Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Jeep Wrangler owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Purchased this vehicle in 21013 from a private seller. Upon changing the engine oil one day shortly thereafter, noticed the passenger side frame area, where the rear, lower control arm is mounted, was completely rusted through! I have since had this repaired, at an additional cost of $800.00. Also, noticed the passenger side frame all along where the transmission skid plate is mounted - is completely rusted through along approximately 8" along the bottom! I can run 4 fingers in the bottom of this frame! And, the front skid plate nutserts on both sides of the skid plate, are gone! Rusted away - completely! Previous owner had the skid plate actually welded to the frame! This should never, ever happen! I have a 2003 Toyota 4runner with zero frame rust - zero! Looks brand new to this day! Come take a look. …
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, leaving the rear axle free floating, unstable, and very likely to cause a crash. The frame has holes in it that let water in. There is no drainage hole where the frame goes from flat on the bottom and curves up around the wheel wells. Water gets into the frame, sits there, and rots it from the inside out. There is no way to see this rot from the outside and there is no way to fix it without cutting open the frame and welding in repairs. If you google image search "Jeep tj frame rot" you can see other cases of the frame failing in the exact same location. …
All notes I have found including online forms requesting this year keeps frame be recalled, rotten at bumpers where steering comes into play and other spots mid frame... Husband was driving when the frame let go, he was in able to steer the vehicle at all! The Jeep was in the middle of the road and had to be towed which caused the road to become unsafe as it was stopped at the bottom of a hill with traffic flying over the hill... He almost go hit 5 times he could have died easily had he not jumped out and called for immediate assistance
Jeep has less than 40,000 miles and is well maintained never off road. . Was driving over a bridge when the rear end felt like it was separating from the body of the Jeep. Jeep became impossible to control and I was almost hit trying to get the vehicle off the road. Jeep was towed to mechanic who said the frame is no good rear control arms separated from the frame the frame had rusted out from the inside. There is no solid steel left to weld onto.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Jeep Wrangler. While an independent mechanic was servicing the vehicle, he observed the chassis was rusted. As a result, the entire chassis needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000. Updated 11/18/15
Driver was going at approximately 35 MPH and approached a slight curve and the entire left rear wheel separated from the axle causing the driver to lose control causing the vehicle to flip down and again it flipped back up, totaling the vehicle. Provide further details.
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 to drain out.
When driving in my neighborhood the passenger side trailing arm on the rear axle detached from the frame because of rust. Upon further inspection the whole frame is extremely rusty and has holes in it.
Affected parts: frame and suspension last weekend I was driving 2000 Jeep tj thought I had a shock mount break. The Jeep wobbled and I lost control of keeping the Jeep straight in my lane almost hitting a car in the other lane. I checked under the Jeep and noticed the rear passenger lower trail arm broke totally away from the frame due to rust. Looking on forums and the web read about safetcap autorust frame sections. So thinking this might be an option to repair it asked a friend that used to work at a body shop take a look. He took a look and was shocked how bad the Jeep was rusted for being a 2000. Didn't notice until we looked again but the skid plate is also falling away from the frame. He is not sure he would have any good metal to weld to and also said it will be like dominos there will be more failed rusted parts under the Jeep like brake lines etc. …
My Jeep has 149,000 miles. I am only the second owner. On April 20, 2019 I drove my Jeep Wrangler tj sport approximately 10 miles. I parked it and went back 5 minutes later. When I depressed the brake pedal it went to the floor. I had it towed to my mechanic. The mechanic told me that there were three rust holes in the brake lines which were leaking brake fluid. He also infomred me that the frame was so rusted that it was not safe to drive at high speeds. I took it to a auto frame shop and was given an estimate of $6,100.00 to have the frame repaired. I have researched this issue and discovered that their is a cottage industry which has sprung up due to the multiple jeeps with the same problem. They note in their advertising that the chrystler/Jeep Wrangler t.j. Frames were manufactured without drain holes. The frames do have holes on their sides just behind and tires. …
Suspension complaints in other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2000 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the suspension of the 2000 Jeep Wrangler, 10% of the model year's 251 complaints. The component named most often is front (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Jeep Wrangler suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 2000 Jeep Wrangler, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Jeep Wrangler suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 125,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to suspension problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.