Jeep Wrangler TJ

Jeep Wrangler TJ
Photo: IFCAR / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

The Jeep Wrangler TJ (1997–2006): dimensions, weights, reliability and the official figures of its 31 versions in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.

Model codes: TJ

Dimensions, weights and capacity

SpecificationEuropeWikipedia
Dimensions
Length3,880 mm RDW3,840–4,343 mm
Width1,740 mm RDW1,694–1,735 mm
Height1,780 mm RDW1,783–1,808 mm
Wheelbase2,370 mm RDW2,372–2,626 mm
Front track1,473–1,572 mm ASTRA–
Rear track1,473–1,572 mm ASTRA–
Weights and towing
Kerb weight1,405–1,585 kg RDW1,403–1,750 kg
Mass in running order1,505–1,685 kg RDW–
Gross vehicle weight1,925–2,019 kg RDW–
Towing, braked trailer1,920–3,500 kg ASTRA–
Towing, unbraked trailer450 kg RDW–
Seats and space
Seats4 RDW–
Doors2–3 RDW–
Fuel tank–72 L
Performance
Top speed142–174 km/h RDW142–180 km/h
Torque215–315 Nm ASTRA186–410 Nm

Tyre sizes (most common first): 215/75R15, 225/75R15, 225/70R16

Ranges cover the generation’s versions and body styles; European and North American versions can differ. Sources: RDW type approvals (Netherlands), Wikipedia (en, de), ASTRA type approvals (Switzerland). Wikipedia figures are used under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Reliability and owner reports

UK MOT: first-time pass rate by age

Age at testPass rateUK averageTests
13 years and older71.7% (70.5–72.9)69.2%5,391

What the MOT finds

AreaThis modelUK average, same ages
Suspension39.3%41.6%
Brakes32.7%36.4%
Lights and electrics26.3%28.8%
Body, chassis and structure18.2%18.6%
Noise, emissions and leaks15.5%17.1%
Steering11.9%7.7%

First MOT test of each car per year in 2022–2024, from the DVSA’s anonymised test results; only ages with at least 500 tests are shown. The figure in brackets is the 95% confidence interval; green or red means clearly above or below the UK average. The second table shows how often an item was noted (defect or advisory) in each area, against the UK average for cars of the same ages. DVSA anonymised MOT tests (Open Government Licence)

Owner complaints to NHTSA (US)

3,101 complaints for model years 1997–2006. 161 crashes · 88 fires · 155 injuries · 12 deaths

  • Fuel system 924
  • Suspension 278
  • Engine 245
  • Steering 226
  • Transmission and drivetrain 205
  • Electrical system 178

Complaints are reported by owners and not checked by NHTSA; they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular models have more. NHTSA owner complaints

All 31 versions of the Jeep Wrangler TJ

Show all 31 versions

United Kingdom 8 versions

New cars on sale in the UK, from the Vehicle Certification Agency. NEDC figures until 2018 and WLTP figures after; years are the editions a version appeared in.

Years and versionEngineFuelGearboxConsumption (combined)CO₂
2006–20074.0L · 44.0 LPetrol6-speed manual13.0 L/100 km NEDC323 g/km
2006–20074.0L · 44.0 LPetrol4-speed automatic13.0 L/100 km NEDC321 g/km
2003–20062.4L (LHD)2.4 LPetrol5-speed manual10.4 L/100 km NEDC248 g/km
20062.4L (LHD)2.4 LPetrol6-speed manual10.0 L/100 km NEDC246 g/km
2000–20064.0L4.0 LPetrol5-speed manual12.7–13.2 L/100 km NEDC298–315 g/km
2003–20064.0L4.0 LPetrol4-speed automatic15.0 L/100 km NEDC362 g/km
2000–20032.5L2.5 LPetrol5-speed manual11.2–11.7 L/100 km NEDC261–275 g/km
2000–20034.0L4.0 LPetrol3-speed automatic13.7–14.7 L/100 km NEDC325–350 g/km

United States 14 versions

Model years sold in the USA, from the EPA and the Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov). MPG on the EPA test; litres per 100 km = 235.215 ÷ MPG.

