10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
39,968 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

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2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Sep 012008

Grand Cherokee 4WD 8-cyl

  • 36,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle was not included in Chrysler recall number J14 for front seat electric heater elements that could over heat. Both Chrysler and Jeep dealer were notified of excessive heat generated by vehicle seat heater and declined to make fix or repair without charge. Specifically, they told me they would fix it and charge me for the repay, but were not going to accept responsibility for the problem. Seat did eventually overheat to a point the heater no longer worked. Owner set forth to repair seat and during seat teardown observed evidence of seat fire. Multiple pictures and melted wires were collected and preserved. These items will be provided to NHTSA upon request. It is amazing death/injury did not occur due to this known defect that Chrysler refused to address. All Chrysler vehicles with similar heater design should be inspect and repaired without charge to vehicle owner. In addition, Chrysler should be made to provide compensation to those that had repairs done at their cost.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #20

Mar 012013

Grand Cherokee 8-cyl

  • miles
2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Consumer requests reimbursement for repairs to heated seat elements recall notice. The consumer stated the seat heater was not working properly. He became aware of the recall and had the dealer check, but was informed that his vehicle was one of the few that was not included in the recall of seats that posed a danger of catching on fire. The consumer stated he was led to believe, that his vehicle was not included in the recall, because the heated seat element posed no danger of fire. Having been led to believe the part posed no fire hazard, and that it may have just worn out, the consumer agreed to pay the cost to replace the heated seat element. However, when the element was replaced by the dealer, it was discovered the part was not worn, but clearly damaged by fire.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #19

Sep 202011

Grand Cherokee 4WD 8-cyl

  • 76,723 miles
The heater in the front driver seat started at first to heat up and nearly burn the legs of the driver on high, had to set the control to low to keep from burning the legs of the driver. After coming home from work the power light showed that the seat was still on, yet the drivers heated seat does not work anymore. Smelled something burning prior to shutting the engine off after drive home. Since then the heated seat in the drivers side does not work anymore. All other controls for power seats adjustments work fine. I called Jeep dealer for repair, come to find over 100,000 vehicles have had this problem which required a recall on the heated seats (recall no. F17, and J14) id# 06V197000, and 09V117000. I have the same problem that requires repair but they will not fix the issue under recall.

- Warren, MI, USA

problem #18

Jan 012005

Grand Cherokee 6-cyl

  • 49,742 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The vehicle was included in the recalls associated with NHTSA campaign id numbers 06V197000, seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler, and 09V117000, seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler. The vehicle was repaired at an authorized dealer for both recalls. After being repaired he noticed that there was still a hole developing in the front drivers seat due to the heated seating feature. The vehicle was taken back to the authorized dealer where it was repaired a third time. The contact also stated that the vehicle would intermittently overheat. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer one time a year for five years consecutively where the engine fan relay and motor was replaced. The failure mileage was 49,742 and the current mileage was 150,000. The consumer also stated the driver's exterior mirror also had a problem with the heating element. Also, the vehicle had an evaporated emission leak which caused the vehicle to fail inspection. The fan relay was replaced five times, the air condition was inoperative, the check engine light illuminated. The dealer refused to cover the repair of a hole that developed in the driver's seat approximately the size of a baseball which he believed was related to the heated element problems. Updated evoq 01/27/11..updated 09-17-12 the consumer stated Chrysler has considered the case to be a goodwill case and opened up a reimbursement case in regards to this vehicle. Updated 09/24/2012

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #17

Jan 142009

Grand Cherokee 8-cyl

  • 62,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the heated seat on the driver's side overheated. He had to pull over and exit the vehicle. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 06V197000 (seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler), although the failures were identical. The failure mileage was 62,000 and current mileage was 62,008. Updated 02/24/09. Updated 02/24/09.

- Shelby Township, MI, USA

problem #16

Oct 242008

Grand Cherokee

  • 100,078 miles
Safety recall F17 - heated seat elements, Grand Cherokee 2003 recall completed 07aug06 by smith stokes Chrysler, highway 87, po. Box 1496, reidsville, nc 27323. Recall element replaced with defective part, replacement failed 24oct08, burned hole in passenger seat and burned hole in daughter's sweater, daughter was not burned. So far Chrysler only wants to pay half the cost to replace a recall item, my share would be about $500 - $600 dollars. Mis. Karen davis, service manager at smith stokes. Thank you for your assistance. Richard hudson

- Reidsville, NC, USA

problem #15

Jun 302007

Grand Cherokee 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,220 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving approximately 60 mph, the contact activated the heated seats, which took approximately five minutes to warm up. Three minutes later, the seat warmed up excessively and caused mild burns to her body. The dealer stated that her VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 06V197000 (seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler), although the failure was identical. The contact would have to repair the vehicle at her own expense. The manufacturer has not been notified. The failure mileage was 57,220 and current mileage was 61,716. Updated 3/4/08 the dealer stated malfunction indicator light on, and transmission not shifting properly. Updated 03/04/08

- Worcester, MA, USA

problem #14

Jun 012007

Grand Cherokee 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While seated in the driver seat, the contact stated that the seat overheated and smelled like it was burning. There were no injuries and the seat heater was not activated at the time. The manufacturer stated that her VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 06V197000 (seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler). The failure mileage was 87,000 and current mileage was 89,000.

