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Engine & cooling

2000 Jeep Wrangler Engine problems

Owners have filed 26 complaints about the 2000 Jeep Wrangler's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 10% of all its complaints, most recently on May 3, 2019. They describe 1 crash, 9 fires and 0 injuries. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
26
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Fires
9
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Engine complaints

Body, doors & structureEngine & coolingFuel systemFire

I was driving down the road and my jeep caught fire from underneath. I had to stop and jump out to survive. It burnt completely. Nothing survived.

Filed Incident Structure · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11205618
Engine & coolingFuel systemFire

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 jeep wrangler. After parking and shutting off the vehicle, smoke appeared under the hood without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vin was included in nhtsa campaign number: 02v104000 (fuel system, gasoline). The failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Incident Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10875168
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

The pcm/ecu (cars computer or brain), that controls everything in the vehicle, sensors, emissions, fuel etc.Has gone out for the second time causing a crank no start issue. Took vehicle to my local jeep dealer (hemet, ca.) For them to charge me $1450.00!!! For a new pcm! And not a new part, but a rebuilt one! I can find factory replacement pcm's online for $520.00 New not rebuilt! Have read numerous owner co mplaints about this very same part and wondered, "why no recall or tsb"? Thank you for any help.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10863701
Engine & coolingFire

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 jeep wrangler. While parked, the accelerator pedal was depressed and extended to the floorboard. The contact opened the hood and noticed flames. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the number three cylinder was burned and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10750294
Body, doors & structureEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 jeep wrangler. While driving 10 mph, the contact heard a loud sound and the cross member fractured. The contact stated that the engine stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle restarted. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 191,106.

Filed Incident Structure · EngineNHTSA 10726278
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 jeep wrangler. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled after the check engine and brake lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician diagnosed that the cam shaft and crank sensor needed to be replaced. The repairs were made, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000. The vin was unavailable.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10716492
Engine & cooling

The engine cylinder head was cracked between number three and four cylinders for a undetermined amount of time. Jeep would not confirm that a updated cylinder was made to fix the issue. I was told that jeep had no records of cylinder heads cracking. A replacement head has been installed but the oil pressure is low due to the excessive bearing wear cause by coolant in the oil. *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10663723
Engine & coolingFire

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 jeep wrangler sahara. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the vehicle decelerated and began to perform abnormal without any warnings. The contact mentioned that after driving onto the emergency lane, he noticed smoke was emitting from the underneath the hood and minutes later the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames. The fire department was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileage was 204,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10547601
Engine & cooling

The engine has released more than one gallon of antifreeze into the oiling system in less than 500 miles. After removal of the valve cover, a fracture in the cooling system cylinder head water jacket has been found between cylinders 3 and 4 that permits coolant to enter into the oiling system. The dealership stated that the cylinder heads are known to crack without cause, can be replaced with a cylinder head that maybe prone to cracking again and in addition will require several more components to be replaced. The dealership offered no further information. *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10501465
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 jeep wrangler. The contact stated that the vehicle was over-consuming anti freeze. The contact mentioned inspected the vehicle and discovered that the engine head was cracked, causing the antifreeze to mix with the engine oil. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 82,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10490914
Engine & cooling

1) Coolant leak - cracked head (4.0 L v6 - this is a common costly problem according to a tech friend at chrysler dealer. Expensive repair $1200 to $2000+- cause may be defective material weakened by overheating. 2) Oil pressure (gauge) drops to zero at idle and check gauges light appears 3) coolant gets into oil from internal head leakage 4) contaminates the catalytic converter - check engine light appears. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10247874
Engine & cooling

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 jeep wrangler. While driving at any speed, the vehicle shuts off without warning. The most recent failure occurred while driving 60 mph on the highway. The contact was able to place the gear into neutral and restart the vehicle. The dealer stated that they will need to test drive the vehicle to locate the cause of the failure. The vin was unknown. The failure mileage was 95,000 and current mileage was 115,000.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10244307
Engine & coolingCrash

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 jeep wrangler. While driving 30 mph, the contact approached a red light and applied the brakes to come to a complete stop. When he removed his foot from the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to decrease in speed. Instead, the engine revved a bit higher. The contact depressed the braked pedal and the vehicle began to slowly decrease in speed; however, it did not come to a complete stop. The contact rear ended another vehicle. There were no serious damage and the air bags failed...

