FaultScore

2001 Jeep Wrangler window and wiper problems

14 of the 235 complaints about the 2001 Jeep Wrangler are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 6% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 45,000 miles.

B

14

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System 5 35.7%
Visibility 4 28.6%
Fan/Motor 2 14.3%
Windshield Wiper/Washer 1 7.1%
Windshield 1 7.1%
Visibility/Wiper 1 7.1%

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers across every Jeep Wrangler year

1997 21 5.7%
1998 16 4.3%
1999 15 4.1%
2001 14 3.8%
2004 11 3.0%
2007 15 4.1%
2008 24 6.5%
2010 13 3.5%
2011 14 3.8%
2012 41 11.1%
2013 39 10.5%
2014 13 3.5%
2018 42 11.4%
2019 30 8.1%
2020 33 8.9%
2021 19 5.1%
2023 10 2.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Wake Forest, NC

VISIBILITY/WIPER

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 105,000 miles Upland, CA

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC 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 105,000 miles Upland, CA

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

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 30,000 miles Henderson, NV

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

THE A/C,HEATER BLOWER SWITCH MOPAR PART 305011214AA OVER HEATS AND THE WIRING START TO MELT,THE SWITCH STARTS TO MELT AND THEN THE SWITCH FAILS. THERE APPEARS TO BE TO MUCH CURRENT DRAW FROM THE BLOWER MOTOR. IT CAUSES THE DARK GREEN POWER LEAD CONNECTED TO THE SWITCH TO OVERHEAT MELTING THE INSULATION ON THE LEAD AND THE CONNECTIONS ON THE SWITCH. THIS HAS OCCURED AGAIN TODAY SEPTEMBER 22,2012. THIS CAUSED THE SAME PROBLEM,WIRES OVERHEAT,CONNECTIONS AND WIRES MELT AND SWITCH HOUSING AT CONNECTIONS START TO SMOLDER UNTIL SWITCH FAILS,WHEN SWITCH FAILS CURRENT CEASSES TO FLOW TO BLOWER MOTOR AND EVERYTHING COOLS DOWN ENOUGH TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE TO SWITCH WIRING. FUSE FOR THE CIRCUIT DOES NOT BLOW OUT. TO REPAIR, SWITCH MUST BE REPLACED AND NEW WIRE CONNECTORS INSALLED,AND THE DARK GREEN WIRE WILL START TO GET HOT ENOUGH TO BE UNCOMFABLE TO THE TOUCH. DEALERSHIP PARTS DEPT. EMPLOYEES HAVE CONFIRMED THAT THESE SWITCH FAIL REGULARLY.,

NHTSA complaint #10476760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 113,882 miles Augusta, GA

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC 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.

at 45,000 miles SAN Antonio, TX

VISIBILITY

JEEP WRANGLER SE, 2001. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD GLASS CRACKED THREE TIMES IN THE SAME LOCATION (NEAR THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER). I THINK THE STRESS CRACK IS DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD STRUCTURE OF POSSIBLYALL 2001 JEEP WRANGLER SE MODELS.

NHTSA complaint #10410056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 42,442 miles Shillington, PA

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC 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 miles Concord, NH

VISIBILITY

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.

Pahrump, NV 1 injured

VISIBILITY

DRIVING 2001 JEEP WRANGLER WITH BESTOP SLIDER WINDOWS, INSTALLED ABOVE FACTORY HALF DOORS. UPPER DOOR SLIDER FOR TJ WRANGLER PART NUMBER 51787. *TR PLASTIC TABS ON WINDOW UNIT ALL OF A SUDDEN BROKE AND WINDOW FLEW INTO DRIVER'S HEAD AND FACE. BESTOP IN BROOMFIELD COLORADO800 845 3561 REFUSED TO REPLACE OR REPAIR PRODUCT AND REFUSED TO COMMENT ON FAILURE OR SAFETY.

NHTSA complaint #10278261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,000 miles Ingleside, IL

VISIBILITY

FAILURE OF HEATING SYSTEM (EXTREMELY COMMON IN ALL JEEPS & CHRYSLER CARS IN GENERAL) EITHER BLOWER SWITCH (REPLACED), BLOWER FAN RESISTOR (REPLACED), AND / OR BLOWER FAN ITSELF. BLOWER SWITCH ASSEMBLY MELTED, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A POTENTIAL FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10256103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Plainfield, IN

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

MULTIPLE FAILURES OF THE HEATING FAN BLOWER MOTOR SWITCH AND THE FAN RESISTOR.

NHTSA complaint #10211099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,000 miles Hamilton, OH

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

WATER CAME INTO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD BECAUSE IT WAS NOT SEALED PROPERLY. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10018042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Darien, CT

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID RESERVOIR WAS NOT HOLDING FLUIDS, CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON 3 OCCASIONS ONLY TO BE TOLD THERE WERE NO LEAKS AND A NEW RESERVOIR WOULD BE ORDERED, HOWEVER CONSUMERS COUSIN LATER DETERMINED THAT THE HOSE WAS NEVER CAPPED WHEN THE HARD TOP WAS REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE SOFT TOP WAS INSTALLED.

NHTSA complaint #564744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fountain Hills, AZ

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

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.

Other 2001 Jeep Wrangler problems

← Full 2001 Jeep Wrangler report