10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
10 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
17,717 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission problems

transmission problem

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2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Owner Comments

problem #19

Mar 172010

Grand Cherokee 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact was driving approximately 70 mph when the vehicle lunged forward and stalled. The vehicle was towed to her residence. The following day the vehicle operated normally; however, the identical failures occurred on three separate occasions. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. The technician stated that the failure was related to the front control module. The vehicle has not been repaired at this time. The failure mileage was 112,000. Updated 6/21/10 the consumer stated the vehicle would shut off with no warning and would not restart. It was determined the crank sensor became extremely hot which caused the vehicle to shut down. The fan relay also failed which caused the vehicle to overheat and the internal transmission sensors failed. Updated 07/01/10.

- Corona, CA, USA

problem #18

Jun 302007

Grand Cherokee 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,220 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving approximately 60 mph, the contact activated the heated seats, which took approximately five minutes to warm up. Three minutes later, the seat warmed up excessively and caused mild burns to her body. The dealer stated that her VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 06V197000 (seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler), although the failure was identical. The contact would have to repair the vehicle at her own expense. The manufacturer has not been notified. The failure mileage was 57,220 and current mileage was 61,716. Updated 3/4/08 the dealer stated malfunction indicator light on, and transmission not shifting properly. Updated 03/04/08

- Worcester, MA, USA

problem #17

May 252006

Grand Cherokee 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles
Drove vehicle into garage stall. Put vehicle in park, opened drivers door, left door open and vehicle running to retrieve personal item from house, went to walk out garage and vehicle started backing out garage. Drivers door caught on garage support pole, twisting door around to front fender as it proceeded out of garage. Dragged myself past tool box and by garage door. Vehicle then proceeded down driveway, did U-turn past neighbors vehicles and lodged on boulder in neighbors front yard. Went to emergency room for treatment, no broken bones or major injuries. Sustained lots of deep bruising, bad scrapes and swelling of upper body, left lower leg, and arms.

- Highlands Ranch, CO, USA

problem #16

May 302005

Grand Cherokee 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Contact states vehicle shifted out of park while in a parking area. Contact and her son were in the vehicle when it started rolling down a hill, the vehicle hit a pool fence. The service dealer would not say why the vehicle shifted out of park.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #15

Jan 102005

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
Transmission making noise 1 week after purchase, took it in every 2 weeks to have it fixed for first 2 months. Vehicle had 40,000 km. Chrysler dealership answer was for us to do transmission fluid change (our expense), did not stop the noise, gave up after we took vehicle back 5 times, terrible service. Heater motor failed within 1 week of purchase, replace motor switch, heater fan making noise. Rear end was rebuilt 2 times within first 2 months of owning vehicle. Struts needed replacing within first month. Smoke comes from engine when stopped (intermittent), wheel alignment within first month (our expense again). This is our first and last Jeep/Chrysler product.

- Calgary, 00, USA

problem #14

Apr 162005

Grand Cherokee 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,548 miles
Wife parked Jeep in driveway, placed in park with key out of the ignition. Wife exited the vehicle, walked to the back door, got my 4 year old out of her car seat and placed her on the driveway next to the vehicle. Wife turned around to get her purse off the front seat when the vehicle took off, rolling backwards down the driveway. Wife jumped into vehicle and tried to stop it. Open driver's door struck my fence, retaining wall and my 4 year old knocking her to the ground. The door was then bent forward, destroying the door, fender, scratching the side and the rear bumper and tailgate. Wife suffered scrapes, bruises, daughter transported to emergency room then via car flite helicopter - suffered scrapes, bruises, lacerated liver.

- Rowlett, TX, USA

problem #13

Feb 262005

Grand Cherokee 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,470 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee when parked in front of my home while I ran in to get my gloves jumped into reverse after closing the door. I was away from the truck for less then 1 min. And it rolled in reverse 75 ft striking a neighbors mobile home. When I got to the truck it was in reverse and had extensive damage to the whole tailgate hatch and glass. Damage was also done to the mobile home. I am contacting a dealer as of Feb. 28 2005.

- West Allis, WI, USA

problem #12

Oct 222004

Grand Cherokee 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles
I put my Jeep in park with the engine running, I stepped out of the Jeep and then the Jeep went into reverse and the open drivers door knocked me down and dragged me. The Jeep then crashed into 3 parked cars before it came to rest.

- Wayne, NJ, USA

problem #11

Mar 262004

Grand Cherokee 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,700 miles
The date below reflects the third time this has occurred. My vehicle has still not repaired to date(4-30-04). The vehicle transmission fails and the vehicle simply fails. After a transmission change it failed again fortunately nobody was harmed. However the company will not replace the vehicle but instead is installing are built transmission. It must be noted that the first incident occurred (approximate mileage) 4,700, second occurrence 5,000, third 5,600. I purchased the vehicle new I am the only owner and driver. This vehicle/ and the company imposes a dangerous, and defective vehicle on both myself and fellow motorist.

- Palmyra, PA, USA

problem #10

Mar 212004

Grand Cherokee 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 500 miles
I have made 4 trips to the service department for a problem with my brakes. The car shakes when pressure is gently applied to the brakes. The dealer has done nothing except replacing the rotors and the gear box. The problem has not been solved. Also, the car makes a loud klunking noise when the car is put into reverse or taken out of reverse. Once again, the dealer says it is normally, depsite the fact any normal person could tell something is definetly wrong with the transmission.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #9

Nov 062003

Grand Cherokee 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission has to be replaced because of a popping and grinding noise when the vehicle is placed in reverse from park or neutral. Transmission was rebuilt after only 2019 miles and has been worked on two times since. Once for a factory recall and the other time for a transmission fluid leak.

- Grifton, NC, USA

problem #8

Jul 092003

Grand Cherokee 4WD 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,092 miles
While the vehicle was in park, with the motor running, the driver exited and the transmission changed from park to reverse striking the driver and then a gasoline pump barrier.

- Livingston, NJ, USA

problem #7

Aug 172003

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
I have had to have the transmissision taken out and seals and O-rings replaced 2 times for leaking fluid. The third time it leaked they had to replace the entire transmission.

- Rootstown, OH, USA

problem #6

Aug 142003

(reported on)

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
Consumer noticed that after placing vehicle in park while engine was running, and consumer stepped out of vehicle, vehicle jumped into reverse, knocking consumer to the ground, and crashing into the home.

- Giddings, TX, USA

problem #5

Mar 162003

Grand Cherokee 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles
Car shifts out of park to any gear while ignition is turned off. Once ignition is on, it will not shift unless foot is on the brake pedal.

- Davenport, FL, USA

problem #4

Feb 182003

Grand Cherokee

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The vehicle was parked with the engine running, and the emergency brake was not applied, when all of a sudden, the vehicle rolled backwards and hit a tree. No injuries.

- Fayetteville, GA, USA

problem #3

Jan 082003

(reported on)

Grand Cherokee

  • 600 miles
While driving, there was a loud grinding and or winding noise coming from the rear. The dealer stated that the gasket and the transmission fluid had flowed on over to the overdrive. The dealer also stated that the transmission was defected. Ts scc

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #2

Oct 232002

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
Had just put vehicle (leased) into park position with the engine running. Left vehicle for a short while. Was informed, by a witness, that vehicle had bucked and then started accelerating, fast, backwards. Vehicle then hit another vehicle that was parked. Contacted manufacturer and informed will be sending an independent inspector to check on vehicle.

- Ft Washington, PA, USA

problem #1

Oct 152002

Grand Cherokee 4WD

  • miles
Transmission changed from park to reverse while passenger was out of vehicle.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

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