Most common 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems
Share of the 762 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Jeep Grand Cherokee complaints by model year
Best Grand Cherokee years: 2016, 2020, 2017. Years to avoid: 2014, 2012, 2011, 2024, 2023. Compare all years →
2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls (4)
Air bags › Frontal
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured January 9, 2001, to March 28, 2003, 2002-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 13, 2001, to May 23 2003, and 2003-2004 Dodge Viper vehicles manufactured November 1, 2001, to June 30, 2004.
Remedy: Chrysler dealers will replace the air bag control module and side impact sensors as required, free of charge. This recall remedy was applied during earlier recall campaigns of these vehicles under safety recalls 12V527…
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2002 and 2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured January 9, 2001, through March 28, 2003, and 2002 through 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 13, 2001, through May 23, 2003.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a supplemental jumper harness to the airbag control module, free of charge. Owners were notified of the recall by interim letter in January 2013.
Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler
Chrysler is recalling 103,409 my 2001-2004 Jeep grand cherokee vehicles with heated seats and with Chrysler recall no. 06v-197 completed (03-04 my) or seat heater elements service replacement (01-02 my). The front seat electric heater elements could overheat.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front seat heater elements free of charge. The recall began on November 23, 2009. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with heated seats, the front passenger seat electric heater element could overheat.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the heated seat elements. The recall began on July 24, 2006. Owners May contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee:
Jeep inadvertent air bag deployment
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of inadvertent air bag deployments (IABD) occurring after the recall remedy for NHTSA recall 12V-527 had been installed on recalled model year (MY ) 2002-2003 Jeep Liberty and MY 2002-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).The recall was in response to the Office of Defects…
Crash Related Fuel Tank Fires
NHTSA has conducted extensive analysis of the data regarding fuel tank integrity for the model year (MY) 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee (JGC). As a result of that work, the agency has decided to upgrade its safety defect investigation to an Engineering Analysis and to expand the scope of vehicles included in the investigation.
Crash Related Fuel Tank Fires
ODI has completed an extensive analysis of rear crash fuel tank system integrity data for the subject Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Liberty vehicles (SVs).As of June 2013, ODI knew of 56 post-collision fatal fires, 28 non-fatal fires, and 6 fuel leak incidents (totaling 90 incidents, 75 fatalities and 58 injuries) involving the SVs.Based on this analysis, ODI issued a Recall Request Letter (RRL) on June 3, 2013…
Fuel Storage System Crash Related Fires
In a letter dated October 2, 2009, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned NHTSA to open a defect investigation and recall model year 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees.CAS alleged that the subject vehicles have defective fuel tank storage systems that present a fire hazard in crashes.
What 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners say
Air bags all 256 →
The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V046000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the air bag warning lights illuminated. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,236. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the driver's side and passenger's side curtain air bags deployed without impact. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened; however, the case had not been assigned to a case manager. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V046000 (Air Bags). The failure mileage was approximately 212,000.
A/C & heater all 125 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the blower motor failed when he attempted to use the heat and smoke appeared underneath the glove compartment box. There were no warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the connected plug to the blower motor resistor melted the wires and plastic cap that surround the resistor and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to byford Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of chickasha (3121 s 4th st, chickasha OK 73018) for diagnostic testing. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in a recall and advised the contact to call the manufacturer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. The VIN was not available.
Vehicle was not included in Chrysler recall number j14 for front seat electric heater elements that could over heat. Both Chrysler and Jeep dealer were notified of excessive heat generated by vehicle seat heater and declined to make fix or repair without charge. Specifically, they told me they would fix it and charge me for the repay, but were not going to accept responsibility for the problem. Seat did eventually overheat to a point the heater no longer worked. Owner set forth to repair seat and during seat teardown observed evidence of seat fire. Multiple pictures and melted wires were collected and preserved. These items will be provided to NHTSA upon request. It is amazing death/injury did not occur due to this known defect that Chrysler refused to address. All Chrysler vehicles with similar heater design should be inspect and repaired without charge to vehicle owner. …
Windows, wipers & sunroof all 74 →
I have been told that blend doors in the HVAC system are made with a thin plastic which easily breaks. When this happens it does not allow the heated air to travel to the ducts going to the defrosters and other areas.since this happened to my car I have researched and found that this has been a problem for many years on the run of this particular vehicle. Something as important as this should last the life of the car.
July 2006 I was driving my 2003 Jeep when I heard a pop. I was unsure where the sound came from so I looked around the vehicle to see if a rock had hit the window. I then proceeded to roll down each window to see if there was a problem there. I found that the passenger side window was broken and the window slid down into the door. When I called the dealership the person who answered the phone knew immediately what the problem was without even seeing the vehicle because this is apparently a common problem. When the vehicle was taken in for repairs I asked to speak to the manager because I believed it was unfair that I had to pay well over $300 for something that seems to be a defect. He then explained that the genius engineers decided to replace what used to be a steel rod with a piece of plastic! …
2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee a good car?
Based on 762 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2003 Grand Cherokee rates better than average: 44% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Grand Cherokee at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The air bags — 256 complaints, 34% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the a/c & heater (125) and windows, wipers & sunroof (74).
How many recalls does the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the most recent from January 28, 2015 (frontal). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2016, 2020 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2014, 2012, 2011, 2024 and 2023. See the full Jeep Grand Cherokee years comparison.
At what mileage do 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 71,000 miles; 33% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.