ABS (anti-lock brake system) warning light on intermittently. After two visits it was found to be a bad wire in the front right speed sensor. The light is now on again intermittently.
Airbag warning light comes on intermittently. After three visits, the cause cannot be found.
Ignition key (anti theft system) warning light comes on intermittently. Later found to be caused my Mobil Speed-pass on key chain interfering with the system. Caused the vehicle to not start unless the Speed-pass was taken off my key chain.
Steering column squeals loudly while turning in during damp weather (rubber on rubber noise) due to boot at firewall. It is lubricated every time I take it in for service, but makes the noise again a couple days later.
Washer fluid leaks out of the reservoir. Tank replaced.
Seat belts in the rear wearing through due to contact with the retractor housing while flapping with the top off. Dealer said "This is normal for this vehicle". Front seat belts are damaged because the belts are too close to the door latches.
Windshield severely pitted, chipped, and cracked with only 25K miles. May be due to the angle of the windshield.
If you really want one, try it once but I doubt you'll want another one. Chrysler has always been synonymous with "Roadside Emergencies" in my opinion because just about every vehicle I see broke down is a Chrysler product. Anyone I have ever known to have one has had nothing but problems with them. I wish Ford made the Jeep.
Even with the extended fuel tank, it goes through fuel as fast as you can put it in. It is not strong at all for a six cylinder. A 50 mile trip on the highway uses 1/4 tank of fuel even with the cruise control on.
The heat and A/C are wimpy and you have to keep them on high just to keep it tolerable.
There is no room at all between the driver (or passenger) and the door. Your outer elbow has to go in your lap or on the window ledge.
Even fully loaded, it feels cheap with exposed metal floorboards and flimsy plastic everywhere. It is a sharp contrast to the $26K I paid for it.
Design wise, the dashboard is a mess. Everything is jammed in one place. Two people on a long trip will only be able to take the most basic supplies because there is very little space and the trunk is virtually non-existent. The hard and soft tops are both aggravating to remove and replace (put up or down).
The routine maintenance is frequent and costly. Almost every three-month service visit costs between $100 and $350 even under warranty. Check the owners manual for recommended service under schedule "B" and check prices before you buy.
Just about everything on this car (similar to other Chrysler products) is an option. You have the standard cup holders and the deluxe cup holders. Then there is the plain steering wheel and the leather steering wheel. There is the regular alternator and the heavy duty alternator. Same with the suspension. Same with the tires. Back seat or no back seat. Carpeting or no carpeting. Padded roll-bars or unpadded roll-bars. AM/FM radio? Even that is an option. Nickel dime nickel dime nickel dime...
This is not meant to be either a personal attack or an insult. You posted this review as a statement of fact from your point of view. Here is a statement of fact from my point of view. First of all, no vehicle is perfect. Every brand of every vehicle has problems, that's why there are warranties! Second, most people don't buy Jeeps for their luxury value. There are several sites on the web (not to mention several books) that outline the history and the "evolution" of the Jeep. To save you the time, it is the original and still the ultimate off road vehicle. Notice I said " off road vehicle". That's right, "Off road vehicle"! That's what it was designed for. That is the only reason Jeeps came into being. If you bought a Jeep to look cool, or just to cruise around in with the top down then you wasted your money.
Take that Jeep off road and you'll find it in it's element. Even stock, the TJ Wrangler out performs many other modified off road vehicles. If looking cool and being luxuriously comfortable while cruising around with the top down is what you wanted, then you should have bought a Mazda Miata (cheap) or a BMW Z3 (expensive). If you want the ultimate in off road usability, then you already have it.
Third, Ford tried to make a Jeep. It's called the Bronco then the Bronco II. Oh wait! Those aren't in production anymore are they?! Why not? Because they weren't as good at being Jeeps as Jeeps still are. By the way Ford's not the only one that's tried it. Look at the Toyota Land Cruiser line or the Suzuki Samurais, Sidekicks and Grand Vitaras, the Geo/Chevrolet Tracker, The Daihatsu Rocky, the Chevrolet/GMC Blazer/Jimmy, the International Scout, the Isuzu Trooper and Rodeo/Honda Passport, Nissan Pathfinder and Exterra, the Toyota 4Runner and Rav4, Honda's CRV, even the Land Rovers have tried to emulate the different types of Jeeps.
