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2003 Jeep Wrangler

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Jeep Wrangler are lower than the model-year median of 265.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

78 reports with mileage · 20 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports3 fire reports4 injury reports

Power Train complaints

22 reports
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18,877 miles · Sep 15, 2004
Fuel System, OtherPower Train

SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT. LEAK IN FUEL SYSTEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10091078

5,000 miles · Jul 21, 2004
Power Train

HARSH SHIFTING FROM 2ND INTO FIRST ON MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10082370

2,000 miles · Jul 18, 2004
Power Train

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENLY DOES NOT PROVIDE A POSITIVE GEAR POSITION LOCK. VEHICLE SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL FROM DRIVE. TRANSMISSION ALSO WILL NOT PROPERLY LOCK INTO PARK POSITION MAKING IT WHERE YOU CAN NOT REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. TAKEN VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP TWICE AND THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. CONCEN…

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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENLY DOES NOT PROVIDE A POSITIVE GEAR POSITION LOCK. VEHICLE SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL FROM DRIVE. TRANSMISSION ALSO WILL NOT PROPERLY LOCK INTO PARK POSITION MAKING IT WHERE YOU CAN NOT REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. TAKEN VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP TWICE AND THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. CONCENERED THE VEHICLE COULD SLIP INTO REVERSE FROM DRIVE ACCIDENTLY.

NHTSA ODI #10081313

11,000 miles · May 20, 2004
Power Train

THE GEAR SHIFTER MECHANISM HAS A CABLE THAT CONNECTS TO THE IGNITION. WHEN THIS MECHANISM FAILS AND LOCKS UP VEHICLE STALLS IMMEDIATELY. WHEN THIS OCCURS THE SHIFTER STICKS IN THE GEAR. THIS DESTROYS THE IGNITION. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CABLE TWICE, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10073948

Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2004
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

I HAVE AN 03 WRANGLER, YELLOW THAT HAS THE PAINT CHIPPING OFF IN SEVERAL PLACES. THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 8K MILES & IS NEVER TAKEN OFF ROAD. THESE ARE ALL INNER CITY MILES. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY 2 DIFF DEALERSHIPS THAT THIS IS CAUSED FROM BUGS! THIS SAME JEEP HAS ALSO HAD DRIVELINE PROBLEMS. SO MUCH FOR A HEAVY DUTY OFF ROA…

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I HAVE AN 03 WRANGLER, YELLOW THAT HAS THE PAINT CHIPPING OFF IN SEVERAL PLACES. THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 8K MILES & IS NEVER TAKEN OFF ROAD. THESE ARE ALL INNER CITY MILES. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY 2 DIFF DEALERSHIPS THAT THIS IS CAUSED FROM BUGS! THIS SAME JEEP HAS ALSO HAD DRIVELINE PROBLEMS. SO MUCH FOR A HEAVY DUTY OFF ROAD VEHICLE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10064471

1,800 miles · Dec 29, 2003
Power Train

I HAVE A 2003 WRANGLER WITH A 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION THAT SUFFERS FROM INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WHERE SHIFTING GEARS IS DIFFICULT IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE. THE PROBLEM OCCURS MOST OFTEN WHEN ACCELERATING WHILE SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEARS, AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DOWNSHIFT FROM 5TH TO 4TH GEARS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IF THE VEHICLE DO…

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I HAVE A 2003 WRANGLER WITH A 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION THAT SUFFERS FROM INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WHERE SHIFTING GEARS IS DIFFICULT IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE. THE PROBLEM OCCURS MOST OFTEN WHEN ACCELERATING WHILE SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEARS, AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DOWNSHIFT FROM 5TH TO 4TH GEARS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IF THE VEHICLE DOES SHIFT A GRINDING/BANGING NOISE IS HEARD. I HAVE HAD THE LOCAL DEALER LOOK AT IT 4 TIMES AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM(S).*AK

NHTSA ODI #10051250

800 miles · Dec 17, 2003
Power Train

I HAVE A 2003 WRANGLER WITH A 5-SPEED TRANSMISSION. I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WHEN SHIFTING INTO SECOND AND THIRD GEAR. IT IS EITHER HARD TO GET INTO GEAR OR IT GRINDS AS IT GOES IN. THE DEALERSHIP HAS LOOKED AT THREE DIFFERENT TIMES AND HAS FOUND NO PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 14,000 MILES ON IT AND IT NOW SEEMS TO BE WORSE DU…

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I HAVE A 2003 WRANGLER WITH A 5-SPEED TRANSMISSION. I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WHEN SHIFTING INTO SECOND AND THIRD GEAR. IT IS EITHER HARD TO GET INTO GEAR OR IT GRINDS AS IT GOES IN. THE DEALERSHIP HAS LOOKED AT THREE DIFFERENT TIMES AND HAS FOUND NO PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 14,000 MILES ON IT AND IT NOW SEEMS TO BE WORSE DURING COLDER WEATHER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10050657

17,000 miles · Oct 31, 2003
Power Train

WE BOUGHT A 2003 JEEP WRANGLER SPORT 4X4 IN JANUARY 2003. THE DEALERSHIP HAD PUT A 3" LIFT AND 32" TIRES ON THE JEEP PRIOR TO IT BEING SOLD. WE PURCHASED IT DIRECTLY FROM THE SHOWROOM FLOOR. THREE WEEKS AGO THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT IN THE JEEP. FIRST WE WERE TOLD THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE…

