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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

Structure complaints

9 reports
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68,000 miles · Jul 16, 2019
Structure

HOOD FLUTTER WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AT OR ABOVE 50MPH. HAD TO REPLACE LATCHES WITH A NEW SYSTEM TO ELIMINATE THE FLUTTER AND POSSIBILITY OF IMPENDING FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #11232533

70,000 miles · May 10, 2019
Power TrainStructure

THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND PULLING FROM MY DRIVEWAY ONTO A CITY STREET WHEN THIS HAPPENED. BOTH DRIVERS AND PASSENGER CENTER SECTIONS OF THE FRAME RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT WITH NO VISIBLE INDICATION ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE FRAME RAILS. WATER AND DEBRIS ENTER THROUGH HOLES USED IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS AND DUE TO NO DRA…

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THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND PULLING FROM MY DRIVEWAY ONTO A CITY STREET WHEN THIS HAPPENED. BOTH DRIVERS AND PASSENGER CENTER SECTIONS OF THE FRAME RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT WITH NO VISIBLE INDICATION ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE FRAME RAILS. WATER AND DEBRIS ENTER THROUGH HOLES USED IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS AND DUE TO NO DRAIN HOLES IN ANY OF THE LOWER POINTS THE WATER AND DEBRIS ROT THE FRAME AWAY. IN MY CASE THE TRANSMISSION PAN ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FELL FREE WHEN THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME RAIL ON THAT SIDE CRUMBLED WHILE ENTERING A CITY ROAD FROM A PRIVATE DRIVE AT LESS THAN 5 MPH. DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE TRANSMISSION, TRANSFER CASE, ONE AXLE, AND THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE GARAGE BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO PLACE IT ON A LIFT TO INSPECT THE DAMAGE AS THE FRAME WOULD HAVE CRUMBLED AND SNAPPED IN ADDITIONAL PLACES THUS CREATING A HAZARD AND POSSIBLY DEADLY SITUATION THE TECHNICIAN INSPECTING THE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN PLACED ON A FLATBED AND BROUGHT BACK TO MY HOME.

NHTSA ODI #11206892

75,000 miles · Feb 5, 2019
Power TrainStructureSuspension

MY WRANGLER HAS SEVER RUST DAMAGE ON THE FRAME, WINDSHIELD FRAME, PASSENGER ROCKER, AND FIREWALL. THE FRAME HAS ROTTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND CAUSED THE TRANSFER CASE MOUNTING BOLTS TO PULL THROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENED BUT LUCKILY I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY HEADED TO WORK. T…

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MY WRANGLER HAS SEVER RUST DAMAGE ON THE FRAME, WINDSHIELD FRAME, PASSENGER ROCKER, AND FIREWALL. THE FRAME HAS ROTTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND CAUSED THE TRANSFER CASE MOUNTING BOLTS TO PULL THROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENED BUT LUCKILY I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY HEADED TO WORK. THE WINDSHIELD FRAME RUST CAUSED HOLES THAT ALLOWED WATER TO LEAK INSIDE THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE FLOOR TO RUST FROM THE INSIDE OUT AS WELL. THESE ISSUES CONTINUE TO HAPPEN AGAIN AND AGAIN WITH EACH NEW REVISION TO THIS MODEL. WHEN AND WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR THE COMPANY TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO THEIR NEGLIGENCE?

NHTSA ODI #11174411

Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2015
StructureUnknown Or Other

WHEN FUELING UP AND THE HAND PUMP CLICKS OFF, GAS CONTINUES TO SHOOT OUT OF THE FUEL TANK. ITS ENOUGH TO LEAVE A SMALL PUDDLE ON THE GROUND NOT TO MENTION ALL OVER THE REAR OF MY JEEP AND IT HAS STAINED MY NEW FENDER FLARE. I UNDERSTAND THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH JEEP WRANGLERS.

NHTSA ODI #10777886

141,000 miles · Feb 19, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemStructure

SINCE PURCHASE IN NOVEMBER, THIS VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS SHOT FUEL OUT OF THE FUEL FILLER WHEN IT REACHES A FULL TANK. THE GAS PUMP WILL SHUT OFF, BUT NEVER BEFORE IT HAS EXPELLED FUEL ONTO ME PERSONALLY, MY SHOES, THE GROUND, THE FILLER CAP (WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE BY TETHER), AND DOWN THE BODY PANEL BELOW THE FILLER. THI…

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SINCE PURCHASE IN NOVEMBER, THIS VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS SHOT FUEL OUT OF THE FUEL FILLER WHEN IT REACHES A FULL TANK. THE GAS PUMP WILL SHUT OFF, BUT NEVER BEFORE IT HAS EXPELLED FUEL ONTO ME PERSONALLY, MY SHOES, THE GROUND, THE FILLER CAP (WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE BY TETHER), AND DOWN THE BODY PANEL BELOW THE FILLER. THIS IS A SERIOUS FIRE AND HEALTH HAZARD FOR MYSELF AND OTHER PATRONS OF THE FUEL STATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10684327

36,000 miles · Jun 3, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemStructureInjury

