Model year guide

2003 Jeep Wrangler

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Jeep Wrangler is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 44 on record.

2003 Jeep Wrangler — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2003 Jeep Wrangler at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints102
Combined17 mpg
Typical price$9,591

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2003 Jeep Wrangler recalls 4

Service Brakes, Hydraulic NHTSA Campaign #06E022000 · 13/03/2006

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WH…

Fix: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E026000 · 23/03/2006

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump NHTSA Campaign #06E011000 · 01/02/2006

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET AIRTEX ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN 1997-2004 JEEP WRANGLER; 1997-2001 JEEP CHEROKEE; 1997-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE; AND 2000-2003 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES. THE PLASTIC ELECTRICAL GROMMET CONNECTORS AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUELS AND MAY DEGRADE CAUSING A POTENTIAL LEAK PATH FOR FUEL.

Fix: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRTEX CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-880-3056.

Equipment NHTSA Campaign #04E041000 · 07/06/2004

BESTOP AFTERMARKET REAR SHELL ROOF RACKS,MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 27 AND MAY 20, 2004, DESIGNED FOR USE WITH THE BESTOP HARDTOP MADE FOR THE 1986-1995 AND 1997-2003 JEEP WRANGLER. THE COCKPIT COVER MAY NOT STAY LATCHED TO THE ROOF RACK BECAUSE THE LATCH BRACKET MISPOSITIONS THE ROTARY LATCH TO THE COCKPIT COVER. AS A RESULT, THE COCKPIT COVER MAY NOT STAY LATCHED TO THE ROOF RACK AND COULD SEPARATE FROM THE ROO…

Fix: BESTOP WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A REPAIR KIT AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 16, 2004. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BESTOP CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT (800) 845-3567.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2003 Jeep Wrangler common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 102 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

2003 Jeep Wrangler MPG & running costs

Combined17 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway18 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,725

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2003 Jeep Wrangler worth?

Low
$5,500
Typical price
$9,591
High
$13,200

From 44 comparable 2003 Jeep Wrangler listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2003 Jeep Wrangler costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,625
Depreciation (5 yrs)$3,950
Total$22,575
Per mile$0.30

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($9,591) with the same model 5 model-years older ($5,649), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2003 Jeep Wrangler trims & engines on record

Trims
Sport · Rubicon · Sahara · SE · X/Commando
Engines
4.0L 6-cyl · 2.4L 4-cyl

2003 Jeep Wrangler vehicles on record

2003 Jeep Wrangler 2003 Jeep Wrangler Sport1J4FA49S03P355999 2003 Jeep Wrangler 2003 Jeep Wrangler Sport1J4FA49S43P348893 2003 Jeep Wrangler 2003 Jeep Wrangler Sport1J4FA49S43P351132 2003 Jeep Wrangler 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon1J4FA69S03P360373 2003 Jeep Wrangler Sport1J4FA49S73P320909 2003 Jeep Wrangler 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon1J4FA69S13P337121 2003 Jeep Wrangler Sport1J4FA49S63P337197 2003 Jeep Wrangler 2003 Jeep Wrangler Sport1J4FA49S63P327771 2003 Jeep Wrangler 2003 Jeep Wrangler Sport1J4FA49S63P342710 2003 Jeep Wrangler 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon1J4FA69S83P334572 2003 Jeep Wrangler Sahara1J4FA59S13P317624 2003 Jeep Wrangler Sahara1J4FA59S83P307107 2003 Jeep Wrangler 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon1J4FA69S03P357960 2003 Jeep Wrangler 2003 Jeep Wrangler Sport1J4FA49SX3P368467 2003 Jeep Wrangler 2003 Jeep Wrangler Sport1J4FA49S53P364536 2003 Jeep Wrangler 2003 Jeep Wrangler Sahara1J4FA59S83P309052 2003 Jeep Wrangler 2003 Jeep Wrangler SE1J4FA29113P341430 2003 Jeep Wrangler 2003 Jeep Wrangler SE1J4FA29173P302664 2003 Jeep Wrangler 2003 Jeep Wrangler Sport1J4FA49SX3P337963 2003 Jeep Wrangler 2003 Jeep Wrangler Sport1J4FA49S53P336185 2003 Jeep Wrangler Sport1J4FA49S13P341643 2003 Jeep Wrangler 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon1J4FA69SX3P339532 2003 Jeep Wrangler 2003 Jeep Wrangler Sahara1J4FA59S73P301007 2003 Jeep Wrangler 2003 Jeep Wrangler Sport1J4FA49S43P303503

Other Jeep Wrangler model years

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1989 1988 1987

2003 Jeep Wrangler — frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Jeep Wrangler have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2003 Jeep Wrangler. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Jeep Wrangler?

Based on 102 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are suspension, steering, air bags.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Jeep Wrangler get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2003 Jeep Wrangler at about 17 mpg combined (15 city / 18 highway).

How much is a 2003 Jeep Wrangler worth?

Comparable 2003 Jeep Wrangler listings run roughly $5,500–$13,200, typically around $9,591 (from 44 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.