2003 Jeep Laredo Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2003 Jeep Laredo most often describe power window regulator or motor failures, and airbag faults including unexpected deployments and warning lights. Recall repairs that wait on unavailable parts, brake pulsation when braking, and sudden unintended acceleration also appear in these complaints. Where mileage is stated, the window reports fall between about 45,000 and 115,000 miles, while the acceleration reports mostly list about 1,000 miles.

1. 1
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Power window regulator or motor failures

   • 9 complaints (16%)
   • median 58,402 mi at 5.2 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2003–2010

   Owners describe power windows that fall down on their own, will not roll up, or stop working, often with the regulator or motor failing. Some report repeated failures, with a second window or regulator failing after the first. Some quote repair costs of about $400 or more per window, and some say the manufacturer has not issued a recall for the part. Stated mileage ranges from about 45,000 to 115,000 miles, and some windows fell down with no apparent reason.

   What to check: Ask whether the window regulators or motors have already been replaced, and request repair records for each window. Test each power window up and down, and check that it stays in position when the switch is released.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We have had failure of two window regulators. The first, the driver side window, cost $500 in 2008. The second, the passenger side window, will probably cost a bit more. By the level of chatter on the internet it would appear to be a major and consistent problem among Jeep owners of this model. I pity the owners with four windows going out. I am already half way there!”

   NHTSA complaint #10276579, filed 2009-07, 115,000 miles

   “I own a 2003 Jeep grand cherokee. I am currently replaced my 2nd window regulator (driver side and passenger side front) in 3 months. My brother-in-law owns the same vehicle (year/make) and has now had to replace 3 regulators. His mechanic told us that these parts are extremely prone to failure and he replaces so many of them that even the used parts are in high demand and cost as much as new and that Jeep won't recall them. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10208512, filed 2007-11, 65,000 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Airbag deployment, non-deployment, or warning light

   • 9 complaints (16%)
   • median 128,000 mi at 9.6 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2016

   Owners describe airbags deploying while driving with no impact, including at highway speed, and airbags that did not deploy in a side impact. Some describe an airbag warning light that comes on at start-up or flickers, with the fault continuing after a recall repair. According to complaints, the dealer said it was not responsible for the repair because the warranty had expired, and referred the owner to the manufacturer. Stated mileage ranges from about 8,400 to about 199,000 miles, and the spontaneous deployments were reported at about 85,000 to 128,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether the airbag recall repair has been completed, and whether the airbag warning light is off during start-up. Check the dash for the airbag light when the ignition is turned on, and ask for any records of airbag faults or repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving down the road when my airbags exploded for no reason. There was nothing in the road, nor did a vehicle make impact. It seems the passenger side went off a split second first because it sounded like a gunshot or bomb going off, obviously scaring me and putting me into shock. Luckily I'm a good driver and was able to get over to the shoulder safely. The chemicals from the airbags filled my lungs and made it hard to breathe as well as burning my arm and hand. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10460692, filed 2012-06, 128,000 miles

   “We own a 2003 Jeep cherokee Laredo with approximately 85,000 miles on it. On august 14, 2009 while I was traveling at about 70 MPH both driver and passenger side airbags deployed for no reason. I avoided an accident and got to the shoulder of the highway. I drove the vehicle to the Jeep dealership where I had purchased it (fresno chrysler-Jeep). I was told that the dealership was not liable to repair my vehicle because the car's warranty expired. I was told to call chrysler corporation. My wife contacted chrysler on september 18, 2009. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10314959, filed 2010-02, 85,000 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Recall repairs waiting on unavailable parts

   • 7 complaints (12%)
   • median 65,000 mi at 5.1 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2006–2014

   Owners describe recall repairs that could not be scheduled because replacement parts were not available, and dealers could not give an expected date. Some were told to wait for a call, and some describe a national hold on a ball joint recall. According to complaints, the manufacturer did not give an estimated date in some cases. No mileage is stated in these complaints, and the delays are described from the time the recall notice was received.

