IllustrationALL FOUR INNER DOOR HANDLES HAVE BROKEN AND FALLEN OUT. NONE ARE OPERABLE. WE HAVE TO LET DOWN THE GLASS TO EXIT. *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 reportsJEEP WILL NOT CRANK. LIGHTS COME ON AND STEREO WORKS BUT ONLY CLICKS WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED. JUMPER CABLES DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY FAILED PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO LIMP MODE AS INDICATED BY THE FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS AND THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY READING "ESP DISABLED". THE VEHICLE REDUCED SPEED DRASTICALLY WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT TO DO SO. WERE IT NOT FOR THE AWAR…
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WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY FAILED PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO LIMP MODE AS INDICATED BY THE FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS AND THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY READING "ESP DISABLED". THE VEHICLE REDUCED SPEED DRASTICALLY WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT TO DO SO. WERE IT NOT FOR THE AWARENESS AND CAPABILITY OF THE DRIVER FOLLOWING THE VEHICLE, THIS DRASTIC REDUCTION IN SPEED WOULD HAVE CAUSED A VEHICULAR COLLISION ON AN INCREDIBLY BUSY MAIN THOROUGHFARE. THE AFFECTED VEHICLE SUFFERED A COMPLETE LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL AND THE ENGINE STAYED AT APPROXIMATELY 2000 RPM'S REGARDLESS OF DRIVER INPUT TO THE THROTTLE PEDAL. MAXIMUM SPEED DROPPED TO NO MORE THAN 15 MPH. STOPPING THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY AT TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES WAS DIFFICULT DUE TO THE CONSTANT HIGH RPM THE ENGINE WAS MAINTAINING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE NEAREST JEEP/CHRYSTLER/DODGE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS TROUBLESHOT. THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED CONSEQUENT OF THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK RAN ON THE VEHICLE. THE NEXT 30 MILES DRIVEN IN VEHICLE WERE UNEVENTFUL. THE NEXT DAY THE EXACT SAME MALFUNTION OCCURED AGAIN, ALBEIT ON A NOT SO BUSY ROAD (THANKFULLY). CONVERSATIONS WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REVEAL NO CONFIDENCE INSPIRING TROUBLE SHOOTING AND/OR REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR WHAT IS APPARENTLY A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR MANY PRODUCTS ACROSS THE CORPORATE LINE, SPANNING MANY MODEL YEAS AND GENERATIONS. BASICALLY, IT WAS STATED THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT ARE UNSURE OF WHAT CAUSES IT OR HOW TO REMEDY THE MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE IS NOW PARKED USELESS IN OWNERS DRIVEWAY UNTIL A SOLUTION IS FOUND AND THE VEHICLE CAN BE SAFELY DRIVEN AGAIN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE BY HAVING THE BATTERY JUMPED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE BATTERY WAS PREMATURELY DRAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE BY HAVING THE BATTERY JUMPED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE BATTERY WAS PREMATURELY DRAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,900.
ALL THE DOOR HANDLES ON THIS VEHICLE ARE CRACKED AND BROKEN AND TWO OF THEM NO LONGER OPERATE FROM THE INSIDE! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. IN ADDITION, THE HORN WOULD NOT FUNCTION WHEN ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. IN ADDITION, THE HORN WOULD NOT FUNCTION WHEN ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING WAS FAULTY. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE 2002 AND 2003 MODEL YEARS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V527000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE) BUT NOT THE 2005 MODEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
CRACKS IN INTERIOR DOOR PLASTIC LEAVING DOOR HANDLES DIFFICULT TO MANAGE. SAME PROBLEM AS SO MANY OTHERS HAVE REPORTED. CALLED JEEP DIRECTLY AND NO SOLUTION OFFERED. DEALERSHIP IS NOT WILLING TO FIX THE BROKEN PART UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
2005 JEEP CHEROKEE LIMITED. THERE HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR YEARS REGARDING THE PLASTIC DOOR PANELS INTERIOR OF THE CAR. WITH ALL 4 DOORS CRACKED AND 1 ( DRIVERS DOOR) WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. THIS IS A LIFE SAFETY TO ALL OCCUPANTS IN THIS CAR. WITH A CRASH OR FIRE TO HAPPEN AND YOU CANT GET OUT OF A DOOR DUE TO POOR DESIGN…
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2005 JEEP CHEROKEE LIMITED. THERE HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR YEARS REGARDING THE PLASTIC DOOR PANELS INTERIOR OF THE CAR. WITH ALL 4 DOORS CRACKED AND 1 ( DRIVERS DOOR) WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. THIS IS A LIFE SAFETY TO ALL OCCUPANTS IN THIS CAR. WITH A CRASH OR FIRE TO HAPPEN AND YOU CANT GET OUT OF A DOOR DUE TO POOR DESIGN OF THE DOOR BY THE MANUFACTURE. THESES DOOR PANELS START OUT WITH SMALL HAIR CRACKS AND ONE TIME OF OPENING THE DOOR YOU HAVE CRACKED ALL THE PLASTIC AND NOT ABLE TO OPEN UP THE DOOR. I FEEL THAT JEEP NEEDS TO STAND UP AND CORRECT THIS ISSUE ON A RECALL. AFTER THIS HAPPENING YOU CAN TAKE IT IN AND THEY WILL PUT THE NEW DESIGN THAT DOESN'T HAVE THIS POOR DESIGN FOR JUST OVER 800 DOLLARS A DOOR. SO WITH THIS MANUFACTURE MAKING A CHANGE TO THE PANEL, SAYS THEY KNEW IT WAS A POOR DESIGN. THIS IS HAPPENING TO MY UNDERSTANDING JEEPS OF 2005- TO AROUND 2010. I HAVE PAID CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE SAME YEAR THAT I OWN AND 90% OF THE TIME YOU SEE THE CRACKS AT THE HANDLES INSIDE. PLEASE LETS FIGURE SOMETHING OUT BEFORE PEOPLE LOSE THERE KIDS LIFE OR THERE OWN LIFE. *TR
ALL OF THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE POCKETS HAVE FALLEN APART, THE PLASTIC USED WAS BAD AND THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL DUE TO THE SAFETY ISSUE. I COULD SEE IF ONE WENT BAD, BUT ALL FOUR, THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM. FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN ONLINE, IT SEEMS ALL TYPES OF THIS VEHICLE AND YEAR SEEM TO HAVE THE PROBLEM. *TR
ALL 4 INTERIOR DOOR LATCHES BROKEN- 3 WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE!!!!!!! WILL HAPPILY JOIN ANY CLASS ACTION SUIT! 3RD JEEP OWNED BUT NOW LAST ONE! *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