The 2003 Jeep Liberty has a high safety risk profile with 9 recall campaigns and 1,349 NHTSA complaints. Before buying, verify that all recalls have been completed. It's free at any dealer.

Recalls

1,349

Complaints

134

Crashes

Fires

Recall Findings

15V0460002015-28-01

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured January 9, 2001, to March 28, 2003, 2002-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 13, 2001, to May 23 2003, and 2003-2004 Dodge Viper vehicles manufactured November 1, 2001, to June 30, 2004. Due to electrical noise beyond the tolerance of the air bag electronic control module (ECM), a component in the ECM may fail, causing the front air bags, side air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.

Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.

View at NHTSA

12V5270002012-08-11

AIR BAGS

Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2002 and 2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured January 9, 2001, through March 28, 2003, and 2002 through 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 13, 2001, through May 23, 2003. A component in the air bag control module may fail causing the front airbags, side curtain airbags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.

Inadvertent deployment of the airbags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.

View at NHTSA

15V6730002015-19-10

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured March 29, 2003, to July 3, 2003, and 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured May 27, 2003, to May 20, 2004. Due to electrical noise beyond the tolerance of the air bag electronic control module (ECM), a component in the ECM may fail, causing the front air bags, side air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.

Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.

View at NHTSA

View all 9 recalls

09V1190002009-09-04

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 42,469 MY 2002-2003 JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN SALT BELT STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA , WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT MAY EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF LUBRICATION WHICH COULD LEAD TO CORROSION, ACCELERATED WEAR, AND POSSIBLE SEPARATION WHILE DRIVING.

FAILURE OF THE BALL JOINT COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

View at NHTSA

12E0470002012-22-10

SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB

Timken is recalling certain non-formed, front wheel hubs, part number HA599467, which were sold to retail and automotive distributors in the automobile aftermarket as front wheel hub replacements designed only for use on certain 2002 through 2005, 4X4, non-ABS, Jeep Liberty vehicles. These front wheel hub units can be mistakenly sold to owners and installed on 4X2 versions of the Jeep vehicles.

If the non-formed hub unit is installed on a Jeep Liberty 4x2 model (which does not use an axle nut for hub retention), the vehicle wheel will not be secure and a front wheel separation may occur, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

13V2520002013-19-06

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles. The fuel tanks in these vehicles are at risk of failure and leakage in certain rear impacts.

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

View at NHTSA

06V2880002006-03-08

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE CONSTANT TENSION FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS MAY EXPERIENCE CONTAMINATION. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD WITH THIS CONDITION, THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE WEAR AND LOOSENESS.

WHEN THE DRIVER CONTINUES TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE WITH THIS CONDITION, THE CONTAMINATION CAN LEAD TO CORROSION, ACCELERATED WEAR AND POSSIBLY SEPARATION FROM THE STEERING KNUCKLE CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

View at NHTSA

09E0390002009-19-06

SUSPENSION

ROCK KRAWLER IS RECALLING 44 PERFORMANCE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE. THESE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS WERE PRODUCED WITH GRADE 2 CARRIAGE BOLTS INSTEAD OF THE PROPER GRADE 5 CARRIAGE BOLTS. THE IMPROPER GRADE 2 CARRIAGE BOLTS COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF CLAMPING FORCE FOR THE BOTTOM STRUT FORK.

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF EFFECTIVE LIFT AND LOWERING OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLE, POSSIBLY CREATING THE DRIVER TO PANIC WHICH COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

View at NHTSA

03V4600002003-10-11

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS CAN EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF LUBRICATION THAT CAN LEAD TO CORROSION, ACCELERATED WEAR, AND POSSIBLE SEPARATION FROM THE STEERING KNUCKLE.

A BALL JOINT THATHAS SEPARATED FROM THE KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

Across 1 model years, 1,349 owners have filed complaints about the 2003 Jeep Liberty. SUSPENSION issues top the list, so ask the seller about this area specifically during your inspection.

01Suspension372

02Air Bags301

03Visibility71

04Fuel System, Gasoline,structure45

05Power Train39

1,349 total across 1 model years (2003–2003)Full data at NHTSA.gov

Jeep Liberty Fuel Economy

17–19mpg combined

14-17city

20-22hwy

$2,300-$2,600/yr

Across 6 configurations, the 2003 Jeep Liberty returns 17–19 MPG combined. Choose the thriftier option if you're commuting; the sportier setup if you're not counting gallons.

By Trim

Liberty/Cherokee 2WD - Manual 5-spd

19mpg

2.4L 4-cyl · Rear-Wheel Drive

17 city22 hwy~$2,300/yr-1/10 Poor

Liberty/Cherokee 4WD - Manual 5-spd

19mpg

2.4L 4-cyl · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive

17 city22 hwy~$2,300/yr-1/10 Poor

Liberty/Cherokee 2WD - Automatic 4-spd

17mpg

3.7L 6-cyl · Rear-Wheel Drive

15 city20 hwy~$2,600/yr-1/10 Poor

Liberty/Cherokee 2WD - Manual 5-spd

17mpg

3.7L 6-cyl · Rear-Wheel Drive

15 city20 hwy~$2,600/yr-1/10 Poor

Liberty/Cherokee 4WD - Automatic 4-spd

17mpg

3.7L 6-cyl · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive

15 city20 hwy~$2,600/yr-1/10 Poor

Liberty/Cherokee 4WD - Manual 5-spd

17mpg

3.7L 6-cyl · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive

14 city20 hwy~$2,600/yr-1/10 Poor

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Where to Find 2003 Jeep Liberty

33States

26%in top 3

10% of the market sits in Michigan, though listings span 33 states. Expand your search and you'll find more options at better prices.

MIMichigan

2710%

ILIllinois

249%

FLFlorida

217%

OHOhio

166%

INIndiana

124%

WAWashington

124%

NJNew Jersey

114%

TXTexas

104%

COColorado

93%

DCWashington DC

93%

NYNew York

93%

MOMissouri

93%

MDMaryland

83%

MNMinnesota

83%

GAGeorgia

83%

CTConnecticut

83%

WIWisconsin

62%

PAPennsylvania

62%

UT5

VA5

NE5

NC5

OK5

DE4

RI4

AZ4

NH4

OR4

CA4

IA3

ND3

ID2

NV2

Geographic distribution reflects all active listings for this model, not just 2003.

2003 Jeep Liberty Buyer FAQ

What to know before you buy

Is the 2003 Jeep Liberty a good car to buy?

Here's the short version on the 2003 Jeep Liberty. There are 9 recalls to verify before purchase. Dig into the safety overview and pricing trends for recall-by-recall detail.

Are there recalls on the 2003 Jeep Liberty?

NHTSA shows 9 recall campaigns for the 2003 Jeep Liberty. Before buying, verify all recalls are complete. The dealer must fix them at no charge. See the safety section for the full list.

What's the gas mileage of the 2003 Jeep Liberty?

You'll get between 17 and 19 MPG combined from the 2003 Jeep Liberty, depending on engine and drivetrain. That's a meaningful difference over time. The fuel economy table shows exactly which configs get what.

What are common problems with the 2003 Jeep Liberty?

SUSPENSION problems top the list with 1,349 total complaints filed. Not every car is affected, but it's worth asking about and inspecting. Full details in the known issues section.