Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
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. …
Was traveling down dirt road at at 20 to 25 MPH, then heard different noise like metal scraping. Shifting seemed a little harder but was still working. After returning home I looked under the Jeep and found the transmission skid plate had rusted away from the frame and only 3 bolts on the drivers side holding the transmission in place. If traveling at highway speeds and if both sides broke loose this would have been a different story. I've done some checking after this happens and learned this is a common issue as well as rusting out in other places with jeeps and think the manufacturer has and least some liability with this ongoing issue.
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
I have a Jeep that has a frame that is rusted in the rear trailing arms and were the transmission is held. No incident has happened yet but if this were to break on the road could cause an accident. I work for Hyundai who has a recall on quite a few cars and suvs for the frame rotting out on cars as old as 2000 I also no Toyota and Nissan and other manufactures have recalls on frames why not Jeep I realize it May be specific to salt belt areas but those other companies are fixing the problem. Also the climate control melted could have caused a fire I know this is also a common problem.
Skid plate that holds transmission fell from rusted frame. If I was going on freeway at 55 or plus this would have been a very bad situation....looking into frame I see that this is common with wranglers from like 1997 to 2002 and it is a factory defect....you have recalled mazdas, toyotas and other 2000ish vehicles due to rusted frames...these should be recalled and frames replaced before more fatal things happen....I am looking in getting mine replaced...but if I do and then it is recalled do I get Jeep to pay me back for my repairs???
Frame rusted on both driver and passenger side at brush guard/trans support, and transmission dropped while driving. Bottom of frame under driver/passenger seat were brush guard attaches is completely rusted away and the frame has started to crack up the sides. I would think this would be a crash safety issue. I have never seen a frame completely rust away on a 14 year old car.
My frame rusted out. This is a common problem on Jeep wranglers. I was lucky enough to be in the process of changing my transmission fluid when I found the issue. The part of the frame where the transmission mount attaches to completely rusted through and nothing was holding the transmission/rear engine mount to the frame.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that when the vehicle was placed in the park position, the vehicle rolled backwards. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
The transmission makes a rattle/chattering sound while in neutral (clutch must be left out too). It only does this as the engine gets warm. Vehicle has been looked at on multiple occasions at various dealerships. I have expressed my concern that the transmission May fail once out of warranty if this is not remedied. Dealers all say this is normal, but new venture gear (transmission manufacturer) when contacted says it was not designed to make this noise. Only some vehicles with this transmission have this problem, which leads me to believe there were a series of faulty transmissions made. This is a potentially expensive repair and I don't want my warranty to expire before it finally breaks. I feel that other owners and I are being given the run around due to the high cost to dealerships if they admit this is a problem. …
The transmission makes a rattle/chattering sound while in neutral (clutch must be left out too). It only does this as the engine gets warm. Vehicle has been looked at on multiple occasions at various dealerships. I have expressed my concern that the transmission May fail once out of warranty if this is not remedied. Dealers all say this is normal, but new venture gear (transmission manufacturer) when contacted says it was not designed to make this noise. Only some vehicles with this transmission have this problem, which leads me to believe there were a series of faulty transmissions made. This is a potentially expensive repair and I don't want my warranty to expire before it finally breaks. I feel that other owners and I are being given the run around due to the high cost to dealerships if they admit this is a problem. …
Transmission complaints in other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2001 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2001 Jeep Wrangler, 14% of the model year's 170 complaints. The component named most often is manual transmission (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Jeep Wrangler transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 38% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.