Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
I was driving and smelled burning. Pulled over on a four lane highway. I then saw smoke. I drove a block away to a safe spot got out of the car and called 911. The firefighters extinguished an electrical fire that started in my passenger side door. They believe the motor in my door caught fire. I had to have the vehicle towed. Now I'm at a loss as to what to do. Thank god I had just dropped my son off at school so no injuries.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the cruise control stopped working and the interior lighting remained illuminated. The contact also stated that the doors and rear windows did not lock. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer (mark's casa Chrysler, Jeep, albuquerque, new Mexico) where it was diagnosed that the master control module malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V046000 (air bags). The dealer was not contacted for the recall repairs. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
I was traveling on a side street in huntington, wv about 30 MPH when all of a sudden the motor shutdown everything shutdown and I tried to move the Jeep out of the line of traffic. This is very difficult since there was no power to the vehicle. I was headed toward I-64 on the on ramp when all of a sudden it happen again. Car were coming toward me and with much difficulty I manage to get it partially out of the road. I finally got it started back up and it happened on two other occasions. I am afraid to drive my Jeep. I need help in knowing what to do. Autozone put the instrument to help diagnose the problem and check indicated the battery is good. What should I do?
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the windows, locks, and other electrical systems became inoperable without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the electric motor and driver side door panel failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred several times. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,700.
Just recently in the last three months front passenger window fell while driving and back driver window fell while driving while it what snowing while my son was in the car. Have a popping noise in steering or somewhere in front end. I can't use my accelerate button on steering wheel while it's in cruise because it won't stop acceleration once you press it. I was going about 55 and was trying to accelerate to 60.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled intermittently without warning. In addition, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the alternator, the fuel pump, the oxygen 2 sensor, and the cam sensor, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 121,000.
The wire harness going to the driver door is not long enough so when you open the door the wires will become lose or disconnect as a result in the power locks,power mirrors,power windows, evic center to malfunction and the all the dome lights remain on. And I'm not the only vehicle to have had this problem there are hundreds wrote on the Jeep forum.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. When attempting to remove the keys from the ignition, the engine was still running. Due to the failure, the battery was changed twice. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 162,000.
The vehicle was parked. A fire began from underneath the driver's seat which is believed to be an electrical fire. It destroyed the seat and surrounding area. No one was in the vehicle at the time. It appeared to smolder for several hours. The fire was detected early enough so that the entire vehicle was not affected.
Noticed a decrease in gas mileage and check engine light on. About 1 month after radio would pop loudly gauges on dash would act erratically, digital mileage screen would flicker, vehicle stalls while driving or sitting at a stand still and then restart on its own. While driving and it stalls you loose steering, antilock brakes. Car returns to normal idle and symbols stay lit on dash, (brake, airbag, check engine light, etc) brought to dealership code po123 so replaced the throttle/pedal position sensor switch a. Dealership said that would resolve the stall. 2 days after repair vehicle stalled, instruments were erratically going from 0-100 MPH 0 rpms-? No antilock brakes, steering, etc. Whole vehicle looses power. Brought to dealership with all instrument lights lit on panel and no diagnostic codes would populate. …
Electrical complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 55 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 7% of the model year's 762 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury to electrical system 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.