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.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Wrangler 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
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.
Electrical System complaints
20 reportsEngine 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
ECU STOPED WORKING NO REASON.
THE PCM HAS A KNOWN HIGH FAILURE RATE DUE TO THE VIBRATION. THE COMPONENTS ARE COVERED IN A RESIN THAT YOU CAN NOT REMOVE. THE PCM IS 500-1300 TO GET A REPAIRED AND REPROGRAMED ONE. I HAVE A 2005 AND THE PCM HAS FAILED AND GIVES BAD PERFORMANCE AND DOES NOT RUN ON TEH 14.7 STOKES FOR AIR/FUEL/ IT DUMPS FUELS AND I DO NOT THINK I…
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THE PCM HAS A KNOWN HIGH FAILURE RATE DUE TO THE VIBRATION. THE COMPONENTS ARE COVERED IN A RESIN THAT YOU CAN NOT REMOVE. THE PCM IS 500-1300 TO GET A REPAIRED AND REPROGRAMED ONE. I HAVE A 2005 AND THE PCM HAS FAILED AND GIVES BAD PERFORMANCE AND DOES NOT RUN ON TEH 14.7 STOKES FOR AIR/FUEL/ IT DUMPS FUELS AND I DO NOT THINK IT MEETS EMISSON LEVELS IN THIS CONDITION.
005-2006 JEEP WRANGLERS ARE INCURRING AN APPARENT LARGE NUMBER OF PCM/ECU FAILURES (AS EVIDENCED IN MANY ONLINE FORUMS AND A HIGH BACKLOG OF PCM ORDERS WHICH JEEP/CHRYSLER IS UNABLE TO FILL OR PROVIDE AN ETA FOR). THE FAILURE OF THE PCM REVEALS ITSELF IN MANY WAYS INCLUDING EMISSIONS SYSTEM FAILURES (AND RESULTANT VEHICLE INSPEC…
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005-2006 JEEP WRANGLERS ARE INCURRING AN APPARENT LARGE NUMBER OF PCM/ECU FAILURES (AS EVIDENCED IN MANY ONLINE FORUMS AND A HIGH BACKLOG OF PCM ORDERS WHICH JEEP/CHRYSLER IS UNABLE TO FILL OR PROVIDE AN ETA FOR). THE FAILURE OF THE PCM REVEALS ITSELF IN MANY WAYS INCLUDING EMISSIONS SYSTEM FAILURES (AND RESULTANT VEHICLE INSPECTION FAILURES I WILL ADD), TRANSMISSIONS FAILING TO SHIFT, HARD FORCEFUL TRANSMISSION SHIFTS WITH VEHICLE LUNGES AND MORE. ON MY VEHICLE SPECIFICALLY THE TRANSMISSION CODES ARE COMING ON AND THE VEHICLE WILL RANDOMLY NOT SHIFT OUT OF SECOND GEAR AND RANDOMLY SHIFTS TO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND PRESENTS ITSELF AS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN ENTERING HIGH SPEED FREEWAYS AND INTERSTATES. TO THE PCM AND FURTHER ONLINE INVESTIGATION INDICATES THIS A FREQUENT AND RECURRING ISSUE. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE PCM THROUGH JEEP/CHRYSLER I AM UNABLE TO BECAUSE THE PART IS BA CKLOGGED. I HAVE PLACED A PRICEY $1600 ORDER FOR THE PART BUT THUS FAR OVER 3 MONTHS MY VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO OBTAIN A WORKING REPLACEMENT PART BASED ON THE LARGE NUMBER AND TYPE OF ISSUES REPORTED ONLINE WITH THIS PCM I AM LEFT WONDERING WHY IT IS NOT A SAFETY, EMISSIONS AND/OR RECALL ISSUE.
OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL DAYS THE VEHICLE STARTED SHIFTING HARD AND EVENTUALLY WENT INTO "LIMP" MODE AND STARTED THROWING DIFFERENT CODES FOR VARIOUS SENSORS. AFTER MANY VISITS TO DIFFERENT MECHANICS I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM MYSELF AND PINPOINTED THE PCM AS THE PROBLEM.
2014: DASH AND REAR LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. HAD TO REPLACE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. MODULE AND WIRING MELTED AND FUSED TOGETHER. 2017: DURING INSTALL OF NEW STEREO, MECHANIC DISCOVERED MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH AND MODULE MELTED AGAIN. REPLACED ALL WIRING WITH HEAVIER GAUGE, REPLACED ALL BULBS WITH LOWER WATTAGE LEDS. WONDERING WHEN …
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2014: DASH AND REAR LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. HAD TO REPLACE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. MODULE AND WIRING MELTED AND FUSED TOGETHER. 2017: DURING INSTALL OF NEW STEREO, MECHANIC DISCOVERED MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH AND MODULE MELTED AGAIN. REPLACED ALL WIRING WITH HEAVIER GAUGE, REPLACED ALL BULBS WITH LOWER WATTAGE LEDS. WONDERING WHEN NEXT ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WILL SURFACE.
FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT SHUT OFF, HAD TO PULL FUSE. MECHANIC FOUND LEFT SIDE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH HAD AN INTERNAL DEFECT AND THE CONNECTOR WAS MELTED AT THE SWITCH. BOTH THE SWITCH AND THE CONNECTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONCERNED THAT THIS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. *TR
TURNED MY JEEP ON AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, SENTRY KEY LIGHT, FUEL LIGHT CAME ON AND FUEL GAUGE WENT TO 0, JEEP RAN FOR APPROX 30SEC AND SHUT OFF. FUSES WERE CHECKED, NOTHING FOUND OUT OF PLACE. TRIED IT AGAIN, SAME THING HAPPENED. WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP TO CHECK AND FIX. WAS INFORMED THAT THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS NEAR AN …
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TURNED MY JEEP ON AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, SENTRY KEY LIGHT, FUEL LIGHT CAME ON AND FUEL GAUGE WENT TO 0, JEEP RAN FOR APPROX 30SEC AND SHUT OFF. FUSES WERE CHECKED, NOTHING FOUND OUT OF PLACE. TRIED IT AGAIN, SAME THING HAPPENED. WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP TO CHECK AND FIX. WAS INFORMED THAT THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS NEAR AN O2 SENSOR WAS "FRIED" AND THAT WIRES WERE FUSED AND MELTED TOGETHER. GRANTED, MY JEEP IS 9 YEARS OLD, BUT THIS IS A DESIGN ISSUE, NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE. WHY WOULD WIRING BE PLACED CLOSE ENOUGH TO A HEAT SOURCE TO WHERE IT'S ABLE TO CATCH FIRE AND FUSE TOGETHER? *TR
HAVE HAD ONGOING ELECTRICAL ISSUES BEGINNING IN AUGUST, 2010. CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS THAT HAVE BEEN PROVEN INACCURATE. HAVE REPLACED FAN MOTOR RESISTOR X 2, ELECTRICAL CONTROL UNIT X1, FAN BLOWER X1. WIRING IS MELTED (BURNT) AT LOCATIONS INDICATING FUSE SYSTEM/ WIRING HARNESS IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. *TR
Official recalls
105V460000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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