Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (air conditioning, heater, defroster, HVAC controls).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
Tl contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the contact activated the heated seats, which took approximately five minutes to warm up. Three minutes later, the seat warmed up excessively and caused mild burns to her body. The dealer stated that her VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 06V197000 (seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler), although the failure was identical. The contact would have to repair the vehicle at her own expense. The manufacturer has not been notified. The failure mileage was 57,220 and current mileage was 61,716. Updated 3/4/08 the dealer stated malfunction indicator light on, and transmission not shifting properly. Updated 03/04/08
Safety recall f17 - heated seat elements, Grand Cherokee 2003 recall completed 07aug06 by smith stokes Chrysler, highway 87,po. Box 1496, reidsville, nc 27323. Recall element replaced with defective part, replacement failed 24oct08, burned hole in passenger seat and burned hole in daughter's sweater, daughter was not burned. So far Chrysler only wants to pay half the cost to replace a recall item, my share would be about $500 - $600 dollars. Mis. Karen davis, service manager at smith stokes. Thank you for your assistance. Richard hudson
Tl contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. When the driver side seat heater was activated, it overheated. The failure caused two different drivers of the vehicle to sustain slight burns. According to the manufacturer, the vehicle is not included in recall # 06V197000 (seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler). However, the contact felt his vehicle should be included as part of the recall. The current mileage is 40,000 and failure mileage was 32,000.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While seated in the driver seat, the contact stated that the seat overheated and smelled like it was burning. There were no injuries and the seat heater was not activated at the time. The manufacturer stated that her VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 06V197000 (seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler). The failure mileage was 87,000 and current mileage was 89,000.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The vehicle was included in the recalls associated with NHTSA campaign id numbers 06V197000, seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler, and 09V117000, seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler. The vehicle was repaired at an authorized dealer for both recalls. After being repaired he noticed that there was still a hole developing in the front drivers seat due to the heated seating feature. The vehicle was taken back to the authorized dealer where it was repaired a third time. The contact also stated that the vehicle would intermittently overheat. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer one time a year for five years consecutively where the engine fan relay and motor was replaced. The failure mileage was 49,742 and the current mileage was 150,000. …
I have a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee limited with automatic climate control, and 1 week ago I tried to use the heat and had nothing. I have blower functions, but it only blows cold air. I then got on the internet to find that all Grand Cherokee owners are being or soon will be affected. I also called some local dealerships to discuss with them. I found that there is service bulletins and new parts that were developed for this issue. I also found that the repair requires complete replacement of the HVAC sub assembly at the cost of $900-$1200. They also say that because my heat died at 44000 miles that the warranty is up and they will not help unless I pay. The biggest problem with this issue is that with no heat, I can not defrost my windshield, or even the whole car. …
2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee limited - no heat on driver's side - passenger side heat is still working. I checked the codes for this problem and it seems to be related to the "blend doors" located in the heating/cooling vehicle ductwork. I also did a great deal of checking via the internet to see if there were other Jeep owners having this same problem. To my surprise, I found that there were a great many other Jeep owners all complaining about the exact same problem. It also appears that this is a very costly repair (I saw where people had paid as much as $1800.00 to get their heaters working correctly). This is not just a comfort problem (drivers and passengers being too hot or too cold), since it also effects the windshields defogger/defroster ability, which of course, can lead to an actual dangerous driving condition. …
Visibility: defroster/defogger system:windshield:blower loss of half of the heater control and ability to regulate the temperature. After phone calls to repair shops, I was told to expect the rest of it to stop working if not corrected soon, as this is a 'common" problem with 1999-2004 Grand cherokees. Estimates were in excess of $1,000.00. Loosing the ability to regulate the temperature to defrost windows in winter(wisconsin) and not being able to keep my three year old son warm is a huge problem for me and should be for the manufacturer. A TSB was issued on 01/20/04 for these issues, and it was recommended to replace the respective sub-assembly if any parts were to be replaced. They knew of the issue and nothing was done. Hope to find a dealer to help me with this so we can have heat again. …
Related recalls
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.
AC & Heater complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are ac & heater problems on the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 125 complaints about the a/c & heater of the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 16% of the model year's 762 complaints. The component named most often is defroster/defogger/hvac system (49 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee ac & heater problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 09V-117 (seat heater/cooler, Apr 9, 2009); NHTSA recall 06V-197 (seat heater/cooler, Jun 7, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee ac & heater problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 7 fires and 8 injuries to a/c & heater problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.