2000 Jeep Wagoneer fuel filter

For high mileage vehicles, replacing the fuel filter annually for preventative maintenance is a good idea for two reasons. By the time a vehicle is six or seven years old, there can be a fair amount of rust and debris in the fuel tank. Rust can be formed by moisture and condensation, and debris can get into your tank anytime you add fuel. So changing it on a periodic basis can help minimize the risk of plugging.

Most newer vehicles do not have a specified interval for replacing the fuel filter. In fact, some even have "lifetime" filters that supposedly never need to be changed. But any filter can plug up if enough rust or debris gets sucked into the fuel inlet.