2003 Jeep Wrangler
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 102 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 24th highest complaint count among 26 Wrangler model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 8 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 6 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS 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 WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 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
EquipmentJun 7, 2004
BESTOP AFTERMARKET REAR SHELL ROOF RACKS,MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 27 AND MAY 20, 2004, DESIGNED FOR USE WITH THE BESTOP HARDTOP MADE FOR THE 1986-1995 AND 1997-2003 JEEP WRANGLER. THE COCKPIT COVER MAY NOT STAY LATCHED TO THE ROOF RACK BECAUSE THE LATCH BRACKET MISPOSITIONS THE ROTARY LATCH TO THE COCKPIT COVER. AS A RESULT, THE COCKPIT COVER MAY NOT STAY LATCHED TO THE ROOF RACK AND COULD SEPARATE FROM THE ROOF RACK. THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REAR SHELL ROOF RACKS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER.
SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE COCKPIT COULD CAUSE INJURY BY STRIKING PERSONS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE OR COULD BECOME A DISTRACTION OR AN OBSTACLE TO OTHER DRIVERS, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
BESTOP WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A REPAIR KIT AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 16, 2004. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BESTOP CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT (800) 845-3567.
Campaign 04E041000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
102 reports, newest first.
Suspension, Jul 31, 2011
I HAVE BEEN GETTING THE FAMOUS JEEP WRANGLER "DEATH WOBBLE" WHEN I BRING OUR 03 WRANGLER TO 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. TODAY, WAS VERY SEVERE AND ALMOST CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. DEALER CLAIMED TO HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT IT HAS REAPPEARED. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 8, 2011, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS REPLACED TWICE WITHIN THE LAST TWO YEARS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, FOG LIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL FAIL TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS MANUFACTURERS DEFECT BECAUSE THE WIRING TO THE SWITCH BURNED AND MELTED THE CONNECTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 165,088.
Exterior lighting, Jun 2, 2011
2003 JEEP WRANGLER RUBICON. THE FACTORY FOG LAMPS SUDDENLY CAME ON WHILE THE SWITCH WAS IN THE OFF POSITION. PROBLEM PERSISTED EVEN AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO GET THEM TO GO OFF. THE ONLY WAY FOUND WAS TO DISCONNECT THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE FRONT FENDERS. THE DASH INDICATOR LAMP REMAINS LIT. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Mar 6, 2011
GAS TANK OVERFLOW ON JEEP WRANGER. *TR
Seat belts, Dec 25, 2010
I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT WILL DISENGAGE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM I HAVE PAID EXTRA ATTENTION WHEN BUCKLING IN TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS LATCHED PROPERLY. HOWEVER, THE SEATBELT SOMETIME STILL RELEASES ON IT'S OWN. THIS CONCERNS ME BECAUSE I FEAR THAT WHEN I DO NEED THE SEATBELT IN THE COURSE OF AN ACCIDENT IT WILL NOT PERFORM AS INTENDED. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 18, 2010
TURN SIGNALS WILL NOT WORK. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Jun 14, 2010, crash
