The 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee is just about the worst car you can buy if you’re looking for a grocery-getter. It might not run an inch past 250,000 miles, it’s bulky, and the back row is cramped. But it might be the most affordable option if you’re after a dependable adventure vehicle.
Is the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – The 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee is very, very good for what it is: a rugged adventure vehicle at a fair price. If you’re looking for a daily driver, look elsewhere.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – Plenty of cargo room, and it’s spacious enough for four adults, but the back row gets a bit tight when you pack three people across it.
- Reliability 7/10 – The 2003 Grand Cherokee has held up better than its reputation would suggest. Expect to reach somewhere between 200,000 to 250,000 miles on the original hardware.
- Safety 6/10 – Crash test ratings were mediocre on release, and onboard safety tech has fallen well out of date since then.
- Gas Mileage 6/10 – The Overland gets 14/19 miles to the gallon, city/highway, which wasn’t that great even in 2003.
- Value 7/10 – More affordable than that year’s Toyota 4Runner by a longshot, but nearly twice the cost of a comparable Ford Explorer.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- Consumer Reports were impressed with the 2003 Grand Cherokee’s off-road performance, and not much else. They cited the road noise, cumbersome handling, and cramped interior as points against the SUV.
- Kelley Blue Book reviewers were a little more forgiving, with 88% recommending the vehicle for its comfortable seats and reliable engine, but agreeing with CR that the road noise is pretty loud.
- Edmunds liked the powerful engine and all-terrain performance, and they found the interior roomy enough for four adults. They weren’t convinced that the engine was reliable enough to go the distance, and they cited the road noise as an issue.
What Common Problems Does the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Have?
Airbags have been the 2003 Grand Cherokee’s biggest problem to date, generating 249 complaints out of 754 registered with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in total, and two recalls. Drivers have reported waiting on parts for parts from a 2015 recall as recently as late 2021.
Powertrain issues are surprisingly few, with just 35 NHTSA complaints on file. One driver reports difficulty shifting at a mileage of 138,000, others report the vehicle shifting into reverse on its own. In some instances these reports may point to a manufacturing issue, and in others, simple wear and tear.
For the most part the 2003 Grand Cherokee has held up very well, structurally speaking, but once things start breaking and falling apart, the seats will likely be the first to go. Several drivers report the front seats coming loose from the track and leaving them wobbling left and right on the road.
Overall the 2003 Grand Cherokee has held up better than its reputation might have you believe it would, with just 10 recalls on file with the NHTSA, which is about on-par for a twenty year old SUV.
How Long Will the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Last?
RepairPal report that older Grand Cherokees should run about $434 a year in maintenance costs, with the most expensive common repair for teh 2003 model being a new control module for the active suspension system.
One driver at Kelley Blue Book reports that a Grand Cherokee can easily reach 350,000 miles. Sure, maybe if you buy it new, but that’s a bit lofty for any used car. Given that you can’t vouch for the previous owner’s driving and maintenance habits you should expect to reach 200,000 to 250,000 on the original engine and transmission.
The 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee is very reliable. I'd recommend this vehicle to all my family and friends. It's a perfect family vehicle it's very roomy
Problems are known with oil leaks. Yes, it does leak oil, but is typical for a car that is over ten years old. Have had some emissions problems as well.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is dated but impressive for 2003. The lower trims come with CD players, which wasn’t always standard at the time, and even the entry-level Laredo features a robust six-speaker sound system.
Safety features are adequate but basic by modern standards. Multi-stage airbags in the Overland trim are about as fancy as it gets here.
Is the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee a Good Value?
The 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a good value if you know what you’re buying. Jeeps tend to sell for a little more than they’re really worth on the used car market, and the 2003 Grand Cherokee is no exception, with the entry-level Laredo typically listing for around $4,121, and the top-tier Overland listing at around $4,292.
On the one hand, a compact car will cost you half that and probably last twice as long. A used Grand Cherokee is a terrible choice for a daily driver. On the other hand, if you’ve always wanted a Jeep, if you’re using it as your weekend-getaway adventure vehicle, this is one of the more affordable options available.
Jeep’s complicated reputation really comes down to how people use these vehicles. They’re not great daily-drivers. They’re more expensive than most family cars, they’re hard to maneuver around the city, and they chug gas like it’s going out of style. But, use it as your hunting/fishing/campingmobile, and you’ll be happy with the purchase.
