37 of the
235 complaints about the 2001 Jeep Wrangler are about the
electrical system — 16% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
105,000 miles.
There is a known problem with the electrical wiring to the climate control panel including the blower motor fan switch. The wiring attached to the assembly gets too hot and melts the blower motor fan switch. When this happens, you are unable to turn on any heat/ac/air speeds. You are not able to select any speed to turn on the air which means you can’t use it to defrost the windshield. This can lead to a poor visibility situation. I am the original owner of my 2001 TJ and I’ve had to have this problem fixed multiple times. There are several videos & discussions about this problem in Jeep forums. Chrysler should’ve recalled it years ago..
NHTSA complaint #11492073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 139,000 milesCharleston, SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL-CONTACT OWNS A 2001 JEEP WRANGLER--- SPOKE WITH CHRYSLER --- CHRSYLER STATED NO RECALLS ON VEHICLE---HORN IN VEHICLE DOES NOT WORK AT ALL AND AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON... CONTACT WAS GIVEN NUMBER TO JEEP REGARDING AIR BAG LIGHT....0 RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VIN
NHTSA complaint #11055688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 117,803 milesWhitehouse, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON WHEN I SMELLED BURNING PLASTIC, THEN SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE AIR VENTS. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE AIR CONDITIONER AND GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER ABOUT 15 MIN THE SMELL DISSIPATED AND I CONTINUED ON WITHOUT THE AIR CONDITIONING. LATER I REMOVED THE COVERS AND FOUND THAT THERE HAD BEEN A FIRE IN THE PLUG THAT GOES TO THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR
NHTSA complaint #11019377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Grove, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAD A FIRE DUE TO A RECALLED IGNITION SWITCH THAT WAS NEVER REPAIRED, I HAD NO IDEA WHEN I BOUGHT THE USED JEEP FROM THE DEALER. CHRYSLER IS NOW DENYING ANY REQUEST TO FIX THE PARTS DAMAGED BY THE FIRE
NHTSA complaint #10916812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesWest Grove, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I LEFT MY TOP OFF OF MY JEEP WRANGLER AND IT RAINED HARD INTO THE NIGHT AND NEXT MORNING. I HEARD THE HORN GOING OFF RANDOMLY SO I RAN OUTSIDE AND THE DRIVERS SIDE DASH AND STEERING COLUMN WERE ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I QUICKLY OPENED THE HOOD, DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND THEN PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH THE HOSE. THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN AND SURROUNDING DASH AND WIRING HARNESS ARE COMPLETELY MELTED. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE THE JEEP WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY
NHTSA complaint #10911086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesHenderson, NV
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10744371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 214,506 milesHolyoke, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10700852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 210,000 milesNorth Dartmouth, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE HVAC SYSTEM IN MY 2001 JEEP WRANGLER WAS BURNT AND MELTED, DUE TO LACK OF PROPER EQUIPMENT. THE HVAC BLOWER FAN, DUE TO BEING OLD, CAUSED RESISTANCE, SENDING TOO HIGH OF A CURRENT TO THE CLIMATE CONTROL HEAD UNIT, MELTING AND BURNING ALL WIRES, CONNECTORS, AND THE HEAD UNIT ITSELF. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN REMEDIED WITH THE EXISTENCE OF RELAYS FOR EACH SOURCE OF POWER HEADING INTO THE HEAD UNIT.
NHTSA complaint #10671658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,660 milesHarpursville, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WENT TO START JEEP THOUGHT DEAD BATTERY AND TRIED TO CHARGE BATTERY GAUGES ON DASH JUMPED AROUND FINALLY BATTERY ENOUGH TO TURN OVER BUT WOULD NOT START SAW WARNING LITE FOR KEY ON DASH.ENGINE WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT START.TOOK TO JEEP DEALER REPLACED COMPUTER MODULE AND FOUND CORRODED MAIN POWER FEED IN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS SPLICED IN NEW WIRE AND SERIAL DATA ALL CAME BACK.I WAS RETURNING HOME JUST PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY ENGINE LITE CAME ON ALONG WITH OTHER LITES ENGINE STALLED TRIED TO START SAME PROBLEM AS BEFORE.RETURNED JEEP TO DEALER CURRENTLY WAITING FOR ANSWER TO PROBLEM COMPUTER DOES NOT ACCEPT MY KEY?I BROUGHT THIS JEEP USED THAT IS WHY I AM LOOKING INTO ANY RECALLS OR KNOWN PROBLEMS OF THIS NATURE.