I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT BEHIND A FORD EXPEDITION. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I LIGHTLY DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. THIS HAD NEVER OCCURRED BEFORE. I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND WAS ABLE TO AGGRESSIVELY HIT THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN ENOUGH TO SLOW THE CAR AND SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A JEEP DEALERSHIP AND THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR A NUMBER OF DAYS. THEY STATED THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND THEY BLAMED THE INCIDENT ON AN AFTER MARKET FLOOR MAT. THIS WOULD MAKE SENSE TO ME IF THE ACCELERATOR WAS JUS STUCK AT THE CURRENT SPEED, BUT THE ENGINE KEPT SPEEDING UP AND THE TIRES WERE SPINNING WHEN I WAS DEPRESSING THE BRAKES. THE CAR ACTED LIKE I HAD THE GAS PEDAL FULLY DEPRESSED. *TR
Steering, Suspension, May 19, 2010
INCIDENTS WITH STOCK 2003 JEEP WRANGLER X 35,000 MILES . VEHICLE WILL SHAKE VIOLENTLY OUT OF CONTROL WHEN DRIVING OVER 40 MPH. INCIDENT IS KNOWN AS THE DEATH WOBBLE AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. HAS OCCURRED TO MY VEHICLE ON MANY OCCASIONS. IT IS VERY HARD TO JEEP THE JEEP ON THE ROAD WHEN THIS DEATH WOBBLE HAPPENS. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 11, 2010
THE VEHICLE FUEL TANK OVERFLOWS WHEN FILLING. THIS IS CAUSING FUEL TO SPRAY OUT ONTO MYSELF, ONTO THE PAINTED SURFACES OF THE VEHICLE, AND SPILL ONTO THE GROUND. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Mar 23, 2010
WHEN FILLING MY GAS TANK, I FILLED THE TANK TO THE BRIM. NOT ON PURPOSE, GAS CAME GUSHING OUT OF MY JEEP WRANGLERS GAS TANK, ALMOST A QUARTER OF A GALLON. NOT LIFE THREATENING, BUT COST ME ABOUT 2 DOLLARS IN GAS.
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Nov 16, 2009
TRAVELING AT 60-65MPH VEHICLE CUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. NO LIGHTS ON DASH CAME ON. PULLED OUT OF WAY OF OTHER TRAFFIC AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. TRIED STARTING AND STARTED RIGHT UP. MILEAGE 77,200. *TR
Air bags, Oct 30, 2009
MY 2003 JEEP WRANGLER HAS A AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT THAT STAYS ON. ALONG WITH THIS THE HORN DOES NOT WORK. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ AND CHECKED OUT IT IS A CLOCKSPRING FAILURE LOCATED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *TR
Seat belts, Jan 12, 2009
RESEARCHING THE INTERNET, I SEEN SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR COMPLAINS ON THE 2003 JEEP WRANGLER SEAT BELT SYSTEM. MY JEEP SEAT BELT, AS I WAS UN-BUCKLING A FEW WEEKS BACK, CAME APART, THE SPRING AND ORANGE PUSH BUTTON CAME FLYING OUT AND I CAN NOT GET IT BACK TOGETHER. I WENT TO DEALERSHIP AND IT WILL COST ME $150 FOR A REPLACEMENT PART ALONE ON SOMETHING THAT WAS NO FAULT OF MY OWN. THE OTHER ISSUE IS THE LACK OF RETRACTION IN THE SEAT BELT CAUSING IT TO GET CAUGHT IN THE DOOR SOMETIMES AND THIS CAN CAUSE SAFETY ISSUES. SINCE IT IS A LAW TO WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT AND ITS IN THE SAFE INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC TO WEAR ONE, THIS POSSES A PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND FIXED IMMEDIATELY.. *TR
Seat belts, Nov 11, 2008
SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT PROPERLY CAUSING THEM TO GET CAUGHT IN DOORS. THIS RESULTS IN FRAYING AND ABRASIONS THAT WEAKEN SEAT BELT. THE BELTS WILL NEED REPLACED SOON DUE TO THIS. *TR
Seat belts, Oct 27, 2008
THE LATCH PLATE ON MY 2003 JEEP WRANGLER SNAPPED IN HALF, RENDERING ME WITH NO SEATBELT IN A VEHICLE THAT IS RATED AT A VERY HIGH ROLLOVER RATE. WHEN I PULLED THE LATCH PLATE OUT TO EXAMINE IT, I SAW THAT THE METAL USED TO ATTACH THE LATCH WAS MADE OF VERY THIN METAL, NOT MUCH THICKER THAN A KNIFE, AND THAT THE METAL APPEARED TO BE MADE OF CAST MATERIAL. IN ADDITION TO THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT TWICE ON MY VEHICLE, AND WILL HAVE TO REPLACE IT A THIRD TIME DUE TO THE SEATBELT NOT RETRACTING AS IT SHOULD. THIS ALLOWS THE SEATBELT TO GET CAUGHT IN MY DOOR, WHICH HAS SEVERELY CUT AND FRAYED THE SEAT BELT ALMOST IN HALF. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 10, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED. HE DISCOVERED A RECALL FOR THE SAME EXACT FAILURE WITH THE 2004 JEEP WRANGLER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED, ALTHOUGH HE HAD A CURRENT 7-YEAR POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 24,000.