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to deploy. The contact believes that if children had been present, the crash could have been a lot more serious. He took the vehicle to a repair shop for inspection and was informed that the failure was very common; however, no recalls had been issued. The vin was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 69,000.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10243299
BrakesEngine & cooling

My husband and I purchased a used 2000 jeep grand cherokee about a year and a half ago and we have had problems ever since! Our main problems are with the brakes, rotors, calipers. The left tire gets extremely hot and there is a burning smell. We just recently had new brakes pads and rotors put in and now are having them look at the calipers. This is our second time to the shop. We are also having problems with the air conditioning system - it works okay, but is making the engine run sluggish when the air is on. We...

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are also having problems with the auto locks - grinding noise - had to turn the horn off or wouldn't work. It's just been problem after problem. I'm afraid to drive my jeep for long distances which is exactly what I got it for! I'm afraid to drive it because I am worried about the safety - about the brakes going out! *Tr

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10235138
Engine & cooling

Radiator on 2000 jeep wrangler sport (automatic transmission) just recently I was informed by the jeep dealer where I purchased my jeep that the radiator was leaking and had to be replaced. Pursuant to conversations with others who know me, they told me it could probably be repaired instead of replaced costing me less. A radiator shop confirmed that the radiator, having a plastic top, had to be replaced instead of repaired. I was also told that normally radiator problems occurred on much older vehicles and that...

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most older vehicles had original radiators in them even if they were repaired. My complaint is simple. I think the manufacturer should never have placed a radiator in a vehicle with plastic parts that can not be repaired especially on a radiator. Chrysler's use of radiators with plastic on top are causing the radiators to leak easier/quicker than normal and they can not be repaired. They must be replaced. This seems to be just another way for them to get cash from consumers by making them replace instead of repair. My jeep has been garage kept since I purchased it and the radiator should not have to be repaired or replaced this soon since I have taken very good care of it and taken it to the dealer for service and repairs. I think having plastic on radiators should not be allowed to be placed in any vehicle. It wears out quicker and cannot be fixed. Replacement cost is much greater than a repair cost. Thanks, chrysler! I will never look at another jeep as long as they continue to use radiators with plastic parts. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10215230
Engine & cooling

2000 Wrangler engine head was defective. *Ts the manufacturer refused to replace the engine head free of charge because the vehicle was no longer under warranty. *Nm

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10159468
Engine & cooling

Fails to start and stalls abruptly when in gear, at any speed and in any gear. Check engine light stays on. First dealer replaced leak detection pump. Problem persisted and dealer stated there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. Second dealer stated there was a dirty throttle body. Put conditioner in gas tank. Problem has continued to persist with no solution. *Nm

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10147875
Engine & cooling

Fan control switch was melting in back at one of the contacts. The fan would run only at the high speed setting and if it did run at another setting it would start to smell like something was burning.*Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10057028
Engine & coolingTransmission & drivetrainBody, doors & structure

Persistent leak problems since jeep was 6 months old. Return to dealer over 5 times before noticeable leaks stopped (behind dash board, floor at drivers and a passenger side) fix under originally warranty. 4 New leaks and return of two old leaks - not covered by extended warranty now dealer wants $650 to fix. Additionally have numerous transmission problems and paint rusting problems since a month after I purchase the vehicle.*Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Power train · StructureNHTSA 10021291
Engine & coolingFire

While driving, flames emitted from under the vehicle. *Jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10017550
Engine & coolingFire

Insured states that the engine caught on fire while parked. Claim number 52-2466-618. *Yh

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 6900783
Engine & coolingFire

Insured states that engine caught on fire. Claim number 35-w644-773. *Yh

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 6900782
Engine & coolingFire

The vehicle caught on fire while parked. Claim number 43-r799-130. *Yh

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 6900780
Engine & coolingFire

The consumer parked the vehicle for 10 minutes and she saw smoke from under the hood, the estimator stated it appeared that there was gas on top of the injectors which caused a fule fire, but was very hard to tell. Claim number 46-0457-574. *Yh

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 6900779
Engine & coolingTransmission & drivetrainBody, doors & structure

New transmission at 479 miles plus several other repairs. Speedometer off 8 miles per hour. This problem still has not been fixed. Ding in door post between windshield and driver's door on delivery. Wind noise above passenger door frame. Leaks around driver and back door seals. Oil gallery plug had to be replaced at 3,149 miles. Had to remove transmission and transfer case. Jeep was in shop for a total of 32 days in order to have all work accomplished. New transmission still not working correctly....

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Transmission jumps out of first gear sometimes when vehicle is moving forward. New transmission was installed, but problem of clunking sound during gear change and kicking out of gear is not solved. Was told by agency shop that chrysler corporation had a new manfacturer for 2000 jeep transmissions and the noise was just part of the lighter transmisson. Transmission still is noisy and sounds dry all the time. We are afraid to dirve the vehicle as we don't really have faith the transmission will hold up and we will be in trouble at some point in traffic.*Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Power train · StructureNHTSA 724915

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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