2003 Jeep Wrangler Sahara from North America - Comments

File this under: Chrysler Corp. continues to ruin Jeep-

Now they are doing away with the bulletproof 4.0 liter in-line six, in favor of a 3.8 V6 in '07 Wranglers.

Another dumb move!

I agree about Chrysler ruining the Jeep. My good friend manages an auto repair show and he has warned me to stay clear of these Wranglers. The rearends are very weak and blow out all the time. The 5 speed transmissions are horrible. I have been hunting for a pre 97 YJ, or better yet, a pre 86 CJ7. I have restrained myself so far from purchasing a newer one. The Tjs are for sale everywhere, which tells me something.

I've gone back to a 1995 Wrangler YJ and couldn't be happier.

I don't know what Chrysler is doing putting the 3.8 mini-van engine in the Wrangler, but all I can say is I'm glad that there are still plenty of the AMC designed Wranglers out there. In my opinion the last true Jeeps. (I've owned both types. Chrysler may have built them, but AMC designed them.)

Not only did they stick a mini-van engine in the 2007 Wrangler, the front fenders (not just the flares) are plastic clip-ons! Arrrrghhh!!!

Are we seeing our beloved Wrangler transformed into a 4x4 Neon or something???

What's up with this "Compass"?

It looks like Jeep is going after the earlier generation RAV4's. (And building a flimsy version at that) What a cheap, cheap, interior! Who ever told them that hard plastic is in?

I suppose that's what you get when you build it on an economy car's platform, Chrysler style.

I also had a 2003 Jeep TJ sport with automatic transmission that exhibited the same harsh downshifting described by several of you. There were also numerous other problems including, but not limited to electrical problems with the turn signals, brake pads had to be replaced at 8000 miles, and the soft top was manufactured incorrectly so when I first took the hard top off and tried to put the soft top up, the clips that clip to the top of the windshield were on top of the vehicle (i.e. no way to clip them). I fought with Chrysler and the dealership for about a year, mainly over the transmission shifting which was really irritating and uncomfortable. I even went through arbitration, however, I learned that this process is funded by the manufacturers and although they claim to be "independent" they really aren't. They had an "independent" inspector test drive the vehicle for a day and he ended up taking it to a Chrysler dealership to have the transmission scanned for codes. Very "independent" huh? He also claimed that he did not feel anything abnormal in the transmission, even though the problem was so consistent and obvious, the passenger even noticed. I took it to a transmission shop myself and while it was too new at the time for this shop to have the codes to scan it, the gentlemen that looked at had no doubt that there was a transmission problem. He wasn't just saying this to make money either, because he told me up front that he didn't have enough experience with such a new model to do anything about it even if he did think there was a problem. He did say that if it wasn't for Chrysler transmission, however, particularly those found in their minivans, he'd be out of business. Fed up with the Jeep that I was paying $600 a month to lease being in the shop while I drove around in a neon rental, I broke the lease and had to pay chrysler $6500, equal to the value that the vehicle had lost during my one year of ownership. Good customer service!

We bought a 2003 Sahara with only 15000 miles on it and we think it is great. Ours also has the automatic, but it seems to shift smoothly. We have owed it for 4 months and put 5000 miles on it. It's great to drive; we can't wait for winter.

Regarding an earlier comment; the dealer who told you that 2WD is really 1WD and 4WD is really 2WD except in the Rubicon was actually telling the truth as most 4WDrivers can tell you. The Rubicon has lockable axles so all 4 wheels pull. Others without lockers can spin out if opposite corners of the vehicle are lifted off of terra-firma. This is due to having differentials (which allow the vehicle to turn on paved surfaces, etc.). There are many 4WDs with limited-slip which helps in this regard but still isn't as good as lockers. So dude you'll just have to lighten up on that sales guy. p.s. there are also aftermarket lockers available for other Jeeps too.