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 Liberty owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Jeep Liberty. While driving approximately 5 MPH, a burning odor and smoke were present inside the vehicle. After exiting the vehicle, the contact discovered flames underneath the vehicle. The fire department was called to extinguish the flames. The vehicle was destroyed. A police and a fire report were filed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that there was an intermittent electrical short that progressed for years. The vehicle was taken to an independent dealer and the authorized dealer, but neither were able to replicate or diagnose the failures more than once. The contact continued to experience the failure in which the vehicle stalled several times and had to be restarted to reset the computer. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who replaced the instrument cluster twice, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was also included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V046000 (air bags) and the dealer was unable to determine when the part and the permanent remedy would become available to schedule the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was less than 5.
. I have a 2003 Jeep Liberty renegade which I've had since 2004. Since that time, I've had the rear window repaired at least 6 times for the same issue. The problem is that the window will fail ' weather you use it or not ' eventually and fall into the door frame. I've had this happen when parked, when using the window or just driving on the highway. It happened a few days ago again because my wife rolled the rear window down by accident (I haven't used either rear window since the last repair done a few years ago!).
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Jeep Liberty. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the headlights and the interior lighting dimmed. The air bag indicator illuminated. The lights came back on after approximately two minutes. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Jeep Liberty. When the rear window was opened and/or closed, the cable snapped and both rear windows fractured. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The details of the repairs were unknown. The approximate mileage was 52,000. The VIN was not available. Updated 11/19/15
Back passenger window pump went out around 80,000 miles- was not replaced because the price to fix was quoted for at least $600; back driver's side window pump went out at 105,000 miles - prices have seemed to come down for repairs and am looking to get it replaced but it seems soon to have to replace this
The key doesn't lock into the ignition switch and can be removed or fall out during driving. When turning it off, it can be put in into aux instead and key removed, which can lead to a dead battery.
On several occasions my car has stalled. Prior to it stalling it would have power surges, backfire, the RPM needle would go crazy, and then just shut off loosing all power to brakes and steering. Stalling would occur mostly at lower rates of speeds (under 50mph). It wouldn't turnover immediately. I would have to wait 20 to 25 seconds each time and then it would start, almost as if the system resets itself. It's pretty scary when you have to young children and your on a freeway and your car all of a sudden stalls. The second problem I'm having is a very loud noise coming from the rear end. I pointed my side mirror down towards my backtire. I watched as the rearend made a load cluncking noise and it was as if the back tire was being pushed outwards. The third problem is my passenger side rear window just dropped into the door. The motor still works I can hear it. …
Driving at night when I heard clicking noises near fuse panel left side of steering wheel column; shortly thereafter headlights flashed on and off for approximately 10 seconds. Problem became intermittent but usually occurred while driving at night. Clicking noises persist near fuse panel and headlights flash off and on. Dealership unable to duplicate problem as they said they have not heard of this particular problem, but they tried swapping headlamp relay with driver's door lock relay. However, this solution did not fix the problem. In fact, clicking noises are now heard every time I drive my Jeep, and the headlights continue to randomly flash on and off. …
My vehicle was being drivin on smooth open highway . The child in the back seat requested the back window be rolled up . This driver proceeded to depress button that controls the operation of the window in the back seat up or down and when doing so the window did not close all the way shut. This driver stopped to get gas and tried the switch once again . The window would still not close all the way . When window was touched at the top , it felt loose and easily slid down into the door and no longer worked to close at all. Diagnosis was made at a professional dealer quoting $300 claiming that the regulatory switch was broken .upon calling Chrysler with complaint , my response was that this problem is at my expense because a- the vehicle is older and the previous owner could have caused this problem . …
Electrical complaints in other Liberty years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2003 Jeep Liberty?
NHTSA has 72 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Jeep Liberty, 5% of the model year's 1,352 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Jeep Liberty electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2003 Jeep Liberty, though it has 7 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 Liberty electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 3 fires and 0 injuries 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.