Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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 25 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle suddenly stalled and crashed into a telephone pole. The air bags failed to deploy and the seat belt had not restrained the contact. As a result, the contact sustained back and neck injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The car had been acting funny , going fast then making a noise and going OK again. I am not a fast driver as in November my husband of 32 years , passed after being in a hit and run , from people with no insurance , my life is pretty much hell . I was starting to smell something funny like burning and I thought I maybe a tire or strut. I was at a signal second car in and loots of traffic , including school buses. There was a gas station about 30-40 feet from me , but the first car went in to get gas , so on second thought going by the pumps was not a good idea , so I put on signal and tried to pulled over . Car were speeding past me and the car began to accelerate and it will to the right,I turned left or pulled to the left , crashed into a pole hard . Seat belt went flying off , air bags on side did not go off , but front ones did . I broke my leg and bruises, plus a black eye. …
Turned left out of the doctors office, drove approximately 50 yards and attempted to stop at the stop sign (making a right). The vehicle's engine, however, began accelerating and despite applying extreme pressure to the brake, continued to move forward while the engine accelerated faster. I ultimately ended up throwing it into park and then turning off the ignition to kill the accelerating engine. I have no idea what the RPM was, but it was loud! This also happened 2 weeks ago (first time - very cold morning) and I ended up throwing it into park and turning off the key like today. Todays temperature was around 40 degrees. Fyi - I was in the process of making a right hand turn when this happened and had slightly turned the wheel. After the first incident, I began doubting that this had even happened. …
I have known 2 other people with this issue, I have been the only one with fire. My Jeep is leaking oil from the engine seal that is just above the passenger side upstream exhaust (right before the passenger side catalytic converter. I smelled burning oil and I got under the car and there was a small fire which I extinguished with my rag. The problem is also a huge health issue. If you are stopped at a light, or stop sign and have the heat or A/C on. The interior of the vehicle becomes filled with the burning smell. Smoke bellows out from under the vehicle at these stops also. I am afraid of the thing bursting into flames at a light and being helpless. I know 2 other people that have this exact issue. One of them got rid of their vehicle, the other still has it. This is a major defect that will result in fire, or as I see it cancer due to the smoke entering the vehicle. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that the driver's side lower ball joint detached from the vehicle. The tie rod fractured and the vehicle dropped to the ground. In addition, the check engine indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was towed to Chrysler Dodge walton beach (541 mary esther cut off nw, fort walton beach, fl 32548, [phone]), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 178,000. The VIN was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that the engine stalled numerous times without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure code with the oxygen sensor. The oxygen sensor was replaced several times however, the failure was not corrected. The vehicle continued to stall without warning and the engine warning light remained illuminated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Jeep Liberty. While the vehicle was in park, the air bag deployed without warning on the front passenger side. The air bag and check engine warning lights illuminated. The dealer stated that because the light had approximately 1,000 hours on the air bag warning light, no repair was able to be provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 220,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Jeep Liberty. While driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not able to restart and smoke started emitting profusely. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 211,050. Updated 09/21/15
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Jeep Liberty. While driving 25 MPH, the engine failed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.
I t-boned a taxi that tried clearing 3 lanes of roadway last minute to make his exit. I was going 30mph. Upon impact, the priuses airbags went off, and I noticed my airbags in the Jeep did not go off. For an impact at that speed, and hitting the car full frontal, it should have definitely gone off.
Engine complaints in other Liberty years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2003 Jeep Liberty?
NHTSA has 67 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2003 Jeep Liberty, 5% of the model year's 1,352 complaints. The component named most often is engine (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Jeep Liberty engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 4 fires and 5 injuries to engine & cooling 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.