2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 2,051 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (40% of complaints); the 2003 and 2007 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 2,051 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Lights on the dashboard were blinking, there were no turning signals, the gas gauge was not working, and the check engine light was flashing. My safety was put at risk because I could not let people know when I was turning. I took it to the dealer, and they said there were too many codes, but none were active for them to fix the problem. So, I have to drive the jeep, but this is dangerous. The warning keeps showing me that there is a problem with the ignition switch that was previously recalled. I want this taken care of, please.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2025
“Every single code is displayed when using a ODB2 scan tool. I have many electrical issues that go away and come back. Sluggish performance. Random components inside the jeep will fail at random. I'm thinking the ECU is faulty. Somedays it will run fine with all the codes still present.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2024
“Dash will read "ESP System Disabled" during this the engine light and red lightning in brackets ( ) turns on, on the dash. This affects the acceleration there is none and brakes work but is slow to come to a full stop. An inspection can be scheduled. This happens anytime and randomly, getting safely off the road is hard. First happened April 1, 2024 then April 3, 2024. Had a family mechanic work on it got it back and less than a day having it back and it happened 5 more times just driving to work on August 28, 2024.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
“The Jeep would not start. When the key was inserted into the ignition switch and turned to the start position, all that would happen is a single click. The starter would not engage. The key had to me jiggled in order to start the Jeep. The ignition switch has very high sensitivity.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2023
“While driving the transmission will go into neutral without warning. I have to coast to a spot I can pull over then put into park then back into drive again and vehicle will go . It has done this three times.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2023
“The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine turned over but then failed to restart. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the failure was possibly the wiring ignition module switch. Additionally, the contact stated that prior to the failure, the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired again. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 196,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2023
“Ignition system was repaired under recall in 2016. The cars ignition system continues to have issues and will shut off and cause the car not to restart. Very dangerous to be driving and have the engine fail. This happened on the highway recently. Chrysler says there is nothing they can do. Car has been looked at by independent mechanics and I have notified the dealership. They say it is my responsibility now.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2023
“The fuel tank skid plate has completely rusted and has broken off. My tank (that has a date of 2004 stamped on it) is completely exposed. I am afraid that my tank is going to fall off and cause harm to myself or the driver/vehicle behind me. The vehicle is mostly city street / highway driving... no off road driving. I am concerned of the considerable amount of pot holes ð³ï¸ in my area that damage can be done based on the area I live in. Southwestern Pennsylvania has a lot of pot holes.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2023
“The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V438000 (Electrical System) however, the repair failed to fix the vehicle. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 189,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2023
“The ECM in trans has defect which can throw jeep into another gear. Electrical issues confuses trans module check engine light us on.. differential is loose now. Unsafe to drive gears could shift causing a crash . Vehicle has been diagnosed at Mr Transmission. 773-768 7676. For full REPORT!+=”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2022
When filing, owners marked a crash in 82 of these complaints and injuries in 74 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.7L ENGINES AND NAG1 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR CONDENSATE WATER MAY ENTER THE TRANSMISSION AT THE FILL TUBE GROMMET SEAL. THIS CAN RESULT IN SHUDDER DURING TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION FOR LEAKAGE AT THE FILL TUBE GROMMET SEAL. IF NO LEAK IS DETECTED, A NEW FILL TUBE GROMMET SEAL AND WATER DEFLECTOR SHIELD WILL BE INSTALLED, AND PROPER ALIGNMENT OF THE FILL TUBE VERIFIED. IF THE PRESENCE OF A LEAK IS DETECTED, THE VEHICLE WILL BE EVALUATED FOR SHUDDER DURING TORQUE CONVERTER ENGAGEMENT. IF NO SHUDDER IS DETECTED, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE TRIPLE FLUSHED, AND NEW FILL TUBE GROMMET SEAL AND WATER DEFLECTOR WILL BE INSTALLED AND PROPER ALIGNMENT OF THE FILL TUBE VERIFIED. IF SHUDDER IS DETECTED, THE TORQUE CONVERTER WILL BE REPLACED, A NEW FILL TUBE GROMMET SEAL AND WATER DEFLECTOR WILL BE INSTALLED, AND PROPER ALIGNMENT OF THE FILL TUBE VERIFIED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 31, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, through March 9, 2010; and 2006-2010 Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured January 31, 2005, through March 10, 2010. A transfer case electrical failure may result in an unintentional shifting of the transfer case into the neutral position.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the final drive controller which governs the transfer case, with new software, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N23.
ROCK KRAWLER IS RECALLING 44 PERFORMANCE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE. THESE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS WERE PRODUCED WITH GRADE 2 CARRIAGE BOLTS INSTEAD OF THE PROPER GRADE 5 CARRIAGE BOLTS. THE IMPROPER GRADE 2 CARRIAGE BOLTS COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF CLAMPING FORCE FOR THE BOTTOM STRUT FORK.
Remedy: ROCK KRAWLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15. 2008. ALL THE AFFECTED UNTITS HAVE BEEN REMEDIED. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ROCK KRAWLER AT 1-518-270-9822.
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, drivers should adjust their seat to allow clearance between the driver's knee and the ignition key, and remove all items from their key ring, leaving only the vehicle key. Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, to July 5, 2007, and 2006-2007 Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured January 31, 2005, to July 5, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the driver may accidentally hit the ignition key with their knee, unintentionally knocking the key out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. Chrysler sent interim notifications to owners in September 2014. The recall began on October 9, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P41.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2005 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Grand Cherokee by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?
NHTSA has 2,051 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The most complained-about area is electrical system (40% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 80,000 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.