2003 Jeep Wrangler Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 22%of 98 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 17,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Jeep Wrangler, 22% of the 98 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 17,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a 2003 Wrangler with a 5-speed transmission. I have had a problem when shifting into second and third gear. It is either hard to get into gear or it grinds as it goes in. The dealership has looked at three different times and has found no problem. The vehicle now has 14,000 miles on it and it now seems to be worse during colder weather.”
NHTSA complaint #10050657, filed 2003-12, 800 miles“I have a 2003 Jeep Wrangler with 48,000 miles. I am experiencing intermittent sticking of the shifting lever when entering 3rd from 2nd gear. At other times there is no problem shifting. I had it in to the dealer this week. We change the oil. The problem is not a bad.”
NHTSA complaint #10135260, filed 2005-09, 48,000 miles“I have a 2003 Wrangler with a 5-speed manual transmission that suffers from intermittent problems where shifting gears is difficult if not impossible. The problem occurs most often when accelerating while shifting from 2nd to 3rd gears, and when attempting to downshift from 5th to 4th gears at highway speeds. If the vehicle does shift a grinding/banging noise is heard. I have had the local dealer look at it 4 times and they have not been able to duplicate the problem(s).”
NHTSA complaint #10051250, filed 2003-12, 1,800 miles“The rear differential on my 2003 Jeep Wrangler is getting water in it from just driving in the rain. The dealer fixed the worn ring and pinion and bearings from the water damage but they did not fix the main problem, which is the water getting in the rear differential. About a month later the same bearing problem started occurring. Daimlerchrysler is refusing to fix the problem again because they say it is customer abuse. I have done nothing but drive the Jeep on the road. This is not customer abuse. Daimlerchrysler will find any excuse not to honor their warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #10114112, filed 2005-03, 26,895 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 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11010205Oct 30, 2024Plate - Planetary
- 10015064Apr 23, 2005Spark knock or powertrain rattle-like sound from transfer case shifter area.
- 10013731Mar 2, 2005Powertrain control module initialization.
- 10012343Jan 22, 2005Transmission delay engagement.
- 10013991Oct 18, 2004After installing the transmission apply rtv to the adapter slot.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 8% |
| 2025 | 13 | 18% |
| 2024 | 178 | 24% |
| 2023 | 51 | 14% |
| 2022 | 67 | 16% |
| 2021 | 149 | 16% |
| 2020 | 47 | 8% |
| 2019 | 80 | 11% |
| 2018 | 177 | 10% |
| 2017 | 50 | 16% |
| 2016 | 74 | 16% |
| 2015 | 51 | 11% |
| 2014 | 88 | 13% |
| 2013 | 230 | 35% |
| 2012 | 282 | 34% |
| 2011 | 40 | 8% |
| 2010 | 68 | 10% |
| 2009 | 34 | 9% |
| 2008 | 67 | 8% |
| 2007 | 46 | 8% |
| 2006 | 57 | 8% |
| 2005 | 41 | 6% |
| 2004 | 26 | 14% |
| 2003 | 22 | 22% |
| 2002 | 14 | 13% |
| 2001 | 23 | 14% |
| 2000 | 70 | 28% |
| 1999 | 20 | 9% |
| 1998 | 33 | 12% |
| 1997 | 53 | 13% |
| 1995 | 32 | 16% |
| 1994 | 19 | 13% |
| 1993 | 13 | 12% |
| 1992 | 11 | 14% |
| 1991 | 8 | 11% |
| 1990 | 5 | 6% |
| 1989 | 7 | 11% |
| 1988 | 2 | 4% |
| 1987 | 2 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2003 Jeep Wrangler
18 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 27, 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