IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED TO 35 MPH WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE TRACTION WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000. *TR
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 reports2005 JEEP HAS BEEN SLIPPING INTO NEUTRAL SINCE FEBRUARY 2013. IT CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I COULDN'T GET OUT OF THE WAY OF REAR-ONCOMING TRAFFIC. NO MAJOR DAMAGE WAS DONE THANKFULLY! A FEW WEEKS LATER I EXPERIENCED A ROLLAWAY. I WENT INTO THE SITTER TO PICK UP MY SON. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES OF BEING INSIDE …
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2005 JEEP HAS BEEN SLIPPING INTO NEUTRAL SINCE FEBRUARY 2013. IT CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I COULDN'T GET OUT OF THE WAY OF REAR-ONCOMING TRAFFIC. NO MAJOR DAMAGE WAS DONE THANKFULLY! A FEW WEEKS LATER I EXPERIENCED A ROLLAWAY. I WENT INTO THE SITTER TO PICK UP MY SON. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES OF BEING INSIDE I MY JEEP ROLL ACROSS THE STREET! I GO RUNNING OUTSIDE, OPENED THE DOOR AND PULLED UP THE EMERGENCY BREAK...JUST MISSING AN EMBANKMENT! SINCE THE "NEUTRAL" THING STARTED I HAVE HAD SEVERAL SERVICE LIGHTS COME ON. MY MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND HE SAID ITS ALL ELECTRICAL. ALSO, I'VE HAD ISSUES WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW GOING UP/DOWN SLOWER THAN THE REST OF THE WINDOWS SINCE 3 MONTHS INTO PURCHASE. OTHER ISSUES ARE CRACKED DOOR HANDLES (BOTH FRONT DOORS), REPLACING TAILLIGHT KIT, AC SWITCH-A FEW TIMES AS IT WOULD ONLY WORK ON HIGH. *TR
THE AREA WHERE THE DOOR HANDLES CRACKED AND THE HANDLES ARE HANGING FROM THEM, HAPPENED DURING A PERIOD OF WEEKS, THE DOORS AND HANDLES WERE USED IN THE MANNER THAT THEY INTENDED TO BE USED. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING ON LINE AND IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL SO I THINK THERE MUST BE A RECALL AND THE COMPANY…
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THE AREA WHERE THE DOOR HANDLES CRACKED AND THE HANDLES ARE HANGING FROM THEM, HAPPENED DURING A PERIOD OF WEEKS, THE DOORS AND HANDLES WERE USED IN THE MANNER THAT THEY INTENDED TO BE USED. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING ON LINE AND IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL SO I THINK THERE MUST BE A RECALL AND THE COMPANY SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE $250 TO REPAIR EACH DOOR AND IT HAS BEEN IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO FIND USED PARTS. STEP-UP TO THE PLATE JEEP! THE VEHICLE WAS NOT CHEAP AND IS NOT THE BUYER'S FAULT THAT THE COMPANY APPEARS TO USE CHEAP PARTS FOR THEIR VEHICLES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND DOWN SHIFTED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND DOWN SHIFTED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. 13V175000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , POWER TRAIN) BUT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER OR TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE SUDDENLY CRACKED/BUSTED UPON GETTING OUT OF THE CAR. LATER, THE OTHER THREE DOOR HANDLES CRACKED/BUSTED. RECENTLY, I FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO GET OUT OF THE CAR BECAUSE THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN DUE TO THE BUSTED HANDLE. *TR
THE CUPS AROUND THE DOOR HANDLES ON THE INTERIOR PANEL OF THE DOOR BEGAN CRACKING AND OVER TIME EVENTUALLY FAILED AND CRUMBLED COMPLETELY RENDERING THE DOOR HANDLE USELESS. OBVIOUSLY THIS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD AS OCCUPANTS CAN NOT EXIT THE VEHICLE SHOULD THERE BE AN EMERGENCY. THROUGH RESEARCH THIS SEEMS TO BE A FAR TOO COMMON …
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THE CUPS AROUND THE DOOR HANDLES ON THE INTERIOR PANEL OF THE DOOR BEGAN CRACKING AND OVER TIME EVENTUALLY FAILED AND CRUMBLED COMPLETELY RENDERING THE DOOR HANDLE USELESS. OBVIOUSLY THIS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD AS OCCUPANTS CAN NOT EXIT THE VEHICLE SHOULD THERE BE AN EMERGENCY. THROUGH RESEARCH THIS SEEMS TO BE A FAR TOO COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR THIS MODEL VEHICLE. *TR
THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES BROKE WHEN BEING LIGHTLY USED. THE PLASTIC CRACKED AND THE HANDLE CAME OFF. IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE. I EMAIL CHRYSLER ABOUT THIS AND THEY BLEW IT OFF AS NO BIG DEAL. THIS IS A BIG DEAL AND A SAFETY ISSUE!! IF THE HANDLE BREAKS AT A TIME WHEN EMERGENCY EVACUATION FROM THE VEHICLE IS NEE…
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THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES BROKE WHEN BEING LIGHTLY USED. THE PLASTIC CRACKED AND THE HANDLE CAME OFF. IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE. I EMAIL CHRYSLER ABOUT THIS AND THEY BLEW IT OFF AS NO BIG DEAL. THIS IS A BIG DEAL AND A SAFETY ISSUE!! IF THE HANDLE BREAKS AT A TIME WHEN EMERGENCY EVACUATION FROM THE VEHICLE IS NEEDED THEN THAT PERSON WILL BECOME TRAPPED. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SMELLED FUEL WHILE IN THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
DOOR HANDLE CRACKED IF THERE WAS FIRE AND A FRANTIC PERSON USED IT, IT WOULD BREAK. I FEEL THIS ISSUE IS A BIG SAFETY HAZARD JEEP SHOULD REPLACE WITH BETTER MATERIAL IT ALREADY HAS TO GO IN FOR A DIFFERENT RECALL. *TR
WE HAVE PURCHASED A USED 2005 JEEP WITH 2 BROKEN DOOR HANDLES. SEARCHING THE INTERNET SHOWS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE JEEPS. THIS IS TRULY A SAFETY HAZARD SEEING AS NO ONE COULD ESCAPE THIS VEHICLE SHOULD THERE BE AN ACCIDENT. SINCE THIS IS A PROBLEM MANY SEEM TO HAVE, I FEEL JEEP NEEDS TO STEP UP AND REPAIR THIS …
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WE HAVE PURCHASED A USED 2005 JEEP WITH 2 BROKEN DOOR HANDLES. SEARCHING THE INTERNET SHOWS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE JEEPS. THIS IS TRULY A SAFETY HAZARD SEEING AS NO ONE COULD ESCAPE THIS VEHICLE SHOULD THERE BE AN ACCIDENT. SINCE THIS IS A PROBLEM MANY SEEM TO HAVE, I FEEL JEEP NEEDS TO STEP UP AND REPAIR THIS VERY SERIOUS ISSUE! *TR
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