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2005 Jeep Wrangler

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Wrangler years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Jeep Wrangler are substantially higher than the model-year median of 265.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

533 reports with mileage · 117 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.

  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 346 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 99 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 58 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports9 fire reports10 injury reports

What owners actually said

650 reports
154,000 miles · Aug 21, 2026
Engine

The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was flashing. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to three different independent mechanics …

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The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was flashing. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to three different independent mechanics to be diagnosed, and the third mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with camshaft failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under Chrysler Campaign Number: E05 due to the engine build date. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000.

NHTSA ODI #11758518

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2023
Engine

Engine warning light has been coming on since about 70k miles(190k now). Scanner says O2 sensor is bad. After replacement of the O2 sensor, the fault continues to show up randomly. I carry a scanner to reset the engine code on the road. All wiring has been checked and is ok. When I clear the code, the error does not show up…

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Engine warning light has been coming on since about 70k miles(190k now). Scanner says O2 sensor is bad. After replacement of the O2 sensor, the fault continues to show up randomly. I carry a scanner to reset the engine code on the road. All wiring has been checked and is ok. When I clear the code, the error does not show up again for anywhere from 125 miles to around 300 miles. Clearing the code starts the process all over.

NHTSA ODI #11548495

Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2023
Steering

As I was driving home from work on Feb. 14, 2023, in Rocky Hill, NJ. the vehicle developed a sudden loss of steering control. I had it towed to Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Princeton, NJ. The service manager informed me that the area of the frame to which the steering gear box is bolted had completely rotted, and the steering box…

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As I was driving home from work on Feb. 14, 2023, in Rocky Hill, NJ. the vehicle developed a sudden loss of steering control. I had it towed to Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Princeton, NJ. The service manager informed me that the area of the frame to which the steering gear box is bolted had completely rotted, and the steering box had separated. The car was not driveable and could not be repaired. The vehicle will be available for inspection until April 15, 2023.

NHTSA ODI #11510341

Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2022
Power Train

Ecm computer , o2 heater sensor from ecm and controls transmission shift points . Replaced o2 sensors and transmission is controlled by ecm not shifting correctly will stay in first gear and hard shift to second can create loss of control in wet weather conditions.

NHTSA ODI #11481555

Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2022
Power TrainSteeringSuspension

Keep wobble almost caused head on collision afraid to drive vehicle over 55 mph

NHTSA ODI #11478517

Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2021
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

The dashboard will display odd behavior and all of a sudden the ignition will cut. Total loss of power. This has happened in the past with children in the vehicle. Very dangerous. Resetting the key will reset but it is random.

NHTSA ODI #11424836

Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2021
Electrical SystemEngine

Engine failed, speedometer, tach went to 0, all gauges went to 0, power steering failed after I declutched and then coasted to a full stop (power brakes failed but still had some brake input) safely on the shoulder of an off ramp. (This not the first time this has happened, however it was the first time pulling a full trailer, s…

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Engine failed, speedometer, tach went to 0, all gauges went to 0, power steering failed after I declutched and then coasted to a full stop (power brakes failed but still had some brake input) safely on the shoulder of an off ramp. (This not the first time this has happened, however it was the first time pulling a full trailer, so I drive as if it could happen again) Vehicle was at Branhaven Jeep in Branford, CT last July @ 64429 miles... they were unable to duplicate. It is now at Gengras Jeep in East Hartford, CT, same story. I've asked Gengras to replace the ignition switch again. I have the ignition switch from Branhaven which I found the copper plate worn off to steel and evidence of arcing on the contacts

NHTSA ODI #11422633

66,666 miles · Jun 28, 2021
Engine

The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle loss motive power. Several gauges became inoperable with unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled over and waited approximately 15 minutes before the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer b…

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The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle loss motive power. Several gauges became inoperable with unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled over and waited approximately 15 minutes before the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The ignition switch was replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,666.

NHTSA ODI #11422619

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2021
Fuel/propulsion SystemInjury

At every fuel fill up, gasoline splashes back out onto the vehicle, the person filling the vehicle and creates a very unsafe puddle of gasoline on the ground. There is never a time that it does not happen. I would be readily available to make my vehicle available for inspection of this concern. Chrysler has issued recalls for …

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At every fuel fill up, gasoline splashes back out onto the vehicle, the person filling the vehicle and creates a very unsafe puddle of gasoline on the ground. There is never a time that it does not happen. I would be readily available to make my vehicle available for inspection of this concern. Chrysler has issued recalls for this exact problem on several of their vehicle models all within the same time period of manufacturing. The fuel tank inlet check valve is a widely known and dangerous issue that should be seriously considered to repair the remaining vehicles on the road with this problem. It has been documented by numerous owners of Jeep Wranglers from 2005-2006 while the same issue forced a recall of the same Jeeps in later model years, 2007-2008. The Jeep has been inspected by a certified mechanic where I was notified of much of this information. With the amount of gasoline that spills out and the motorist re-enters their vehicle, there could be a static charge that could ignite the gasoline and cause extreme personal harm and property damage. There is no indication or warning sign to alert you that it is going to splash out gasoline. I am left to rarely fill my fuel tank to the maximum level to avoid being soaked in gasoline and irritating my skin or worse. I have owned this Jeep for going on 4 years and it has been a concern since day 1. I am noting this report of having been injured but the injuries at this point are only skin irritations as a result of gasoline coming in contact with our skin. I also noted the date as the first time this happened but as mentioned before, it happens or will happen at every fill up.

NHTSA ODI #11420994

Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2021
Engine

The camshaft sensor upper bushing does not get lubricated seizes up causes camshaft to wear out. In my jeep I replaced three of them on the inline 4.0 6cyl. I only have 66,660 miles on my jeep. June 4, 2021.

NHTSA ODI #11419621

Official recalls

1

05V460000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Oct 6, 2005

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 42RLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE CUP PLUG THAT RETAINS THE PARK PAWL ANCHOR SHAFT MAY BE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. IF THE SHAFT MOVES OUT OF POSITION, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE 'PARK' POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS AND THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED, THE VEHICLE MAY ROLL AWAY AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSIONS AND INSTALL A BRACKET TO ENSURE THE PARK PAWL ANCHOR SHAFT IS RETAINED IN THE PROPER POSITION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 28, 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Jeep Wrangler problems