IllustrationWHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THE VEHICLE WILL LOSE ALL POWER FOR VARYING AMOUNTS OF TIME. ENGINE WILL CONTINUE TO RUN AND VEHICLE DRIVES BUT DURING THIS POWER LOSS ALL LIGHTS, CRUISE CONTROL, A/C, AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ARE INOPERABLE. DRIVING CONDITIONS HAVE NOT CHANGED AND THESE SYMPTOMS HAVE SUDDENLY SHOWED UP.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Grand Cherokee years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1890–25K
16025–50K
29250–75K
27175–100K
324100–150K
127150K+
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
What owners actually said
2,051 reportsNUMEROUS TIMES WHEN DRIVING EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL WILL GO OUT, THE DASH LIGHTS,HEADLIGHTS RADIO LIGHTS EVERYTHING LIKE THE CAR IS COMPLETELY OFF. ONE TIME I HIT THE DASH AND EVERYTHING CAME BACK ON ANOTHER TIME JUST TO SEE I OPENED MY DRIVER DOOR AND EVERYTHING CAME BACK ON WHEN I CLOSED THE DOOR BACK EVERYTHING WENT BACK OFF. I…
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NUMEROUS TIMES WHEN DRIVING EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL WILL GO OUT, THE DASH LIGHTS,HEADLIGHTS RADIO LIGHTS EVERYTHING LIKE THE CAR IS COMPLETELY OFF. ONE TIME I HIT THE DASH AND EVERYTHING CAME BACK ON ANOTHER TIME JUST TO SEE I OPENED MY DRIVER DOOR AND EVERYTHING CAME BACK ON WHEN I CLOSED THE DOOR BACK EVERYTHING WENT BACK OFF. IT STARTED AS RANDOM BUT IS NOW MORE AND MORE OFTEN. IT HAPPENS ALWAY WHEN I AM DRIVING.
DASHBOARD LIGHTS KEEP FLICKERING, THE WHOLE DASHBOARD TURN ON AND OFF AND HEADLIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKER AND WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE TURNED OFF COMPLETELY.
THE BLEND AIR DOORS BREAK OR FALL APART AND NO LONGER WORK! ALWAYS HEAT! BLEND DOORS ARE CRAP. THIS IS SOMETHING!
ALL THE ELECTRICAL STUFF ON MY CAR FLASHES ON AND OFF OR WILL JUST GO COMPLETELY BLANK FOR AWHILE WHILE I'M DRIVING THIS INCLUDES SPEEDOMETER AND ALL MY LIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHICH IS VERY MUCH NEEDED TO DRIVE SAFELY IT APPEARS THAT THE CAR SHUTS OFF BUT IT CONTINUES TO RUN AND I'VE DONE RESEARCH AND IT IS MY IGNITION SW…
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ALL THE ELECTRICAL STUFF ON MY CAR FLASHES ON AND OFF OR WILL JUST GO COMPLETELY BLANK FOR AWHILE WHILE I'M DRIVING THIS INCLUDES SPEEDOMETER AND ALL MY LIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHICH IS VERY MUCH NEEDED TO DRIVE SAFELY IT APPEARS THAT THE CAR SHUTS OFF BUT IT CONTINUES TO RUN AND I'VE DONE RESEARCH AND IT IS MY IGNITION SWITCH I SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON IT ALREADY AND I CALLED AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULDN'T FIX IT I'M NOT SURE HOW ALL OF THIS WORKS SO I'M WRITING YOU GUYS FOR HELP. WHEN IT HAD FIRST HAPPENED I WAS GOING ABOUT 60 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN THE RAIN IN WASHINGTON STATE I FEEL VERY UNSAFE IN THIS VEHICLE NOW I CAN'T TAKE THE CHANCE OF BEING ON THE FREEWAY AND THIS HAPPENING AGAIN IN THE RAIN THE SPEEDOMETER WASN'T SO SCARY BUT WHEN YOUR WINDSHIELD WIPERS GO OUT WHILE IT'S RAINING AND YOU'RE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IT'S PRETTY SCARY AND VERY UNSAFE FOR EVERYONE. THE VIDEO I HAVE IS ANOTHER DAY IT STILL CONTINUES TO HAPPEN IT WAS TOO RISKY TO TRY AND TAKE VIDEOS OF IT THE FIRST TIME. SO I GUESS I CAN'T UPLOAD VIDEOS ON HERE THE PICTURE IT LOOKS LIKE I COULD BE PARKED BUT I DO HAVE A VIDEO THAT I CAN SEND IN TO YOU GUYS IF YOU PROVIDE ME WITH AN EMAIL