What are the Different Models of the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Contrasting the sometimes-bloated trim list of later model years, the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee was sold in just three models:
The entry-level Laredo features:
- AM/FM with CD player and six speaker sound
- Manual air conditioning
- Premium cloth seat trim
- Power door locks and windows
- Six way power driver seat
The mid-range Limited adds:
- Dual zone automatic
- Ten way power seat for driver, six way for front passenger
- Leather seat trim
- Fog lights
- Heated mirrors
- Steering wheel mounted audio controls
- Ten disc CD changer
- Infinity sound system
The top-of-the-line Overland includes all that, plus:
- Heated ten way power seats
- 4.7L V8 engine
What Engines Come In the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The Laredo and Limited come standard with a 4.0L SMFI Power Tech inline-six engine, delivering 195 horsepower and 230 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission with rear/front wheel drive configuration. You can safely tow up to 5,000 pounds with the tow package equipped.
Overland models get a 4.7L V8 Power Tech engine with hydraulic cooling. 265 horsepower and 325 lb.-ft. of torque get you up to 6,500 pounds of towing capacity with the tow package (without the tow package, the Grand Cherokee can only tow up to 2,000 pounds). This is paired to a 5-speed automatic and configured in four wheel drive.
What Colors Does the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
With 56.5 inches of hiproom in the back, drivers generally report that the 2003 Grand Cherokee is comfortable enough for four drivers, but it gets a bit tight at five. Three kids might not have any complaints in the back row, at least not until they get a little bigger.
The seating is comfortable enough, and complaints for the vehicle’s Quadra-Coil suspension system are few and far between, so the ride is still pretty smooth after twenty years of service. Your mileage may vary, of course. This is an off-roader, so don’t skip the test drive. See how it rocks and rolls over on bumpy roads.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Have?
With the seats up you have 39 cubic feet of storage space. With the seats down you have 72.3 cubic feet. That’s more than enough space to haul most furniture finds or move a stack of four to six storage crates to the new apartment.
Putting this in terms of how you’re likely going to use the 2003 Grand Cherokee: You’ve got plenty of space for the cooler, the grill, and your fishing rods with the seats up. Seats down, you can dang near fit a three-wheeler back there.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2003 Grand Cherokee was the fifth model in the WJ lineup, or 2nd Generation, launched for the 1999 model year and retired with the 2004 edition.
1999: The Grand Cherokee got a total overhaul with new body, engine, and interior. The most exciting addition was probably the Quadra-Drive four-wheel-drive system.
2000: The 4-speed automatic transmission was replaced with a 5-speed 545RFE system and the Laredo D trim was dropped.
2001: Jeep offered a 60th Anniversary edition of the Limited, and they added some new interior options, including a burl rosewood finish for the Limited and brushed aluminum for the Laredo.
2002: Jeep introduced the Overland in 2002. Extended leather seating, premium audio and genuine wood trim set the new trim apart from the Limited.
2003: GPS navigation was offered for the first time in 2003.
2004: Visual tweaks included new front fascias and “Trail Rated 4×4” badging on the four wheel drive models.
How Does the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Compare to the Competition?
The 2003 Grand Cherokee’s closest competitor is probably the 2003 Ford Explorer, another rugged, American-made mid-size SUV. Objectively speaking, the Ford Explorer wins hands-down on pricing, reliability, comfort, and overall performance. But it can’t compete at off-road.
If you’re specifically looking for an adventure vehicle, the Toyota 4Runner is a fairer comparison. The 2003 4Runner shows comparable performance, on-road and off, to the Grand Cherokee. And it typically lists at around $7,266 at the entry level.
A 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee isn’t a great choice if you’re looking for a daily driver. But, if you’re looking for a second vehicle, something to take out into the woods, something to haul the boat down to the lake without worrying about getting stuck in the mud, it’s cheaper than a 4Runner and more capable than an Explorer.
Do Owners Recommend the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Yes love it never had any real problems with it. But the usual oil change, brake pads, sometimes lights change out.
Yes, drives well for an older SUV. Easy to drive. Gas mileage is OK, but, could be better. Handles well in bad weather. Great for driving in or on snowy roads
