2003 Jeep Wrangler Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 10%of 98 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 14,600miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Jeep Wrangler, 10% of the 98 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 14,600 miles. 1 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.
“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“I have a 2003 Jeep Wrangler. The problem: the right front rotor continues to warp. Since I have purchased the vehicle in 2003, I have had to have the rotor turned. The warped rotor causes alot of vibration when breaking at highway speeds. When I have spoke to the maintience folks at mack masey Jeep they have stated this has been a continual problem with Jeep vehicles, they have had approximately 100 come in with the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10163140, filed 2006-07, 50 miles“I was involved in an accident on 7/31/03. I depressed the brake in a hard manor but since the gas pedal is so close to the brake, my foot was half on the brake and half on the gas pedal. I checked other makes and models and they have more distance between the brake and the gas pedal. This seems to be indicitive of chrysler products. I have been driving for over 24 years and have a very good driving record. Not once in all those years has this happened. This is the second time in two months this has now happended to me. I purchase my Jeep just two months ago. …”
NHTSA complaint #10030555, filed 2003-08, 1,840 miles“I have had the vehicle for 5 months. Appr 4 weeks ago my automatic shifter was stuck in park. After a total of 4 days at the dealership they replaced the entire shifter assembly. 2 weeks later the vehicle died on the side of the road stranding my family 130 miles from home. It was decided by the dealership that there was a blown fuse caused by an electrical short of some kind. After an entire week at the dealership they replaced the main computer and some misc. Wiring (all warranty work). The day after I got the vehicle back it died again, this time stranding my family 90 miles from home. …”
NHTSA complaint #10098702, filed 2004-11, 26,900 miles“The consumer is experiencing problems with the brakes. When the consumer applied the brakes and stepped on the clutch, the vehicle started to accelerate going up to 8 or 9000 RPM's. Provide further details.”
NHTSA complaint #10107464, filed 2005-01, 23,000 milesBrakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 17% |
| 2025 | 2 | 3% |
| 2024 | 21 | 3% |
| 2023 | 7 | 2% |
| 2022 | 14 | 3% |
| 2021 | 27 | 3% |
| 2020 | 13 | 2% |
| 2019 | 32 | 4% |
| 2018 | 68 | 4% |
| 2017 | 78 | 25% |
| 2016 | 137 | 30% |
| 2015 | 136 | 28% |
| 2014 | 75 | 11% |
| 2013 | 67 | 10% |
| 2012 | 52 | 6% |
| 2011 | 30 | 6% |
| 2010 | 41 | 6% |
| 2009 | 14 | 4% |
| 2008 | 52 | 6% |
| 2007 | 41 | 7% |
| 2006 | 23 | 3% |
| 2005 | 13 | 2% |
| 2004 | 18 | 9% |
| 2003 | 10 | 10% |
| 2002 | 7 | 6% |
| 2001 | 5 | 3% |
| 2000 | 14 | 6% |
| 1999 | 14 | 7% |
| 1998 | 19 | 7% |
| 1997 | 27 | 7% |
| 1995 | 70 | 35% |
| 1994 | 29 | 19% |
| 1993 | 20 | 19% |
| 1992 | 12 | 16% |
| 1991 | 20 | 26% |
| 1990 | 28 | 35% |
| 1989 | 12 | 19% |
| 1988 | 9 | 18% |
| 1987 | 2 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2003 Jeep Wrangler
22 complaintsSuspension
18 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsAir bags
7 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