2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Owner Complaints

The driver and passenger front airbags deployed spontaneously while merging onto the highway. I was startled by the noise, my vision was obscured, I was unable to breathe due to the chemical accelerants, and the bag made contact with my face and arms. All of these events put me and other drivers at great risk of severe bodily and property damage. Since June 24, the vehicle has been in possession of a Chrysler dealership. A pre-service write-up has been created, but to my knowledge, no work has been done to the vehicle. I am unaware of an inspection having been completed. I did not see any warning lamps or other symptoms prior to the airbags deploying.

NHTSA ID

11749381

Incident

Jun 23, 2026

The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V046000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where repairs were performed on the air bag control module and side impact sensor. However, after the repair was completed, the air bag warning light unexpectedly illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 378,910.

NHTSA ID

11733600

Incident

Apr 24, 2026

Mileage

378,910 mi

On March 4th 2026 I called Liberty Jeep here in Hinesville Georgia concerning about the recall for my airbags as well as for the hitch on this vehicle. To date nobody has bothered to call to give me an appointment concerning this major recall and continue to refuse to provide any kind of service for me on this recall I have contacted Jeep headquarters about just concerned dealing with Liberty Jeep in Hinesville and today they haven't bothered to do anything about this they are continuously endangering me my daughter and my wife by avoiding any opportunity to repair this damage to my airbags.

NHTSA ID

11725786

Incident

Mar 4, 2026

The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V046000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the air bag warning lights illuminated. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,236. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11611350

Incident

Aug 28, 2024

Mileage

104,236 mi

The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the driver's side and passenger's side curtain air bags deployed without impact. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened; however, the case had not been assigned to a case manager. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V046000 (Air Bags). The failure mileage was approximately 212,000.

NHTSA ID

11606525

Incident

Jul 5, 2024

Mileage

212,000 mi

2 recalls have not been taken care of by the manufacturer. I purchased this vehicle 2 years ago and have noticed that the seats do indeed over heat. The airbags haven't deployed thankfully, but I'm not comfortable taking any chances. Do I have to pay a dealer to complete these repairs? Also, since I have had this vehicle, my blinkers and brake lights do not work consistently. They were in operable for almost a month. I had a Mechanix check them, and they said they were dine. Homer's auto shop florence oregon) I didn't drive at night for almost a month. Then my blinkers just started working again. All the fuses are fine, and no other electrical issues. Brake lights started working also. Up until 3 days ago, a driver behind me pulled around next to me at the stop light to tell me the brake light was out. I checked it when I got home and it was fine.

NHTSA ID

11528042

Incident

Jun 21, 2023

While driving at low speed, the side curtain airbags deployed along with the front seat belts. No injuries just stunted by the loud bang. I took car to Jeep dealership to have recall R06/15v-046 repaired and to diagnose cause of side curtain airbags deployment. Dealer would not repair recall R06/15v-046 due to the requirement that the side curtain and seat belts be repaired before making the recall repairs. Side curtain airbags repair was not accomplished because some repair parts are no longer available (seatbelts/headliner). Dealer indicated that, even if they could have repaired side curtain airbags that the cost of the side curtain airbags repair would be on me. Dealer charged me for a diagnostic of side curtain airbags deployment. I feel that the manufacturer is responsible for the defects and are responsible for restitution. Subject car has airbags light on know but not beforehand. What is my recourse now that my car is unsafe with no repair available and of little value?

NHTSA ID

11521971

Incident

Apr 20, 2023

Airbag light has stayed on even after a battery replacement. Check engine light now stays on for no apparent reason.That’s all,thanks

NHTSA ID

11496654

Incident

Dec 8, 2022

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V046000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who stated the parts were not available and on backorder. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11432488

Incident

Sep 10, 2021

ON FRIDAY OCTOBER 9,2020 APPROX. 5:56 PM I WAS COMING OUT OF ACME PARKING LOT, STATIONARY AT TRAFFIC LIGHT AWAITING A GREEN LIGHT . ALL CAR WINDOWS WERE UP, AC ON. NEXT THING I KNEW I HEARD A "DING" AND BEFORE I KNEW IT, BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED , SHATTERING PASSENGER GLOVE BOX APART, SENDING DEBRIS AND PLASTIC IN MY FACE. DRIVER STEERING WHEEL DESTROYED. ENTIRE VEHICLE FILLED WITH "FIRE LIKE SMELL" FROM DUAL AIR BAG DEPLOYING. NO INJURIES TO MYSELF, NO ONE ELSE IN VEHICLE WITH ME AT TIME OF INCIDENT. NO ACCIDENT OF ANY KIND HAD OCCURRED THAT WOULD EXPLAIN DUAL AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WITHOUT ANY IMPACT TO VEHICLE. I CAN PROVIDE PHOTOS UPON REQUEST. THIS IS DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT.

