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2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Grand Cherokee years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee are substantially higher than the model-year median of 726.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

1,363 reports with mileage · 688 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 927 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 405 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 253 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

82 crash reports24 fire reports50 injury reports

Interior Lighting complaints

6 reports
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80,000 miles · Mar 25, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior LightingInterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL, INTERIOR, AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING FAILED. THE FAILURES OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE INTERIOR PASSENGER AND BOTH REAR DOOR HANDLES FRACTURED AND DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL, INTERIOR, AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING FAILED. THE FAILURES OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE INTERIOR PASSENGER AND BOTH REAR DOOR HANDLES FRACTURED AND DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTING CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V438000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL APPROXIMATELY SEPTEMBER 2015. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10701677

81,000 miles · Jul 29, 2011
Exterior LightingInterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO TONIGHT THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKERED ON AND OFF. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AFTER TURNING THE LIGHTS OFF AND ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10416304

50,000 miles · Dec 21, 2010
Exterior LightingInterior Lighting

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS TURNED ON AND OFF. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLAY WITH THE SWITCH TO GET THE LIGHTS TO TURN BACK ON. THE DEALER REPLACED AN INTEGRATED POWER MODULE BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS TURNED ON AND OFF. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLAY WITH THE SWITCH TO GET THE LIGHTS TO TURN BACK ON. THE DEALER REPLACED AN INTEGRATED POWER MODULE BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

NHTSA ODI #10371907

49,480 miles · Mar 7, 2010
Electrical SystemInterior Lighting

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE TO WORK SATURDAY MARCH 6 I NOTICE THAT THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD BLINK EVERY ONCE IN THE WHILE, I WAS DRIVING ON THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY IN NEW JERSEY @65 MILES HOUR,IT WAS A VER…

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INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE TO WORK SATURDAY MARCH 6 I NOTICE THAT THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD BLINK EVERY ONCE IN THE WHILE, I WAS DRIVING ON THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY IN NEW JERSEY @65 MILES HOUR,IT WAS A VERY SCARE EXPERIENCE SINCE I DID NOT KNOWN IF THE ENGINE WOULD CUT OUT AND I WOULD LOOSE STEERING AND BREAKING , AND AFTER ALL THE TOYOTA PROBLEMS I WAS ALMOST IN PANIC. PLEASE LET ME KNOWN IF THERE IS ANY OTHER COMPLAINS LIKE MINE , SINCE THERE IS NO RECALLS FOR THIS KIND OF A PROBLEM ON YOUR WEB SITE. [XXX] *TR

NHTSA ODI #10317543

40,000 miles · Dec 17, 2009
Exterior LightingInterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD FAIL SIMULTANEOUSLY. HE WOULD HAVE TO USE THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHT SWITCH UNTIL THE LIGHTS WOULD COME BACK ON. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09E012000…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD FAIL SIMULTANEOUSLY. HE WOULD HAVE TO USE THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHT SWITCH UNTIL THE LIGHTS WOULD COME BACK ON. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09E012000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE CURRENT WAS 49,000.

NHTSA ODI #10296227

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2008
Electrical SystemInterior LightingPower Train

SAFETY RECALL 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE/TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK. VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY/SHUDDERS ON HIGHWAY &WHEN SPEEDING UP/ SLOWING DOWN. JEEP SERVICED ON 5 SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR RECALL OVER 36 MONTHS. REPAIRED INCORRECTLY ON 1ST VISIT TO DEALER SERVICE. BROUGHT IN 4 SUBSEQUENT TIMES/APPROX. EVERY 10,000 MI- TO FIX SAME ISS…

