2003 Jeep Wrangler Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 7%of 98 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,320miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Jeep Wrangler, 7% of the 98 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,320 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My Jeep Wrangler has have the passenger safety airbag alarming since about a year ago. I contact the manufacturer and I was told that because there is not a recall for my car model, they cannot repair it and that I have to pay out of my pocket. This is an issue out of the manufacturer. Jeep must correct these safety concerns from the owners!”
NHTSA complaint #10915075, filed 2016-10, 115,000 miles“Airbag cover plastic on steering wheel was breaking down. The plastic became very sticky, as if someone poured a soda on it. It would not clean off with cleaners or plastic preservers. I was not confident it would work as designed if airbag deployed so I bought new airbag unit for the steering wheel. Parking brake will not hold vehicle on minor grade. It always worked until the last 2-3 years. I have had it adjusted, the cables replaced, and the brake pads replaced. It does not matter whether my brake pads are new or old. …”
NHTSA complaint #10819181, filed 2016-01, 130,000 miles“My 2003 Jeep Wrangler has a airbag warning light that stays on. Along with this the horn does not work. From what I have read and checked out it is a clockspring failure located in the steering column.”
NHTSA complaint #10290345, filed 2009-10, 72,320 miles“The Jeep was involved in a wreck - hit a power pole at around 50 MPH knocked it down and the flipped the air bags never deployed - the police officer who worked the wreck said the airbags should have deployed after the type of hit the Jeep took”
NHTSA complaint #10787889, filed 2015-11, 120,000 miles“Airbag light started coming on intermittently leading to an expensive repair. Vehicle warranty for these items is only 3 year/30,000 mile. Safety equipment such as airbags and seatbelts should be a longer warranty for a longer period of time if their performance can be affected by normal wear and tear on the vehicle, I.e. Electronic failures.”
NHTSA complaint #10218416, filed 2008-02, 65,000 milesAir bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 8% |
| 2024 | 4 | 1% |
| 2023 | 3 | 1% |
| 2022 | 7 | 2% |
| 2021 | 10 | 1% |
| 2020 | 6 | 1% |
| 2019 | 4 | 1% |
| 2018 | 13 | 1% |
| 2017 | 26 | 8% |
| 2016 | 77 | 17% |
| 2015 | 74 | 15% |
| 2014 | 71 | 11% |
| 2013 | 72 | 11% |
| 2012 | 128 | 15% |
| 2011 | 145 | 30% |
| 2010 | 158 | 23% |
| 2009 | 104 | 28% |
| 2008 | 309 | 35% |
| 2007 | 89 | 16% |
| 2006 | 3 | 0% |
| 2005 | 4 | 1% |
| 2004 | 5 | 3% |
| 2003 | 7 | 7% |
| 2002 | 13 | 12% |
| 2001 | 20 | 12% |
| 2000 | 16 | 6% |
| 1999 | 22 | 10% |
| 1998 | 46 | 17% |
| 1997 | 46 | 11% |
| 1994 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2003 Jeep Wrangler
22 complaintsSuspension
18 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Jeep Wrangler
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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