← New search

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

Air Bags complaints

95 reports
Clear category filter
52,000 miles · Jan 18, 2010
Air Bags

WHEN IT GOES BELOW 20 DEGREES F, THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSES SOMEONE SITTING IN IT WHEN THERE IS NO ONE THERE. THE AIRBAG LIGHT LIGHTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE RED AIRBAG LIGHT LIGHTS. IF I PUSH DOWN AND RELEASE THE SEAT CUSHION, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT GOES OFF, THEN THE RED AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT GOES OFF. IN 30 SECOND…

Read full complaint

WHEN IT GOES BELOW 20 DEGREES F, THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSES SOMEONE SITTING IN IT WHEN THERE IS NO ONE THERE. THE AIRBAG LIGHT LIGHTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE RED AIRBAG LIGHT LIGHTS. IF I PUSH DOWN AND RELEASE THE SEAT CUSHION, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT GOES OFF, THEN THE RED AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT GOES OFF. IN 30 SECONDS, IT ALL COMES BACK ON AND STARTS DINGING THE ALARM AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR QUITE SOME TIME BUT MY JEEP/DODGE DEALER DOES NOT SEEM TO WANT TO HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10300181

69,500 miles · Dec 11, 2009
Air BagsCrash

I WAS DRIVING ON A SNOWY ROAD WHEN MY SUV STARTED TO FISH TAIL AND LOST CONTROL AND HIT A LIGHT POLE DOING ABOUT 25-30 ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF MY SUV AND MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10295311

100 miles · Feb 25, 2009
Air BagsElectrical System

AS I DRIVE MY 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE( HEMI)THE VEHICLE SIMPLY SHUTS OFF. ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD TURN ON THEN THE CAR TURNS OFF. I END UP WITH NO CONTROL. SOMETIMES THIS HAPPENS AND THEN THE VEHICLE TURNS ON ALL BY ITSELF WHILE IM DRIVING. ABOUT A WEEK AFTER I PURCHASED IT, I HAD THIS PROBLEM BUT THE DEALER SAID IT WAS…

Read full complaint

AS I DRIVE MY 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE( HEMI)THE VEHICLE SIMPLY SHUTS OFF. ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD TURN ON THEN THE CAR TURNS OFF. I END UP WITH NO CONTROL. SOMETIMES THIS HAPPENS AND THEN THE VEHICLE TURNS ON ALL BY ITSELF WHILE IM DRIVING. ABOUT A WEEK AFTER I PURCHASED IT, I HAD THIS PROBLEM BUT THE DEALER SAID IT WAS FINE. AS I TOOK IT TO THE GAS STATION ACROSS THE STREET, IT HAPPENED. THE DEALERSHIP EMPLOYEES WITNESSED IT AND WERE NICE ENOUGH TO RUN OVER AND PUSHED THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SHOP. THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING BUT REPLACED THE BATTERY JUST IN CASE. SINCE THEN IT HAPPENS AT ONCE EVERY TWO MONTHS. CURRENTLY, I HAVE AN AIRBAG ISSUE. THE DEALER CANNOT SEEM TO REPAIR ANY OF THESE ISSUES. THE AIRBAG LIGHTS TURN ON INDICATED THE AIRBAGS ARE OFF BECAUSE IT DOES NOT SENSE ANYONE ON THE SEATS. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE AND I AM WAITING FOR A CALL BACK TO RETURN IT SO THEY CAN INSTALL AN ECM. THEY THINK IT MAY BE THE ISSUE. THIS WILL BE THE FOURTH VISIT FOR THE AIRBAGS. SEEMS THE VEHICLE HAS A LOT OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE VEHICLE SINCE DECEMBER 22ND. IT IS NOW FEB 25. I AM AFRAID OF GOING OVER THE WARRANTY MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10259988

55,000 miles · Dec 4, 2008
Air BagsTires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATOR REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STAT…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATOR REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE AIR BAG SENSOR AND ORDERED THE PART FOR THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 55,000. UPDATED 2/9/09 *CN THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS WELL. UPDATED 02/13/09. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10250698

110,000 miles · Nov 9, 2008
Air BagsCrash

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I HAD A SEIZURE AND RAN INTO A GAS STATION AT 50 MPH. I WAS DRIVING A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10248045

63,959 miles · Nov 4, 2008
Air Bags

RANDOMLY WHEN STARTING UP MY VEHICLE THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON. TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES. FIRST ATTEMPT 01/29/08: THEY INSTALLED SOP DRIVERS SEAT BELT TENSIONER AND REPAIR SHORT IN CONNECTOR AT HARNESS UNDER SEAT. SECOND ATTEMPT 05/06/08: REPAIR HARNESS CONNECTOR WITH NEW CONNECTORS. THIRD ATTEMPT …

Read full complaint

RANDOMLY WHEN STARTING UP MY VEHICLE THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON. TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES. FIRST ATTEMPT 01/29/08: THEY INSTALLED SOP DRIVERS SEAT BELT TENSIONER AND REPAIR SHORT IN CONNECTOR AT HARNESS UNDER SEAT. SECOND ATTEMPT 05/06/08: REPAIR HARNESS CONNECTOR WITH NEW CONNECTORS. THIRD ATTEMPT 8/7/08: DRIVER SEAT WIRING HARNESS BAD, ORDERED SEAT HARNESS DEALER WILL CALL WHEN IS (THEY NEVER CALLED). FOURTH ATTEMPT 10/10/08: PART ON SPECIAL ORDER, STILL WAITING FOR THE PART TO COME IN 11/5/08. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10247703

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2008
Air BagsSeat BeltsTires

PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT AND RED AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASH COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY THEN STAYS ON . AIR PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ON AND TIRES ARE AT NORMAL PSI. SOME DAYS BOTH LIGHTS COME ON TOGETHER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10237340

27,000 miles · Jul 10, 2008
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE AT FAULT SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES AS WELL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FI…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE AT FAULT SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES AS WELL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. HE STATED THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE COMPONENTS FAILED TO PROTECT HIM FROM BODILY HARM, WHICH COULD HAVE LED TO BEING SEVERELY INJURED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 27,000.

NHTSA ODI #10233831

20,000 miles · Dec 20, 2006
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

TL* - WHILE DRIVING 40 - 45 MILES PER HOUR. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ON A GRAVEL/DIRT ROAD WHICH CAUSED A COLLISION WITH A POST. THE CONTACT'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SEATBELT DIDN'T SECURE HER IN THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED HER TO LOSE 4 FRONT TEETH AND, SEVERELY INJURE HER JAW BONE AND CHIN.

NHTSA ODI #10176673

3,504 miles · Aug 5, 2006
Air BagsTires

RED AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASH COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY THEN STAYS ON. AIR PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ON AND TIRES ARE AT NORMAL PSI. SOME DAYS BOTH LIGHTS COME ON TOGETHER. I HAVE TAKEN JEEP IN FOUR TIMES FOR SAME PROBLEM IN 17 MONTHS AND ITS DOING IT AGAIN WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF LAST SERVICE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10164608

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

Go deeper into Jeep Grand Cherokee problems