2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 761 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 14th highest complaint count among 26 Grand Cherokee model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 48 involved a crash and 14 involved a fire. 56 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontalJan 28, 2015
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured January 9, 2001, to March 28, 2003, 2002-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 13, 2001, to May 23 2003, and 2003-2004 Dodge Viper vehicles manufactured November 1, 2001, to June 30, 2004. Due to electrical noise beyond the tolerance of the air bag electronic control module (ECM), a component in the ECM may fail, causing the front air bags, side air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Chrysler dealers will replace the air bag control module and side impact sensors as required, free of charge. This recall remedy was applied during earlier recall campaigns of these vehicles under safety recalls 12V527 and 13V040. All owners that have not had the recall repair performed under safety recalls 12V527 or 13V040 are strongly encouraged to have it performed and not wait for the final remedy to be deployed to the field. The recall began on December 29, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R06.
Campaign 15V046000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsNov 8, 2012
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2002 and 2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured January 9, 2001, through March 28, 2003, and 2002 through 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 13, 2001, through May 23, 2003. A component in the air bag control module may fail causing the front airbags, side curtain airbags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
Inadvertent deployment of the airbags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a supplemental jumper harness to the airbag control module, free of charge. Owners were notified of the recall by interim letter in January 2013. The remedy for affected Liberty vehicles is expected to be available in April 2013. The remedy for affected Grand Cherokee vehicles is expected to be available later in the year. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753.
Campaign 12V527000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsMay 11, 2009
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, seat heater/coolerApr 9, 2009
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 103,409 MY 2001-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE VEHICLES WITH HEATED SEATS AND WITH CHRYSLER RECALL NO. 06V-197 COMPLETED (03-04 MY) OR SEAT HEATER ELEMENTS SERVICE REPLACEMENT (01-02 MY). THE FRONT SEAT ELECTRIC HEATER ELEMENTS COULD OVERHEAT.
OVERHEATING COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE OR INJURY.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT HEATER ELEMENTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 09V117000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingJul 17, 2006
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
Campaign 06E064000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, seat heater/coolerJun 7, 2006
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HEATED SEATS, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT ELECTRIC HEATER ELEMENT COULD OVERHEAT.
OVERHEATING COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEATED SEAT ELEMENTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 24, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 06V197000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsMar 13, 2006
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
Campaign 06E023000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulicMar 13, 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.
LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.
Campaign 06E022000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpFeb 1, 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET AIRTEX ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN 1997-2004 JEEP WRANGLER; 1997-2001 JEEP CHEROKEE; 1997-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE; AND 2000-2003 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES. THE PLASTIC ELECTRICAL GROMMET CONNECTORS AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUELS AND MAY DEGRADE CAUSING A POTENTIAL LEAK PATH FOR FUEL.
IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRTEX CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-880-3056.
Campaign 06E011000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: seats
65 reports, newest first. Show all
Seats, May 15, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. TWO YEARS AGO, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE HEATED SEATS IN HIS VEHICLE. FOR TWO YEARS, THE CONTACT HAS BEEN ATTEMPTING TO HAVE THE SEATS REPAIRED, BUT THE MANUFACTURER CONTINUES TO CLAIM THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE ELEMENTS TO REPAIR THE HEATED SEATS. THE CONTACT HAS NOT USED THE HEATED SEATS SINCE THREE MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 42,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.
Seats, Apr 4, 2007
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE FRONT HEATED SEATS BECAME EXTREMELY HOT. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS RECALL 06V197000 FOR THE FRONT SEAT HEATER. THE DEALER ADDED THE CONTACTS NAME TO A WAITING LIST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN WAITING FOR ONE YEAR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000 MILES.*AK
Seats, Mar 9, 2007
TL*- THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL O6V197000 FOR THE 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE CONCERNING THE HEATED SEAT ON 07/06. THE RECALL WAS REPAIRED BACK IN SEPTEMBER OF 2006. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR A SERVICE CHECK WHEN THE SERVICE MECHANIC GOT IN THE DRIVER'S FRONT SEAT, AND THE SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED . THE MECHANIC WAS BURNED THROUGH HIS PANTS AND BURNED HIS WALLET. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT HE USED THE SEAT HEATER AFTER THE RECALL WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE SEATS AGAIN, BUT THE CONTACT WAS AFRAID TO USE THE HEATED SEATS. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE FOR NHTSA TO BE AWARE OF THIS MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.*AK
Seats, Mar 8, 2007
MY COMPLAINT IS REGARDING THE 2003/2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE SEAT HEATER RECALL (F17). THE RECALL LETTER WAS MAILED OUT ON OR ABOUT 07/21/2006.MY WIFE HAS CALLED THE DEALERSHIP IN 2006 AND AGAIN IN 2007 IN ORDER TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL WITH THE DEALERSHIP. BOTH TIMES, THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THAT THE PART WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR MONTHS AND THAT THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AT THAT TIME AND DID NOT OFFER TO PLACE HER ON A 'WAITING LIST' OR A 'CALL LIST'. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, ELK GROVE CHRYSLER JEEP (CALIFORNIA) ON 03/08/07 AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS WERE IN AND AN APPOINTMENT COULD BE MADE. I MADE THE APPOINTMENT. I BELIEVE THAT THIS CONSTITUTES A FAILURE ON THE PART OF DAIMLER CHRYSLER TO REPAIR A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION IN A "...REASONABLE TIME,...". I KNOW OF NOTHING ELSE THAT I HAVE TO WAIT ALMOST EIGHT(8) MONTHS FOR. *JB
Seats, Feb 2, 2007
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, AND STATED THAT THE SEATS OVERHEATED, HE COULD SMELL ELECTRICAL WIRING BURNING FROM THE SEAT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 06V197000 ,AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WOULDN'T BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN AUGUST OF 2002, AND RECALL BEGAN FOR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED ON SEPTEMBER 2002. THE CONTACT HAS A FILE NUMBER WITH THE MANUFACTURER: 15916185. *AK UPDATED 02/27/07*JB
Seats, Dec 19, 2006
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT WARMERS DO NOT WORK. THE DEALER TOLD HER THERE WAS NOT A RECALL ON SEAT WARMERS. SHE TOOK HER JEEP TO A DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOP AND THEY WERE ABLE TO PULL UP A RECALL (S17) ON THE INTERNET.