   What to check: Ask whether the airbag and ball joint recall repairs have been completed, and request a written recall status for the vehicle identification number. Ask the dealer for a parts status if any recall work is still open.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I just called to set up an appt for recall f23 - lover ball joint safety recall. I was told this recall is on a national hold because no one currently is making or has these parts avail. All they can do is take your name and telephone # and call you when they start getting parts in. The dealership could not give any info as to when parts will be avail. I find this a little disconcerting considering it is a safety issue regarding the steering. Also with redoing the ball joints shouldn't the car also be re-aligned? …”

   NHTSA complaint #10173459, filed 2006-11

   “I have been unable to schedule the required service on the ball joint recall for my Jeep. Since 12/18/06 van dyn hoven tells me that thet do not have any parts available (they have used them all) and that they will call me when more come in. I tried again on 02/19/07 and the service person said that I was on the list but they still did not have any parts. Also your form does not list the Jeep liberty so I had to enter Laredo to finish form and submit - that doesn't make sense since the recall was for liberty's. Why can't I get my Jeep fixed???”

   NHTSA complaint #10185877, filed 2007-03
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake pulsation or shudder when braking

   • 8 complaints (14%)
   • median 67,000 mi at 5.3 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2004–2014

   Owners describe the front end pulsating, shuddering, or vibrating when braking, sometimes at higher speeds. Some have had rotors resurfaced or replaced, and the symptom returned after that work. According to complaints, the dealer resurfaced rotors under warranty at first but later declined further repairs, and the manufacturer reportedly called the symptom normal maintenance. Stated mileage ranges from about 7,000 to 84,000 miles, and some report the shaking mainly at higher speeds, including above about 40 mph.

   What to check: Ask for records of rotor, caliper, and pad work, and whether the pulsation was recorded as a warranty repair. During a test drive on a safe road, note any pulsation or vibration when braking from moderate speed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2003 Jeep grand cherokee has repetitive brake rotor warpage which manufacturer refuses to correct or acknowledge. I had the rotors resurfaced at the dealer with only 7,262 miles for a cost of $75. I am now at 16,535 miles and I again have violent shuddering when braking.”

   NHTSA complaint #10104748, filed 2004-12, 7,262 miles

   “I bought a 2003 gr. Cherokee in may of 2003. At 8,000 miles I began to have problems with the front end pulsating when braking at high speeds. At 12,000 miles dealer resurfaced the rotors under warranty. I began having the same proble at 18,000 miles but now dealer declines to fix the problem. Contacted chrysler but they declined any assistance claiming that the problem is normal maintenance. At 21,000 miles I eventually took the vehicle for repairs at independent facility and had the rotors replaced.”

   NHTSA complaint #10125193, filed 2005-06, 8,000 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Sudden unintended acceleration

   Mentioned in 4 of 52 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the vehicle accelerating on its own without the accelerator being pressed, including after a car wash when put into Drive, and in some reports with the foot on the brake. Some describe crashes into a vehicle ahead or through a barn wall, and some vehicles were declared total losses. According to complaints, the foot was verified to be off the accelerator in some episodes, and the time between episodes became shorter. Stated mileage ranges from about 1,000 to 77,000 miles, and some events happened right after the car was put into Drive, including after a car wash.

   What to check: Ask whether the throttle, transmission shift system, and brake switch were inspected for the sudden acceleration, and whether any reports were filed with the manufacturer. On a test drive in a safe, open area, check that the car starts and moves normally from Park to Drive with the foot off the accelerator.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2003 Jeep grand cherokee and am having periodic unintended accelerations... No accidents, but close... And I have verified in each case that my foot was nowhere near the accelerator and firmly on the brake pedal only... The period between episodes is shortening, there was probably a year between the first and second, and only 3 weeks between occurance 4 and 5... …”

   NHTSA complaint #10144927, filed 2005-12, 77,000 miles

   “Leased Jeep on 12/30/03. On 03/04 Jeep was in an accident due to sudden unattended acceleration, report submitted earlier. It was sent to precision auto body, hastings, mi for repair. While at the shop, it has been noted without the key in the ignition the Jeep can be shifted into any gear. This is in federal violation of standard 114. The dealership has been notified, as well as a request for an investigator from chrysler to come out and look at this problem. No action as of yet.”

   NHTSA complaint #10013839, filed 2003-04, 1,071 miles

Buying note. Buyers may want to confirm that airbag and ball joint recall work has been completed, and check that the power windows and airbag warning light work normally during a test. Asking for brake service records and about any past sudden acceleration events can also help set expectations.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 52 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.