RoadVitals

2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest Jun 27, 2016
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
1%
of 762 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 9 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming body or structure

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structure
Filed Jun 27, 2016

WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH IN DAYLIGHT ON A DRY PAVED COUNTRY ROAD, I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR SHUDDERED LIKE I RAN OVER SOMETHING, AND WAS THROWN VIOLENTLY INTO THE OTHER LANE, THEN ALMOST OFF THE ROAD INTO THE TREES. ON EXAMINATION, I FOUND THE CAR'S FRAME HAD FAILED AND RIPPED AWAY WHERE THE RIGHT REAR CONTROL ARM ATTACHES TO THE FRAME. THE CONTROL ARM MOUNT IS ON THE FRAME THAT CAME LOOSE, ALLOWING THE REAL AXLE TO SHIFT BACKWARDS SEVERAL INCHES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I LIVE IN NEW YORK AND I EXPECT RUST BUT NOT TO THE POINT OF THE DISINTEGRATION OF SEVERAL INCHES OF FRAME. THE SHEET METAL USED FOR THE FRAME APPEARS TO BE THIN, PERHAPS 20 GAUGE STEEL. THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS IN GREAT CONDITION, AND IS DRIVEN DAILY BY MY WIFE. I AM GLAD I WAS DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I REPORTED THIS FAILURE TO MY LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER (GOLDSTEIN CHRYSLER, LATHAM NEW YORK) AND TO THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE. NEITHER OFFERED ANY HISTORY ON SUCH A PROBLEM. I CANNOT BE THE ONLY PERSON TO HAVE SUCH A FAILURE, AS THIS IS A COMMON VEHICLE. I WILL TAKE PHOTOS TO DOCUMENT WHAT THE DAMAGE TO THE FRAME LOOKS LIKE. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO UPLOAD THEM. PLEASE CONTACT ME AND I WILL GET THEM TO YOU. THE VEHICLE IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.

NHTSA ID
10876911
Incident
Jun 24, 2016
Mileage
173,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 11, 2015

GAS TANK SUBJECT TO FIRE FROM REAR INPACT

NHTSA ID
10781298
Incident
Oct 10, 2015
Mileage
115,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 29, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS RUSTING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 116,000.

NHTSA ID
10422464
Incident
Aug 28, 2011
Mileage
116,000 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Oct 6, 2009

2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT BROKE. SEAT DETACHED FROM FLOOR. TRYING TO REPAIR. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10286576
Incident
Aug 10, 2009
Mileage
88,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 28, 2008

WHEN IT RAINS MY 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE OVERLAND LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10246894
Incident
Oct 25, 2008
Mileage
69,000 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Jun 6, 2008

HOOD MECHANISM FAILED. PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW FAILED. CAR HEATER FAILED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10230172
Incident
Dec 1, 2006
Mileage
25,000 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Dec 3, 2007

(1) CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM PASSENGER DASH AREA. (2) BLEND DOOR FAILURE, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF HEAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN HEAT IS TURNED ON ICE COLD AIR BLOWS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. (3) DEALERSHIP WANTS $1500.00 TO FIX THIS (COMMON) PROBLEM THAT HAS HAPPENED ON THOUSANDS OF GRAND CHEROKEES. NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED TO DATE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10210634
Incident
Nov 27, 2007
Body & structureBrakesEngine
Filed Oct 30, 2006

2003 GRAND CHEROKEE ENGINE OVER HEATED WHEN SLOWING DOWN. *TS THE COOLING FAN RELAY AND COOLING FAN MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE HOOD WOULD NOT STAY OPEN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HOOD PROPS. THE FRONT ROTORS WERE OUT OF ROUND. *JB

NHTSA ID
10173272
Incident
Sep 23, 2006
Body & structure
Filed Mar 13, 2003

THE DASH BOARD WAS VERY SHINY, AND AT NIGHT IT WAS WORSE, CONSUMER STATED HE COULD BARELY SEE THE ROAD. *JB THE PROBLEM OCCURRED WHEN RAINING AT NIGHT DUE TO THE SHINY DASHBOARD AND ONCOMING HEADLIGHTS. THE WINDSHIELD GETS A REFLECTION AND APPEARS FOGGY AND IT'S NOT. SHOULD BE NO REFLECTIVE. SCC

NHTSA ID
10011625

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .