Jeep Cherokee 2003
Model Cherokee made in 2003 by Jeep got 32 consumer complains as well as 17 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to air bags and electrical system. Technical service bulletines regarding electrical system and engine and engine cooling.
Model 2003
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||||
| 2100905 | 03/22/2005 | 10013708 | Mil (malfunction indicator lamp) illumination for dtc's (diagnostic trouble codes) p0750, p0755, p0760, p0765, p0846, p0871 or p0841. 2004-2005 jeep cherokee and 2005 chrysler 300/magnum *sc | 04/25/2005 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | |||||
| 05002 | 04/28/2005 | 10015075 | New water pump for 3.7l engine - no longer common with 4.7l. advanced service information #05-002. *tt | 05/17/2005 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||||
| 0900205 | 06/01/2005 | 10015804 | Engine oil weepage at the engine oil fitler adaptor hose connection(s). *tt | 08/12/2005 | |
| 0900704 | 03/02/2004 | 10006455 | Irregular engine snapping sound. *tt | 05/03/2004 | |
| 1802503A | 08/15/2003 | 1802503 | 10003542 | Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illumination, diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0110, fuel gauge stuck, improved cold engine performance. *tt | 10/23/2003 |
| 1802503 | 06/20/2003 | 10002043 | Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illumination, diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0110, fuel gauge stuck, improved cold engine performance. *tt | 08/12/2003 | |
| POWER TRAIN | |||||
| 1800503C | 03/30/2003 | 1801304 | 10003540 | Transmission shift / speed control improvements / possible malfunction indicator lamp illumination. *tt | 10/23/2003 |
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | |||||
| 2100503A | 08/01/2003 | 2100503 | 10003550 | Delayed or temporary loss of transmission engagement after initial start up on various models including the 2004 pacifica, sebring convertible, sebring sedan, intrepid and 2003 sx2.0. *tt | 10/23/2003 |
| 2100703 | 08/01/2003 | 10003523 | New fasteners to prevent possible 42rle transmission fluid weepage. *tt | 10/22/2003 | |
| 2100603A | 08/01/2003 | 2100603 | 10003522 | Transmission harsh 4-3 downshift. *tt | 10/22/2003 |
| POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY | |||||
| 0600203 | 08/01/2003 | 10003535 | Clutch slipping. 2004 cherokee included. *tt | 10/23/2003 | |
| STEERING | |||||
| 1900703 | 11/14/2003 | 10005280 | Steering shudder when performing parking lot maneuvers. *ph | 02/18/2004 | |
| STRUCTURE - BODY | |||||
| 2301004 | 09/09/2004 | 2301004A | 10006965 | Passenger compartment floor water leak. *tt this bulletin supersedes bulletin 23-010-04 dated 04-29-04. *tt | 05/20/2004 |
| SUSPENSION | |||||
| 020199 | 03/16/2004 | 0200204 | 10007591 | Suspension squeak/squawk - stabilizer bushing. *mj | 07/02/2004 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | |||||
| 1802002 | 06/24/2002 | 183298 | 634272 | Flash programming failure recovery. *slc | 09/28/2002 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | |||||
| 1800503B | 07/04/2003 | 1800503A | 10003415 | Transmission shift/speed control improvements/possible malfunction indicator lamp illumination. *tt | 10/20/2003 |
| VISIBILITY - GLASS, SIDE/REAR | |||||
| 2300204 | 04/06/2004 | 2300204A | 10005602 | Flip-up glass may open after vehicle has been exposed to very wet conditions. *tt *mj | 03/05/2004 |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | |||
| 04/06/2005 | 30000 | 2 | 11/16/2003 |
| I was the only person in my vehicle at the time of the accident. i was pulling a trailer & going up a bridge at approximately 50 mph when i lost control & hit the guardrail. my entire driver side and front end on the driver side was smashed. it bent my frame as well, however, the air bags never deployed. i called chrysler customer service # just to let them know that it happened, just so they would have a record of it. i have never been treated so rudely by a customer service rep in all of my life, he actually hung up on me when i asked for his name. i called back to report him and was disconnected again. i am not suing. fortunately, i was not hurt. but i was surprised that you could have an impact that hard & severe and the air bags not deploy. i will be very surprised if my jeep is not totalled.*ak | |||
| AIR BAGS - FRONTAL | |||
| 04/06/2005 | 30000 | 2 | 11/16/2003 |
| I was the only person in my vehicle at the time of the accident. i was pulling a trailer & going up a bridge at approximately 50 mph when i lost control & hit the guardrail. my entire driver side and front end on the driver side was smashed. it bent my frame as well, however, the air bags never deployed. i called chrysler customer service # just to let them know that it happened, just so they would have a record of it. i have never been treated so rudely by a customer service rep in all of my life, he actually hung up on me when i asked for his name. i called back to report him and was disconnected again. i am not suing. fortunately, i was not hurt. but i was surprised that you could have an impact that hard & severe and the air bags not deploy. i will be very surprised if my jeep is not totalled.*ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||
