The driver and passenger front airbags deployed spontaneously while merging onto the highway. I was startled by the noise, my vision was obscured, I was unable to breathe due to the chemical accelerants, and the bag made contact with my face and arms. All of these events put me and other drivers at great risk of severe bodily and property damage. Since June 24, the vehicle has been in possession of a Chrysler dealership. A pre-service write-up has been created, but to my knowledge, no work has been done to the vehicle. I am unaware of an inspection having been completed. I did not see any warning lamps or other symptoms prior to the airbags deploying.
2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee airbags problems
256 complaints (34% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 112,000. 18 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 256
- of this car's complaints
- 34%
- typical mileage
- 112,000
- crashes
- 18
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Frontal10
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Jeep Grand Cherokee airbags problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee airbags
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler dealers will replace the air bag control module and side impact sensors as required, free of charge. This recall remedy was applied during earlier recall campaigns of these vehicles under safety recalls 12V527 and 13V040. All owners that have not had the recall repair performed under safety recalls 12V527 or 13V040 are strongly encouraged to have it performed and not wait for the final remedy to be deployed to the field. The recall began on December 29, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R06.
Recall number 15V046000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Inadvertent deployment of the airbags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a supplemental jumper harness to the airbag control module, free of charge. Owners were notified of the recall by interim letter in January 2013. The remedy for affected Liberty vehicles is expected to be available in April 2013. The remedy for affected Grand Cherokee vehicles is expected to be available later in the year. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1‑800‑247‑9753.
Recall number 12V527000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Jeep inadvertent air bag deployment
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of inadvertent air bag deployments (IABD) occurring after the recall remedy for the federal safety agency recall 12V‑527 had been installed on recalled model year (MY ) 2002-2003 Jeep Liberty and MY 2002-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).The recall was in response to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) investigation EA12-001 during which data provided by FCA indicate that the air bag circuitry inside the Occupant Restraint Control (ORC) module can degrade. ORC degradation can result in an inadvertent air bag deployment, without a crash or impact, while the vehicle is being operated.An IABD may involve frontal, side and belt pretensioner devices, and may result in injuries consisting of burns, cuts and bruises to the upper body region, and or the potential for a loss of control and or crash.The remedy FCA developed for 12V‑527 consisted of installing an in-line jumper harness with an integrated electrical filter for the circuits that connect to the air bag modules (squib circuits).This filter is intended to eliminate transient electrical spikes to the ORC which FCA asserted are responsible for the IABDs.ODI has identified a total of 9 the federal safety agency complaints across all affected vehicles indicating an IABD event occurring after the vehicle had previously been remedied under 12V‑527.In addition, FCA reported 12 additional complaints of post-remedy IABD events. The IABD events took place both while driving and while the vehicle was stationary. Six customers incurred injuries consistent with air bag deployments however no crashes were reported.As a response to this investigation, FCA has issued 2 new recalls involving the IABD.On January 27, 2015 FCA notified ODI that it would conduct a safety recall (15V‑046) to remedy potential IABD events occurring in 753,176 MY02-03 Jeep Liberty vehicles built through 03/28/03 and MY 2002-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles built through 5/23/03.Note that this recall, which was scoped based on field IABD events does not include all MY 2003 Liberty or MY 2004 Grand Cherokee manufactured with the same level ORC module.According to FCA, the ORC degradation and subsequent electrical overstress condition that causes the air bags to deploy inadvertently is not fully remedied with the filter installed during the 12V‑527 campaign.To remedy IABDs under 15V‑046, FCA will install a new design ORC module using a next generation electrical architecture.The next generation architecture has been used in other non-subject vehicles for many years without evidence of IABD events occurring.In addition to this recall, on October 15, 2015 FCA advised the federal safety agency that it would conduct safety recall 15V‑673 to remedy potential IABD events in the remaining 284,089 MY 2003 Jeep Liberty and MY 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured with the earlier generation ORC module that were not previously recalled.FCA initially did not recall these populations due to the lack of known IABD events.However, FCA is now aware of 7 IABD events occurring in this population. After consultation with ODI regarding the long term durability and noise toughness of the earlier ORC architecture, FCA decided to recall this population also.The recall actions initiated by the manufacturer address the safety risks identified by the investigation.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at http://www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/SearchSafetyIssues under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10622092, 10629705, 10619008, 10618842, 10626762, 106404
RQ14001
What 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V046000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where repairs were performed on the air bag control module and side impact sensor. However, after the repair was completed, the air bag warning light unexpectedly illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 378,910.
On March 4th 2026 I called Liberty Jeep here in Hinesville Georgia concerning about the recall for my airbags as well as for the hitch on this vehicle. To date nobody has bothered to call to give me an appointment concerning this major recall and continue to refuse to provide any kind of service for me on this recall I have contacted Jeep headquarters about just concerned dealing with Liberty Jeep in Hinesville and today they haven't bothered to do anything about this they are continuously endangering me my daughter and my wife by avoiding any opportunity to repair this damage to my airbags.
The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V046000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the air bag warning lights illuminated. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,236. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the driver's side and passenger's side curtain air bags deployed without impact. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened; however, the case had not been assigned to a case manager. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V046000 (Air Bags). The failure mileage was approximately 212,000.
2 recalls have not been taken care of by the manufacturer. I purchased this vehicle 2 years ago and have noticed that the seats do indeed over heat. The airbags haven't deployed thankfully, but I'm not comfortable taking any chances. Do I have to pay a dealer to complete these repairs? Also, since I have had this vehicle, my blinkers and brake lights do not work consistently. They were in operable for almost a month. I had a Mechanix check them, and they said they were dine. Homer's auto shop florence oregon) I didn't drive at night for almost a month. Then my blinkers just started working again. All the fuses are fine, and no other electrical issues. Brake lights started working also. Up until 3 days ago, a driver behind me pulled around next to me at the stop light to tell me the brake light was out. I checked it when I got home and it was fine.
While driving at low speed, the side curtain airbags deployed along with the front seat belts. No injuries just stunted by the loud bang. I took car to Jeep dealership to have recall R06/15v-046 repaired and to diagnose cause of side curtain airbags deployment. Dealer would not repair recall R06/15v-046 due to the requirement that the side curtain and seat belts be repaired before making the recall repairs. Side curtain airbags repair was not accomplished because some repair parts are no longer available (seatbelts/headliner). Dealer indicated that, even if they could have repaired side curtain airbags that the cost of the side curtain airbags repair would be on me. Dealer charged me for a diagnostic of side curtain airbags deployment. I feel that the manufacturer is responsible for the defects and are responsible for restitution. Subject car has airbags light on know but not beforehand. What is my recourse now that my car is unsafe with no repair available and of little value?
Airbag light has stayed on even after a battery replacement. Check engine light now stays on for no apparent reason.That’s all,thanks
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V046000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who stated the parts were not available and on backorder. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
On friday october 9,2020 approx. 5:56 pm I was coming out of acme parking lot, stationary at traffic light awaiting a green light . All car windows were up, AC on. Next thing I knew I heard a "ding" and before I knew it, both air bags deployed , shattering passenger glove box apart, sending debris and plastic in my face. Driver steering wheel destroyed. Entire vehicle filled with "fire like smell" from dual air bag deploying. No injuries to myself, no one else in vehicle with me at time of incident. No accident of any kind had occurred that would explain dual air bag deployment without any impact to vehicle. I can provide photos upon request. This is definitely a manufacturing defect.
Questions about the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee airbags
Does the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 256 complaints about the airbags of the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 34% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 112,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee airbags?
Yes, 2 recalls: 15V046000, 12V527000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Jeep Grand Cherokee have bad airbags?
The Jeep Grand Cherokee model years with the most airbags complaints are 2002 (486 complaints), 2004 (326 complaints) and 2003 (256 complaints).
Other 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems
Visibility 170Brakes 71Seats 65Engine 57Electrical 55Transmission 35Acceleration 32Steering 24Fuel system 18Lights 15Seat belts 13Suspension 13Body 9Tires 5Wheels 3Locks 1
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