2003 JEEP LIBERTY — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
1,729
Owner Complaints
13
Recalls
9
Service Bulletins
3
Investigations
Overview of the 2003 JEEP LIBERTY
The 2003 JEEP LIBERTY has received a total of 1,729 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 15 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, STRUCTURE. 9 technical service bulletins have been issued by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (364 complaints), Suspensionfrontcontrol Armlower Ball Joint (271 complaints), and Suspension (105 complaints).
Recalls for the 2003 JEEP LIBERTY
NHTSA has recorded 15 recalls for the 2003 JEEP LIBERTY, potentially affecting up to 6,962,994 vehicles.
Recall 15V673000 — AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
| 284,611 vehicles affected
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured March 29, 2003, to July 3, 2003, and 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured May 27, 2003, to May 20, 2004. Due to electrical noise beyond the tolerance of the air bag electronic control module (ECM), a component in the ECM may fail, causing the front...
Consequence: Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag electronic control module and the side impact sensors, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 5, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's...
View full details →Recall 15V046000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
| 752,644 vehicles affected
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured January 9, 2001, to March 28, 2003, 2002-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 13, 2001, to May 23 2003, and 2003-2004 Dodge Viper vehicles manufactured November 1, 2001, to June 30, 2004. Due to electrical noise beyond the tolerance of the air bag electronic control...
Consequence: Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Chrysler dealers will replace the air bag control module and side impact sensors as required, free of charge. This recall remedy was applied during earlier recall campaigns of these vehicles under safety recalls 12V527 and 13V040. All owners that have...
View full details →Recall 13V252000 — STRUCTURE
| 1,560,000 vehicles affected
Defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles. The fuel tanks in these vehicles are at risk of failure and leakage in certain rear impacts.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Remedy: Owners may take their vehicles to dealers and the dealers will perform a free inspection of the rear structure. On vehicles in the recall that are not equipped with a tow hitch, Chrysler will install a Chrysler designed tow hitch...
View full details →Recall 13V252000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
| 1,560,000 vehicles affected
Defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles. The fuel tanks in these vehicles are at risk of failure and leakage in certain rear impacts.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Remedy: Owners may take their vehicles to dealers and the dealers will perform a free inspection of the rear structure. On vehicles in the recall that are not equipped with a tow hitch, Chrysler will install a Chrysler designed tow hitch...
View full details →Recall 12V527000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
| 744,822 vehicles affected
Defect: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2002 and 2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured January 9, 2001, through March 28, 2003, and 2002 through 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 13, 2001, through May 23, 2003. A component in the air bag control module may fail causing the front airbags, side curtain airbags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while...
Consequence: Inadvertent deployment of the airbags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a supplemental jumper harness to the airbag control module, free of charge. Owners were notified of the recall by interim letter in January 2013. The remedy for affected Liberty vehicles is expected...
View full details →Recall 12V527000 — AIR BAGS
| 744,822 vehicles affected
Defect: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2002 and 2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured January 9, 2001, through March 28, 2003, and 2002 through 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 13, 2001, through May 23, 2003. A component in the air bag control module may fail causing the front airbags, side curtain airbags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while...
Consequence: Inadvertent deployment of the airbags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a supplemental jumper harness to the airbag control module, free of charge. Owners were notified of the recall by interim letter in January 2013. The remedy for affected Liberty vehicles is expected...
View full details →Recall 12E047000 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB
| 892 vehicles affected
Defect: Timken is recalling certain non-formed, front wheel hubs, part number HA599467, which were sold to retail and automotive distributors in the automobile aftermarket as front wheel hub replacements designed only for use on certain 2002 through 2005, 4X4, non-ABS, Jeep Liberty vehicles. These front wheel hub units can be mistakenly sold to owners and installed on 4X2 versions of the...
Consequence: If the non-formed hub unit is installed on a Jeep Liberty 4x2 model (which does not use an axle nut for hub retention), the vehicle wheel will not be secure and a front wheel separation may occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Timken has notified retail stores that have received the subject parts. The front wheel hubs will be replaced free of charge. Owners who may have purchased the affected units should contact Timken at 1-330-471-3693 for more information. This recall is...
View full details →Recall 09V119000 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
| 43,489 vehicles affected
Defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 42,469 MY 2002-2003 JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN SALT BELT STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA , WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL...
Consequence: FAILURE OF THE BALL JOINT COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT APRIL 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
View full details →Recall 09E039000 — SUSPENSION
| 44 vehicles affected
Defect: ROCK KRAWLER IS RECALLING 44 PERFORMANCE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE. THESE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS WERE PRODUCED WITH GRADE 2 CARRIAGE BOLTS INSTEAD OF THE PROPER GRADE 5 CARRIAGE BOLTS. THE IMPROPER GRADE 2 CARRIAGE BOLTS COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF CLAMPING FORCE FOR THE BOTTOM STRUT FORK.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF EFFECTIVE LIFT AND LOWERING OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLE, POSSIBLY CREATING THE DRIVER TO PANIC WHICH COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: ROCK KRAWLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15. 2008. ALL THE AFFECTED UNTITS HAVE BEEN REMEDIED. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ROCK KRAWLER AT 1-518-270-9822.
View full details →Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 16,270 vehicles affected
Defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
View full details →Recall 06V288000 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
| 826,687 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE CONSTANT TENSION FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS MAY EXPERIENCE CONTAMINATION. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD WITH THIS CONDITION, THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE WEAR AND LOOSENESS.
