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: visibility
170 reports, newest first. Show all
Visibility, Dec 21, 2006
ONE DAY I TURNED ON THE HEAT AND COLD AIR WAS BLOWING FROM ONE SIDE OF THE DASH EVEN WHEN I HAD THE HEAT TURNED ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND NOW I HAVE TO PAY ABOUT 1000 DOLLARS TO FIX IT. MY CAR ONLY HAS 40000 MILES JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 2003. *JB
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.
Visibility, Dec 14, 2006
IN MY 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE THE HEAT ON PASSENGER SIDE WOULD NOT WORK. DRIVER SIDE WOULD BLOW HOT AIR BUT PASSENGER SIDE WOULD BLOW COLD. I JUST GOT IT FIXED TODAY AND THE PROBLEM WAS BLEND AIR AND RECIRCULATION DOORS BROKEN. *NM
Visibility, Dec 8, 2006
I OWN A 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING ON 12/05/2006 I EXPERIENCED A SYSTEM FAILURE WHEN MY PASSENGER WINDOW FELL FOR NO REASON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPORTED THAT THE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR WHICH FAILED. I THEN CHECKED YOUR SITE AND NOTICED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A COSTLY REPAIR AND I JUST WONDERED HOW MANY TIMES SOMEONE HAD TO SUFFER A FINANCIAL LOSS ON A PART THAT IS SO COMMON AND OF WHICH I NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH ON OTHER VEHICLES OWNED THAT HAD MUCH MORE ACTIVITY THAN THIS WINDOW. PLEASE LET ME KNOW BECAUSE AS A CONSUMER I WOULD HOPE THAT MANUFACTURERS ARE HELD TO SOME STANDARDS. *JB
Visibility, Dec 6, 2006
BROKEN HEATER AND DEFROST ON PASSENGERS SIDE. BAD BLEND DOORS. *NM
Visibility, Dec 4, 2006
HEATER FAILS TO WORK ON ONE SIDE OF THE DASH CAUSING GREAT DISCOMFORT FOR THE PASSENGERS AND DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE. *JB
Visibility, Nov 29, 2006
IT APPEARS AS THOUGH 1999 TO 2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEES HAVE AN ISSUE WITH "BLEND DOOR" FAILURE IN THE HVAC SYSTEM. THE FAILURE WILL PREVENT HEAT FROM REACHING THE WINDSHIELD. IN FREEZING CONDITIONS THE WINDSHIELD WILL UNEXPECTEDLY ICE UP AND RESULT IN POOR VISIBILITY. AFTER SPEAKING WITH DEALERSHIP AND INDEPENDENT REPAIR TECHNICIANS AS WELL AS INTERNET RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THE FAILURE RATE IS "VERY HIGH". THE MANUFACTURER HAS REVISED THE FAULTY PARTS USED IN THIS SYSTEM (TSB#2400104) BUT ARE DOING NOTHING TO ALERT OWNERS OF THE POTENTIAL, UNEXPECTED FAILURE. *JB
Visibility, Oct 30, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE HEATER BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE BLEND DOOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Visibility, Oct 11, 2006
2003 GRAND CHEROKEE PASSENGER/DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MECHANISM WAS REPLACED DUE TO FREQUENT PROBLEMS. *TS *NM
Visibility, Equipment, Sep 20, 2006
A/C AND HEATING BLOWER MOTOR AND POWER WINDOW MOTOR FAILURE. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED IN MY 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED. AFTER RESEARCHING I HAVE FOUND WELL OVER 180 PEOPLE WHO OWN GRAND CHEROKEES (VARIOUS MODELS) BETWEEN THE YEARS 2000-2004 WITH THESE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS. CHRYSLER/ JEEP CUSTOMER SERVICE WILL NOT RESPOND TO MY COMMENTS ON THIS ISSUE. *NM
Visibility, Jul 31, 2006
AT 35,000 MILES THE PASSENGER-SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR MADE A POPPING NOISE, THEN THE WINDOW SLOWLY SANK INTO THE WINDOW-WELL AND WOULD NOT MOVE. I HAD TO HAVE THE REGULATOR REPLACED AT A COST TO ME OF $447.20. *JB
Visibility, Jul 29, 2006
2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO 42,000 MILES: PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED/BROKE WHILE DRIVING (WINDOW NOT IN USE AT THE TIME) *JB
Visibility, Jul 10, 2006
THE PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW WENT PART WAY DOWN, IT THEN FAILED TO MOVE . YOU COULD HEAR THE MOTOR WORKING BUT THE WINDOW REMAINED IN THE SAME POSITION. THE FAILURE CAUSED RAIN AND DEBRIS TO ENTER THE WINDOW. THE ENTIRE REGULATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED WHICH INCLUDED THE MOTOR BECAUSE A PLASTIC CAM BROKE. THE PART COST OVER $200 TO THE PUBLIC AND FAILED WITH LESS THAN 31000 MILES ON THE CAR BUT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY EXCEEDING THE THREE YEAR LIMIT. SAME UNIT ON BOTH SIDES OF CAR COULD CAUSE PROBLEM OF OBJECTS FLYING IN FACE OF DRIVER. *JB
Visibility, Jun 14, 2006
I WOULD LIKE TO REGISTER A COMPLAINT AGAINST CHRYSLER. I OWN A 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND I HAD TO HAVE THE MOTOR REPLACED FOR THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WINDOW. WHAT IS BOTHERSOME TO ME IS THAT I NEVER PUT THIS WINDOW DOWN. NO ONE SITS IN THE BACK SEAT NOR DO I HAVE CHILDREN PUTTING THE WINDOW UP AND DOWN. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE MOTORS AS WELL. IT'S QUITE CLEAR THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN THIS PART. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF WE START HOLDING COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR PRODUCTS. *NM
Visibility, Jun 13, 2006
SINCE OCTOBER 2005 I HAVE HAD 3 POWER WINDOW REGULATORS FAIL. I HAVE REPLACED 2 AND CURRENTLY NEED THE 3RD REPLACED. IT IS EXPENSIVE AND ABSURD TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS IN LESS THAN A YEARS TIME. *JB
Visibility, Jun 6, 2006
IN AUGUST 2005, PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED (LOWER PULLEY BROKE ALLOWING CABLE TO BECOME ENTANGLED AROUND MOTOR DRUM). WINDOW FELL WITHIN DOOR HOUSING AND I HAD TO DRIVE VEHICLE WITH NO SIDE WINDOW IN A DOWNPOUR TO THE DEALER. VEHICLE HAD APPROX. 42K MILES. DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY IN THAT VEHICLE HAS > 36K MILES. IN MAY 2006, DRIVERS SIDE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED, WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS. BOTH REPAIRS WERE FUNDED OUT OF MY POCKET. *NM
Visibility, Apr 25, 2006
WINDOW REGULATOR IS FAULTY. THIS HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES WITHIN THE PAST YEAR IN WHICH I NEED TO REPLACE THE REGULATOR TO MAKE THE WINDOW GO UP AND DOWN. OCCURRENCES HAVE TAKEN PLACE ON MAY 2005, JANUARY 2006 DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW BOTH TIMES AND APRIL 2006 PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW. ALL THREE TIMES I HAVE PAID AT MY EXPENSE TO GET THIS FAULTY EQUIPMENT FIXED. *NM
Visibility, Apr 25, 2006
I HAVE HAD MY JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 2003 FOR 3 YEARS. IT HAS 55,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. IN MAY 2005, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR (THE COMPONENT THAT MAKES THE WINDOW GO UP AND DOWN) POPPED. I HAD IT REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE. IT ALSO OCCURRED AGAIN IN JANUARY OF 2006; SAME SIDE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AND AGAIN I HAD IT REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE. IT IS NOW APRIL 2006 AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR POPPED AND IS NO LONGER OPERATIONAL. I WILL NEED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN AND GET IT REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE YET AGAIN. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Mar 14, 2006
FUMES ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS. THE FUMES MADE THE DRIVER NAUSEOUS AND MADE HER FEEL AS THOUGH SHE WAS GOING TO PASS OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR TESTING, BUT THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE HOSE. *TC VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE POWER WINDOW SHORTED OUT PRIOR TO THE FIRE. *NM
Visibility, Mar 3, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER POWER WINDOW IS INOPERABLE. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.