Suspension, Jun 9, 2008
DRIVER SIDE FRONT BALL JOINT CAME APART. *TR
Power train, May 22, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH PEDAL, HIS FOOT WOULD STRIKE THE CLUTCH PIN AND KNOCK IT LOOSE. THIS CAUSED CLUTCH FAILURE AND PREVENTED HIM FROM SHIFTING GEARS. HE WOULD HAVE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE TO PUT THE PIN BACK IN PLACE. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN HIS FOOT STRUCK THE CLUTCH PIN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FURTHER STATED THAT THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH PEDAL BIN WOULD FALL STRAIGHT DOWN AS IF HIS FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE PEDAL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,000.
Steering, Apr 7, 2008
STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY ON 2003 JEEP WRANGLER...100% STOCK EQUIPMENT...SHIMMY FIRST NOTICED SUMMER 2007...HAD WHEEL ALIGNMENT DONE WITH NO EFFECT...HAD FRONT TIRES REBALANCED WITH NO EFFECT...PERFORMED TSB 19-003-06...WHILE A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT THE SHIMMY IS NOT GONE AND AT TIMES THE VEHICLE FEELS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
Air bags, Feb 18, 2008
AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY LEADING TO AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. VEHICLE WARRANTY FOR THESE ITEMS IS ONLY 3 YEAR/30,000 MILE. SAFETY EQUIPMENT SUCH AS AIRBAGS AND SEATBELTS SHOULD BE A LONGER WARRANTY FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME IF THEIR PERFORMANCE CAN BE AFFECTED BY NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON THE VEHICLE, I.E. ELECTRONIC FAILURES. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 24, 2007, fire
2003 JEEP WRANGLER TJ, THE CONTACT POINTS FOR THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT ARE OPEN TO THE CARGO COMPARTMENT. HAD A HOCKEY STICK BLADE (MADE OF FIBERGLASS) TOUCH THESE CONTACTS AND CATCH THE STICK AND THE CARPET ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. NOTICED BURNING SMELL WHEN SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT, THOUGHT IT WAS FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE, PULLED AWAY FROM INTERSECTION, LOOKED IN BACK AND THERE WAS A FIRE INSIDE THE RIGHT REAR CORNER. *TR
Fuel system, Other, Sep 12, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AS IF IT WERE LOSING POWER AND ABOUT TO STALL. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED AND WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED A SECOND TIME AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A NEW FUEL PUMP. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $400. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 45,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 18, 2007
WARPED ROTORS ON 2003 JEEP WRANGLER WITH 23,000 MILES. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK, CAUSING STEERING PROBLEMS. PLUS, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AS FAST AS IT SHOULD BECAUSE THE BRAKE PADS DID NOT APPLY EVEN PRESSURE ON WARPED ROTORS. IF NOT FIXED MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. ROTORS AND BRAKE PAD WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $375.00. *AK
Steering, May 14, 2007
STEERING SHIMMIED AT 45 MPH UNABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE THE SAME EXACT SCENARIO AS IN ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS LISTED HERE ABOUT THE STEERING SHIMMY. *AK
Suspension, Apr 19, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE FRONTEND OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE TRAVELING DOWNHILL. THE FAILURE CONTINUES TO PERSIST UNTIL THE VEHICLE DECELERATES TO APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THE DEALER INSTALLED A HEAVY DUTY STEERING DAMPENER ON THE VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN NO OTHER FAILURES SINCE THE REPLACEMENT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 48,000.