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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.

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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

Seat Belts complaints

26 reports
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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

500 miles · Dec 8, 2006
Electrical SystemEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THROUGH AN INTERSECTION ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE STALLED AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO DIAGNOSED A FUEL PUMP AND FUEL INJECTION PUMP FAILURE, BOTH WERE REPLACED. AFTER THIS I…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THROUGH AN INTERSECTION ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE STALLED AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO DIAGNOSED A FUEL PUMP AND FUEL INJECTION PUMP FAILURE, BOTH WERE REPLACED. AFTER THIS INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE PRESENTED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON A HIGHWAY. INTERMITTENTLY, THE TRANSMISSION MADE NOISE WHEN SHIFTED TO SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 20 TIMES, HOWEVER NO ERROR CODES IDENTIFIED THE DEFECT. IN ONE OF THE INCIDENTS, THE YELLOW MALFUNCTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE DEALERSHIP IDENTIFIED THE DEFECT AS THE COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE AND THE DRIVER SHAFT, BOTH WERE REPLACED, HOWEVER THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO RECOMMENDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DOWNSHIFTING WHEN GOING UP HILLS AND IT WOULD GET STUCK IN SECOND OR THIRD GEAR. THE A/C AND BLOWER MOTOR WERE INOPERATIVE, THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE CONSUMERS CONCERN. THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE FLASHING, THE CD PLAYER WAS BROKE. THE BRAKES AND ROTORS VIBRATED. THE STARTER WAS REPLACED. THE DRIVESHAFT AND HEATER WERE REPLACED. THE SEATS WOULD NOT MOVE BACK. THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT RETRACT AS THEY SHOULD. UPDATED 01/17/07. *JB UPDATED

NHTSA ODI #10175609

250 miles · Jan 30, 2006
Seat Belts

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER PURCHASING A NEW VEHICLE HE DISCOVERED THAT THE SEAT BELT STRAPS DID NOT HAVE ADEQUATE LENGTH TO LOCK INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY FOR LARGE OCCUPANTS. THE DEALERSHIP PROVIDED FREE SEAT BELT EXTENDERS. UPDATED 3/9/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ODI #10149014

Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2005
Seat Belts

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE SEAT BELTS WERE SHORT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES. THE SEAT BELTS WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO IMPROVEMENT. THE DEALERSHIP ORDERED FOUR INCH EXTENDER. THE CONTACT FELT THIS WAS A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT. *AK THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE SPOKEN WITH THE CHRYSLER G…

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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE SEAT BELTS WERE SHORT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES. THE SEAT BELTS WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO IMPROVEMENT. THE DEALERSHIP ORDERED FOUR INCH EXTENDER. THE CONTACT FELT THIS WAS A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT. *AK THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE SPOKEN WITH THE CHRYSLER GROUP AND LONGER SEAT BELTS WERE SENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED. UPDATED 01/19/06. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10145031

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2005
Seat Belts

JUST PURCHASED A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. I NOTICED WHEN I TEST DROVE SEVERAL AND ENDED UP ORDERING FROM THE FACTORY THAT THE FRONT SEAT BELTS ARE TOO SHORT. WHILE I CAN GET THE BELT TO BUCKLE, I AM UNABLE TO HAVE MUCH FORWARD MOTION SUCH AS IF I'M REACHING FOR SOMETHING. I AM NOT THAT BIG SO SEAT BELT EXTENDERS SHOULD NOT BE …

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JUST PURCHASED A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. I NOTICED WHEN I TEST DROVE SEVERAL AND ENDED UP ORDERING FROM THE FACTORY THAT THE FRONT SEAT BELTS ARE TOO SHORT. WHILE I CAN GET THE BELT TO BUCKLE, I AM UNABLE TO HAVE MUCH FORWARD MOTION SUCH AS IF I'M REACHING FOR SOMETHING. I AM NOT THAT BIG SO SEAT BELT EXTENDERS SHOULD NOT BE WARRANTED. NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM IN ANY OTHER VEHICLE, INCLIUDING 2001 GRAND CHEROKEE I TRADED. IF I AM CARRYING A PASSENGER THAT IS LARGER THAN ME, THERE IS BO WAY THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO FASTEN THE BELT. OBVIOUSLY, THIS COULD END UP BEING A SAFETY ISSUE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10116694

Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2005
Seat Belts

I HAVE NOT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROLEE HAS SIGNIFICANTLY SHORTENED THE FRONT SEAT BELTS, TO THE POINT WHERE A LARGER INDIVIDUAL WOULD BE TOTALLY UNABLE TO BUCKLE THE BELT, EVEN WITH THE SEAT ALL THE WAY BACK. I DO NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH MY 1999 GRAND CHEROKEE, OR ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED …

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I HAVE NOT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROLEE HAS SIGNIFICANTLY SHORTENED THE FRONT SEAT BELTS, TO THE POINT WHERE A LARGER INDIVIDUAL WOULD BE TOTALLY UNABLE TO BUCKLE THE BELT, EVEN WITH THE SEAT ALL THE WAY BACK. I DO NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH MY 1999 GRAND CHEROKEE, OR ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED OR RENTED. THE SIGNIFICANTLY SHORTER SEAT BELT WILL CAUSE PEOPLE NOT TO BUCKLE UP, AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR ANY DRIVER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10114038

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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