Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Jeep Wrangler owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Takata recall my vehicle was in motion traveling about 50 MPH when it lost control on a wet road. The car slid across the road, over a small ditch, and head on into a tree. The car bounced from the tree and swiped the drivers side with another tree and finally bouncing back towards the road. The road was slightly curved downhill in a small town. I attempted to use my brakes while out of control but they were ineffective. The weather conditions were thunderstorms on and off, raining in the area of the accident. I believe the airbag is the safety risk. The car hit the tree in the center of the grill which cracked the radiator, twisted the motor mounts, damaged the suspension, folded the frame and several other fractures. The airbag never deployed, both a body shop and the towing company said it should have deployed. The car is considered totaled. …
I believe the Jeep Wrangler built by daimler Chrysler has safety defects that constitute a series of safety hazards. 1. Automatic transmission shifts and engine RPM accelerating on breaking. On several occasions my Jeep engine rpms raced and the vehicle leaped forward while breaking and coming to a stop. Since the problem does not happen with regularity the dealerships can find nothing wrong. 2. Front seat belts. The front seat belts do not retract smoothly, quickly and without getting caught in the door locking mechanism. 3. Full size doors. They do not close and secure fully as the door is ajar until you re-close the door with force. 4. Break noise. I get a consistent clack noise when applying the breaks. I have had the dealership work on this problem on five occasions to include a complete break service. The problem is still there. 4. Build quality. …
This is been an ongoing problem since I purchased this vehicle the frame is pretty much completely rotted away basically since the day I bought it it is cost me almost $4000 to get the frame repair of repeatably. One such time my transmission and transfer case actually fell out because the skid plate rotted out for bolts on. This specific repair cost me almost $3000 to fix as I had to get another transfer case and a newport of rail made. I also have my rear upper control arm mounts rust off of the frame destroying my rear axle . That was another $2000 replacement. I have seen instances at the shop where ports of falling off of these vehicles due to the same issue. I respect the Toyota recall the rusted frames and I think it's finally time to make Chrysler do the same . They have known this is an issue since the 80s and continue to do this.
This 2001 Jeep Wrangler tj failed ny state safety inspection due to frame rust. Purchased new on 06/01/2001 from a Jeep dealership in lindenhurst, ny and only has 116,097 miles on a 4.0 engine. This tubular frame rust is premature due to lack of "weep holes" that allows water to exit the frame, thereby promoting rust from the inside, out and is costly to repair (see attachment). Note... Toyota has had similar "rusty frame" issues, but Toyota has done the "right thing". See write-up and video here: http://autoweek.com/article/recalls/Toyota-frame-settlement-could-cost-company-34-billion ... I love my Wrangler, but if Jeep refuses to help with this (wide spread) rusty frame issue, I May very well make a Toyota my next purchase! This is not just a customer service issue, this is a big safety issue!!!
(*note: I live in ct, USA. I park my Jeep in the garage when it snows, and in the driveway the rest of the time.) while retrieving something out of the back seat, I stepped up on the running board (aka. Side step) and as I leaned in, it ripped right out of the frame. Within a month of this, my skid plate rotted out of the frame and left my transmission unsupported and my universal joint hanging at 30 degree angle. I brought it to my mechanic, who told me to take it straight to a body shop. It's been there two weeks now! I purchased 2 skid plate mount replacements which they are welding on right now. *note: I'd upload pictures of my frame, but my Jeep is still in the shop. So... (attached) are some pictures of the running board and rusted-out mounts.
When sitting in my driveway with the engine running I noticed a burnt odor smell from the dash area. The air conditioner was running on high blower and on the max setting of internal air flow. The blower stopped working shortly after this happened. Upon inspection of the blower switch I found the switch had started to burn and melt at the connection for the max blower speed. I have replaced the switch twice now with the same problem,the circuit needs a relay in it to prevent the blower switch from over heating and causing the wire from burning up. At no time was the fuse blown on the circuit.
I have a 2001 Jeep Wrangler with only 89,000 miles. The entire frame and undercarriage is rusted out and the transfer case has fallen off. I'm unable to drive it is so unsafe!! I can not believe that a vehicle only 15 years old would be in this condition!! I will be getting an attorney!! Apparently there is not proper holes for drainage in the frame and it has caused the water to pool and rust out the frame. I still owe $6000 on this vehicle! I will never buy a Jeep again! I called Chrysler and because it's so far out of warranty and no recalls they are unwilling to do anything for me...ugh
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Jeep Wrangler. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the frame of the vehicle was completely rusted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who confirmed that the vehicle's frame was rusted. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer informed the contact that the frame was no longer being manufactured. The failure mileage was 107,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that there was extensive rust and corrosion to the frame. The dealer and the manufacturer had been notified of the failure and provided no recommended solution to prevent the condition the vehicle was to be inspected and diagnosed by an independent mechanic and a dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 06/13/17
Frame is completely rusted only 90K miles. The transmission dropped because the structure holding it up was bolted to the frame and because the entire frame is completely rusted it cant be fixed. Its so bad a no body shop will fix it, rust kit is no help with how bad this frame is rusted. This is completely ridicules that a frame is this badly rusted at 90K miles.
Body complaints in other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2001 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the body & structure of the 2001 Jeep Wrangler, 22% of the model year's 170 complaints. The component named most often is body (24 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Jeep Wrangler body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2001 Jeep Wrangler, though it has 3 recalls 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 2001 Jeep Wrangler body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 94,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries to body & structure 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.