WHEN REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE AUTOMATIC SHUTOFF DOES NOT ENGAGE FROM THE VEHICLE ITSELF PROPERLY, CAUSING FUEL TO CONTINUE TO FLOW AND OUT AND ALL OVER THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IT ALSO SPRAYS OUT AND ON THE OPERATOR FUELING THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FROM JEEP ABOUT THE ISSUE, BUT ACTION HAS NOT BEEN TA…

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WHEN REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE AUTOMATIC SHUTOFF DOES NOT ENGAGE FROM THE VEHICLE ITSELF PROPERLY, CAUSING FUEL TO CONTINUE TO FLOW AND OUT AND ALL OVER THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IT ALSO SPRAYS OUT AND ON THE OPERATOR FUELING THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FROM JEEP ABOUT THE ISSUE, BUT ACTION HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER. I REQUEST THIS BE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS CLASSIFY GASOLINE AS A HAZARDOUS MATERIAL, KNOWN TO CAUSE HEALTH DEFECTS WHEN IN CONTACT WITH SKIN, AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS WHEN IMPROPERLY CONTAINED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10460381

23,533 miles · May 23, 2009
SteeringStructureSuspension

JEEP SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN A BUMP IS HIT OR ROAD IS UNEVEN. THE PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE USED VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM DID NOT SHOW ITSELF DURING THE TEST DRIVE BUT AFTER INVESTIGATING THROUGH THE INTERNET THEIR ARE SEVERAL JEEP WRANGLER OWNERS WITH THE "DEATHWOBBLE" PROBLEM. I CLICKED ON YOUR LINK PROV…

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JEEP SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN A BUMP IS HIT OR ROAD IS UNEVEN. THE PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE USED VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM DID NOT SHOW ITSELF DURING THE TEST DRIVE BUT AFTER INVESTIGATING THROUGH THE INTERNET THEIR ARE SEVERAL JEEP WRANGLER OWNERS WITH THE "DEATHWOBBLE" PROBLEM. I CLICKED ON YOUR LINK PROVIDED BY A LOCAL TELEVISION NEWS STATION WSOC CHANNEL 9 IN CHARLOTTE, NC AFTER THEY COVERED A STORY ABOUT ANOTHER CHRYSLER VEHICLE. I IMPLORE YOU TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND ASK CHRYSLER TO RECALL OR REPAIR, AT THEIR EXPENSE, MY VEHICLE AND OTHER VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS DEFECT. AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS PURCHASED FROM THE DEALERSHIP, CROSSROADS FORD P&A CODE 00994, AND WE WERE TOLD AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE CHRYSLER'S WARRANTY WAS STILL VALID. AFTER TAKING IT BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND EVEN TAKING IT TO THE JEEP DEALERSHIP NO ONE WILL ACCEPT ACCOUNTABILITY. WE HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE IT AND FEAR FOR THE LIFE OF OUR SON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10269773

25,700 miles · Aug 2, 2008
Structure

REAR TAIL GATE HINGES CRACK AND BREAK INTO. HAVE TO REPLACE HINGES BECAUSE REAR TAIL GATE DOES NOT HANG CORRECTLY AND REAR GATE MIGHT BREAK OFF. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 30,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10236741

2,370 miles · Apr 20, 2005
Structure

I WAS BACKING UP AT NIGHT ON A STEEP CURVED DRIVEWAY. MY FRONT WHEELS WENT OVER THE CURB. WITH THE FRONT WHEELS OVER THE CURB, I ELECTED TO GO FORWARD OVER THE CURVE AND DOWN THE GRADE. THE BODY CLEARED THE CURB, AND I SLOWLY NEGOTIATED GOING FORWARD OVER THE CURB. THE REAR WHEELS CLEARED, AND WHEN THEY DID THE CAR BOUNCED. I …

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I WAS BACKING UP AT NIGHT ON A STEEP CURVED DRIVEWAY. MY FRONT WHEELS WENT OVER THE CURB. WITH THE FRONT WHEELS OVER THE CURB, I ELECTED TO GO FORWARD OVER THE CURVE AND DOWN THE GRADE. THE BODY CLEARED THE CURB, AND I SLOWLY NEGOTIATED GOING FORWARD OVER THE CURB. THE REAR WHEELS CLEARED, AND WHEN THEY DID THE CAR BOUNCED. I HEARD THE REAR BUMPER HIT THE CURB. THE RESULTING BOUNCE CAUSED THE BUMPER TO COME UP AND CRIMP THE CORNER PANELS OF THE BODY, WORSE ON THE LEFT THAN THE RIGHT. THE ACTION ALSO CRACKED THE FIBER GLASS ROOF ON THE RIGHT. NONE OF THE UNDER CAR WAS DAMAGED. THERE WAS NO VISIBLE MARK ON THE TAIL PIPE EITHER. NOTE THAT THIS WAS SIMPLY GOING OVER A CURB IN A VEHICLE LISTED AS TRAIL RATED. THE MECHANIC AT THE BODY SHOP SPECULATES THAT EITHER THE BUSHING CONNECTING THE BUMPER TO THE FRAME IS INADEQUATE OR THE EXTENDED LENGTH OF THE JEEP UNLIMITED MAKES TO TOO FLEXIBLE; IT LACKS A CENTRAL SUPPORT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10118188

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