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2003 Jeep Laredo Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 57 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Jeep Laredo, most often about the brakes (18% of complaints, typically around 42,500 miles). It is 4th of 5 Laredo model years by number of complaints.

Complaints57
Recalls0
Crashes reported5
Fires reported1
Injuries reported5

Most common 2003 Jeep Laredo problems

  1. Brakes

    10 complaints · 18%

    Half of these problems showed up before 42,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, disc.

    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…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 8,000 miles
    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…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 77,000 miles

  2. Visibility and wipers

    10 complaints · 18%

    Half of these problems showed up before 57,500 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, defroster/defogger/hvac system, windshield wiper/washer, glass, side/rear.

    Blend doors in 99-04 jeeps are guaranteed to need costly repair ranging from $300 (if performed personally) up to $1200 if performed by a mechanic. This is a known problem that will prohibit the heat and defogger systems from operating properly creating a huge safety concern. The blend doors are located behind the…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 53,826 miles
    Our window regulator failures began when the Jeep was less than a year old with the front passenger window. The next was the driver window in 2005. Now the passenger rear window has gone out. This window has been operated maybe 50 times. I was told on the second window that there was a problem with the original motors…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 51,805 miles

  3. Air bags

    9 complaints · 16%

    Half of these problems showed up before 128,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.

    The contact owned a 2003 Jeep Laredo. While driving 10 MPH, another vehicle slammed into the passenger side of the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was destroyed. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 130,000 miles
    The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Laredo. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 12v527000 (air bags) however, the failure persisted after the repair was performed. The vehicle had not been repaired for…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 199,486 miles

  4. Engine

    8 complaints · 14%

    Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.

    Vehicle in question is a 2003 Jeep grand cherokee Laredo with approximately 40,000 miles purchased in november 2002. (1)check gauges light came on and the engine temperature indicated that the engine was overheating. Arrangements were made to secure vehicle to prevent further damage. (2)determination was made that the…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 40,000 miles
    My 2003 Jeep grand cherokee Laredo started experiencing starting problems. I would get in the car and try to start it and it would be dead. This doesn't happen first thing in the morning. I can drive the car 5 miles, get out for 5 minutes, and when I start it again, it's dead. Usually I have to wait about 10 minutes.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 52,000 miles

  5. Suspension

    6 complaints · 11%

    Parts named most often: front.

    Axle/shocks were replaced, and the vehicle was serviced three times for making a loud piercing noise from the front/ underbred, and swaying. Vehicle still performs the same.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 2,900 miles
    I was going approx. 40 MPH when I ran over a small bump in the road and the entire truck began to shake uncontrollably and I almost lost control. I applied the brakes and only when I slowed to approx. 10 MPH it ceased. I have had it in the garage since feb. 3, 2014 and have spent well over $3000 and it still isn't…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 163,000 miles

  6. Equipment

    4 complaints · 7%

    Parts named most often: appliance, mechanical.

    2003 Jeep grand cherokee limited at 32,000k steering box replaced at 35,000k heat system blend doors are malfunctioning common problem!
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 32,000 miles
    Noticed vehicle making a squealing sound vibrating when brakes applied. Had brakes changed and the caliper also had to be replaced to to piston being dislodged from the ring. Rotors were grooved out also on the outer edge. I never received information about the inspection on this vehicle for this problem. Is there a…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 84,000 miles

  7. Speed control

    3 complaints · 5%

    Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.

    Sudden acceleration with 2003 grand cherokee Laredo. Leased Jeep 12/30/03 from classic chrysler dodge & Jeep in hastings mi. On 03/04/03 I came home from work and went to park Jeep in barn/garage. Put Jeep in park, opened door of garage/barn. Got back in Jeep, placed foot on brake, put Jeep in drive, heard a whine…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 1,001 miles
    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…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 77,000 miles

  8. Steering

    3 complaints · 5%

    Parts named most often: gear box (other than rack and pinion).

    The steering wheel would stick when turning. The consumer had taken the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the steering box was defective. There was an internal binding. The gear box was replacedand new gear oil was added.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 39,500 miles
    2003 Jeep grand cherokee limited at 32,000k steering box replaced at 35,000k heat system blend doors are malfunctioning common problem!
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 32,000 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2003 Jeep Laredo recalls

NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

Questions about the 2003 Jeep Laredo

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Jeep Laredo?
By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (10 complaints, typically around 42,500 miles); visibility and wipers (10 complaints, typically around 57,500 miles); air bags (9 complaints, typically around 128,000 miles).
How many recalls does the 2003 Jeep Laredo have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2003 Jeep Laredo. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
Is the 2003 a bad year for the Jeep Laredo?
It is 4th of 5 Laredo model years by number of complaints, with 57 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Jeep Laredo years

Jeep Laredo problems by year