JeepGrand Cherokee20034.7L V8/jeep/grand-cherokee/2003/4-7l-v8/
WJ platform

2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee — 4.7L V8

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 Grand Cherokee 4.7L V8. Covers both the standard and High Output 4.7L V8.

Body SUVEngine 4.7L V8Transmission Automatic 5-spd

The 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.7L V8 is a WJ‑platform SUV powered by a 4.7‑liter V8 mated to a five‑speed automatic. It returns EPA estimates of 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined mpg and requires six quarts of 10W‑30 API oil with filter. Owner‑reported complaints total 761 for the model year, with air‑bag issues leading the list and ten recalls issued. In the broader 1993‑2026 Grand Cherokee history — where complaints peaked at 2,369 in 2014 and bottomed at nine in 2026 — the 2003 sits in the middle of the pack, indicating average reliability for the nameplate.

Model year2009200720042003

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-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 Note the factory engine air filter and cabin air filter are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 filter05281090AB
Engine air filter53007386AB discontinued · alt 05015610AC
Fuel filter68193495AA
Spark plug68303974AA alt 68303918AA
BatteryBB65F121AA
Front wiper blades05012611AD
Serpentine belt04854033AC alt 05135745AA
Thermostat52028186AC alt 68174083AA
Cabin air filter68535603AA discontinued

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length181.5 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height69.3 in
Wheelbase105.9 in
Curb weight3968 lb
Track (front / rear)59.4 / 59.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)54/46

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined14 / 19 / 16 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

No 2003 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

6.7–7.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.70 sec — 2002 Overland V8
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2002Overland V8 4.7L V86.70 sec15.20 sec265 hp4x4
1999Limited V8 4.7L V87.20 sec15.60 sec235 hp4x4
1999Limited V8 4.7L V87.50 sec15.90 sec235 hp4x4

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 10W-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 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5 · SYNTHETIC
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.3 Pints
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769
Engine Oil10W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6 qt w/ filter
Power Steering FluidATF +4
Power Steering FluidMS-5931

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts130 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts45 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts8.8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs21 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill PlugSteel case: 35.0, Aluminum case: 18.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain PlugSteel case: 35.0, Aluminum case: 18.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub175 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.6-0.9 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance6000-9000 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque20.0 ft-lbs
Ignition TimingTDC, Not adjustable degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.69 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Oil Capacity4.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance625 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15; Do not allow pressure to exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief18-21 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature195 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)44-54 psi
Engine Compression100 minimum. 25 Maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure4 psi @ Idle, 35-105 psi @ 3000 rpm psi
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket53 ft-lbs / 26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle76 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.030 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.030
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.003 in / 0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.394 in / 1.024 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.394 in / 1.024 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9020 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Lubricate bolt thread with clean engine oil · M8 bolts, coat bolt heads with lock and seal adhesive

1bolts 1-1015 ft. lbs
2bolts 1-1035 ft. lbs
2bolts 11-1418 ft. lbs
3bolts 1-1090 degrees
322
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 4 stages
1Install the bedplate retaining bolts and tighten to 26 inch lbs.26 in
240 ft. lbs.40 ft. lbs
390 degrees.90 degrees
420 ft. lbs.20 ft. lbs

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 miBrake Line (inspect) · Emission Control System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 miSteering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 18,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Disc Brake Caliper Guide Pin (lubricate)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Spark Plugs (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
At 60,000 miSpark Plugs (inspect)
Every 60,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · PCV Valve (inspect)
At 90,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

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 requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter 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 neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe 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.

The 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee recorded 761 complaints, 10 recalls, 4 investigations, and 88 TSBs. This is a notable decrease compared to 2002, which had 1,477 complaints and 16 recalls, and 2004, which saw 1,294 complaints and 14 recalls. Within the trend from 1993 to 2005, where complaints peaked in 1999 at 2,113, the 2003 model represents a relative low point in that arc. The most frequent issues for this year were Air Bags (234) and Visibility (148), although the data does not specify the root causes, and the year recorded 48 crash and 14 fire complaints. Because it has the lowest volume of complaints and recalls between 1993 and 2005, this is a good year to buy.

10
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
88
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
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 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.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
91006452025-08-15Unknown Or OtherVerify Reman part number availability. Order the "R" part number for all orders…
1012322024-10-29Power TrainPlate - Planetary
90017842021-02-22Power TrainMechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio.
90017842021-02-22EquipmentMechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio.
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, 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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2003 Grand Cherokee 4.7L V8 take?

6 qt w/ filter of 10W-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 4.7L V8 get?

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