NHTSA complaint #10648567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,000 milesPort Charlotte, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
JEEP WRANGLER SPORT, 4.0L WAS PURCHASED AS SUBSEQUENT OWNER IN 2003(?) IN SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO. THE PROBLEM APPEARED IN MAYBE 2008 AFTER MOVING TO PANAMA CITY (PANAM). AN AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS OBSERVED, INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN FIRST STARTING. USUALLY A SECOND ATTEMPT WAS SUCCESSFUL. GRUPO Q CHRYSLER JEEP REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH, AT MY EXPENSE. I WAS UNAWARE THAT CHRYSLER DAIMLER HAD RECALLED THESE VEHICLES FOR IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS IN 2003/04, I THINK. MY RESEARCH REVEALED THAT GM/AC-DELCO WAS OEMING THESE SWITCHES TO CHRYSLER-DAIMLER, AND MAYBE OTHERS. THE ONLY THING I EXPERIENCED WAS AN ANNOYANCE, BUT THOSE SYMPTOMS SEEMED TO SUGGEST THAT I MAY HAVE BEEN DRIVING WITH DISABLED AIR-BAGS, HAD I NOT NOTICED THE LIGHT, OR IF HAD BEEN NON-FUNCTIONAL. THE QUESTION IS HOW MANY PEOPLE MIGHT STILL BE DRIVING NON-GM CARS WITH THESE DEFECTIVE SWITCHES, AND WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN PUBLICIZED?
NHTSA complaint #10633239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesUpland, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE BLOWER MOTOR SWITCH GROUND, CONNECTED TO THE MODE SELECTOR HAS MELTED IN MY JEEP. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. BACK IN JULY 2013 THE CONNECTION TO THE MODE SELECTOR MELTED. I REPLACED THE HVAC AC A/C & HEATER CONTROL WITH BLOWER MOTOR SWITCH ONLY TO HAVE IT MELT AGAIN ONE YEAR LATER.
NHTSA complaint #10619104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesSAN Marcos, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
KEY DISENGAGES AND FALLS OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH AND CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10583471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Middletown, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
LOOKS LIKE THERE WAS A SMALL FIRE BEHIND THE HEATER CONTROLS ALL THE WIRES AND THE BACK OF THE SWITCHES ARE MELTED THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE FAN MOTOR CONTROL SWITCH HAS BEEN MELTED.
NHTSA complaint #10479387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,882 milesAugusta, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE DASH BLOWER CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING. WHEN THE MECHANIC CHECK IT AND THE SYSTEM, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BLOWER HAD OVER HEATED THE PIGTAIL CONNECTORS AND MELTED THEM. THE BLOWER CONTROL WAS VISIBLY MELTED AND MULTIPLE SIGNS OF OVERHEATING WERE APPARENT. THE BLOWER CONTROL, ALL PIGTAIL CONNECTORS AND THE BLOWER HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS CAUGHT JUST SHORT OF ME HAVING TO DEAL WITH A FIRE BEING CAUSED BY THIS OVER HEATING OF THE ELECTRICAL PARTS OF THE A/C-HEATER SYSTEM. THIS IS THE SAME SITUATION AS REPORTED IN OTHER COMPLAINTS. REFER TO ODI ID NUMBERS: 10364281, 10283272, 10181912 AND 10145512.
