2003 Jeep Wrangler X 4.0L I-6 from North America

Summary:

Always wanted one, very happy to finally have it

Faults:

I have only had this Wrangler for a couple of weeks, but I have not had one problem. This was a Jeep factory employee driven vehicle, and appears to have been well cared for.

General Comments:

I absolutely love this vehicle so far. I do live in Illinois, so I have had the pleasure of driving early in the morning with some VERY cold temperatures, but the heater worked great! It has very good power from the 190 horse I-6. The only complaint I have on power is that first gear is VERY short, and pulling away from a light on a busy road irritates some folks behind me. Starting in second has worked well.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th March, 2004

15th Jun 2007, 13:45

I have had a problem with shifting from 1st to 2nd. It doesn't grind, but it's very, very hard, and kind of jerks the Jeep. It makes kind of a boom noise. I can feel some slow grinding in all gears as I go through the gears. The Jeep dealership said this was normal. I only have 17000 miles on this 2003 Wrangler X 4.0. Is there a scheduled maintenance that I may have missed (clutch adjustment at 15k or 20k), or is this really normal? It's my first Jeep.

2003 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4.0 from North America

Summary:

Chrysler Corp. is ruining Jeep!

Faults:

Dealer butchered tailgate area when installing alarm.

Automatic transmission jumps and groans.

Water -leaks.

Rear suspension squeaks.

General Comments:

I traded in a '95 Wrangler SE for a brand new 2003 Wrangler Sahara with a sticker price of over $28,000. This was the worst mistake I have ever made.

First the dealership butchered the tailgate area by installing a large metal switch where the tailgate closes against the weatherstripping. This caused the tailgate to stay partially open, and created a water leak in that area. After arguing with the dealership over this "botched" installation and getting nowhere, I was forced to bring the Jeep to a body-shop and have it repaired at my expense.

I am amazed that a new car dealer could be so arrogant and treat customer so badly, but I guess if they can get away with it they will. Chrysler was of no help at all in settling this dispute.

My new Sahara is equipped with the 4 liter six-cylinder engine, trac-lock, ABS, and a Chrysler built automatic transmission. This transmission performs terribly!

The up-shifts are abrupt at any speed. The transmission groans and shutters causing the vehicle from side to side, and worst of all when coming to a stop, the transmission slams into a lower gear which often caused me to look in my rear-view mirror to see if I was rear-ended!

The other issue which is causing me to regret this purchase is that the rear suspension squeaks loudly on almost any road surface.

My Sahara does have some good points, the ride is much smoother than the leaf-spring equipped Wranglers. (I just hope they all don't squeak like mine does, the engine has plenty of power, and the interior is nicely finished. (Just look out for water-leaks!)

After having owned the '95 Wrangler, and having had a great experience with that A.M.C. designed, Chrysler built model. I have come to the conclusion that Chrysler Corp. has ruined the Wrangler, and is damaging the Jeep name.

I have heard rumors that Chrysler is failing, and that the Jeep name will be bought out by Ford. If this is true, I hope that Ford (or whoever buys the Jeep name) can repair the damage done by Chrysler Corp.

I would have cut my losses and traded this Wrangler for another new Jeep from a reputable dealer, but when I checked the blue book I found that this $28,000+ vehicle had depreciated $11,000 in less than 3 months! So I guess I must learn to live with this chassis-squeaking, water-leaking, transmission groaning vehicle for the next few years. How I wish I had my '95 back!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 22nd September, 2003

15th Nov 2003, 06:23

Honestly, How many Jeep Wrangler owners have automatics? If you get a wrangler, it's a manual.

7th Jan 2004, 15:04

The water leaks are a known problem and have been dealt with in a tech service bulletin. Same thing with the transmission (but I wouldn't take a Jeep with an automatic if you paid me).

Have you even tried taking it to the dealer with these problems? If your dealer sucks, take it to another.

- Owner of a 2003 TJ Sahara, standard, and not a single problem.