What's Wrong with the 2nd Generation (1996–2006) Wrangler?

Wrangler owners have made 219 complaints about the 1996–2006 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 5th out of 18 Jeep generations in overall reliability, with real suspension and fuel system concerns.

Compare With Other Wrangler Generations

Common 1996-2006 Jeep Wrangler Problems

Some of the worst issues 2nd generation Wrangler owners have to deal with.

  1. Death Wobble

    The death wobble is a creative term coined by Jeep owners that describes a situation when the front axle begins violently oscillating, causing the car to shake (or wobble) in a manner which makes the vehicle hard to control.

    Continue reading article "Death Wobble" A red Wrangler climbing over rocks

  2. Window Regulator Failure

    Without the window regulator, power windows become useless. That's exactly what has happened to thousands of Jeep owners; hundreds have complained about their windows falling into the door, sometimes at highway speeds!…

    Continue reading article "Window Regulator Failure" A missing Jeep window that's all taped up

  3. Wrangler Gas Overflow Complaints

    Jeep owners are up in gasoline-covered arms about how fuel overflows from their tank during the refueling process. The fuel system does not seem to respond to the shut-off mechanism, which means gas spills out onto the ground, the car and e…

    Continue reading article "Wrangler Gas Overflow Complaints" Fuel spraying out during a fill-up

What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

2nd Generation (1996–2006) Wrangler Key Numbers

  1. 11 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 219 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 5th in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 18 eligible generations.

What Wrangler Owners Say About This Generation

Jeep Windows Keep Falling Into the Door

I just think the auto company should replace the defective part that was put onto the car. I don't like being told that I live in the wrong state or my Jeep was built in the wrong month, the part is defective and it doesn't matter what year it was made or what state I live in, right is right.