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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

Engine complaints

19 reports
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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 · 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 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

73,000 miles · Nov 27, 2017
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

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.

NHTSA ODI #11048589

83,000 miles · Jun 16, 2017
Engine

JULY 2016 - 83,000 MI. -FAILURE OF OIL PUMP GEAR DRIVE. REPAIRED BY JEEP DEALER IN MONTROSE, CO. JUNE 2017 - 88,000 MI. - OIL PUMP GEAR DRIVE FAILED AGAIN, THIS TIME CAM SHAFT GEAR DRIVE ALSO FAILED REQUIRING A MAJOR ENGINE OVERHAUL. REPAIRED BY JEEP DEALER IN MONTROSE, CO. RESEARCHING ON INTERNET I DISCOVERED THIS IS A REOCCU…

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JULY 2016 - 83,000 MI. -FAILURE OF OIL PUMP GEAR DRIVE. REPAIRED BY JEEP DEALER IN MONTROSE, CO. JUNE 2017 - 88,000 MI. - OIL PUMP GEAR DRIVE FAILED AGAIN, THIS TIME CAM SHAFT GEAR DRIVE ALSO FAILED REQUIRING A MAJOR ENGINE OVERHAUL. REPAIRED BY JEEP DEALER IN MONTROSE, CO. RESEARCHING ON INTERNET I DISCOVERED THIS IS A REOCCURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. A RECALL WAS ISSUED BY JEEP/CHRYSLER FOR A LIMITED NUMBER OF VIN NUMBERS BUT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OUTSIDE OF THEIR RECALL RANGE, INCLUDING MINE. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER WARRANTY DEPT BUT THEY REFUSE TO MAKE AN EXCEPTION.

NHTSA ODI #10995570

88,000 miles · Jun 7, 2017
Engine

I WAS DRIVING MY JEEP TO WORK ON SUNDAY JUNE 4TH GOING APPROXIMATELY 35MPH WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND CHECK GAUGES LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD NO OIL PRESSURE AND IT WAS MAKING A HORRIBLE NOISE FROM THE ENGINE BAY SO I IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAD FOUND THAT THERE WAS AN E05 RECALL ON 2005 AN…

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I WAS DRIVING MY JEEP TO WORK ON SUNDAY JUNE 4TH GOING APPROXIMATELY 35MPH WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND CHECK GAUGES LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD NO OIL PRESSURE AND IT WAS MAKING A HORRIBLE NOISE FROM THE ENGINE BAY SO I IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAD FOUND THAT THERE WAS AN E05 RECALL ON 2005 AND 2006 JEEPS FOR THE CAMSHAFT SYNCHRONIZER, CAMSHAFT GEAR AND OIL PUMP DRIVE ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL COVERS ALL JEEPS WITH THE 8TH CARACTER OF THE VIN BEING LETTER S WHICH MINE IS AND THEY ALSO COVER SPECIFIC BUILD DATES AND MY JEEP FALLS 1 MONTH SHORT OF THOSE DATES BUT I AM EXPERIENCING ALL THE SAME PROBLEMS AS OTHERS. I HAD CALLED CHRYSLER AND THEY ARE MAKING A CASE FOR ME BUT SAID IT IS NOT CERTAIN THAT ANYTHING CAN BE DONE AND THAT I SHOULD FILE ON NHTSA AS WELL. I AM VERY DISSAPOINTED AS WELL BECAUSE MY 2005 JEEP WRANGLER ONLY HAS 88K MILES ON IT AND ID LIKE TO GET ALOT MORE LIFE OUT OF IT

NHTSA ODI #10993654

57,201 miles · Mar 31, 2017
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING, THE RPMS WOULD NOT INCREASE PAST 3,000 RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL PUMP DRIVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING, THE RPMS WOULD NOT INCREASE PAST 3,000 RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL PUMP DRIVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,201.

NHTSA ODI #10969703

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.

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