NHTSA complaint #10468440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shelby, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
2001 JEEP WRANGLER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RUSTED AND CRACKED FRAME. *TGW CONSUMER SENT ADDITIONAL LETTER *TGW THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL HASN'T WORKED IN YEARS AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS ALSO BEEN ON FOR YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #10400356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,442 milesShillington, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS IS ONE MORE CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING THE HEATER/FAN/BLOWER WIRING DESIGN FAILURE FOR THE 2001 MODEL OF THE JEEP WRANGLER. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS CONTINUES TO OCCUR IN OTHER TJ MODEL YEARS AS WELL SO I THINK IT IS A SYSTEMIC DESIGN PROBLEM THAT IF NOT CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE A SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. MY CASE IS TYPICAL OF THE FAILURES DESCRIBED BY OTHER 2001 WRANGLER OWNERS IN THAT THE HEATER BLOWER FAN SWITCH BEGAN TO DROP SPEEDS UNTIL ONLY THE HIGHEST SPEED WAS LEFT OPERATIONAL [WHICH I UNDERSTAND IS HOW THE UNDERLYING ELECTRONICS SPECIFICALLY A RESISTOR BANK FAIL IN THIS MODEL]. RECENTLY, THIS 4TH SPEED HAS FAILED AND I AM NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNTIL I CAN RECEIVE SOME ASSURANCE THAT THE HEATER BLOWER WILL NOT CONTINUE TO HEAT UP UNTIL IT CATCHES FIRE AS HAS BEEN REPORTED IN OTHER INSTANCES. AS I WRITE THIS COMPLAINT, IT IS ABOUT 25 DEGREES OUTSIDE, SO DRIVING MY 2001 WRANGLER WITHOUT HEAT IS NOT AN OPTION. I GUESS I AM LUCKY THAT (A) IT FAILED COMPLETELY IN COLD WEATHER FORCING ME TO (B) RESEARCH THE ISSUE LEARNING THAT (C) THIS OBVIOUS VEHICLE DEFECT CAN RESULT IN THE WRANGLER CATCHING FIRE WHICH HAS FORCED ME TO (D) GO WITHOUT THE USE OF THE WRANGLER UNTIL A FACTORY DESIGNED AND SPONSORED FIX IS ENGINEERED AND INSTALLED. SO, IN SUMMARY, 2001 WRANGLER ' FAILED HEATER/FAN/BLOWER SWITCH ' MANY OTHER CASES FOR THIS MODEL YEAR AND SURROUNDING MODEL YEARS ' HAS A HISTORY OF CAUSING VEHICLE FIRES ' THIS NEEDS TO BE A FACTORY SPONSORED RE-ENGINEER AND RECALL, AND NEEDS TO BE DONE NOW BEFORE A FIRE SITUATION CAUSES A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR INJURY OR DEATH !
NHTSA complaint #10364281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 44,203 milesConcord, NH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THERE IS A SERIOUS PRODUCT DEFECT IN THE FAN MOTOR-SWITCH-RESISTER ASSEMBLY IN MY 2001 JEEP WRANGLER. THIS CONDITION HAS BEEN REPAIRED SEVEN TIMES, SIX TIMES UNSUCCESSFULLY (THE FIRST TIME WAS IN 2004, THE YEAR I BOUGHT MY JEEP FROM A DEALERSHIP) AND THE LAST ONE ACCOMPLISHED AUGUST 20, 2009 AND WHO KNOWS HOW LONG THIS WILL LAST. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE FAN SWITCH SUDDENLY FAILS TO OPERATE AND WHEN THE MATTER IS INVESTIGATED THE MECHANIC FINDS THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR, RELAY AND SWITCH HAVE MELTED. THERE IS SOME SORT OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEM OR SURGE WHICH SIX REPAIRS HAVE FAILED TO CORRECT AND MY FEAR IS MY JEEP WILL CATCH ON FIRE AS HAS BEEN REPORTED IN A NUMBER OF CASES.
NHTSA complaint #10283272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,700 milesSalem, NH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
REFER TO ODI ID NUMBER : 10185714; AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT NOW STAYS ON CONSTANTLY; HORN NO LONGER WORKS; DEALERSHIP WHERE PRUCHASED NOTIFIED; SERVICE SCHEDULED; APPEARS TO BE COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAGS FRONTAL SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE WHERE WATER AND/OR ROAD SALT IN THE PROXIMITY OF THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE COULD LEAD TO CORROSION ,AND SUCH CORROSION CAN LEAD TO ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT OR COULD ALLOW INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS.
