Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
(1) I pulled the Jeep Grand Cherokee to a stop in front of a self-serve car wash bay where the previous user had left the car wash wand hanging in the middle of the bay. With my foot on the brake, I opened the driver door and put the vehicle in park; then proceeded to exit the vehicle to move the wand. (I did not turn the ignition off since I was only going about 10 feet to move the wander out of the way.) while I was standing between the driver's seat and open door, the vehicle started rolling backwards. 2) the failure was the vehicle gear shift slipping from "park" to "reverse", or being in the "park" gear enough to stop the vehicle and allow me to get out, but not "locking" in the "park" gear, and thus slipping back to "reverse". After I was standing outside the vehicle, it started to roll backwards, too fast for me to get inside to apply the brake. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. Upon exiting the vehicle, it reversed into a ditch. The contact was knocked backwards by the vehicle, but was able to get up before being rolled over by the rear tires. A police report was filed. The contact sustained back injuries, cuts, and abrasions to the legs, which required medical attention. The vehicle was damaged due to the failure. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to an insurance authorized collision center who repaired the damages. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who test drove the vehicle, but was unable to replicate and diagnose the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V240000 (power train). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
Wife parked Jeep in driveway, placed in park with key out of the ignition. Wife exited the vehicle, walked to the back door, got my 4 year old out of her car seat and placed her on the driveway next to the vehicle. Wife turned around to get her purse off the front seat when the vehicle took off, rolling backwards down the driveway. Wife jumped into vehicle and tried to stop it. Open driver's door struck my fence, retaining wall and my 4 year old knocking her to the ground. The door was then bent forward, destroying the door, fender, scratching the side and the rear bumper and tailgate. Wife suffered scrapes, bruises, daughter transported to emergency room then via car flite helicopter - suffered scrapes, bruises, lacerated liver.
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
I started my Jeep, noticed my hatch was not closed, got out while it was running, the second I closed my driver door, my Jeep went into reverse on its own, and kept accelerating higher, this vehicle took off very aggressively, luckily my wife was in the passenger seat, she put it in natural, and shut the car off before anything was struck, now due to I believe the rapid acceleration it runs horribly when I put it in drive. This Jeep is an 2003 , well broke in and maintained, there's no other reason as to why it "became self aware" I have a lot of vehicle knowledge and this is virtually and unfathomably impossible , please review every aspect of this vehicles complaints as this is very unsafe
Drove vehicle into garage stall. Put vehicle in park, opened drivers door, left door open and vehicle running to retrieve personal item from house, went to walk out garage and vehicle started backing out garage. Drivers door caught on garage support pole, twisting door around to front fender as it proceeded out of garage. Dragged myself past tool box and by garage door. Vehicle then proceeded down driveway, did u-turn past neighbors vehicles and lodged on boulder in neighbors front yard. Went to emergency room for treatment, no broken bones or major injuries. Sustained lots of deep bruising, bad scrapes and swelling of upper body, left lower leg, and arms.
My 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee when parked in front of my home while I ran in to get my gloves jumped into reverse after closing the door. I was away from the truck for less then 1 min. And it rolled in reverse 75 ft striking a neighbors mobile home. When I got to the truck it was in reverse and had extensive damage to the whole tailgate hatch and glass. Damage was also done to the mobile home. I am contacting a dealer as of feb. 28 2005.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. After parking the vehicle, it would not shift into reverse. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 138,000.
I put my Jeep in park with the engine running, I stepped out of the Jeep and then the Jeep went into reverse and the open drivers door knocked me down and dragged me. The Jeep then crashed into 3 parked cars before it came to rest.
I was in my garage and put my 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee into reverse and it accelerated like a bullet out of the garage and I ended up jumping out and falling on the ground and the car hit my neighbors wall.
Transmission complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 5% of the model year's 762 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 26,000 miles, and 44% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 13 crashes, 1 fire and 8 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.