IT STARTED OUT WITH MY KEY FOB NOT UNLOCKING MY CAR. SO I DECIDED TO UNLOCK MY CAR MANUALLY, DOING SO SET OFF THE ALARM AND HAD THE LIGHTS BLINKING AND HORN GOING OFF. SO I THEN DECIDED TO ORDER A NEW FOB WITH A NEW BATTERY (EVEN THOUGH MINE WAS NEW). THAT DIDN'T WORK, SO I DECIDED TO CALL SOMEONE TO COME PROGRAM MY FOB, THINKIN…
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IT STARTED OUT WITH MY KEY FOB NOT UNLOCKING MY CAR. SO I DECIDED TO UNLOCK MY CAR MANUALLY, DOING SO SET OFF THE ALARM AND HAD THE LIGHTS BLINKING AND HORN GOING OFF. SO I THEN DECIDED TO ORDER A NEW FOB WITH A NEW BATTERY (EVEN THOUGH MINE WAS NEW). THAT DIDN'T WORK, SO I DECIDED TO CALL SOMEONE TO COME PROGRAM MY FOB, THINKING THAT WAS THE ISSUE. SO THEY DID. IT WORKED FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS. THEN THE FOB DIDN'T UNLOCK MY CAR, BRAND NEW FOB, BRAND NEW BATTERY. BACK TO SQUARE 1, UNLOCKING IT MANUALLY DEALING WITH THE HORN ISSUE. THEN, 1 DAY GOT IN MY CAR, STARTED IT AND PULLED IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THE HORN WENT OFF AND WOULD NOT STOP EVEN AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE CAR. IT CONTINUED TO BE AN ISSUE AND THE PROBLEM COULDN'T BE RESOLVED. SO WE PULLED THE FUSE TO MY HORN. NOW I'M DRIVING WITH NO HORN, A HAZARD. ISSUES CONTINUED, MY CAR NOW NOT ONLY WILL THE ALARM STILL GO OFF WITH FLASHING LIGHTS NOW IT'S NOT STARTING, IT'S EVEN ACTED UP WHILE DRIVING WITH THE ENGINE HAVING WEIRD SPASMS AND ACCELERATING. WORRIED BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE A BRAND NEW BATTERY AND EVEN GOT IT TESTED BY MECHANICS AND THEY SAID THE BATTERY WAS FINE. MY CAR HAS HUGE ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND THE AIRBAGS APPARENTLY DON'T WORK EITHER. BUT I'VE PULLED OUT FUSES AND IT SOMETIMES REBOOTS THE CAR AND WILL START NORMAL AND WORK FOR MAYBE A FEW DAYS BEFORE ACTING UP AGAIN. SOMETIMES IT WON'T EVEN START AND MAKE A CLICKING SOUND AS IF IT'S THE BATTERY BUT THEN AFTER MANY TRIES OR SOMETIMES A FEW IT'LL START. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A BIT NOW AND HAS JUST GOTTEN WORSE AND MORE WORRISOME
THE HORN IS INTERMITTENTLY SOUNDING WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. WHEN PARKED THE KEYS ARE NOT IN THE IGNITION AND ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING.
ITS ALL ON CITY STREETS WHEN I'M DRIVING THE ABS LIGHTS COME ON AND MY ENGINE LIGHTS COMES ON AND OFF I HAVE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT THEN IT SAYS EVERYTHING IS OK. WHEN I COME TO A STOP LIGHT AND STOP IT DIES BUT STARTS RIGHT BACK UP
WHILE PARKED THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES WILL NOT START. IT TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TURNING THE KEY AND SHUTTING OFF THE LIGHTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTS. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE THAT THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX BECAUSE THE PART IS NOT AND HAS NOT BEEN IN STOCK.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED. SEVERAL MOMENTS LATER THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER MOUNTAIN VIEW CHRYSLER LOC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED. SEVERAL MOMENTS LATER THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER MOUNTAIN VIEW CHRYSLER LOCATED AT 6276 ALABAMA HWY, RINGGOLD, GA 30736, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND THE DRIVE CONTROL MODULE WAS REPROGRAMMED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Official recalls
314V438000 · 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
1PE14017 · 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