| 06/22/2005 | 46 | 1 | 11/10/2004 |
| My 23 month old was rolling up the window on the driver side of the car when her left hand ring finger was caught in the power window, between the window and the weather stripping. the window would not unroll. the power window failed to unroll.her finger was caught inside. we were finally able to pull the weather stripping enough to unroll the window. it nearly severed her finger. her finger was broken and cut all the way around. | |||
| 01/10/2005 | 4 | ||
| Transmission making noise 1 week after purchase, took it in every 2 weeks to have it fixed for first 2 months. vehicle had 40,000 km. chrysler dealership answer was for us to do transmission fluid change (our expense), did not stop the noise, gave up after we took vehicle back 5 times, terrible service. heater motor failed within 1 week of purchase, replace motor switch, heater fan making noise. rear end was rebuilt 2 times within first 2 months of owning vehicle. struts needed replacing within first month. smoke comes from engine when stopped (intermittent), wheel alignment within first month (our expense again). this is our first and last jeep/chrysler product. | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS | |||
| 04/29/2005 | 3 | 11/22/2002 | |
| Dt: consumer states: vehicle cuts off while going down the highway, no warning, doing almost 70 mph. nothing worked, and there were no brakes. the only thing working was the 4-way flashers. tried to turn steering wheel and lost power steering. another time went to turn in the position the wheels were and in that was the way the vehicle went. the repair shop mechanic said it needed a crank sensor. previously, before they put in a fuse and it blew out. *ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | |||
| 04/29/2005 | 3 | 11/22/2002 | |
| Dt: consumer states: vehicle cuts off while going down the highway, no warning, doing almost 70 mph. nothing worked, and there were no brakes. the only thing working was the 4-way flashers. tried to turn steering wheel and lost power steering. another time went to turn in the position the wheels were and in that was the way the vehicle went. the repair shop mechanic said it needed a crank sensor. previously, before they put in a fuse and it blew out. *ak | |||
| 03/15/2004 | 5000 | 3 | |
| When driving at any speed check engine light appeared on the dashboard, then, vehicle jerked and lost power. the consumer had the vehicle was towed to the dealership on two occasions, but problem recurred. *ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||
| 06/01/2004 | 3 | ||
| While driving 50 mph, the vehicle stalled. the driver tried to restart the vehicle and was able to start. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. the mechanic can not duplicate the problem. please provide further details. *nm | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM | |||
| 07/26/2005 | 3 | ||
| My 2003 jeep grand cherokee, with less than 33,000 miles, was repaired for the same problem twice this year, on 9 feb and 26 jul 2005. the repairs were done at 2 different jeep-certified service facilities, and focused on decarbonization cleanings. based on the invoices and my own research, it's clear this problem has several interrelated factors: multiple cylinder misfires, and exhaust valve obstruction with excessive carbon buildup. further, it is directly linked to short-trip/city driving. a few weeks after the second repair, i had an independent (non-jeep) ace-certified mechanic inspection. his findings indicate that the misfires continue; the underlying problem apparently persists. in the big picture, jeep did acknowledge the problem in tsb-09-003-03, encompassing a span of models, from 1999 to 2004, w/ 4.0l engines. the tsb prescribes a valve check and possible cleaning, but does not address the root cause of the misfires and carbon build-up. in the smaller picture, i might mention: the jeep representative a/w the july repair told me this problem was the result of using 'cheap gasoline'. this theory is not supported by anything i've learned in my own reserach. it is just not feasible that gasoline grade could cause such an extent of carbon build-up twice in 6 months, esp with such low mileage. i should probably also add that i don't know the absolute answer to this problem. there is a good deal of reference material online id'ing this as a chronic problem w/ grand cherokee, yet no clearcut permanent solution. i have supporting documentation on what i state here, and will be happy to follow up in writing if that will help. lastly- since most of my vehicle use is short-trip city driving, i am worried that i may face long-term inconvenience, expense, and safety risks. my intent is not to cause problems for jeep- i simply want my vehicle to be functioning and safe for my family. *jb | |||
