2003 Jeep Wrangler
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 98
- Recalls
- 4
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Power train
Campaigns on file for 2003
None on file
26% of complaints
Complaints per year
2003: 98 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 0 |
| 1985 | 0 |
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1987 | 41 |
| 1988 | 53 |
| 1989 | 63 |
| 1990 | 80 |
| 1991 | 77 |
| 1992 | 77 |
| 1993 | 109 |
| 1994 | 159 |
| 1995 | 202 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 1997 | 401 |
| 1998 | 265 |
| 1999 | 213 |
| 2000 | 251 |
| 2001 | 170 |
| 2002 | 108 |
| 2003 | 98 |
| 2004 | 192 |
| 2005 | 649 |
| 2006 | 730 |
| 2007 | 555 |
| 2008 | 873 |
| 2009 | 372 |
| 2010 | 686 |
| 2011 | 485 |
| 2012 | 835 |
| 2013 | 657 |
| 2014 | 658 |
| 2015 | 477 |
| 2016 | 461 |
| 2017 | 312 |
| 2018 | 1,823 |
| 2019 | 746 |
| 2020 | 616 |
| 2021 | 953 |
| 2022 | 411 |
| 2023 | 373 |
| 2024 | 752 |
| 2025 | 71 |
| 2026 | 12 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Power train
26% · 25 reportsMost commonly citing manual transmission and clutch assembly.
Show complaint excerpts
05 & 06 wrangler has recall for the exact problem my 03 has. Parking pawl slides out of the brackets and then vehicle won't go into park allowing it to roll into danger and possibly kill someone.
NHTSA ODI report, 2022-02-06
Suspension
18% · 18 reportsMost commonly citing front.
Show complaint excerpts
The factory weld on the front end driver's side stabilizer was bad and it came apart on the highway while driving , from the severe shaking it caused, and it could've killed us. The weld was not hot enough to penetrate the steel.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-02-25
Steering
15% · 15 reportsMost commonly citing linkages and shaft pitman.
Show complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving 30-40 MPH, the vehicle hit a bump in the roadway and the steering wheel started shaking significantly and the vehicle seemed to be at risk of a rollover.
NHTSA ODI report, 2022-06-09
Violent shaking after hitting holes in the road during acceleration-less tan 30 MPH. My vehicle has been inspected by my mechanic, who has knowledge of the âDeath Wobbleâ.
NHTSA ODI report, 2021-10-05
When the Jeep is in the 40 to 50 MPH range, a "Death wobble" Happens. Sometimes by itself and sometimes when I hit a pothole or street patch. I have had auto professionals look at the car and they cannot figure out what the problem is.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-08-01
Service brakes
10% · 10 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Fuel system, gasoline
9% · 9 reportsMost commonly citing tank assembly.
Safety timeline
4 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2004-06-16Equipment04E041000 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…
Remedy: 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…
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2005-01-25Fuel system, gasoline06E011000 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…
Remedy: 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…
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2006-03-20Service brakes, hydraulic06E022000 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…
Remedy: 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…
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2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 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…
Remedy: 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.
Buy-smart checklist
2003 Jeep Wrangler — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Power train: 25 reports on file for this year.
- Suspension: 18 reports on file for this year.
- Steering: 15 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 04E041000 · Equipment
- Recall 06E011000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 06E022000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2003 Jeep Wrangler reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Jeep Wrangler is rated "better than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Jeep Wrangler?
- The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2003 Jeep Wrangler have?
- 4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.