2003 Jeep Wrangler Complaint Log

IN JULY 2005, AFTER HITTING A SMALL BUMP IN THE HIGHWAY, I EXPERIENCED SEVERE SHAKING OF THE FRONT END OF MY 2003 JEEP WRANGLER SAHARA AT ABOUT 45-50 MPH. THE SHAKING STOPPED AFTER SLOWING THE VEHICLE TO ABOUT 30-35 MPH. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (FRANK PARRA JEEP IN IRVING, TX) FOR INVESTIGATION AND REPAIR. I WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR, JOHN BALLARD, THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURS FREQUENTLY IN JEEPS AND THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE STEERING DAMPENER. FRANK PARRA REPLACED THE STEERING DAMPENER. THE PROBLEM RECURRED IN MARCH 2006 AND I AGAIN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. I WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR, TIMOTHY SIMPSON, THAT THE STOCK STEERING DAMPENER WAS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO WITHSTAND THE LOAD IMPOSED BY THE 30 IN. WHEEL GROUP, WHICH COMES STANDARD ON THE SAHARA MODEL, AND THAT I WOULD NEED TO PURCHASE AN UPGRADED STEERING DAMPENER, THE "RANCHO" MODEL, BUT THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE DAIMLER CHRYSLER WARRANTY. WE THOUGHT WE WOULD TRY THE STOCK STEERING DAMPENER AGAIN. IT FAILED ON THE DRIVE HOME FROM THE DEALER. I FILED A WARRANTY CLAIM WITH DAIMLER CHRYSLER AND CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY SAFETY RECALLS ON THE STEERING DAMPENER. DAIMLER CHRYSLER DENIED MY CLAIM AND SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT ONLY NHTSA CAN AUTHORIZE A RECALL. IT SEEMS THAT THE STEERING DAMPENER WAS NOT DESIGNED PROPERLY FOR THE LOADS IMPOSED BY THE STANDARD WHEEL CONFIGURATION AND SHOULD BE UPGRADED SO THAT IT IS ENGINEERED PROPERLY. ALTHOUGH THIS HAS NOT CAUSED ANY ACCIDENTS OR PROPERTY DAMAGE, IT COULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY AND RAISES THE POSSIBILITY OF CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. IT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. *NM

BALL JOINT CRACKED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO A HEAVY TRAFFIC INTERSECTION,AT LOW SPEED. VEHICLE WHEN OUT OF CONTROL SPINNING SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE HITTING MEDIUM. *JB

2003 JEEP WRANGLER RUBICON PROTECTIVE SHIELD FOR TRANSFER CASE ALLOWS DRY WEEDS TO ACCUMULATE BETWEEN SHIELD AND FRONT DRIVESHAFT, CAUSING FRICTION FIRES TO OCCUR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH OUT ANY WARNING, RESULTING IN WIRING HARNESS DAMAGE, BRAKE LINE FAILURE AND GAS LINE EXPOSURE TO OPEN FLAME. *JB

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. *JB

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.

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. *AK

THE VEHICLE FUEL TANK OVERFLOWS WHEN FILLING. THIS IS CAUSING FUEL TO SPRAY OUT ONTO MYSELF, ONTO THE PAINTED SURFACES OF THE VEHICLE, AND SPILL ONTO THE GROUND. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. *TR

THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE BAD. WHILE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 35 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE TURNED INTO THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COLLIDE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT,THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED FACE, BACK, RIBS, AND CHEST INJURIES. *AK

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. *JB

WE ARE EXPERIENCING THE "DEATH WOBBLE". HAVE BEEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE WOBBLE RETURNS SHORTLY AFTER WE GET THE JEEP BACK ON THE ROAD. HELP.... *TR

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. *AK

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. *JB

SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT. LEAK IN FUEL TANK.*AK

SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT. LEAK IN FUEL SYSTEM. *AK

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

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.