| OTHER | |||
| 06/22/2005 | 46 | 1 | 11/10/2004 |
| My 23 month old was rolling up the window on the driver side of the car when her left hand ring finger was caught in the power window, between the window and the weather stripping. the window would not unroll. the power window failed to unroll.her finger was caught inside. we were finally able to pull the weather stripping enough to unroll the window. it nearly severed her finger. her finger was broken and cut all the way around. | |||
| POWER TRAIN | |||
| 01/10/2005 | 4 | ||
| Transmission making noise 1 week after purchase, took it in every 2 weeks to have it fixed for first 2 months. vehicle had 40,000 km. chrysler dealership answer was for us to do transmission fluid change (our expense), did not stop the noise, gave up after we took vehicle back 5 times, terrible service. heater motor failed within 1 week of purchase, replace motor switch, heater fan making noise. rear end was rebuilt 2 times within first 2 months of owning vehicle. struts needed replacing within first month. smoke comes from engine when stopped (intermittent), wheel alignment within first month (our expense again). this is our first and last jeep/chrysler product. | |||
| 04/06/2005 | 25800 | 1 | 11/02/2002 |
| (1) i pulled the jeep grand cherokee to a stop in front of a self-serve car wash bay where the previous user had left the car wash wand hanging in the middle of the bay. with my foot on the brake, i opened the driver door and put the vehicle in park; then proceeded to exit the vehicle to move the wand. (i did not turn the ignition off since i was only going about 10 feet to move the wander out of the way.) while i was standing between the driver's seat and open door, the vehicle started rolling backwards. 2) the failure was the vehicle gear shift slipping from park to reverse, or being in the park gear enough to stop the vehicle and allow me to get out, but not locking in the park gear, and thus slipping back to reverse. after i was standing outside the vehicle, it started to roll backwards, too fast for me to get inside to apply the brake. the driver's door got caught on a nearby vacuum structure, causing the door to sprain. the back end of the jeep rolled over a low cement wall which is around the perimeter of the car wash. the center of the vehicle got hung on the wall, causing the vehicle to stop and damage to the transfer case and underbody. (3) nothing has been done to correct the failure at this time. the vehicle will require a new driver's door and front side panel, and a new transfer case. total damage to vehicle- approx. $5,000. *ak | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | |||
| 01/10/2005 | 4 | ||
| Transmission making noise 1 week after purchase, took it in every 2 weeks to have it fixed for first 2 months. vehicle had 40,000 km. chrysler dealership answer was for us to do transmission fluid change (our expense), did not stop the noise, gave up after we took vehicle back 5 times, terrible service. heater motor failed within 1 week of purchase, replace motor switch, heater fan making noise. rear end was rebuilt 2 times within first 2 months of owning vehicle. struts needed replacing within first month. smoke comes from engine when stopped (intermittent), wheel alignment within first month (our expense again). this is our first and last jeep/chrysler product. | |||
| 10/23/2002 | |||
| Had just put vehicle (leased) into park position with the engine running. left vehicle for a short while. was informed, by a witness, that vehicle had bucked and then started accelerating, fast, backwards. vehicle then hit another vehicle that was parked. contacted manufacturer and informed will be sending an independent inspector to check on vehicle. mr | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY | |||
| 06/04/2005 | 31000 | 1 | 08/01/2003 |
| Dt: prior to failure, the vehicle was hard to steer. i turned into a parking lot, and it sounded like a tire was blown out. the tires were fine, and as i started the front fell outwards and the tire fell sideways. had it towed to the dealer, and an investigator from chrysler is looking at it today. | |||
| SEAT BELTS - FRONT | |||
| 06/02/2003 | |||
| Seatbelt did not hold consumer during a collision. upon impact, his head went through the window. *ak | |||
| SEATS - FRONT ASSEMBLY - SEAT HEATER/COOLER | |||
| 03/26/2003 | 1 | ||
| The heated seat burned the consumer. *jb | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - PADS | |||
| 11/29/2004 | 13000 | 2 | |
