JeepWrangler20002.5L/jeep/wrangler/2000/2-5l/
TJ platform

2000 Jeep Wrangler — 2.5L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2000 Wrangler 2.5L.

Body SUVEngine 2.5LTransmission Automatic 3-spd

The 2000 Jeep Wrangler 2.5L is a TJ-platform SUV powered by a 2.5-liter engine paired with a 3-speed automatic transmission, delivering EPA estimates of 15/17/16 mpg across city, highway, and combined driving. With 288 total owner complaints and 5 recalls during this model year, 2000 sits in the moderate-to-lower complaint territory of a complaint history spanning 1990–2023 that ranged from a low of 5 complaints in 1996 to a peak of 1,793 in 2018—the latter driven largely by powertrain issues, the same top complaint area for this model year—suggesting this generation held relatively steady on reliability before worsening substantially in subsequent years.

Model year200120001999199819971995

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-110 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/17/16 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 · 500 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 Note the factory fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 · 500 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225-60R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 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 53010234AB
Thermostat52028186AC alt 53020547AC

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 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 2000 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 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 · 80W-140 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 Capacity4.9 Pints,
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769
Engine Oil10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt w/ filter
Power Steering FluidMS-5931

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 Plug35.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug35.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub175 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)200 rpm
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

Battery & A/C

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

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.

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 60,000 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) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 37,500 miBands (adjust) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 51,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (replace)

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 2000 Wrangler sits at a transitional point in the TJ generation: complaints rose to 288 from 223 in 1999, yet remained well below the 19971998 peak (455 and 271), while recalls held steady at five and TSBs declined to 52 from 67 the prior year. The subsequent model years show a sharp improvement, with complaints falling to 177 in 2001 and 108 in 2002, suggesting the 2000 model captures the tail end of early-generation teething issues rather than a new defect wave. Power Train (64 complaints) and Structure (45) dominate the 2000 profile, alongside notable crash (19) and fire (25) reports, though the data does not specify root causes for these categories. Recalls and investigations remain low and flat across 1999–2001, indicating no major federal safety actions unique to this year. Compared to the high-TSB, high-complaint launch years, the 2000 model shows moderate but elevated activity that largely resolves by 2001. Takeaway: a reasonable buy if the Power Train and Structure items have been addressed, but budget for potential driveline and body-frame repairs given the complaint concentration.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
52
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
288
Owner complaints
19 involved a crash · 25 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 288 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train64
Structure45
Engine & Engine Cooling18
Suspension16
Electrical System15
Seat Belts15
Air Bags13
Service Brakes, Hydraulic12

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 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 52 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
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…
08-049-202020-04-22Electrical SystemCharging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…
D-20-02 Rev. A2020-03-04EquipmentDIPAP Requirements - Addition of Jeep Wrangler (JL/JK) and Jeep Gladiator (JT) Hard Top…

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 2000 Wrangler 2.5L take?

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

Does the 2000 Wrangler have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.5L get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 17 highway / 16 combined mpg.