NHTSA ID

11372374

Incident

Oct 9, 2020

Mileage

71,000 mi

DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME/BRACKET BROKE IN FRONT OF DRIVER'S SEAT, ALLOWING THE DRIVER SEAT TO LEAN DETACH FROM THE FLOORBOARD AND MOVE BACKWARD TOWARD THE REAR SEATS. WHEN RESEARCHING THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE, IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY DEFECT. IF THE DRIVER SEAT FRAME CANNOT HOLD UP TO NORMAL USE, HOW WILL IT HOLD UP TO THE FORCES EXERTED UPON IT IN THE EVENT OF A REAR-END COLLISION? THIS IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY DEFECT AND BASED ON THE VOLUME OF OTHER CONSUMERS THAT HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE, IT IS UNBELIEVABLE THAT ACTION HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11365224

Incident

Oct 17, 2020

Mileage

176,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V046000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 5 MPH, WHEN THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BURNED INJURIES ON HIS RIGHT ARM BUT DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER AUTOCENTRO CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP & RAM LOCATED AT BARRIO BAIROA INDUSTRIAL PARK, KM 3.2 PR-1, CAGUAS, 00725, PUERTO RICO, 787-999-9115 AND WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ID

11354187

Incident

Sep 9, 2020

Mileage

85,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WAITING AT A DRIVE THRU, THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG AND FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG ABRUPTLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION BEFORE OR AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO CAUSE THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE WINDSHIELD, STEERING WHEEL, GLOVE BOX, AND DASHBOARD. AS A RESULT, THE GLOVE BOX HIT THE CONTACTS CHIN AND FOREHEADS LEFT SIDE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000. ## VIN FAILED ## JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO ##

NHTSA ID

11354061

Incident

Sep 9, 2020

Mileage

230,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT IMPACT OR WARNING. MTN VIEW CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (6276 ALABAMA HWY, RINGGOLD, GA 30736, (706) 935-2328) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V046000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11339276

Incident

Jul 1, 2020

Mileage

150,000 mi

JUST RECENTLY IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW FELL WHILE DRIVING AND BACK DRIVER WINDOW FELL WHILE DRIVING WHILE IT WHAT SNOWING WHILE MY SON WAS IN THE CAR. HAVE A POPPING NOISE IN STEERING OR SOMEWHERE IN FRONT END. I CAN'T USE MY ACCELERATE BUTTON ON STEERING WHEEL WHILE IT'S IN CRUISE BECAUSE IT WON'T STOP ACCELERATION ONCE YOU PRESS IT. I WAS GOING ABOUT 55 AND WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE TO 60.

NHTSA ID

11316807

Incident

Feb 28, 2020

Mileage

138,000 mi

I STARTED MY JEEP, NOTICED MY HATCH WAS NOT CLOSED, GOT OUT WHILE IT WAS RUNNING, THE SECOND I CLOSED MY DRIVER DOOR, MY JEEP WENT INTO REVERSE ON ITS OWN, AND KEPT ACCELERATING HIGHER, THIS VEHICLE TOOK OFF VERY AGGRESSIVELY, LUCKILY MY WIFE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, SHE PUT IT IN NATURAL, AND SHUT THE CAR OFF BEFORE ANYTHING WAS STRUCK, NOW DUE TO I BELIEVE THE RAPID ACCELERATION IT RUNS HORRIBLY WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE. THIS JEEP IS AN 2003 , WELL BROKE IN AND MAINTAINED, THERE'S NO OTHER REASON AS TO WHY IT "BECAME SELF AWARE" I HAVE A LOT OF VEHICLE KNOWLEDGE AND THIS IS VIRTUALLY AND UNFATHOMABLY IMPOSSIBLE , PLEASE REVIEW EVERY ASPECT OF THIS VEHICLES COMPLAINTS AS THIS IS VERY UNSAFE

NHTSA ID

11315974

Incident

Mar 4, 2020

Mileage

205,000 mi

ELECTRIC DOOR LOCK ON DRIVERS SIDE MAKES A LOUD BUZZING SOUND WHEN TRYING TO ENGAGE.