DRIVING AWAY FROM MY HOME IN RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION. TURNED CORNER AT APPROX. 5 MILES PER HOUR AND STEERING WENT OUT. WHEEL JUST SPUN ROUND AND ROUND. *AK

SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT PROPERLY CAUSING THEM TO GET CAUGHT IN DOORS. THIS RESULTS IN FRAYING AND ABRASIONS THAT WEAKEN SEAT BELT. THE BELTS WILL NEED REPLACED SOON DUE TO THIS. *TR

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. *AK

TIRE FAILURE, BLOW OUT OF REAR DRIVERS TIRE, VERY NEAR TO ROLLOVER CONDITION.*AK

REAR BACK SEAT BENT WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT FORCE OR ABUSE TO SEAT

I SAW THIS ARTICLE IN THE PARENTS MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2004 AND IT SAID THAT THESE SEATBELTS ARE NOT SAFE. THE WEBSITE THEY GAVE WAS UNSAFEBELTS.COM. MY HUSBAND AND I OWN A 2003 JEEP WRANGLER. IT IS EQUIPPED WITH GENERATION 3 SEATBELTS. I AM ASKING THAT A NATIONAL RECALL BE DONE ON THESE SEATBELTS. THEY BECOME UNLATCHED WITH JUST THE SMALL PUSH OF THE BUTTON. BY THIS I MEAN THAT MY CHILDREN AGES 7 AND 5 COULD BUMP THEIR ELBOW AGAINST IT AND IT WILL BECOME UNLATCHED. I AM A LITTLE NERVOUS TO LET MY CHILDREN LET ALONE MYSELF OF MY HUSBAND DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. I WOULD ASK THAT YOU PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL ON THESE SEATBELTS SO THAT WHEN WE DRIVE WE CAN FEEL SAFE AND KNOW THAT OUR SEATBELTS WILL SAVE OUR LIVES LET ALONE THE LIVES OF OTHERS. *LA

I FEEL BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER.I APPLY BRAKES BUT MY FOOT SOMETIMES HIT GAS PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME,AND VISE-VERSA.*AK

2003 TJ frame rust all tjs have frame rust.

GEN III BUCKLE ON 2003 JEEP WRANGLER RELEASED DURING ROLLOVER ACCIDENT, LEADING TO EJECTION AND DEATH OF DR. ZICKEFOOSE. *AK

PAINT PEELING OFF OF FENDERS AND ON THE HINDGES OF THE HARD TOP AND DOORS. THERE IS A CONSTANT TICKING, RATTLE SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I HAVE DRIVEN WITH THE HEAD MECHANIC,AND THE DEPT. MANAGER. THEY BOTH HAVE HEARD THE SOUND. THE JEEP HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP "9" TIMES AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXHISTS. I HAVE LOSS CONFIDENCE IN THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPT.*AK

POOR GAS MILEAGE. STICKER CLAIMS 16 MPG CITY AND 19 MPG HIGHWAY AND I STRUGGLE TO GET 11 OR 12 IN THE CITY DRIVING CONSERVATIVELY AND USING QUALITY MID GRADE GASOLINE. MY LAST TANK I GOT 10.86 MPG. WITH CITY AND HIGHWAY COMBINED I STRUGGLE TO GET 13 OR 14. I FIGURE THIS WILL COST ME AROUND $1000 OVER THE COURSE OF MY 4 YEAR LEASE. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER WRANGLER OWNERS AND THEY EXPERIENCE THE SAME POOR MILEAGE. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER JEEP PRODUCT. *NLM

FUEL TANK OVER FLOWS AT EVERY FILL UP. *TR

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AXLE BROKE. THE AXLE WAS REPLACED. *NLM

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. *NM

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. *LA

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

I'VE HAD MY 2003 WRANGLER SIERAH FOR 3 MONTHS AND HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TWICE. FIRST TIME WAS A PURGE VALVE SOLENOID AND THE SECOND TIME IT WAS THE CHARCOAL CANISTER AND THE WHOLE GAS TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH ANOTHER SOLENOID. NEITHER OF THESE FAILURES LEFT ME STRANDED BUT SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED ON A JEEP WITH LESS THAN 5000 MILES ON IT. *LA

WAS DRIVING 20 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS BACKING OUT OF A GARAGE. UPON IMPACT, FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES, AND HAD EMERGENCY ROOM TREATMENT.*AK

JEEP SHAKES AT 40-55 MILE PER HOUR, 16,000 MILES. *AK

PAINT CHIPPING AND COMING OFF, 2003, JEEP, WRANGLER, 4200 MILES, NO MUD RIDDING OR RUFF TREATMENT. ONLY CITY AND HIWAY DRIVING. VEHICLE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN PAINTED GRAY (NOT PRIMER) AND TOP COATED WITH AN EXTREMELY THIN COLOR PAINT. PATRIOT BLUE. ALMOST NO PAINT INSIDE OF TUB AND UNDER BODY.*AK

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF HOUSE AND EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON 7/31/03. I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE IN A HARD MANOR BUT SINCE THE GAS PEDAL IS SO CLOSE TO THE BRAKE, MY FOOT WAS HALF ON THE BRAKE AND HALF ON THE GAS PEDAL. I CHECKED OTHER MAKES AND MODELS AND THEY HAVE MORE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND THE GAS PEDAL. THIS SEEMS TO BE INDICITIVE OF CHRYSLER PRODUCTS. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR OVER 24 YEARS AND HAVE A VERY GOOD DRIVING RECORD. NOT ONCE IN ALL THOSE YEARS HAS THIS HAPPENED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN TWO MONTHS THIS HAS NOW HAPPENDED TO ME. I PURCHASE MY JEEP JUST TWO MONTHS AGO. PLEASE CHECK THE SPACING OF THE BREAK AND GAS PEDALS FOR YOURSELVES.*AK

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.*AK

WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS OFF-ROADING IN THE VEHICLE THE REAR SEAT BACK COLLAPSED. *AK *CB *NLM

WHILE DRIVING ON UNEVEN SURFACE AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

THE DEALER STATES THAT I HAVE PROBLEM WITH MY HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM.WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER,OR THE DEFROSTER IS IN USE,A NOISE THAT WOULD SOUND LIKE A DROP OF WATER DROPPING PRECISELY EVERY 4 TO 5 SECONDS,STEREOS,AND ROAD NOISE DO NOT HIDE IT.THE AFFECT IS LIKE BEING IN A TORTURE CHAMBER.IT LITTERY DRIVES YOU CRAZY.

I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 JEEP WRANGLER RUBICON IN MAY OF 2003 WITH THE DUAL TOP OPTION. SINCE DAY ONE, WHENEVER THE FULL HARD DOOR IS SHUT WITH THE WINDOWS ROLLED UP AND THE HARDTOP ON, THE REAR GLASS POPS OPEN. THE REAR GLASS ALSO POPS OPEN WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THEN THE REAR GLASS JUST FLOPS AROUND AND HITS THE SPARE TIRE AND YOU HAVE TO GET OUT AND PUSH IT SHUT, OTHERWISE I'M AFRAID IT MIGHT BREAK THE REAR GLASS. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THAT IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS THE OWNER'S MANUAL SAYS TO NEVER DRIVE WITH THE REAR WINDOW OPEN (ON SOFT TOP) UNLESS YOU ALSO HAVE THE FRONT WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN OR EXHAUST FUMES MAY ENTER THE DRIVER/PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND CAUSE CARBON MONOXIDE POISIONING! I ASSUME THE SAME THING CAN HAPPEN WITH THE HARD TOP ON WHEN THE REAR GLASS IS OPEN 2-3 INCHES AND FLOPPING AROUND! I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THEY TRIED LOWERING THE REAR GLASS BY ADJUSTING THE HINGES ON THE GLASS BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I CONTACTED JEEP "STAR" TECH SUPPORT ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASSIONS AND FILED A COMPLAINT (FILE # 11586375) THE SERVICE MANAGER AT OUR DEALERSHIP SAID THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON SOME OTHER HARD TOP JEEPS AND I ALSO HAVE SEEN THE SAME COMPLAINT ON THE INTERNET ON JEEP FORUM CHAT ROOMS. APPARENTLY JEEP DOES'T TAKE THE PROBLEM SERIOUSLY SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR 1 1/2 YEARS AND IT HASN'T BEEN FIXED YET. MAYBE WHEN SOMEONE DIES FROM CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING THEY WILL TAKE ACTION! I BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. THE 2003 HARDTOP RELIES ON THE REAR TAILGATE TO KEEP THE REAR GLASS CLOSED AND THERE ISN'T ENOUGH OVERLAP TO SECURELY HOLD THE REAR GLASS IN PLACE.*AK

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).*AK

I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST YOUR HELP REGARDING WINDSHIELD DAMAGE THAT OCCURRED ON I395 IN VIRGINIA. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE COMPANY WHICH OWNS OF THE DUMP TRUCK BY PHONE, EMAIL, AND REGULAR MAIL (WITH DELIVERY CONFIRMATION), AND HAVE RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. I ALSO SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT TO FAIRFAX COUNTY CONSUMER SERVICES DIVISION BUT WAS TOLD THAT THEY ONLY HANDLE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SALE OR PURCHASE OF AN ITEM. BELOW IS A COPY OF THE LETTER I SENT TO OWENS & SPARROW, WHOSE DUMP TRUCK CAUSED THE DAMAGE. I HAVE CONTACTED VDOT AS WELL, BUT WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST YOUR HELP IN ADDITION TO VDOTS. I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT IT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF MY WINDSHIELD. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR HELP WITH THIS MATTER. JUNE 19, 2003 OWEN & SPARROW, LLC PO BOX 1595 LORTON, VA 22199 DEAR READER: AT APPROXIMATELY 12:15 P.M. ON THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2003, THE WINDSHIELD OF MY 2002 JEEP WRANGLER WAS STRUCK BY ROCK-LIKE DEBRIS THAT FLEW OUT OF AN OWEN & SPARROW, LLC DUMP TRUCK TRAVELING DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. THIS RESULTED IN TWO CHIPS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF MY WINDSHIELD. AT THAT TIME, I WAS HEADING NORTH ON I395 AND WAS JUST SOUTH OF EXIT 7 (GLEBE ROAD). THE LICENSE PLATE NUMBER OF THAT DUMP TRUCK WAS 604-442; HOWEVER, I WAS UNABLE TO SEE WHICH STATE THE LICENSE PLATE WAS FROM. THE DUMP TRUCK ALSO HAD A 1-800-827-SAFE STICKER ON THE BACK OF IT WITH THE NUMBER PG763. AS A RESULT OF THIS DAMAGE, I NEED TO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED. SINCE I KNOW THAT THIS DAMAGE WAS DIRECTLY CAUSED BY DEBRIS FROM ONE OF YOUR DUMP TRUCKS, I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT OF $389.82. THIS AMOUNT INCLUDES THE COST OF A REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD AS WELL AS REPLACEMENT OF TWO DECALS ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT ALSO HAVE TO BE REPLACED (FAIRFAX COUNTY VEHICLE DECAL AND EMISSION INSPECTION DECAL).

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

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. *LA

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.*AK

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. *NM

THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WAS ANGLED TO THE LEFT. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE SEAT. WHEN THE SEAT WAS REPLACED THE SEAT STILL ANGLED TOT HE LEFT. THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED THIS WAS TO ALLOW THE DRIVER TO ENTER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE EASILY. *AK *NLM *PH