Years and versionEngineFuelGearboxDriveConsumption (combined)CO₂
2005–20062.4 LPetrol6-speed manualFour- or all-wheel drive17 MPG (13.8 L/100 km) EPA325 g/km
2003–2006CLKUP4.0 LPetrol4-speed automaticFour- or all-wheel drive14–16 MPG (14.7–16.8 L/100 km) EPA345–394 g/km
2005–20064.0 LPetrol6-speed manualFour- or all-wheel drive15 MPG (15.7 L/100 km) EPA368 g/km
2003–20042.4 LPetrol4-speed automaticFour- or all-wheel drive17 MPG (13.8 L/100 km) EPA325 g/km
2003–20042.4 LPetrol5-speed manualFour- or all-wheel drive17 MPG (13.8 L/100 km) EPA325 g/km
2003–20044.0 LPetrol5-speed manualFour- or all-wheel drive16 MPG (14.7 L/100 km) EPA345 g/km
1998–2002SIL2.5 LPetrol5-speed manualFour- or all-wheel drive17 MPG (13.8 L/100 km) EPA325 g/km
1998–20022.5 LPetrol3-speed automaticFour- or all-wheel drive15–16 MPG (14.7–15.7 L/100 km) EPA345–368 g/km
1998–20024.0 LPetrol3-speed automaticFour- or all-wheel drive14–15 MPG (15.7–16.8 L/100 km) EPA368–394 g/km
1998–2002SIL4.0 LPetrol5-speed manualFour- or all-wheel drive15–16 MPG (14.7–15.7 L/100 km) EPA345–368 g/km
19972.5 LPetrol5-speed manualFour-wheel drive18 MPG (13.1 L/100 km) EPA307 g/km
19972.5 LPetrol3-speed automaticFour-wheel drive16 MPG (14.7 L/100 km) EPA345 g/km
19974.0 LPetrol5-speed manualFour-wheel drive16 MPG (14.7 L/100 km) EPA345 g/km
19974.0 LPetrol3-speed automaticFour-wheel drive15 MPG (15.7 L/100 km) EPA368 g/km

Canada 9 versions

Model years sold in Canada, from Natural Resources Canada fuel consumption ratings (5-cycle test).

Years and versionEngineFuelGearboxConsumption (combined)CO₂
2006Sport utility vehicle2.4 LPetrol6-speed manual13.7 L/100 km 5-cycle315 g/km
2003–2006Sport utility vehicle4.0 LPetrol4-speed automatic14.7–16.5 L/100 km 5-cycle338–380 g/km
2005–2006Sport utility vehicle4.0 LPetrol6-speed manual15.5–16.4 L/100 km 5-cycle357–377 g/km
2003–2004Sport utility vehicle2.4 LPetrol4-speed automatic13.9–14.0 L/100 km 5-cycle320–322 g/km
2003–2004Sport utility vehicle2.4 LPetrol5-speed manual13.7–13.8 L/100 km 5-cycle315–317 g/km
1997–2004Sport utility vehicle4.0 LPetrol5-speed manual14.0–15.8 L/100 km 5-cycle322–363 g/km
1997–2002Sport utility vehicle2.5 LPetrol3-speed automatic14.3–15.5 L/100 km 5-cycle329–357 g/km
1997–2002Sport utility vehicle2.5 LPetrol5-speed manual13.4–13.9 L/100 km 5-cycle308–320 g/km
1997–2002Sport utility vehicle4.0 LPetrol3-speed automatic15.3–16.1 L/100 km 5-cycle352–370 g/km

Similar models from other brands

Official figures are measured on standard test procedures and differ between markets. Your consumption depends on how, where and in what conditions you drive.