IllustrationINTERIOR DOOR HANDLE HOUSINGS CRACKING AND BREAKING. HARD TO OPEN DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. *KB
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 reportsINTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ARE BROKEN OFF, FRONT DOOR CRACKED AND DRIVER DOOR MISSING PART. *KB
THE DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE BEGAN TO CRACK, FOLLOWED BY THE OTHER THREE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES. I CAN BARELY OPEN ANY OF THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE AT THIS POINT. I FEAR THAT VERY SOON, I WON'T BE ABLE TO OPEN ANY OF THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE AT ALL RENDERING MY VEHICLE USELESS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A FACTORY DEFECT THAT …
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THE DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE BEGAN TO CRACK, FOLLOWED BY THE OTHER THREE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES. I CAN BARELY OPEN ANY OF THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE AT THIS POINT. I FEAR THAT VERY SOON, I WON'T BE ABLE TO OPEN ANY OF THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE AT ALL RENDERING MY VEHICLE USELESS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A FACTORY DEFECT THAT I COULD NOT HAVE CAUSED BY MYSELF. THE DOOR HANDLES ON MY VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE FALLING APART AFTER ONLY SIX YEARS. THE POOR QUALITY OF THE PLASTIC USED TO MAKE THE DOOR PANELS IS CLEARLY THE PROBLEM. I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR DOOR PANELS ON MY OWN, NOR DO I FEEL THAT I SHOULD TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR COST. I AM EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED AND UPSET BY THE DISAPPOINTING QUALITY OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CURRENT STATE OF THE ECONOMY IS NOT MAKING THINGS EASIER FOR ME. *TR
PANEL BEHIND THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ARE CRACKING, LEAVING THE DOOR HANDLES FLIMSY AND ALMOST INOPERABLE. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED. RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED. *TR
I HAVE A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES STARTED BREAKING FROM THE PLASTIC THEY ARE ATTACHED TO ABOUT A YEAR AGO.THE DRIVERS DOOR IS COMPLETELY BROKEN I DO NOT HAVE ANY WARRANTY LEFT ON THE CAR AND LOOKED INTO FIXING AND FOUND OUT THAT ONE DOOR ALONE THE PART WOULD BE $660 BEFORE LABOR. I HAVE ALL FOUR DOORS…
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I HAVE A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES STARTED BREAKING FROM THE PLASTIC THEY ARE ATTACHED TO ABOUT A YEAR AGO.THE DRIVERS DOOR IS COMPLETELY BROKEN I DO NOT HAVE ANY WARRANTY LEFT ON THE CAR AND LOOKED INTO FIXING AND FOUND OUT THAT ONE DOOR ALONE THE PART WOULD BE $660 BEFORE LABOR. I HAVE ALL FOUR DOORS THAT NEED TO BE FIXED. I CALLED TO SPEAK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM THAT THIS WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND BELIEVE THE DOORS ARE MADE OF CHEAP OR DEFECTIVE PARTS AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT HELP ME BECAUSE OF THE MILES ON MY CAR. THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT HELPING ON THE COSTS, I HAVE HEARD THAT OTHER FOLKS HAVE BEEN HELPED WITH 50% OF THE COSTS. I KNOW THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM BECAUSE I ALSO HAVE A VW AND VOLVO AND THEY ARE NEAR THE SAME AGE AND DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THEM. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT THE ONLY WAY SOMEONE CAN GET OUT OF THE CAR IS TO PUT THE WINDOW DOWN TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THEY ARE ELECTRIC WINDOWS SO IF IN AN ACCIDENT IT COULD BECOME TRAGIC. I BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM FOR ANY 2005 VEHICLE NO MATTER HOW MANY MILES ON THE CAR. I HAVE SEEN SOOO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE 2005 MODEL HAVING THIS ISSUE. IT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO BE FIXED BY THE COMPANY. THE CAR HAS HAD NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THANKYOU *TR
THE JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE INTERIOR DOOR PANELS ARE DEFECTIVE . THE HANDLES ARE ALL PLASTIC AND THEY ALL BREAK OFF FROM THE DOOR PANEL. JEEP HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THEY HAVE A WAITING LIST FOR NEW DOOR PANELS AND THEY WILL NOT PRODUCE THE PART TO FIX THIS SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE PROBLEM THAT COULD COST…
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THE JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE INTERIOR DOOR PANELS ARE DEFECTIVE . THE HANDLES ARE ALL PLASTIC AND THEY ALL BREAK OFF FROM THE DOOR PANEL. JEEP HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THEY HAVE A WAITING LIST FOR NEW DOOR PANELS AND THEY WILL NOT PRODUCE THE PART TO FIX THIS SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE PROBLEM THAT COULD COST A LIFE IF THE PERSON REACHES FOR THE HANDLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND CANNOT. THEY NEED TO MAKE THIS A RECALL AND ISSUE PARTS TO REPLACE THIS FOR FREE FOR OWNERS OF THE JEEPS. *TR
ALL FOUR INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ARE CRACKING AND BREAKING. THEY HAVE HOLES IN THEM AND THE DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE IS FALLING OFF AND THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR HANDLE IS ALSO FALLING OFF. THIS CREATES A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGANCY SMALL CHILDREN MAY NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN THE REAR DOORS. *TT
TL* THE DRIVER OWNED A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUFFERED VERY SERIOUS INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO A HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. T…
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TL* THE DRIVER OWNED A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUFFERED VERY SERIOUS INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO A HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOOR HANDLES HAD FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE DOOR HANDLES AND ADVISE THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE DOOR HANDLES WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOOR HANDLES HAD FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE DOOR HANDLES AND ADVISE THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE DOOR HANDLES WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 10/27/2011 *LN *TR
3 OF THE 4 INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES HAVE BROKEN OFF OUT OF THE HANDLE HOUSING. THE 2 BACK DOORS ARE UNABLE TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE CREATING A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK. THE DRIVERS DOOR IS HANGING ON BY A THREAD. STILL OPERABLE BUT HANDLE HOUSING IS COMPLETELY BROKEN. EVEN NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR SHOULD NOT CAUSE THIS TYPE OF BREAKAGE O…
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3 OF THE 4 INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES HAVE BROKEN OFF OUT OF THE HANDLE HOUSING. THE 2 BACK DOORS ARE UNABLE TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE CREATING A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK. THE DRIVERS DOOR IS HANGING ON BY A THREAD. STILL OPERABLE BUT HANDLE HOUSING IS COMPLETELY BROKEN. EVEN NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR SHOULD NOT CAUSE THIS TYPE OF BREAKAGE ON SO MANY VEHICLES. CHRYSLER SHOULD STEP UP AND RECTIFY THIS ISSUE BEFORE DEATHS OCCUR AND LAWSUITS BEGIN. *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