Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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 owned a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle suddenly veered to the left. The vehicle drove into a ditch and landed in a bunch of trees. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact and driver sustained internal injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V046000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 189,000.
Was driving on thruway at 65 MPH, hit a slight seam in the highway and the entire front end began to shake uncontrollably, forcing me to leave the highway immediately and stop on the side of the road. At about 10 miles per hour, the shaking lessened and actually stopped. Thinking it was a fluke occurrence, I continued on my way. Unfortunately, next time I hit any sort of imperfection in the road, the "death wobble" started again in the front end.
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. While driving 20 MPH and making a left or right turn, a whinning noise emitted from the steering column without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
I'm 100% convinced our vehicle fits "death wobble" condition. If you hit a bad bump or series of small bumps, front end shimmies violently with steering wheel shaking back and forth out of control. Can only slow down as braking doesn't seem to help much. It happened to my wife 3x and myself 1x already in past 6 weeks. Very scary!
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While making a right or left turn, a loud noise emitted from the steering. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
While driving my Jeep on the highway home from work, I experienced what I now know to be called the "death wobble" among Jeep owners. While driving at approximately 60 MPH, I experienced a violent shaking in the steering wheel and the tires visibly wobbling while driving on the highway. I had to pull over to the shoulder and while braking, almost lost control of the vehicle. While trying to diagnose the problem on the shoulder in the middle of rush hour traffic in houston, I couldn't determine the problem. Through online research, the problem seems to be with the wearing of the steering and suspension systems. I reviewed the TSB from Chrysler and no modifications have been made to the vehicle. The vehicle had new tires put on in November and also just had both an oil change and a tire rotation two days ago. …
While driving there is a shutter at all speeds. On this day after hitting a small bump the wheel started shaking as slowing down it violently shook where you couldn't hold the wheel. I had blisters trying to control it. I was told brakes bearing etc. Replaced brakes caliber rotors tires wheel bearing still did it replaced steering damper and the violent shake was gone yet still had shutter at all speeds. I've been all over the front end and had several mechanic look to we cant find anything about the shutter. While driving 12/14/2014 making a curve hit a bump in road and the violent shake started again almost put me in a 4 foot calvert. I been reviewing the same complaint all over the internet affect all types and years of Jeep. What is the true problem so I can fix this before it kills me or someone else.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds, the power steering consistently malfunctioned while trying to turn in any direction. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, who determined that the steering box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to another dealer and two other independent mechanics who determined the steering pump needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and provided no assistance due to the vehicle being out of warranty. No repairs or replacements were made. Updated 12/5/2006 -
Tl contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact heard a high pitched noise near the front of the vehicle and discovered a large oil spill from beneath the hood. The contact attempted to drive the vehicle at 10 MPH, but found it difficult to steer. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and it was discovered that the steering box was cracked due to wear and tear. The failure was remedied. The current mileage is 42,550 and failure mileage was 42,500.
Steering complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 3% of the model year's 762 complaints. The component named most often is gear box (other than rack and pinion) (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 138,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to steering 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.