2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 35about this part
- Share
- 5%of 762 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 25,800miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 35 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 5% of the 762 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 25,800 miles. 13 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11315974, filed 2020-03, 205,000 miles“At left turn before incoming cars be too close turned accelerating . Half way with steering wheel harding ,it shuts off. I had to put on brak and turn car on to back carefully . Turned in and stopped to check . For past year with every shut off either starts or not , I had fixed at car dealer. Huffines is the car dealer with all records.”
NHTSA complaint #10498218, filed 2013-02, 71,500 miles“I pulled into my driveway (which has a small incline) and put the car in park. As soon as I took my foot off of the brake the vehicle started rolling down my drive way, until pushed the brake pedal and put on the emergency brake. This has happened several times and different places, I.e work, gas station, home, school. This has not cause an accident yet since I've been in the drivers seat every time so far.”
NHTSA complaint #10544408, filed 2013-09, 135,257 miles“I was driving about 40 MPH on a four lane highway in traffic when my car engine suddenly shut off. The brakes seized up, but I was able to get the car was able to get the car off on the shoulder. After trying several time to restart the car, I called for assistance. By the time assistance arrived, I was able to start the car and I drove it approximately five mile to my Jeep dealer. They found that the crank sensor was faulty and that was why the engine had shut down. …”
NHTSA complaint #10615767, filed 2014-07, 94,000 miles“Dt: prior to failure, the vehicle was hard to steer. I turned into a parking lot, and it sounded like a tire was blown out. The tires were fine, and as I started the front fell outwards and the tire fell sideways. Had it towed to the dealer, and an investigator from chrysler is looking at it today.”
NHTSA complaint #10124501, filed 2005-06, 31,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11010205Oct 30, 2024Plate - Planetary
- 10220471Feb 22, 2021Mechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio.
- 10021239Aug 25, 2006Powertrain control module initialization.
- 10017000Sep 1, 200545rfe/545rfe trans - delayed engagement due to cooler return filter replacement.
- 10013731Mar 2, 2005Powertrain control module initialization.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 12 | 38% |
| 2025 | 13 | 16% |
| 2024 | 31 | 12% |
| 2023 | 40 | 10% |
| 2022 | 37 | 14% |
| 2021 | 59 | 14% |
| 2020 | 39 | 16% |
| 2019 | 47 | 13% |
| 2018 | 75 | 9% |
| 2017 | 88 | 24% |
| 2016 | 78 | 25% |
| 2015 | 353 | 26% |
| 2014 | 475 | 20% |
| 2013 | 55 | 7% |
| 2012 | 102 | 6% |
| 2011 | 90 | 5% |
| 2010 | 22 | 19% |
| 2009 | 23 | 17% |
| 2008 | 77 | 10% |
| 2007 | 196 | 18% |
| 2006 | 173 | 14% |
| 2005 | 253 | 12% |
| 2004 | 54 | 4% |
| 2003 | 35 | 5% |
| 2002 | 58 | 4% |
| 2001 | 102 | 12% |
| 2000 | 156 | 11% |
| 1999 | 386 | 24% |
| 1998 | 426 | 41% |
| 1997 | 254 | 26% |
| 1996 | 280 | 31% |
| 1995 | 247 | 34% |
| 1994 | 118 | 20% |
| 1993 | 99 | 18% |
| 1991 | 1 | 17% |
| 1989 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee
256 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
170 complaintsBrakes
71 complaintsSeats
65 complaintsElectrical system
55 complaintsEngine cooling
42 complaintsVehicle speed control
32 complaintsSteering
24 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsEngine
16 complaintsExterior lighting
15 complaintsEquipment
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology