FaultScore

2003 Jeep Wrangler transmission problems

25 of the 130 complaints about the 2003 Jeep Wrangler are about the transmission — 19% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 8,600 miles.

B

25

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Manual Transmission 6 24.0%
Automatic Transmission 4 16.0%
Clutch Assembly 4 16.0%
Power Train 2 8.0%
Differential Unit 2 8.0%
Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle) 1 4.0%
Axle Assembly 1 4.0%
Column Shift 1 4.0%
Driveshaft 1 4.0%
Universal Joint 1 4.0%

Transmission & Drivetrain across every Jeep Wrangler year

1991 10 0.4%
1992 13 0.6%
1993 13 0.6%
1994 19 0.9%
1995 32 1.4%
1997 57 2.6%
1998 35 1.6%
1999 21 0.9%
2000 75 3.4%
2001 25 1.1%
2002 14 0.6%
2003 25 1.1%
2004 29 1.3%
2005 41 1.8%
2006 58 2.6%
2007 47 2.1%
2008 68 3.1%
2009 34 1.5%
2010 72 3.2%
2011 40 1.8%
2012 285 12.8%
2013 230 10.3%
2014 89 4.0%
2015 51 2.3%
2016 73 3.3%
2017 50 2.2%
2018 174 7.8%
2019 78 3.5%
2020 47 2.1%
2021 139 6.2%
2022 60 2.7%
2023 47 2.1%
2024 164 7.4%
2025 11 0.5%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Oshkosh, WI

POWER TRAIN

05 & 06 wrangler has recall for the exact problem my 03 has. Parking pawl slides out of the brackets and then vehicle won't go into park allowing it to roll into danger and possibly kill someone. I have watched several videos on this issue and the 03 is the same as a 05 and 06. This is just as dangerous on the 03 as it is a 05 and 06 and potentially cause an accident and kill individuals.

NHTSA complaint #11450695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Terlingua, TX

POWER TRAIN

2013 JEEP WRANGLER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO INTERMITTENT ENGINE PROBLEMS, WHILE DRIVING UP HILLS ACCELERATION SPEEDS DECREASE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED UPON DRIVING UP HILLS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, IT APPEARED THAT ANOTHER MODEL WAS RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. OWNERS INDICATED THE CAM SHAFT SENSORS AND DYNAMIC SENSOR CONTROL NEEDED A TCM UPDATE.

NHTSA complaint #10946129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 49,000 miles Pittsburg, PA

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH PEDAL, HIS FOOT WOULD STRIKE THE CLUTCH PIN AND KNOCK IT LOOSE. THIS CAUSED CLUTCH FAILURE AND PREVENTED HIM FROM SHIFTING GEARS. HE WOULD HAVE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE TO PUT THE PIN BACK IN PLACE. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN HIS FOOT STRUCK THE CLUTCH PIN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FURTHER STATED THAT THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH PEDAL BIN WOULD FALL STRAIGHT DOWN AS IF HIS FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE PEDAL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,000.

NHTSA complaint #10228681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 48,000 miles Kincardine, Ontrario, 00

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 23,530 miles Gloucester, MA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

VEHICLE: 2003 JEEP WRANGLER SPORT SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN 2003, I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD, SOMETIMES HIGHER WOULD CAUSE VEHICLE TO WIND UP AND THEN HARSHLY SHIFT INTO GEAR. OTHER TIMES, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE AT ALL. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES FOR REPAIR (UNDER WARRANTY), THREE TIMES THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM IN THE COMPUTER. THEY REPLACED CONVERTER MOST RECENTLY. TODAY, WAS DRIVING IN VEHICLE AND SUDDENLY TRANSMISSION PROBLEM REAPPEARED 1000 TIMES WORSE - WOULDN'T ACCELERATE BEYOND 30 MPH, THEN NO HIGHER THAN 20 MPH, AND THEN 10 MPH UNTIL IT WOULDN'T ENGAGE AT ALL. WAS STRANDED APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES FROM HOME. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND AM WAITING FOR THEM TO LOOK AT AFTER LONG HOLIDAY WEEKEND. I AM REQUESTING THEY GIVE ME A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE AS I BELIEVE THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE ITS PURCHASE AND THEY HAVEN'T BEEN DOING THEIR DUE DILIGENCE IN RESOLVING THE ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10127341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 37,000 miles Brookfield, CT

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

DT: CONSUMER STATED THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER FAILED ON A 2003 JEEP WRANGLER. THIS OCCURRED ON JUNE 23, 2005. CONSUMER HAD NO PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE. THE CLUTCH ACTIVATION ROD PULLED AWAY FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER, CAUSING THE FAILURE. CONSUMER TOOK THE JEEP TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE JEEP HAD 37,000 MILES ON IT, AND THE DEALERSHIP DID NOTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. CONSUMER TRIED TO TELL THE DEALERSHIP THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT THE DEALERSHIP INSISTED IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. CONSUMER HAD TO ORDER THE MASTER CLUTCH AND THE SLAVE CYLINDER TO REPLACE IT HIMSELF. THE CLUTCH FAILED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10127296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 26,895 miles Fayetteville, AR

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 23,000 miles Graford, TX

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 3,000 miles Sulligent, AL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, PLACING IT IN DRIVE IT WILL GO A FEW FEET AND THEN IT WON'T MOVE. THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO FIND THE DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #10101620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 26,900 miles Glendale, AZ

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THERE'S STILL A SHORT CAUSING THE FUSE TO BLOW. AFTER ANOTHER WEEK AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY REPLACE A WIRING HARNESS THAT THEY SAY IS BAD. AGAIN IT IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE DAY THAT I DRIVE HOME WITH THE VEHICLE MY BRAKES GO OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM. WHILE IT WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS THE FUSE BLOWS AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY SAY THAT ANOTHER WIRING HARNESS IS BAD AND THAT THIS TIME THEY WILL NOT WARRANTY IT. I FAIL TO SEE HOW THEY COULD PERFORM WARRANTY WORK TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM TWICE AND THEN DECIDE THAT THEY WILL NO LONGER WARRANTY IT.

NHTSA complaint #10098702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 18,877 miles Hagerstown, IN

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)

SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT. LEAK IN FUEL SYSTEM.

NHTSA complaint #10091078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 5,000 miles Lincoln, ME

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

HARSH SHIFTING FROM 2ND INTO FIRST ON MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA complaint #10082370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 2,000 miles Blue Springs, MO

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENLY DOES NOT PROVIDE A POSITIVE GEAR POSITION LOCK. VEHICLE SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL FROM DRIVE. TRANSMISSION ALSO WILL NOT PROPERLY LOCK INTO PARK POSITION MAKING IT WHERE YOU CAN NOT REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. TAKEN VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP TWICE AND THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. CONCENERED THE VEHICLE COULD SLIP INTO REVERSE FROM DRIVE ACCIDENTLY.

NHTSA complaint #10081313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 11,000 miles Millersville, MD

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

THE GEAR SHIFTER MECHANISM HAS A CABLE THAT CONNECTS TO THE IGNITION. WHEN THIS MECHANISM FAILS AND LOCKS UP VEHICLE STALLS IMMEDIATELY. WHEN THIS OCCURS THE SHIFTER STICKS IN THE GEAR. THIS DESTROYS THE IGNITION. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CABLE TWICE, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED.

NHTSA complaint #10073948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Statesboro, GA

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

I HAVE AN 03 WRANGLER, YELLOW THAT HAS THE PAINT CHIPPING OFF IN SEVERAL PLACES. THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 8K MILES & IS NEVER TAKEN OFF ROAD. THESE ARE ALL INNER CITY MILES. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY 2 DIFF DEALERSHIPS THAT THIS IS CAUSED FROM BUGS! THIS SAME JEEP HAS ALSO HAD DRIVELINE PROBLEMS. SO MUCH FOR A HEAVY DUTY OFF ROAD VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10064471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,800 miles Fishers, IN

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 800 miles Frankfort, KY

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 17,000 miles Silsbee, TX

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

WE BOUGHT A 2003 JEEP WRANGLER SPORT 4X4 IN JANUARY 2003. THE DEALERSHIP HAD PUT A 3" LIFT AND 32" TIRES ON THE JEEP PRIOR TO IT BEING SOLD. WE PURCHASED IT DIRECTLY FROM THE SHOWROOM FLOOR. THREE WEEKS AGO THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT IN THE JEEP. FIRST WE WERE TOLD THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THE LIFT VOIDED IT. AFTER ADVISING A CHRYSLER REPRESENTATIVE THAT THE DEALERSHIP PUT THE LIFT ON THE JEEP, THEY SAID THE SIZE OF THE TIRES CAUSED THE DAMAGE AND I INFORMED THE REPRESENTATIVE THAT THE DEALERSHIP MADE ALL MODIFICATIONS TO THE JEEP PRIOR TO OUR PURCHASE. I WAS TOLD I'D HAVE TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THEY WOULD STAND BEHIND THE VEHICLE WARRANTY. WE'RE IN TEXAS NOW, THE DEALERSHIP WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM IS IN WASHINGTON. WE WENT ROUND AND ROUND BETWEEN THE DEALERSHIPS WITH THE ONE IN WASHINGTON SAYING THE VEHICLE WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE ONE IN TEXAS SAYING, "NO". AFTER 3 WEEKS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY 'MISUSE/ABUSE' BY THE VEHICLE BEING TAKEN OFF-ROAD AND A STICK HITTING THE PLUG ON THE REAR AXLE CAUSING THE FLUID TO LEAK OUT. THE JEEP BROKE DOWN THE DAY AFTER IT WAS TAKEN OFF-ROAD. CLEARLY NOT ENOUGH TIME FOR ANY FLUID TO LEAK OUT, ESPECIALLY WITH NO SIGN OF LEAKAGE ONCE IT WAS PARKED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN LESS THAN 60 MILES THE NEXT DAY. BESIDES, THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN 'OFF-ROAD' SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I BELIEVE WE PURCHASED A VEHICLE THAT HAD A FAULTY REAR AXLE AND THE DEALERSHIPS HAVE FOUND ANOTHER WAY TO PICK THE CONSUMERS POCKETS WITHOUT STANDING BEHIND A VEHICLE WARRANTY.

NHTSA complaint #10045217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 17,000 miles Valley Falls, NY

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH DRIVESHAFT FELL OUT. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE'S REAR END COLLAPSED.

NHTSA complaint #10044116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 6,200 miles Raleigh, NC

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

ACCORDING TO INTERNAL SALES BROCHURES AND ADVERTISEMENTS THE 2003 JEEP WRANGLER RUBICON IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE MOST CAPABLE OFF ROAD JEEP EVER. MY JEEP HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS, WHICH CONSISTS OF 2 BROKEN AXLES, FAULTY BRAKES, FAULTY PARKING BRAKE, FAULTY U-JOINT CLIPS, FAULTY WHEEL BEARING. AFTER PAYING THE DEALER TO REPLACE PARTS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, THEN REALIZING THAT THEY FAILED TO REPLACE ANOTHER FAILED PART, CALLED TO ASK ABOUT A WORKAROUND UNTIL THE NEEDED PART CAME IN. THE ADVICE GIVEN WAS TO REMOVE THE BROKEN AXLE SHAFT AND DRIVE WITHOUT IT. THIS CAUSED BRAKE AND WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. AN ATTEMPT TO GET THE DEALER TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR COST TOOK SOME TIME TO GET RESOLVED. FINALLY, THEY FIXED THE PROBLEMS AND VOIDED THE MANUFACTURE'S WARRANTY. REASON FOR VOIDING THE WARRANTY WAS MISUSE/ABUSE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN USED OFF-ROAD AND HAD MUD ON THE UNDER CARRIAGE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE BECAUSE YOU CANNOT MARKET A VEHICLE AS OFF-ROAD AND THEN VOID THE WARRANTY IF IT IS USED IN THIS MANNER. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER SUBMERGED, OR IN MUD/WATER DEEPER THEN THE HEIGHT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT BUMPER. FURTHERMORE, JEEP CLAIMS I AM A MEMBER OF A 4WD CLUB THAT I HAVE NO AFFILIATION WITH AND CLAIMS A WITNESS SAW THE VEHICLE UNDER WATER. BOTH NOT TRUE. ASKING FOR HELP FROM THE DOT TO MAKE JEEP STAND BY IT'S WARRANTY, OR HAVE THEM NOT MARKET THE VEHICLE AS OFF-ROAD SINCE IF USING IT OFF ROAD VOIDS THE WARRANTY THEN THIS IS FALSE ADVERTISING.

NHTSA complaint #10041471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 6,200 miles Raleigh, NC

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

ACCORDING TO INTERNAL SALES BROCHURES AND ADVERTISEMENTS THE 2003 JEEP WRANGLER RUBICON IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE MOST CAPABLE OFF ROAD JEEP EVER. MY JEEP HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS, WHICH CONSISTS OF 2 BROKEN AXLES, FAULTY BRAKES, FAULTY PARKING BRAKE, FAULTY U-JOINT CLIPS, FAULTY WHEEL BEARING. AFTER PAYING THE DEALER TO REPLACE PARTS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, THEN REALIZING THAT THEY FAILED TO REPLACE ANOTHER FAILED PART, CALLED TO ASK ABOUT A WORKAROUND UNTIL THE NEEDED PART CAME IN. THE ADVICE GIVEN WAS TO REMOVE THE BROKEN AXLE SHAFT AND DRIVE WITHOUT IT. THIS CAUSED BRAKE AND WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. AN ATTEMPT TO GET THE DEALER TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR COST TOOK SOME TIME TO GET RESOLVED. FINALLY, THEY FIXED THE PROBLEMS AND VOIDED THE MANUFACTURE'S WARRANTY. REASON FOR VOIDING THE WARRANTY WAS MISUSE/ABUSE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN USED OFF-ROAD AND HAD MUD ON THE UNDER CARRIAGE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE BECAUSE YOU CANNOT MARKET A VEHICLE AS OFF-ROAD AND THEN VOID THE WARRANTY IF IT IS USED IN THIS MANNER. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER SUBMERGED, OR IN MUD/WATER DEEPER THEN THE HEIGHT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT BUMPER. FURTHERMORE, JEEP CLAIMS I AM A MEMBER OF A 4WD CLUB THAT I HAVE NO AFFILIATION WITH AND CLAIMS A WITNESS SAW THE VEHICLE UNDER WATER. BOTH NOT TRUE. ASKING FOR HELP FROM THE DOT TO MAKE JEEP STAND BY IT'S WARRANTY, OR HAVE THEM NOT MARKET THE VEHICLE AS OFF-ROAD SINCE IF USING IT OFF ROAD VOIDS THE WARRANTY THEN THIS IS FALSE ADVERTISING.

NHTSA complaint #10041471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 6,200 miles Raleigh, NC

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:UNIVERSAL JOINT

ACCORDING TO INTERNAL SALES BROCHURES AND ADVERTISEMENTS THE 2003 JEEP WRANGLER RUBICON IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE MOST CAPABLE OFF ROAD JEEP EVER. MY JEEP HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS, WHICH CONSISTS OF 2 BROKEN AXLES, FAULTY BRAKES, FAULTY PARKING BRAKE, FAULTY U-JOINT CLIPS, FAULTY WHEEL BEARING. AFTER PAYING THE DEALER TO REPLACE PARTS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, THEN REALIZING THAT THEY FAILED TO REPLACE ANOTHER FAILED PART, CALLED TO ASK ABOUT A WORKAROUND UNTIL THE NEEDED PART CAME IN. THE ADVICE GIVEN WAS TO REMOVE THE BROKEN AXLE SHAFT AND DRIVE WITHOUT IT. THIS CAUSED BRAKE AND WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. AN ATTEMPT TO GET THE DEALER TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR COST TOOK SOME TIME TO GET RESOLVED. FINALLY, THEY FIXED THE PROBLEMS AND VOIDED THE MANUFACTURE'S WARRANTY. REASON FOR VOIDING THE WARRANTY WAS MISUSE/ABUSE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN USED OFF-ROAD AND HAD MUD ON THE UNDER CARRIAGE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE BECAUSE YOU CANNOT MARKET A VEHICLE AS OFF-ROAD AND THEN VOID THE WARRANTY IF IT IS USED IN THIS MANNER. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER SUBMERGED, OR IN MUD/WATER DEEPER THEN THE HEIGHT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT BUMPER. FURTHERMORE, JEEP CLAIMS I AM A MEMBER OF A 4WD CLUB THAT I HAVE NO AFFILIATION WITH AND CLAIMS A WITNESS SAW THE VEHICLE UNDER WATER. BOTH NOT TRUE. ASKING FOR HELP FROM THE DOT TO MAKE JEEP STAND BY IT'S WARRANTY, OR HAVE THEM NOT MARKET THE VEHICLE AS OFF-ROAD SINCE IF USING IT OFF ROAD VOIDS THE WARRANTY THEN THIS IS FALSE ADVERTISING.

NHTSA complaint #10041471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 3,870 miles Sobieski, WI

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

TRANSMISSION FAILURE - GRINDING NOISE IS HEARD WHEN SHIFTING INTO 2ND AND 3RD GEARS, JERKS FORWARD BEFORE CLUTCH IS LET OUT, WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 5TH GEAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS IS THE SECOND TRANSMISSION TO FAIL IN THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10028812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 3,870 miles Sobieski, WI

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION FAILURE - GRINDING NOISE IS HEARD WHEN SHIFTING INTO 2ND AND 3RD GEARS, JERKS FORWARD BEFORE CLUTCH IS LET OUT, WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 5TH GEAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS IS THE SECOND TRANSMISSION TO FAIL IN THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10028812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 600 miles Sobieski, WI

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION FAILURE - GRINDING NOISE IS HEARD WHEN SHIFTING INTO SECOND AND THIRD GEARS. CLUNK IS HEARD WHEN SHIFTING INTO FIRST GEAR FROM A STOP AND VEHICLE JERKS FORWARD BEFORE CLUTCH IS LET OUT. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10019098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2003 Jeep Wrangler problems

← Full 2003 Jeep Wrangler report