Some of them are still in production and some of them are not. Some of them have evolved into "luxury urban assault vehicles" or "4x4 station wagons". But the Jeep remains the Jeep. Serious off road enthusiasts still consider the Jeep the pinnacle of factory mass produced off road vehicles. Your opinion won't change that. My advice to you is; QUIT WHINING and go buy something you'll be happy driving! You obviously are not a Jeep person.
The saying stands, "Its a jeep thing, I guess you just don't understand."
Its seems all the crap your whining about is the whole reason for buying a Jeep in the first place... they are loud, unstable, big boxes, and I love every one of them. If you don't want your Jeep, I'll take it. <muddyjeep02@aol.com>
I'll have to agree with the other 3 responses. I currently have a 1999 Wrangler Sport, and most of the problems you stated, I can say I have had, but those things are also what I love about my Jeep. There is no other car like it, period. Take it on the beach this weekend and you will see why. Put it in 4-wheel drive this winter when ice or snow hits, and you will see why. Jeeps are Trucks, not cars, in fact Jeeps are just Jeeps.
Why did this guy buy a Jeep? He sounds like a luxury car yuppie going through a mid-life crisis. He just doesn't get it...
He's right about one thing though!! Chrysler: the nickel and dime company...
I had never owned a Jeep until I read the above comments. Then I knew I had to have one, so I went out and bought a 1999 Jeep Wrangler Sport. Why? Because like this guy I had been resting in comfort not living an adventure. Now for 6 months I have had on and off road adventure in my life, and I gotta say I love my 1999 Jeep and never drive the 2000 BMW parked in the drive. BTW the BMW is for sale if you wanna buy it...
Jeep or not to Jeep that's THE Question. Let me see, I bought what one, no! two, my gosh four Jeeps. My last is a 1999 TJ. Yes there are things that Chrysler will never perfect, and the gas mileage really is poor, but I drive it daily down pig paths and mountain paths... I am a hospice social worker and my patients are glad I own a JEEP.
You obviously bought somewhat of a lemon. I've owned four jeeps ranging from a 1978 CJ 5 to a 2001 Wrangler. None of them have given me any problems that I didn't cause by off roading in them. Your attacks on the engine are definitley erroneous, in my opinion. The 4.0 L is super strong for a six cylinder. Sure, it isn't going to do Mach 10 down the highway, but that's not what it's meant for. It's meant to be a low-end beast that will pull you out of anything (which it will). Fuel consumption? Mine gets 17 miles to the gallon consistently. That's great considering the fact that jeeps are as un-aerodynamic as it gets. Buy a car.
I just bought my 1999 Jeep wrangler and I love it. Why would you even buy another one if you didn't like them?
Nickel and dime? Of course everything is on option on a jeep. Jeep enthusiasts are going to bring this thing through 3 feet of mud... will a stereo live through that? Jeeps are not a family road trip car. Jeeps serve a utilitarian purpose. I've wanted one since I've been 15 and have finally purchased one. I love it, and yes, I did put a stereo and other "options" in it, but I don't plan to take in anything severe, or on an interstate road trip. If you are planning to buy car, don't get a ford. My family has owned two ford Taurus'. The transmission was faulty on the 94', which caused engine damage that would have cost more to fix than the car was worth. Two weeks after my father got his '00 Taurus it had to be towed off the highway because the engine cut out and would not restart. The jeep however, the only problem I've had with it is a busted front fender due to a box spring flying out of a ford f150's bed. There are so many options you can get for a jeep on the Internet that I was able to repair it myself for under 40 bucks just by hammering it out and putting a fender cap on it. Try that with any other vehicle.
One suggestions, if your seat-belts are buffeting and are starting to fray... get a Velcro strap and tie them down, it will reducing the rubbing and any noise they may rattle off.
() | || || || || || || | ()
There's only one.
Wait, did my wife write this?
I would have to agree with all these jeep drivers also...I'm 17 and have had my 1994 wrangler YJ for about 6 months I have had to put over 2 grand of money into repairs and I love every last second of it. Right now I don't have to enough money to fix this wisling noise coming from my engine, but I still drive it now matter how loud it is...why? I guess it's just a jeep thing baby.
Note: A Comments RSS Feed 
is available. New comments appear in the Members Area before the main site