Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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 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! …
My 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee has had the window just begin to fall into the door on three out of the four windows now and it is usually at the most dangerous moment possible while I'm on the highway or on the road in general. I turn to see no window or the window mysteriously down and I am unable to roll it up. This presents many different hazards not only to the vehicle itself but, also to the occupants whether it is a child or my canine companion they both like to lean on the window and look out even though a child will have a seatbelt on if the window falls down and the child falls out towards the opposing traffic still hanging by a seat belt this is not a situation I am willing to risk. …
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 no heat in this vehicle. I replace a part and detached the glove compartment permanently so that I can turn a knob to get heat, at least, on the driver side. There is zero heat on the passenger side, but I engage the "c" button and the passenger side gets recirculated air on that side, (not warm, but at least not freezing cold). Sometimes turning the knob engages the heat, sometimes not. I have discovered that this is a defect in manufacturing for 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee limited vehicles, along with prior years. However, to my knowledge, there has been no recall. I purchased this vehicle pre-owned, with 80K miles on it. My question is if this is a defect in manufacturing, why should I have to pay hundreds of dollars to repair it. It seems that the dealership should absorb the cost of this repair and not the consumer. Additionally, why hasn't this problem been listed as a recall?
The heater in my 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee overland has failed due to a known defect in the temperature blender door that prevents heat from getting redirected onto the windshield to defrost the glass. Chrysler has to my knowledge not issued a voluntary recall to fix this problem. This is a serious safety issue here in montana where we need to be able to see in winter weather. I was nearly in an accident this morning with my 6-year old son in the car due to the windshield freezing up and my not being able clear the glass. Please, please, please issue a recall notice to force Chrysler to fix this known problem. I am sure there are many other Jeep owners who have filed similar complaints. This is a safety issue just as important as the seat-heater recall for the same model. Thank you. Bill haynes
I have a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee and on July 3, 2008, I was out of town and when I stopped at a convenience store, my nephew who was sitting in the passenger rear got out also and as we started to walk towards the store we heard a pop and we looked around the vehicle and noticed the rear passenger window was down which was odd because I live in arizona and on that day it was 117 degrees outside. I tried to put the window up and it would not go up. After calling the dealer I was told it was the window regulator, I did research on the internet and found this to be a common problem on jeeps and daimler Chrysler has had many complaints by consumers mentioned on the discussion boards and no resolution to cure this problem with the window regulators. It cost $400 for the repair of the window regulator.
I bought this car from a dealership and within 2 weeks afterwards the window regulator broke. I had the window up and when I got home I was wondering why I could hear wind on the way home and I opened up the driver side rear door and the window fell on me. I called around and had it looked at to make sure I knew what it was. I had my personal mechanic take a look at it and he said the same thing that the Chrysler dealer said that it was the window regulator. I have done nothing to it because I can't afford to get this hunk of junk fixed and I found out that this Jeep was in an accident and repaired by Chrysler at a dealership and on the same side that they had to work on this happens and they won't cover the cost psssh. Obviously they don't care about the hurting American worker.
The air control system in the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee is faulty and fails. They already have a fix for this known faulty system but the repair does not fix the solution, it only delays it till it breaks again. Some aftermarket companies are making lots of money off of people who are trying to fix the problem permanently. The company should make the permanent repair a recall as the system can fail at an inopportune time and can lead to accidents when the windshield can fog up and the defroster will not work. The system can also fail such that the parts can fall into the fan motor and cause it to overheat possibly causing a fire. These vehicles are frequently used by families because of their size and steps should be taken to fix this problem once and for all.
Since August 18, 2008, 4 window regulators on my Jeep Grand Cherokee have broken. Twice, I have already paid over $800 at your dealership to have this fixed. Recently, both of my rear window regulators have broke and I have had to tape my windows up since I cannot afford $800 out of pocket right now. This is obviously a well known Jeep Grand Cherokee problem. I have known of others having this problem with their Jeep Grand Cherokee as well. I have already had numerous problems with my Jeep that have cost me several thousands of dollars to fix. I don't think I should have to continue paying for my window regulators to be replaced when my windows are used as much as any normal car window should be used. I only work ten minutes from home and don't abuse my vehicle.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 74 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 10% of the model year's 762 complaints. The component named most often is power window devices and controls (30 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.