- Alum Creek, WV, USA

problem #13

Oct 012006

Grand Cherokee 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. When the driver side seat heater was activated, it overheated. The failure caused two different drivers of the vehicle to sustain slight burns. According to the manufacturer, the vehicle is not included in recall # 06V197000 (seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler). However, the contact felt his vehicle should be included as part of the recall. The current mileage is 40,000 and failure mileage was 32,000.

- Pittsburg, PA, USA

problem #12

Sep 152003

Grand Cherokee 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Two years ago, the contact received a safety recall notice regarding the heated seats in his vehicle. For two years, the contact has been attempting to have the seats repaired, but the manufacturer continues to claim that they do not have the elements to repair the heated seats. The contact has not used the heated seats since three months after the vehicle was purchased. The engine size was unknown. The current mileage is 42,000 and failure mileage was 2,000.

- Williamson, WV, USA

problem #11

Jul 012006

Grand Cherokee 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

- the contact owns a 2003 Jeep Cherokee. When driving the vehicle the front heated seats became extremely hot. The contact stated there was recall 06V197000 for the front seat heater. The dealer added the contacts name to a waiting list. The contact stated that he has been waiting for one year. The current mileage was 60,000 miles.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #10

Oct 012006

Grand Cherokee 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles
- the contact received recall O6V197000 for the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee concerning the heated seat on 07/06. The recall was repaired back in September of 2006. He took the vehicle to dealer for a service check when the service mechanic got in the driver's front seat, and the seat caught on fire and burned. The mechanic was burned through his pants and burned his wallet. This was the first time that he used the seat heater after the recall was repaired. The dealership replaced the seats again, but the contact was afraid to use the heated seats. The contact would like for NHTSA to be aware of this malfunction. The failure mileage was 72,000 and the current mileage was 85,000.

- Metamora, MI, USA

problem #9

Mar 082007

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
My complaint is regarding the 2003/2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee seat heater recall (F17). The recall letter was mailed out on or about 07/21/2006.my wife has called the dealership in 2006 and again in 2007 in order to schedule the recall with the dealership. Both times, the dealership claimed that the part would not be available for months and that the dealership could not schedule an appointment at that time and did not offer to place her on a 'waiting list' or a 'call list'. I contacted the dealership, elk grove Chrysler Jeep (California) on 03/08/07 and was told that the parts were in and an appointment could be made. I made the appointment. I believe that this constitutes a failure on the part of daimler Chrysler to repair a potentially dangerous situation in a "...reasonable time, ...". I know of nothing else that I have to wait almost eight(8) months for.

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

problem #8

Feb 022007

Grand Cherokee 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles
- the contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and stated that the seats overheated, he could smell electrical wiring burning from the seat. The contact called the manufacturer about NHTSA campaign id number : 06V197000, and the manufacturer stated that this vehicle wouldn't be covered under the recall because it was manufactured in August of 2002, and recall began for vehicles manufactured on September 2002. The contact has a file number with the manufacturer: 15916185. Updated 02/27/07

- Foristell, MO, USA

problem #7

Dec 122006

Grand Cherokee 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The driver and passenger seat warmers do not work. The dealer told her there was not a recall on seat warmers. She took her Jeep to a different repair shop and they were able to pull up a recall (S17) on the internet.

- Layafette, IN, USA

problem #6

Dec 152006

Grand Cherokee 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 16,765 miles
: the contact stated although there were no ongoing problems with the seat warmers, there was a NHTSA recall, #06V197000 on the vehicle regarding the seats. The parts needed to repair the vehicle were not available at the local dealership. The manufacturer was not alerted. Additionally, while attempting to open the front passenger power side window, there was a popping noise. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer, who determined the power window control needed to be replaced.

- Janesville, WI, USA

problem #5

Sep 152006

Grand Cherokee

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I received a notice of a recall for my 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee regarding the front seat electric heating element and the potential for it to cause an interior fire under certain operating conditions. However, in my several attempts to schedule an appointment at schuman Chrysler I have been told they (a) there was a national shortage on the necessary parts and (B) they are only being sent one per week. I should think Chrysler would make sure they had the available parts necessary before sending out letters regarding this national recall.

- Wixom, MI, USA

problem #4

Sep 142006

Grand Cherokee 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Waiting for "recall repair", since Sept 14,2006.

- East Strudsburg, PA, USA

problem #3

Oct 182006

Grand Cherokee

  • 70,605 miles
Consumer complaint concerning 2003 Grand Cherokee notification code F17 heated seat elements. The consumer had aftermarket dvd player/lc screen installed in headrest. The consumer refused to pay to have the aftermarket items removed in order for the dealer to do the recall, therefore recall work could not be done. The consumer indicated that all accessories were included in the price of vehicle at final signing. The accessories were installed later due to unavailability as a factory installed product.

- Shohola, PA, USA

problem #2

Mar 022005

Grand Cherokee 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,194 miles
2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee limited drivers-side seat heater malfunctioned. Driver's seat heating element started to smoke, a burning smell was evident. Seat heater was deemed inoperable by Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Santa Fe. Consumer asked for warranty adjustment, but was told there was nothing they could do. Consumer paid for replacement parts, seat pad and labor.

- Santa Fe, NM, USA

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