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SAFETY RECALL 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE/TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK. VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY/SHUDDERS ON HIGHWAY &WHEN SPEEDING UP/ SLOWING DOWN. JEEP SERVICED ON 5 SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR RECALL OVER 36 MONTHS. REPAIRED INCORRECTLY ON 1ST VISIT TO DEALER SERVICE. BROUGHT IN 4 SUBSEQUENT TIMES/APPROX. EVERY 10,000 MI- TO FIX SAME ISSUE TRANSMISSION/ FAILED TORQUE CONVERTER/SHUDDER. DEALER ARGUED NO RECALL OF THIS ITEM, DESPITE HAVING NHTSA RECALL INFO/MY VIN WAS NOTED ON RECALL. DEALER REFUSED TO WAIVE $100 POWERTRAIN WARRANTY FEE EACH TIME JEEP BROUGHT BACK. DEALER INSISTED MOPAR PARTS HAVE 9,000 MI WARRANTY/ I WOULD PAY FOR REPAIR B/C I DROVE 10,000 MI SINCE PREVIOUS REPAIR. DEALER REFUSED TO PROVIDE RENTAL CAR DESPITE 5-7 DAY S TO REPAIR. RECALL STATES A LOANER VEHICLE TO BE PROVIDED IF SCHEDULED REPAIR WOULD TAKE >1+DAYS. A LOCAL 5 STAR JEEP/CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO SERVICE JEEP AFTER THEIR INITIAL RECALL REPAIR FAILED AT 10,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD TO TAKE JEEP BACK TO DEALERSHIP I LEASED IT FROM. DEALERSHIP MANAGER TOLD ME IT WAS NOT HIS PROBLEM TO FIX & 5 STAR JEEP NAME DID NOT MEAN ANYTHING TO HIM. SAID HE WAS NOT CONCERNED ABOUT RECALL. I BROUGHT JEEP TO THE LEASING DEALERSHIP- THEY REFUTED CLAIMS OF A RECALL & TOLD ME TO PAY FOR ALL REPAIRS & LOANER CAR. IT WASN'T UNTIL 4TH&5TH TIME JEEP WAS IN FOR SERVICE THAT A LOANER CAR WAS PROVIDED BECAUSE I TOLD DEALER I WAS PURSUING OHIO LEMON LAW. THE LAST TIME I BROUGHT JEEP IN FOR SERVICE OF THIS RECALL ITEM, I WAS TOLD TO GO ON A DRIVE WITH SERVICEMAN TO VERIFY PROBLEM. HE TOLD ME IT WAS TORQUE CONVERTER & NOT TO FIX IT B/C HE DIDN'T THINK THERE WOULD BE A FIRES FROM LEAK. I SHOWED HIM NHTSA RECALL. HE SAID I WOULD PAY FOR MOPAR PARTS B/C THEY WERE OUT OF WARRANTY @ 12,000 MILES. I TOLD HIM I HAD 10,000 MILES SINCE LAST SERVICE. HE SPOKE TO MANAGER & THEY SERVICED JEEP. JEEP IS AGAIN SHUDDERING/CLUNKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10214531

Official recalls

3

14V438000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch

Jul 21, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

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.

13V175000 · Electrical System; Power Train:transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive)

May 7, 2013

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System

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.

Consequence: If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.

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.

Power Train:transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive)

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.

Consequence: If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.

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.

05V396000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Sep 14, 2005

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IT CAN LEAD TO INCREASED TRANSMISSION OPERATING TEMPERATURES, BOILING OF THE WATER, AND A SUBSEQUENT PURGING OF TRANSMISSION FLUID INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE14017 · Air Bag Non-deployment

Opened Jun 16, 2014 · Closed Dec 23, 2014

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:ignition; Electrical System:ignition:module; Electrical System:ignition:switch

Chrysler is conducting a safety recall of approximately 643,618 model year 2006-2007 Jeep Commander and model year 2005-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles to address the problem of ignition turning off while driving (see NHTSA recall 14V-438 for more information).According to Chrysler, these vehicles may experience an unintended change in ignition switch position while driving, which may result in loss of engine power, power steering, and braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash and disabling one or more of the vehicle's safety features including the frontal air bags.Most of the reported incidents occurred as a result of driver interaction with the ignition key.Based on the recall action taken by Chrysler, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed.Additionalinformation on this closing resume, and the investigation are in the PE14-017 public file available online at SaferCar.gov.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10101116 10103300 10106060 10112589 10116788 10126986 10128093 10130780 10145501 10146213 10153018 10155291 10156396 10158165 10162933 10166746 10178559 10183305 10186545 10189530 10192237 10193106 10194092 10199552 10199986 10221500 10222283 10227253 10231011 10328609 10358324 10392364 10577532 10585326 10585976 10599142 10604990 10605091 10605209 10606494 10606610 10607043 10607614 10607785 10608196 10615565 10615671 10615761 10616124 10633266 10633313 10633724 10639371 10640010 10644827 10652526 10653000 10653382 10654009 10654139 10654809 10655095 10659448 10662220 10662703

