JeepWrangler20022.5L/jeep/wrangler/2002/2-5l/
TJ platform

2002 Jeep Wrangler — 2.5L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 Wrangler 2.5L.

Body SUVEngine 2.5LTransmission Automatic 3-spd

The 2002 Jeep Wrangler is a TJ-platform SUV equipped with a 2.5L engine and a 3-speed automatic transmission that returns EPA-rated fuel economy of 14/17/16 mpg. Routine servicing requires 4 quarts of 20W-40, 20W-50, or 10W-40 API oil with a filter, though long-term ownership has generated 108 total complaints and 6 recalls, with the vehicle's structure being the top complaint area. When placed against the Wrangler's 1990-2023 reliability history, this model year sits well above the historical low of 5 complaints in 1996 yet far beneath the 1,792 complaints of the 2018 peak, indicating a middling level of dependability that is neither remarkably trouble-free nor severely problematic.

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type20W-40 / 20W-50 / 10W-40 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-110 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy14/17/16 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 34 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 34 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP205-75R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter04797777AC
Fuel filter04798301 discontinued
Spark plugSP000ZFR5N alt 68304022AA
Battery1BPB5800AA
Front wiper blades55154762AF discontinued
Serpentine belt53010150 alt 53013209AD
Thermostat52028186AC alt 53020547AC

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined14 / 17 / 16 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

No 2002 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

10.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 10.90 sec — 1998 SE 2-door
120 hpHorsepower (as tested)
140 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1998SE 2-door 2.5L I-410.90 sec17.80 sec120 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4 qt w/ filter of 20W-40 / 20W-50 / 10W-40 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 · SYNTHETIC in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-110 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5 · 80W-140
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.5 Pints
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5 · SYNTHETIC
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.5 Pints
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5 · SYNTHETIC
Differential Gear Oil Capacity4 pints, mvc front, non_mvc 216
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings33 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts105 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs17 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-110 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill PlugSteel case: 35.0, Aluminum case: 18.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain PlugSteel case: 35.0, Aluminum case: 18.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub175 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.95-1.20 Toyodenso ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance11,300-13,300 ohms
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.71-.88 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.035 in
Spark Plug Torque30 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.25 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Oil Capacity6.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief12-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature195 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)47-51 psi
Engine Compression120-150 PSI. 30 Maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure13
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle7-15 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.030 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.030
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.005 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.944 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.944 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.894 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Coat threads of bolt 7 with sealant

122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
245 ft. lbs.45 ft. lbs
3bolts 1-6110 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBody Fasteners (torque) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 15,000 miBattery (inspect electrolyte level) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
At 51,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (replace)
Every 100,000 miBands (adjust) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 151,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2002 Jeep Wrangler sits near the low point of the TJ generation (1997–2006) in terms of federal complaints, with 108 reported—down from 177 in 2001 and just above 102 in 2003. Recalls for 2002 total 6, which is consistent with the generation’s gradual decline from 7 in 2001 to 4 in 2003, while TSBs (43) are also among the lowest of the TJ era. The generation’s overall arc shows complaints and recalls peaking early (1997) and late (2005–2006), with a trough around 2002–2003, making 2002 a relatively stable year. The top complaint areas—Structure, Air Bags, Power Train, and Suspension—are present but not unusually high, and the data does not specify root causes for these issues. Given its position in the trend, the 2002 Wrangler is a better buy than later TJ models (2005–2006) but still carries typical generation concerns; it is a reasonably solid choice within the TJ lineup.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
43
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
108
Owner complaints
15 involved a crash · 5 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 108 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure15
Air Bags10
Power Train9
Suspension7
Electrical System7
Steering6
Suspension,Structure5
Tires5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E022000Service Brakes, HydraulicReported 13/03/2006

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA… Remedy: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER…

06E026000Exterior LightingReported 23/03/2006

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL… Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 43 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
1012322024-10-29Power TrainPlate - Planetary
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
S20250000052020-06-01Electrical SystemMalfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illumination. Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0407 ? EGR…
23-015-202020-04-30EquipmentDisinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Wrangler. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2002 Wrangler 2.5L take?

4 qt w/ filter of ABOVE 30 degrees F: 20W-40 OR 20W-50 API, ABOVE 0 degrees F: 10W-40 API, BELOW 60 degrees F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2002 Wrangler have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.5L get?

EPA figures are 14 city / 17 highway / 16 combined mpg.