Consequence: WHEN THE DRIVER CONTINUES TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE WITH THIS CONDITION, THE CONTAMINATION CAN LEAD TO CORROSION, ACCELERATED WEAR AND POSSIBLY SEPARATION FROM THE STEERING KNUCKLE CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
View full details →Recall 06E065000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 3,593 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
View full details →Recall 06E049000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 27,176 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
View full details →Recall 06E026000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 61,944 vehicles affected
Defect: 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 SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
View full details →Recall 03V460000 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
| 336,000 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS CAN EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF LUBRICATION THAT CAN LEAD TO CORROSION, ACCELERATED WEAR, AND POSSIBLE SEPARATION FROM THE STEERING KNUCKLE.
Consequence: A BALL JOINT THATHAS SEPARATED FROM THE KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS WITH MODIFIED ASSEMBLIES AND HEAT SHIELDS ON VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 2, 2001 AND OCTOBER 4, 2002. ON VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN OCTOBER 5, 2002 AND MARCH 26, 2003, DEALERS WILL...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2003 JEEP LIBERTY
1,729 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 JEEP LIBERTY. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Liberty. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V046000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that while parked in a structure, the air bags inadvertently deployed. The vehicle was not occupied at the time. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.
I PURCHASED THIS JEEP 2 YRS AGO. DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT ISSUES WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKES. I USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE THE OTHER DAY AND THE JEEP KEPT ROLLING AND I WAS PARKED ON A LOW INCLINE HILL AND IT WOULD NOT STOP. I WENT ONLINE AND SAW THIS WAS A MAJOR ISSUE. CONTACTED CHRYLSER THEY SAID THEY ONLY WORK ON 2010 MODELS. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND I'M SURE THEY ARE OTHER OLDER MODELS WITH SAME ISSUE. HOW CAN A SO CALLED REPUTABLE COMPANY NOT TAKE CARE OF THEIR ISSUE NO MATTER HOW OLD MODEL IS. THEY CLAIM BRAKES ARE SELF-ADJUSTING NO SO.
The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that moments after exiting the freeway, the front end of the vehicle began to shake and vibrate. While driving approximately 5 MPH, there was an abnormal banging sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that suddenly the wheels would not turn, and the vehicle became undrivable. The vehicle was towed to the residence and later examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the driver's side ball joint arm had fractured. The independent mechanic replaced the driver's side ball joint assembly and the lower control arm, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 189,000.
9/18/2023 I had an incident I thought something got behind brake pedal and kept me from pushing the brakes. When I drove it home. Going down the interstate I hit the gas get to speed limit. 3 times the vehicle kept speeding up hitting 80 and still wanting to climb.when I hit breaks hit was hard to press worse then hitting non power breaks and then I forced on the brakes and the vehicle started shaking. And took lot of effort to slow down. This vehicle doesn't have cruise control. Have had cliche with lights radio tac speed air while driving. Non of the air bags went off I checked recall was January to March this jeep was manufactured 12 2
Safety Rating for the 2003 JEEP LIBERTY
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 JEEP LIBERTY in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 JEEP LIBERTY
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) has issued 9 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 JEEP LIBERTY. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
M3511082012 — SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
Advanced Field Action Communication ? M3511082012 Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) announced a safety recall on 2002 and 2003 model year (KJ) Jeep Liberty vehicles built through March 28, 2003 and 2002 through 2004 model year (WJ) Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles built through May 23, 2003. The above vehicles may experience...
050304 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DOMESTIC FRONT DISC BRAKES PAD KIT AVAILABILITY. *TT
0500104 — SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:PADS
THE CUSTOMER MAY EXPERIENCE A REAR BRAKE MOAN-LIKE SOUND DURING LIGHT OR NO BRAKE APPLICATION PRESSURE. *MN
0500303 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
REAR DISC BRAKE MOAN-LIKE SOUND. *TT
15 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
EMISSION RECALL TO INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY CAUSE VEHICLE TO EMIT HYDROCARBON (HC) AND CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) LEVELS ABOVE THE ALLOWABLE LIMITS. *TT
1800503 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TRANSMISSION SHIFT/SPEED CONTROL IMPROVEMENTS. *JB
03001 — STRUCTURE:BODY
COWL PLENUM BODY SEAM MAY LACK SUFFICIENT BODY SEALER. *TT
02024 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
HARSH SHIFTS DUE TO A STICKING PRESSURE SENSOR TRANSDUCER. *TT
02014 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
OVERHEAD CONSOLE ELECTRONIC VEHICLE INFORMATION CENTER (EVIC) MAY HAVE THE SERVICE INTERVAL FEATURE SET HIGHER THAN 6,000 MILES, ON CERTAIN EARLY 2003 MODELS. *TT
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 JEEP LIBERTY
NHTSA has opened 3 investigations into potential safety defects in the 2003 JEEP LIBERTY.
Investigation EA12001 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE Closed
Opened:
Inadvertent Air Bag Deployment
Investigation EA06008 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT Closed
Opened:
FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT SEPARATION
Other Model Years of the JEEP LIBERTY
- 2000 JEEP LIBERTY — 7 complaints
- 2001 JEEP LIBERTY — 12 complaints
- 2002 JEEP LIBERTY — 2,328 complaints
- 2003 JEEP LIBERTY (current)
- 2004 JEEP LIBERTY — 1,440 complaints
- 2005 JEEP LIBERTY — 1,460 complaints
- 2006 JEEP LIBERTY — 1,808 complaints
- 2007 JEEP LIBERTY — 941 complaints
- 2008 JEEP LIBERTY — 762 complaints
Other JEEP Models
- JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE — 39,293 total complaints
- JEEP WRANGLER — 21,806 total complaints
- JEEP CHEROKEE — 20,448 total complaints
- JEEP COMPASS — 5,865 total complaints
- JEEP PATRIOT — 4,351 total complaints
- JEEP COMMANDER — 3,920 total complaints
- JEEP RENEGADE — 3,408 total complaints
- JEEP WRANGLER 4-DR 4X4 — 1,812 total complaints