| Vehicle shook uncontrollably. consumer was able to maintain control the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer. mechanic determined that brake pads and rotors needed to be replaced. consumer informed the mechanic that this problem happened at 13,000 miles, and brake pads and rotors were replaced. currently, at 20,000 miles the problem resurfaced again. mechanic advised the consumer that he was financially responsible for the repairs. *ak | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - ROTOR | |||
| 06/24/2005 | 9388 | 3 | |
| The front brakes on the consumers 2003 jeep cherokee wore out irregularly.(nar) *jb the front brake rotors caused the vehicle to shimmy excessively especially at higher speeds. each time the vibration would take place, the front rotors would have to be replaced. the consumer requested a refund of repair monies. the chrome peeled off of the wheels. *sc *jb | |||
| 06/10/2005 | 01/19/2003 | ||
| My problems began at 9300 miles. brakes pulsating and shaking in the steering. front rotors where warped and needed to be resurfaced. had front rotors resurfaced 2 times and replaced 1 time, all occured under 20,000 miles. at 21,000 miles the rear rotors where resurfaced and now i have to return to the service center for the fifth time with 23000 miles on my vehicle brakes are pulsating again. found that there was a service bulletin that was issued on dec.02 regarding front brakes pulsating during light to moderate brake application for 1999 to 2002 jeep grand cherokees. this is due to excessive thickness variation of the brake rotors. obviously this problem still exists in 2003 models and daimlerchyrsler still refuses to fix the problem at no cost to the consumer. | |||
| 06/03/2005 | 7034 | 5 | 11/11/2002 |
| I own a 2003 jeep grand cherokee limited, which i purchased brand new, and i have had to replace the front brakes and rotors at least four to five times. the car only has 43,000 miles on it and it is now in need of new front brakes and rotors again. every time the brakes have been replaced, they have been done at no cost except for the last time. we had to pay for the parts and the dealer paid for the service. the dealer at that point advised us that we were on our own after that. needless to say, we have been greatly inconvenienced by this and don't feel that it is fair to have to replace the brakes and rotors so often after normal use. furthermore, we feel that this is a design flaw with the vehicle and we have been told by the dealer that they can't do much about this and that a lot of people have the same problem and that chrysler hasn't stepped up to the plate to do anything. i feel that this is a serious potential safety threat and that we are one of only a few affected. please advise | |||
| 01/11/2005 | 20000 | 1 | 10/01/2002 |
| When the consumer applied the brakes, the vehicle started to vibrate severely. the consumer took the vehicle to dealership and was informed by mechanic that rotors had warped unevenly and excessively. the rotors replaced on 4/21/05. *jb *nm | |||
| 07/18/2003 | 8763 | 4 | 10/28/2002 |
| There is either a design or manufacturing defect in the brake rotors/calipers of the recent jeep grand cherokee. the brake rotors have been replaced on three separate occasions in the first 18 months (july 2003, dec. 2003, june 2004), and i have just been informed by the dealer, on february 10, 2005, that the brake pads are thin and the front rotors are rusted and warped and need replacement again. this will be the fourth time, and my car presently has 28,000 miles on it. it is a 2003 jeep grand cherokee that i purchased in october 2002 from central auto group in norwood, massachusetts. the warranty does not cover future repairs, and i have been told by the manufacturer, daimler chrysler that there is nothing it can do but that i will need to have the rotors replaced at my own cost. the central auto group service manager told me that the calipers and brakes had been re-designed a few years ago. i also understand many other drivers have had similar issues and that chrysler issued a technical service bulletin on june 10, 2002 regarding this issue. | |||
| 11/29/2004 | 13000 | 2 | |
| Vehicle shook uncontrollably. consumer was able to maintain control the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer. mechanic determined that brake pads and rotors needed to be replaced. consumer informed the mechanic that this problem happened at 13,000 miles, and brake pads and rotors were replaced. currently, at 20,000 miles the problem resurfaced again. mechanic advised the consumer that he was financially responsible for the repairs. *ak | |||
| 08/31/2004 | 18000 | 2 | 10/01/2002 |
| The vehicle shimmied when the brakes were applied at 30-60 mph. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, who turned both front rotors because they were out of round. this work was done at 18,000 miles. currently, at 24,000 miles the problem recurred. *ak *jb | |||
| 18840 | 1 | ||
| Consumer complained about brake rotors problem. rotors warped after 18,000 miles. *ak | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - PEDALS AND LINKAGES | |||
| 08/06/2003 | 3000 | 4 | 03/01/2003 |
| When braking, the pedal felt soft and intermittently the driver would simultaneously apply the accelerator pedal. this caused the vehicle to lurch forward. the dealer was notified and informed the consumer that the brake pedal was a normal characteristic of the vehicle. nothing was said concerning the brake and the accelerator pedal being too close. *ph the dealer verified that the 2003 models had softer brake pedal than the previous year models. the pedal was so low that it was easy to hit the gas pedal. *scc *jb | |||
| STEERING - ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||
| 04/29/2005 | 3 | 11/22/2002 | |
| Dt: consumer states: vehicle cuts off while going down the highway, no warning, doing almost 70 mph. nothing worked, and there were no brakes. the only thing working was the 4-way flashers. tried to turn steering wheel and lost power steering. another time went to turn in the position the wheels were and in that was the way the vehicle went. the repair shop mechanic said it needed a crank sensor. previously, before they put in a fuse and it blew out. *ak | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||
| 06/02/2003 | |||
| While traveling on the highway and without prior warning consumer lost control of vehicle , went off the road, and hit a tree. *ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER BALL JOINT | |||
| 10/02/2005 | 72200 | 1 | 10/18/2002 |
| 2003 jeep liberty ball joints replaced approx. 30,000 miles under manufacturer recall, at that time vehicle was making significant road noise from the front end suspension. dealer replaced lower ball joint assembly at that time. approx. 66,000 miles vehicle was taken to dealer to find source of front end noise again, dealer could not duplicate and stated there was no problem. approx. 71,000 miles vehicle taken back to dealer for same problem because it was getting worse. i had a factory authorized repair technician go on a test drive with me on september 23, 2005. within about a minute of the test drive the technician stated that it was most likely the lower ball joint assembly and that he believed the recall had been extended to lifetime. i scheduled an appointment to bring the vehicle in for repair on september 27, 2005. the dealership had the vehicle the majority of the day and could find nothing wrong. they stated that the ball joints looked fine. on sunday october 2nd, 2005 the lower ball joint on the driver's side failed. fortunately it was a speed of under 5 mph as we were turning out of a parking lot. the front driver's side suspension had collapsed. vehicle was towed to the dealership sunday evening. currently waiting on the dealership's response. this is a repeat failure and a major safety issue that to date the dealership has chosen to ignore. *nm | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - MACPHERSON STRUT | |||
| 01/10/2005 | 4 | ||
| Transmission making noise 1 week after purchase, took it in every 2 weeks to have it fixed for first 2 months. vehicle had 40,000 km. chrysler dealership answer was for us to do transmission fluid change (our expense), did not stop the noise, gave up after we took vehicle back 5 times, terrible service. heater motor failed within 1 week of purchase, replace motor switch, heater fan making noise. rear end was rebuilt 2 times within first 2 months of owning vehicle. struts needed replacing within first month. smoke comes from engine when stopped (intermittent), wheel alignment within first month (our expense again). this is our first and last jeep/chrysler product. | |||
| WHEELS | |||
| 06/24/2005 | 9388 | 3 | |
| The front brakes on the consumers 2003 jeep cherokee wore out irregularly.(nar) *jb the front brake rotors caused the vehicle to shimmy excessively especially at higher speeds. each time the vibration would take place, the front rotors would have to be replaced. the consumer requested a refund of repair monies. the chrome peeled off of the wheels. *sc *jb | |||
Car dealers selling
| State | City | Zip | Name | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA | BRENTWOOD | 94513 | BRENTWOOD DODGE | 925-634-9900 |
| CA | SANTA MONICA | 90405 | BUERGE CHRYSLER | |
| CO | CENTENNIAL | 80112 | LITHIA CENTENNIAL CHRYSLER JEEP | 303-790-9300 |
| CO | FORT COLLINS | 80525 | LITHIA FOOT HILLS CHRYSLER | |
| GA | WOODSTOCK | 30188 | WOODSTOCK DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP | 678-494-3000 |
| IL | SCHAUMBURG | 60194 | SCHAUMBURG JEEP | 847-882-8400 |
| MA | NORWOOD | 02062 | CENTRAL AUTO GROUP | 781-762-2200 |
| OR | ROSEBURG | 97470 | LITHIA CHRYSLER | 541 672 6555 |
| VA | ALEXANDRIA | 22303 | HERITAGE AUTO PLAZA | 703 329 1300 |