Visibility, Seats, Dec 15, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ALTHOUGH THERE WERE NO ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAT WARMERS, THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #06V197000 ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE SEATS. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE FRONT PASSENGER POWER SIDE WINDOW, THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE POWER WINDOW CONTROL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
Seats, Nov 30, 2006
I RECEIVED A NOTICE OF A RECALL FOR MY 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE REGARDING THE FRONT SEAT ELECTRIC HEATING ELEMENT AND THE POTENTIAL FOR IT TO CAUSE AN INTERIOR FIRE UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS. HOWEVER, IN MY SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AT SCHUMAN CHRYSLER I HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY (A) THERE WAS A NATIONAL SHORTAGE ON THE NECESSARY PARTS AND (B) THEY ARE ONLY BEING SENT ONE PER WEEK. I SHOULD THINK CHRYSLER WOULD MAKE SURE THEY HAD THE AVAILABLE PARTS NECESSARY BEFORE SENDING OUT LETTERS REGARDING THIS NATIONAL RECALL. *JB
Seats, Nov 9, 2006
WAITING FOR "RECALL REPAIR", SINCE SEPT 14,2006. *JB
Seats, Oct 30, 2006
CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING 2003 GRAND CHEROKEE NOTIFICATION CODE F17 HEATED SEAT ELEMENTS. *TS THE CONSUMER HAD AFTERMARKET DVD PLAYER/LC SCREEN INSTALLED IN HEADREST. THE CONSUMER REFUSED TO PAY TO HAVE THE AFTERMARKET ITEMS REMOVED IN ORDER FOR THE DEALER TO DO THE RECALL, THEREFORE RECALL WORK COULD NOT BE DONE. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT ALL ACCESSORIES WERE INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF VEHICLE AT FINAL SIGNING. THE ACCESSORIES WERE INSTALLED LATER DUE TO UNAVAILABILITY AS A FACTORY INSTALLED PRODUCT. *NM
Seats, Jun 27, 2006
2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED DRIVERS-SIDE SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTIONED. DRIVER'S SEAT HEATING ELEMENT STARTED TO SMOKE, A BURNING SMELL WAS EVIDENT. SEAT HEATER WAS DEEMED INOPERABLE BY CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE OF SANTA FE. CONSUMER ASKED FOR WARRANTY ADJUSTMENT, BUT WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. CONSUMER PAID FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS, SEAT PAD AND LABOR. *JB
Air bags, Seats, Feb 10, 2005
WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH SUDDENLY THE DRIVER SEAT AND DOOR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK
Seats, Jul 25, 2003, crash
2003 JEEP GRAND CHEEOKEE LARADO - I WAS REAR ENDED (STOPPED AND HIT BY ANOTHER CAR AT ABOUT 20-25 MPH) THE DRIVERS SEAT COLAPSED INTO THE BACK SEAT. NONE WAS IN THE BACK SEAT BUT IF THERE WAS THEY SURELY WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURED.... I SUSTAINED NO INJURIES IN THE CRASH.*AK
Seats, Apr 12, 2003
FRONT LEFT SEAT RAIL RETAINING BOLT TORE LOOSE FROM THE SEAT BOTTOM FRAME RAIL AND IS RESULTING IN A FRONT LEFT TO RIGHT REAR ROCKING MOTION. THIS MAKES THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO OPERATE BECAUSE OF DRIVERS SEAT INSTABILITY, AND UNCOMFORTABLE WHILE DRIVING DUE TO ABNORMAL SEAT POSITION. IT SHOULD BE MENTIONED THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO ABUSIVE OPERATION OR ABNORMALLY HIGH OR HARD USAGE OF THIS VEHICLE. *NLM
Seats, Apr 3, 2003
THE HEATED SEAT BURNED THE CONSUMER. *JB