NHTSA ID

11301494

Incident

Jan 23, 2020

Mileage

177,000 mi

FRONT SEAT BRACKETS FOR POWER SEATS SNAPPED AND SEPARATED CAUSING SEAT TO NO LONGER BE ATTACHED TO FLOOR. SEAT WOBBLES FROM SIDE TO SIDE ESPECIALLY IN CURVES AND TURNING. RENDERS SEATBELTS USELESS IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID

11300269

Incident

Feb 27, 2019

Mileage

150,000 mi

THE SHIFT CABLE IS RUBBING AGAINST THE FUEL LINE, AFTER 156000 MILES IT HAS WORN A HOLE IN THE LINE. DURING A RESENT VACATION I NOTICED THE SMELL OF GAS BUT COULD NOT TELL WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. WHEN THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF IT WOULD STOP LEAKING. AFTER I WAS BACK I WAS USING THE CAR AGAIN BACKING UP AND NOTICED A DRIP DRIP DRIP ON THE GROUND. AS I WAS ONLY A MILE FROM HOME I WENT HOME AND PARKED AND IT STILL LEAKED A BIT UNTIL THE PRESSURE STOPPED. I DID NOT THINK TO TAKE A PICTURE OF THE LINE AFTER I REMOVED IT. I TOOK THE FUEL LINE TO A SHOP TO HAVE A UNION PUT IN THE LINE BUT THAT IS LEAKING AS THE FITTING IS NOT TIGHT ENOUGH. I GUESS I WILL NEED TO BUY A NEW LINE. I HAVE NOT SEEN A REPORT OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER JEEPS BUT IT IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AS IT COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE.

NHTSA ID

11256274

Incident

Sep 13, 2019

Mileage

156,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. RICK HENDRICK JEEP CHRYSLER DODGE RAM FIAT (LOCATED AT 8333 RIVERS AVE, NORTH CHARLESTON, SC 29406, (843) 639-5475) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ORC WOULD BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG INFLATOR WOULD NOT BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V046000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 225,000.

NHTSA ID

11255099

Incident

Aug 12, 2019

Mileage

225,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS MALFUNCTIONED AND THE FLASHER RELAY LASTED ONLY SIX MONTHS TO A YEAR. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE MALFUNCTIONING AND HAD A FAULTY DESIGN. THE LIGHTS CLIPPED INTO PLACE AND WOULD NOT WORK ON BUMPY ROADS. MCKINNEY DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM & USED CARS (4574 CALHOUN MEMORIAL HWY, EASLEY, SC 29640, (864) 859-1981) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 265,000. *AS *TR

NHTSA ID

11246639

Incident

Aug 1, 2016

Mileage

265,000 mi

HYDRAULIC COOLING FAN QUIT. CAN RUN DIRECT POWER FROM BATTERY TO SOLENOID AND THE HYDRAULIC FAN SOLENOID WORKS BUT DOES NOT WORK WHEN VEHICLE IS RUNNING. CAUSED VEHICLE TO OVER HEAT AND NEED TO BE TOWED OFF THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ID

11241611

Incident

Aug 2, 2019

WAS DRIVING ON THRUWAY AT 65 MPH, HIT A SLIGHT SEAM IN THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENTIRE FRONT END BEGAN TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY, FORCING ME TO LEAVE THE HIGHWAY IMMEDIATELY AND STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AT ABOUT 10 MILES PER HOUR, THE SHAKING LESSENED AND ACTUALLY STOPPED. THINKING IT WAS A FLUKE OCCURRENCE, I CONTINUED ON MY WAY. UNFORTUNATELY, NEXT TIME I HIT ANY SORT OF IMPERFECTION IN THE ROAD, THE "DEATH WOBBLE" STARTED AGAIN IN THE FRONT END.

NHTSA ID

11210133

Incident

May 26, 2019

Mileage

158,900 mi

AIRBAG SENSOR CONTINUES TO BEEP

NHTSA ID

11192873

Incident

Dec 21, 2018

I WAS DRIVING AND SMELLED BURNING. PULLED OVER ON A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY. I THEN SAW SMOKE. I DROVE A BLOCK AWAY TO A SAFE SPOT GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND CALLED 911. THE FIREFIGHTERS EXTINGUISHED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE THAT STARTED IN MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THEY BELIEVE THE MOTOR IN MY DOOR CAUGHT FIRE. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED. NOW I'M AT A LOSS AS TO WHAT TO DO. THANK GOD I HAD JUST DROPPED MY SON OFF AT SCHOOL SO NO INJURIES.

NHTSA ID

11186390

Incident

Mar 13, 2019

Mileage

250,000 mi