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WE BOUGHT A 2003 JEEP WRANGLER SPORT 4X4 IN JANUARY 2003. THE DEALERSHIP HAD PUT A 3" LIFT AND 32" TIRES ON THE JEEP PRIOR TO IT BEING SOLD. WE PURCHASED IT DIRECTLY FROM THE SHOWROOM FLOOR. THREE WEEKS AGO THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT IN THE JEEP. FIRST WE WERE TOLD THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THE LIFT VOIDED IT. AFTER ADVISING A CHRYSLER REPRESENTATIVE THAT THE DEALERSHIP PUT THE LIFT ON THE JEEP, THEY SAID THE SIZE OF THE TIRES CAUSED THE DAMAGE AND I INFORMED THE REPRESENTATIVE THAT THE DEALERSHIP MADE ALL MODIFICATIONS TO THE JEEP PRIOR TO OUR PURCHASE. I WAS TOLD I'D HAVE TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THEY WOULD STAND BEHIND THE VEHICLE WARRANTY. WE'RE IN TEXAS NOW, THE DEALERSHIP WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM IS IN WASHINGTON. WE WENT ROUND AND ROUND BETWEEN THE DEALERSHIPS WITH THE ONE IN WASHINGTON SAYING THE VEHICLE WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE ONE IN TEXAS SAYING, "NO". AFTER 3 WEEKS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY 'MISUSE/ABUSE' BY THE VEHICLE BEING TAKEN OFF-ROAD AND A STICK HITTING THE PLUG ON THE REAR AXLE CAUSING THE FLUID TO LEAK OUT. THE JEEP BROKE DOWN THE DAY AFTER IT WAS TAKEN OFF-ROAD. CLEARLY NOT ENOUGH TIME FOR ANY FLUID TO LEAK OUT, ESPECIALLY WITH NO SIGN OF LEAKAGE ONCE IT WAS PARKED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN LESS THAN 60 MILES THE NEXT DAY. BESIDES, THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN 'OFF-ROAD' SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I BELIEVE WE PURCHASED A VEHICLE THAT HAD A FAULTY REAR AXLE AND THE DEALERSHIPS HAVE FOUND ANOTHER WAY TO PICK THE CONSUMERS POCKETS WITHOUT STANDING BEHIND A VEHICLE WARRANTY. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10045217

17,000 miles · Oct 16, 2003
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH DRIVESHAFT FELL OUT. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE'S REAR END COLLAPSED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10044116

6,200 miles · Oct 8, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingParking Brake

ACCORDING TO INTERNAL SALES BROCHURES AND ADVERTISEMENTS THE 2003 JEEP WRANGLER RUBICON IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE MOST CAPABLE OFF ROAD JEEP EVER. MY JEEP HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS, WHICH CONSISTS OF 2 BROKEN AXLES, FAULTY BRAKES, FAULTY PARKING BRAKE, FAULTY U-JOINT CLIPS, FAULTY WHEEL BEARING. AFTER PAYING THE DEALER TO REPL…

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ACCORDING TO INTERNAL SALES BROCHURES AND ADVERTISEMENTS THE 2003 JEEP WRANGLER RUBICON IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE MOST CAPABLE OFF ROAD JEEP EVER. MY JEEP HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS, WHICH CONSISTS OF 2 BROKEN AXLES, FAULTY BRAKES, FAULTY PARKING BRAKE, FAULTY U-JOINT CLIPS, FAULTY WHEEL BEARING. AFTER PAYING THE DEALER TO REPLACE PARTS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, THEN REALIZING THAT THEY FAILED TO REPLACE ANOTHER FAILED PART, CALLED TO ASK ABOUT A WORKAROUND UNTIL THE NEEDED PART CAME IN. THE ADVICE GIVEN WAS TO REMOVE THE BROKEN AXLE SHAFT AND DRIVE WITHOUT IT. THIS CAUSED BRAKE AND WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. AN ATTEMPT TO GET THE DEALER TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR COST TOOK SOME TIME TO GET RESOLVED. FINALLY, THEY FIXED THE PROBLEMS AND VOIDED THE MANUFACTURE'S WARRANTY. REASON FOR VOIDING THE WARRANTY WAS MISUSE/ABUSE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN USED OFF-ROAD AND HAD MUD ON THE UNDER CARRIAGE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE BECAUSE YOU CANNOT MARKET A VEHICLE AS OFF-ROAD AND THEN VOID THE WARRANTY IF IT IS USED IN THIS MANNER. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER SUBMERGED, OR IN MUD/WATER DEEPER THEN THE HEIGHT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT BUMPER. FURTHERMORE, JEEP CLAIMS I AM A MEMBER OF A 4WD CLUB THAT I HAVE NO AFFILIATION WITH AND CLAIMS A WITNESS SAW THE VEHICLE UNDER WATER. BOTH NOT TRUE. ASKING FOR HELP FROM THE DOT TO MAKE JEEP STAND BY IT'S WARRANTY, OR HAVE THEM NOT MARKET THE VEHICLE AS OFF-ROAD SINCE IF USING IT OFF ROAD VOIDS THE WARRANTY THEN THIS IS FALSE ADVERTISING. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10041471

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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