2003 Jeep Wrangler Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 18%of 98 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the suspension of the 2003 Jeep Wrangler, 18% of the 98 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When I was driving around 50 MPH I hit a pothole and the vehicle start shaking violently. I had to hold the steering wheel so hard it almost went to the other side of the road. This happened already 5 times, I am so scared to take it on the highway, because I might get into a wreck. I have to come to a complete stop for it to stop shaking.”
NHTSA complaint #10535291, filed 2013-08, 79,732 miles“I have been getting the famous Jeep Wrangler death wobble when I bring our 03 Wrangler to 55 MPH on the highway. Today, was very severe and almost caused a serious accident. Dealer claimed to have fixed the problem, but it has reappeared.”
NHTSA complaint #10416369, filed 2011-07, 62,000 miles“When the Jeep is in the 40 to 50 MPH range, a death wobble happens. Sometimes by itself and sometimes when I hit a pothole or street patch. I have had auto professionals look at the car and they cannot figure out what the problem is. Most of the time the solution is to fix a symptom but not the actual cause. When this happens the brakes must immediately applied hard which has cause near rear end collisions. If auto professionals cannot find the cause then this is not a maintenance issue. This is a design flaw. This is not a remote issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10468836, filed 2012-08, 110,000 miles“I have a 2003 Jeep Wrangler (under warranty for about 1 more week) that has only been used to drive to work and back, and when I hit a bump, the front end shakes uncontrollably, and I feel as if I will lose control. I took it back and forth between a tire place and the Jeep dealership several times. The dealership said I needed tires but the tire place says I don't and since I am under warranty that I should take it back to the dealership. I had the tires rotated and balanced, and the rotors turned, but it still shakes. …”
NHTSA complaint #10158300, filed 2006-05, 25,000 miles“The Wrangler death wobble . Violent shaking after reaching speeds of approximately 50 MPH. Must slow down and almost come to a stop to stop the shaking. First occurred a year ago. Took it our repair shop. They replaced the steering stabilization shock, which seemed to repair the problem. It then started to re-occur approximately 6 months later. Now it is doing it all the time, even at low speeds.”
NHTSA complaint #10694830, filed 2015-03, 50,000 milesSuspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 13 | 2% |
| 2023 | 38 | 10% |
| 2022 | 59 | 14% |
| 2021 | 181 | 19% |
| 2020 | 51 | 8% |
| 2019 | 133 | 18% |
| 2018 | 343 | 19% |
| 2017 | 8 | 3% |
| 2016 | 8 | 2% |
| 2015 | 17 | 4% |
| 2014 | 15 | 2% |
| 2013 | 20 | 3% |
| 2012 | 20 | 2% |
| 2011 | 39 | 8% |
| 2010 | 42 | 6% |
| 2009 | 63 | 17% |
| 2008 | 108 | 12% |
| 2007 | 100 | 18% |
| 2006 | 72 | 10% |
| 2005 | 51 | 8% |
| 2004 | 59 | 31% |
| 2003 | 18 | 18% |
| 2002 | 19 | 18% |
| 2001 | 21 | 12% |
| 2000 | 25 | 10% |
| 1999 | 5 | 2% |
| 1998 | 26 | 10% |
| 1997 | 27 | 7% |
| 1995 | 7 | 3% |
| 1994 | 2 | 1% |
| 1993 | 3 | 3% |
| 1992 | 1 | 1% |
| 1991 | 2 | 3% |
| 1990 | 3 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2003 Jeep Wrangler
22 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsBrakes
10 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 30, 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