Additional source detail variants (3)

Electrical System:ignition

Chrysler is conducting a safety recall of approximately 643,618 model year 2006-2007 Jeep Commander and model year 2005-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles to address the problem of ignition turning off while driving (see NHTSA recall 14V-438 for more information).According to Chrysler, these vehicles may experience an unintended change in ignition switch position while driving, which may result in loss of engine power, power steering, and braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash and disabling one or more of the vehicle's safety features including the frontal air bags.Most of the reported incidents occurred as a result of driver interaction with the ignition key.Based on the recall action taken by Chrysler, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed.Additionalinformation on this closing resume, and the investigation are in the PE14-017 public file available online at SaferCar.gov.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10101116 10103300 10106060 10112589 10116788 10126986 10128093 10130780 10145501 10146213 10153018 10155291 10156396 10158165 10162933 10166746 10178559 10183305 10186545 10189530 10192237 10193106 10194092 10199552 10199986 10221500 10222283 10227253 10231011 10328609 10358324 10392364 10577532 10585326 10585976 10599142 10604990 10605091 10605209 10606494 10606610 10607043 10607614 10607785 10608196 10615565 10615671 10615761 10616124 10633266 10633313 10633724 10639371 10640010 10644827 10652526 10653000 10653382 10654009 10654139 10654809 10655095 10659448 10662220 10662703

Electrical System:ignition:module

Chrysler is conducting a safety recall of approximately 643,618 model year 2006-2007 Jeep Commander and model year 2005-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles to address the problem of ignition turning off while driving (see NHTSA recall 14V-438 for more information).According to Chrysler, these vehicles may experience an unintended change in ignition switch position while driving, which may result in loss of engine power, power steering, and braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash and disabling one or more of the vehicle's safety features including the frontal air bags.Most of the reported incidents occurred as a result of driver interaction with the ignition key.Based on the recall action taken by Chrysler, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed.Additionalinformation on this closing resume, and the investigation are in the PE14-017 public file available online at SaferCar.gov.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10101116 10103300 10106060 10112589 10116788 10126986 10128093 10130780 10145501 10146213 10153018 10155291 10156396 10158165 10162933 10166746 10178559 10183305 10186545 10189530 10192237 10193106 10194092 10199552 10199986 10221500 10222283 10227253 10231011 10328609 10358324 10392364 10577532 10585326 10585976 10599142 10604990 10605091 10605209 10606494 10606610 10607043 10607614 10607785 10608196 10615565 10615671 10615761 10616124 10633266 10633313 10633724 10639371 10640010 10644827 10652526 10653000 10653382 10654009 10654139 10654809 10655095 10659448 10662220 10662703

Electrical System:ignition:switch

Chrysler is conducting a safety recall of approximately 643,618 model year 2006-2007 Jeep Commander and model year 2005-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles to address the problem of ignition turning off while driving (see NHTSA recall 14V-438 for more information).According to Chrysler, these vehicles may experience an unintended change in ignition switch position while driving, which may result in loss of engine power, power steering, and braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash and disabling one or more of the vehicle's safety features including the frontal air bags.Most of the reported incidents occurred as a result of driver interaction with the ignition key.Based on the recall action taken by Chrysler, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed.Additionalinformation on this closing resume, and the investigation are in the PE14-017 public file available online at SaferCar.gov.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10101116 10103300 10106060 10112589 10116788 10126986 10128093 10130780 10145501 10146213 10153018 10155291 10156396 10158165 10162933 10166746 10178559 10183305 10186545 10189530 10192237 10193106 10194092 10199552 10199986 10221500 10222283 10227253 10231011 10328609 10358324 10392364 10577532 10585326 10585976 10599142 10604990 10605091 10605209 10606494 10606610 10607043 10607614 10607785 10608196 10615565 10615671 10615761 10616124 10633266 10633313 10633724 10639371 10640010 10644827 10652526 10653000 10653382 10654009 10654139 10654809 10655095 10659448 10662220 10662703

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