Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
Hello, our Jeep often or always had the airbag light warning on the dashboard. This was a concern of ours, and we had heard awhile back that there was a recall on Jeep libertys airbag. When attempting to take it in for the recall fix, the company wanted an amount of money that we couldn't afford. Recently my mom was in a car wreck, destroying the vehicles entire front and making it unusable. She told me she only received burns and that she probably wouldv'e been OK if the damaged airbags were fixed. She mentioned to me she received burns on her arms that were the fault of the bad airbags that werent any good. She would be willing to explain this better than I can since I only know that much. Her hand this morning is now swollen from the injury. The vehicle was in a head on car collision with another person set to enter the freeway on a city street
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Jeep Liberty. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the driver's side air bag deployed without warning or impact. The contact sustained minor injuries that did not require medical attention. A police report was not filed. The contact also mentioned that the windshield wipers failed to operate when activated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer failed to respond right away, but later sent an investigator to inspect the vehicle. The contact stated that the manufacturer failed to notify her of when the vehicle would be inspected. Three weeks later, the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V046000 (air bags) and 13V252000 (fuel system, gasoline, structure). …
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Liberty. The dealer indicated that the vehicle was repaired according to NHTSA campaign number: 06V288000 (suspension) on August 1, 2016; however, the remedy did not prevent the failure. Years later, while turning right into a parking lot, the lower ball joint fractured on the driver side. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The contact was informed by the manufacturer to take the vehicle to the dealer for repairs where it was diagnosed that the driver side ball joint fractured and damaged the axle and the front driver side tire. The manufacturer refused to cover the repair. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Jeep wrangler. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V046000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Updated 04/04/16 the consumer stated the air bag recall, was rectified. However, he was never notified of recall # 13V252000. Updated 06/27/16.
I received a recall notice approximately 1/1/2014 for NHTSA 13v-252,and have been to the dealer three times to resolve but they never have the parts. The dealer claims that Chrysler is not sending adequate quantities for demand (Chrysler recall # n46). I have reached out to the Chrysler group recall assistance center twice, and have been sent back to the dealer both times with no resolution. It has been an unreasonable amount of time, and I am requesting assistance from the administrator of the NHTSA for assistance in resolving this matter. The vehicle was repaired.
When getting gas, the overflow did not register and a bunch of gas spilled out everywhere. About a week ago, my check engine light came on and the error code listed the EVAP leak which includes gas fumes leaking out. The error code also says it could be an issue with the gas tank neck not functioning properly. This proves the gas tank neck is not functioning properly. This gas overspill every where is a nasty safety hazard! A warranty extension was released on certain wrangler models for this same issue. Chrysler needs to fix this problem asap!
Regarding recall n46/NHTSA 13v-252: I responded to a Jeep dealership (st. Clair, mi) to have the recall related repair made. I was told by dealership staff the repair could not be completed as the vehicle's frame was "too corroded." though my vehicle was covered in the recall, the dealership did not complete the repair. Instead, they asked I sign a form acknowledging the frame was too corroded. I refused to sign that form. I took my vehicle to a local repair shop, who advised they found no such corrosion.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Jeep Liberty. While the vehicle was stationary, the contact noticed that the rear frame was severely corroded. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 13V252000 (fuel system, gasoline, structure). Grava Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in medford, massachusetts could not repair the recall due to significant corrosion. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and provided the contact with case number: 32850667. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Jeep Liberty. While driving at a low speed, the driver smelled smoke and the vehicle caught fire. The fire was independently extinguished. The contact did not sustain any injuries. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was completely destroyed. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V252000 (fuel system, gasoline, structure). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
NHTSA investigations
Crash Related Fuel Tank Fires
ODI has completed an extensive analysis of rear crash fuel tank system integrity data for the subject Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Liberty vehicles (SVs).As of June 2013, ODI knew of 56 post-collision fatal fires, 28 non-fatal fires, and 6 fuel leak incidents (totaling 90 incidents, 75 fatalities and 58 injuries) involving the SVs.Based on this analysis, ODI issued a Recall Request Letter (RRL) on June 3, 2013…
Fuel System complaints in other Liberty years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2003 Jeep Liberty?
NHTSA has 172 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2003 Jeep Liberty, 13% of the model year's 1,352 complaints. The component named most often is fuel injection system › injectors (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Jeep Liberty fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion 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 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 128,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 2 fires and 6 injuries to fuel & propulsion 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.