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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

Suspension complaints

51 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2008
SuspensionTires

2005 JEEP WRANGLER RIGHT SIDE TIRE WEAR OUT UNEVENLY. *CW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAD TO PURCHASE 3 SETS OF TIRES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10226152

20,000 miles · Feb 18, 2008
SteeringSuspension

I HAVE RESEARCHED "DEATH WOBBLE" IN JEEP WRANGLERS EXTENSIVELY AND FOUND THAT NOT ONLY IS THIS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM, BUT JEEP COMPLETELY DENIES IT'S EXISTENCE. WHAT HAPPENS IS AT 40-70 MILES PER HOUR A HARMONIC ACTION STARTS THE FRONT END VIBRATING AND WILL CAUSE A SEVERE SHIMMY, TO THE POINT WHERE THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE SLOW…

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I HAVE RESEARCHED "DEATH WOBBLE" IN JEEP WRANGLERS EXTENSIVELY AND FOUND THAT NOT ONLY IS THIS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM, BUT JEEP COMPLETELY DENIES IT'S EXISTENCE. WHAT HAPPENS IS AT 40-70 MILES PER HOUR A HARMONIC ACTION STARTS THE FRONT END VIBRATING AND WILL CAUSE A SEVERE SHIMMY, TO THE POINT WHERE THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE SLOWED OR STOPPED. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY AND STREETS, BOTH WITH HAIR RAISING RESULTS AND NEAR MISS ACCIDENTS. I HAVE REPLACED TIRES, SHOCKS, STABILIZERS, SPRINGS. THIS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT TIME BUT EVENTUALLY IT COMES BACK. UNDER WARRANTY THEY FIX A COUPLE THINGS WHICH MASKS THE PROBLEM, BUT IT STILL WILL RETURN. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW, JEEP ISSUE AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR OR ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM. THE DESIGNERS NEED TO COME UP WITH A FIX, WITH A RECALL AND SOON BEFORE PEOPLE ARE KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10218452

37,000 miles · Aug 31, 2007
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHAKING OCCURS MAINLY ON THE HIGHWAY OR WHEN EXITING THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT PULL LEFT OR RIGHT. SHE MUST GRIP THE STEERING WHEEL FIRMLY ONCE THE SHAKING BEGINS. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMEND…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHAKING OCCURS MAINLY ON THE HIGHWAY OR WHEN EXITING THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT PULL LEFT OR RIGHT. SHE MUST GRIP THE STEERING WHEEL FIRMLY ONCE THE SHAKING BEGINS. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED TO TORQUE THE FRONT END AND TO HAVE THE BRAKES INSPECTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 37,000.

NHTSA ODI #10201343

11,000 miles · Aug 30, 2007
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER HE ACCELERATES OVER 50 MPH OR APPLIES THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY. THE STEERING WHEEL JERKS IN A RAPID MOTION FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND OCCASIONALLY CAUSES HIM TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER HE ACCELERATES OVER 50 MPH OR APPLIES THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY. THE STEERING WHEEL JERKS IN A RAPID MOTION FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND OCCASIONALLY CAUSES HIM TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE CONTACT REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000. *UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07

NHTSA ODI #10201282

17,000 miles · Aug 14, 2007
Suspension

2005 JEEP RUBICON UNLIMITED HAS UNCONTROLLABLE VIGOROUS FRONT END SHAKING. VEHICLE BEGINS TO SHAKE AFTER HITTING ROAD PATCHES, SEAMS, AND ANY OTHER TYPE OF BUMP AT SPEEDS OF 30 + MPH. SHAKE IS SO VIOLENT THAT VEHICLE MUST BE STOPPED TO RESUME REGULAR DRIVING. VERY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND UNSAFE FOR PASSENGERS …

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2005 JEEP RUBICON UNLIMITED HAS UNCONTROLLABLE VIGOROUS FRONT END SHAKING. VEHICLE BEGINS TO SHAKE AFTER HITTING ROAD PATCHES, SEAMS, AND ANY OTHER TYPE OF BUMP AT SPEEDS OF 30 + MPH. SHAKE IS SO VIOLENT THAT VEHICLE MUST BE STOPPED TO RESUME REGULAR DRIVING. VERY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND UNSAFE FOR PASSENGERS AND OTHER MOTORISTS DEALER IS GOING TO REPLACE CAMBER BOLTS AND STEERING DAMPENER BUT PARTS ARE ON NATIONAL BACKORDER WITH AN INDEFINITE TIME FOR REPAIR. FIRST INCIDENT WAS IN JUNE AND IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THEN. IT IS DRIVEN ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS ONLY, DUE TO THE "DEATH WOBBLE". *TR

NHTSA ODI #10199494

10 miles · