Jeep›Grand Cherokee›2003›4.0L L6/jeep/grand-cherokee/2003/4-0l-l6/

WJ platform

2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee — 4.0L L6

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 Grand Cherokee 4.0L L6.

Body SUVEngine 4.0L L6Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a full-size SUV built on the WJ platform and powered by a 4.0L inline-six engine paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission, delivering EPA-estimated fuel economy of 14/19/16 mpg city/highway/combined. The powertrain holds 6 quarts of oil with filter using 5W-30 API-grade viscosity. With 761 total owner complaints recorded against 10 recalls, the 2003 model falls within a complaint range that, while notably higher than the model's lowest point, remains well below its peak complaint years—a pattern that positions this generation as relatively stable compared to later iterations that would see substantially higher complaint volumes.

Model year2004 2003

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6 qt w/ filterOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy14/19/16 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 625 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory engine air filter and cabin air filter are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 · 625 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP225-75R16OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	05281090AB
Engine air filter	53007386AB discontinued · alt 05015610AC
Fuel filter	68193495AA
Spark plug	SP000ZFR5N
Battery	BB65F121AA
Front wiper blades	05012611AD
Serpentine belt	04854033AC alt 05135745AA
Thermostat	52028186AC alt 68174083AA
Cabin air filter	68535603AA discontinued

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	181.5 in
Overall width	72.8 in
Overall height	69.3 in
Wheelbase	105.9 in
Curb weight	3968 lb
Track (front / rear)	59.4 / 59.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	54/46

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	14 / 19 / 16 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 · SYNTHETIC in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5 · SYNTHETIC
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	2.3 Pints
Engine Coolant	HOAT · MS9769
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	6 qt w/ filter
Power Steering Fluid	ATF +4
Power Steering Fluid	MS-5931

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings	33-35 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	130 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	Pump bolts: 14 ft-lbs, Cover bolts: 9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	85-115 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	Steel case: 35.0, Aluminum case: 18.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	Steel case: 35.0, Aluminum case: 18.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	175 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-5-3-6-2-4
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	.71-.88 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	11,300-13,300 ohms
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Champion
Spark Plug Gap	0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque	22.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.69 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	ND 8 oil
Oil Capacity	4.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	625 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	15; Do not allow pressure to exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	18-21 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	195 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	47-51 psi
Engine Compression	120-150 PSI. 30 Maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure	13 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	Idle rpm
Intake Valve Lash	Hydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	53 ft-lbs / 26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	76 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	0.030 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.030
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.003 in / 0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.394 in / 1.024 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.394 in / 1.024 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Coat threads of left hand front bolt with sealant

1	22 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	45 ft. lbs.	45 ft. lbs
3	all bolts except L.H. front bolt	110 ft. lbs
4	100

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 7 stages

1	caps 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7	40 ft. lbs
2	caps 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7	70 ft. lbs
3	caps 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7	80 ft. lbs
4	Push the crankshaft forward and backward. Load the crankshaft front or rear and tighten cap bolt No.3 to 40 ft. lbs.	40 ft. lbs
5	Tighten to 70 ft. lbs.	70 ft. lbs
6	Tighten to 80 ft. lbs.	80 ft. lbs
7	Rotate the crankshaft after tightening each main bearing cap to ensure the crankshaft rotates freely.

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 6,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 6,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 mi	Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 7,500 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 mi	Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 18,000 mi	Brake Linings (inspect) · Disc Brake Caliper Guide Pin (lubricate)
Every 30,000 mi	Fuel Filter (replace) · Spark Plugs (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 60,000 mi	Spark Plugs (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	PCV Valve (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 102,000 mi	Bands (adjust) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Filter (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified

Tool required	DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
Why	Transmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module

Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified

When needed	After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required	DRBIII scan tool
Also required	The vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Within the 1999–2004 generation, federal complaints were highest at the start (2,113 in 1999) and trended erratically downward, with 2003 representing a clear low point at just 761 complaints—well below 2002’s 1,477 and 2004’s 1,294, and the lowest of any year in that cycle. Recalls followed a similar pattern, dropping from 16 in 2002 to 10 in 2003, though investigations held steady at four. The 2003 model’s complaint profile is concentrated in air bags (234) and visibility (148), which together account for more than half of all complaints, plus seats (58) and hydraulic service brakes (54); the data does not specify root causes. Crash-related complaints totaled 48 and fire-related complaints totaled 14. Given that 2003 sits at the bottom of the complaint/recall curve for this generation, it looks like one of the more statistically favorable model years to buy, provided a buyer verifies that any outstanding air-bag and visibility items have been addressed.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

761

Owner complaints

48 involved a crash · 14 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02’03’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 761 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags234

Visibility148

Seats58

Service Brakes, Hydraulic54

Engine & Engine Cooling27

Power Train25

Electrical System24

Vehicle Speed Control21

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 10 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15V046000Air Bags:FrontalReported 28/01/2015

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… 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…

12V527000Air BagsReported 08/11/2012

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 88 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
9100645	2025-08-15	Unknown Or Other	Verify Reman part number availability. Order the "R" part number for all orders…
101232	2024-10-29	Power Train	Plate - Planetary
9001784	2021-02-22	Power Train	Mechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio.
9001784	2021-02-22	Equipment	Mechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio.
9004275	2020-07-22	Electrical System	KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Grand Cherokee. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 65 battery Vehicles taking 6 qt w/ filter WJ-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 05281090AB Engine air filter 53007386AB Fuel filter 68193495AA Spark plug SP000ZFR5N

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2003 Grand Cherokee 4.0L L6 take?

6 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2003 Grand Cherokee have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 10 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 4.0L L6 get?

EPA figures are 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined mpg.