NHTSA complaint #10186067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesFrostburg, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WIRES FOR HVAC CONTROLS ARE MELTING IN THE PLASTIC CONNECTOR BEHIND THE DASH. SOME OF THE CONTROLS DON'T WORK RIGHT ANYMORE. WIRES COULD SHORT AND CAUSE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10181912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesFountain Hills, AZFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
A/C HEATER BLOWER WIRING CAUSES FIRE AT CENTER OF DASHBOARD. WHEN A/C OR HEATER IS PLACED IN HIGH BLOWER SWITCHS ARE SELECTOR WIRING OVER LOADS AND CAUSES BURNING. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE. NOTED AT SALVAGE AUCTIONS MANY 2000 AND UP JEEP WRANGLERS CATCH FIRE IN THIS AREA AND BURN COMPLETE. HARD TO FIGURE AFTER FIRE WHAT HAS HAPPEN. IM SURE INSURANCE COMPANYS WOULD BE INTERESTED IN THIS DEFECT. DO NOT KNOW HOW MANY INJURYS, BUT IM SURE THERE HAS BEEN SOME. I HAVE DICONNECTED THE HIGH POSITION WIRE SO THAT OVERLOAD WOULD NOT ACCURE TILL I COULD FIGURE A FIX OR JEEP WILL ADMIT TO A PROBLEM AND A FIX.
NHTSA complaint #10145512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,000 milesSelkirk, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH SMELL OF BURNING STYROFOAM PERMEATED THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. A FEW SECONDS LATER, HEATED STYROFOAM BEGUN TO BE EJECTED FROM DRIVER'S SIDE AIR VENTS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10046115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED IN A FIRE, IN WHICH FIRE OFFICIALS STATED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE DASHBOARD, HOWEVER CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCH AND FELT THE FIRE DAMAGE WAS A RESULT OF THE RECALL.*JG
NHTSA complaint #568430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winchester, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER STATES THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE REPAIRS FOR RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8019741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Holliston, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 02V075000 RELATING TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. WHEN VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER, CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO PARTS. EACH WEEK FOR 3 WEEKS CONSUMER HAS CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE ARE OVER 400 PEOPLE WAITING FOR THE PARTS, THERE IS NO DELIVERY DATE FOR THE PARTS. CONSUMER CONTINUES TO DRIVE VEHICLE WITH A POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE PART WHICH COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE A FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #566902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Louis Park, MNFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF CONSUMER WENT INTO THE STORE, AND WHEN COMING OUT VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THAT DAY CONSUMER DROVE ONLY 18 MILES. CONTACTED DEALER ,AND THE DEALER WAS TAKING A LOOK AT VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #8014594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 02V075000 CALLING FOR REPLACEMENT OF IGNITION SWITCH. HOWEVER THE RECALL REPAIR CAN NOT BE DONE DUE TO LACK OF PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #566008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unknown, 00
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION (02V075000) AND UPON MAKING THE APPOINTMENT, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT IT WOULD BE AT LEAST 2 WEEKS BEFORE THE PART WOULD BE ORDERED.
NHTSA complaint #566005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Drums, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
SOMETIMES VEHICLE WILL START AND SOMETIMES IT WON'T.
NHTSA complaint #8011280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A SHORT TIME WHEN A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD, NEAR FUEL RAIL AND FUEL INJECTORS. DAMAGE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #8010888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fountain Hills, AZ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION STARTS TO SLIP.*AK A NEW TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE INSTALLED. THERE WAS A LEAKING TANK SEAL. WATER LEAKS THROUGH THE A/C AND HEATER HOSES. THERE ARE HOLES AT THE BULK HEAD. THERES A FAULTY KEY CYLINDER. THE PASSENGER DOOR IS DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND CLOSE. THERE ARE 2 RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. ONE FOR A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH AND THE OTHER FOR HTE INTAKE MANIFOLD.
NHTSA complaint #8010350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.