2002 Jeep Wrangler Sahara from North America - Comments

1. Both sway links keep busting on ordinary dirt roads. So unacceptable!

2. Water consistently pools up on front door mats during hard rain. Don't know where it comes from. 1995 Jeep did the same thing.

3. Spent $1500 at the dealership trying to solve a intermittent "no start" problem. After a new fuel pump, they finally found it was a bad injector, not the pump. Still my cost to bear.

4. Paint on door latches, rear window hinges, side door mirrors, are all pealing.

5. Drivers side door latch broke. Don't know how it happened. Just stopped working.

6. Typical Jeep Wrangler body rust surfacing at all weld joints.

1. This 2002 Wrangler is not as good as my 1995. After 113,000 miles on the '95 I only had to replace the exhaust manifold.

2. When Jeep made the Wrangler "plush" they should have solved the body rust issue. This is just plain unacceptable.

3. I drive well graded dirt roads and can't understand why the sway links are breaking. Isn't this an "all terrain vehicle"?

4. Transmission is extremely noisy. Returned to dealership after 120 miles because I thought something was wrong. I was told that's just how they sound now. My '95 sounded much much better.

5. Ergonomics with the steering wheel is uncomfortable. If I want arm length, I push the seat back, but then I can't reach the gas pedal. Again, '95 was much better.

6. Brought the 2002 after having my 1995 for six years because I wanted the plush interior. All in all, I've been disappointed in this vehicle. I do have to give them HUGE kudos on the dual top. It's easy to switch out and the soft tops been pretty durable.

Your vehicle displays all the properties of one that may be a "salvage" vehicle and you don't know it. Have you researched the history of your unit. A 2002 Wrangler with serious rust problems and the sway bar characteristics you describe is almost unheard of. I agree, something doesn't smell right, but you're barking up the wrong tree. Did you buy this from a reputable dealer or a private party? Check out your state's lemon law...

If you don't like the ergonomics then you should have noticed this when you sat in it as you bought it. To complain about those sorts of things now is just stupid.

I guess that your definition of "plush" is different than mine. I've owned many Wranglers, and none of them have had "plush" interiors, not even my '03 Sahara. Spartan would be more of an accurate description.

Don't get me wrong, I love my Jeeps. They're just not "plush", and by the way, you will not be happy with an Escape, after owning 2 real 4x4s. They are built so flimsy & cheap. Just look at the suspension components compared to your Jeeps.

Mine is rusty too. Mostly at the windshield hinges and door hinges. Not to mention the dealer touchup paint isn't even close so I can't touch up rockchips.

My 2003 Wrangler X also has a driver side door latch issue. Sometimes it "sticks" and takes a good pull to open. However, despite little things like that (and paint chippage) I enjoy my Wrangler. Perhaps the greatest thing is the timeless design of the vehicle. Old car models (Ford Taurus as an example) where as Jeeps simply do not. Take any CJ, YJ or even TJ and it looks great! Enjoy it for what it is rather than what it is not.