design improvements. Power steering, brakes, tilt, cruise, A/C, cd player, rear wiper/defroster, and a bullet proof perfectly matched inline 6 cylinder fuel injected engine.

Faults:

Soft top zippers started breaking off at 50K.

One head lamp needs regular replacement.

A/C does not work anymore--next on the "fix list."

Leak in fuel line--in the shop overnight for this, yet again!

Spark plugs needed replacing twice in the last year.

New set of shocks at 53K.

Rear end alignment at 53K.

Brakes gave out at 53K.

What next?

General Comments:

I will never own another Jeep vehicle after all the things that have started to go wrong with it.

Yes, I know it's not a Honda or Toyota, but I shouldn't be having all these problems at 54,000 miles and change. All other vehicles I've owned went over 100K before needing this sort of work.

Jeeps are fun--no doubt about it. Just be sure you've got lots of money to spend on maintenance and repairs!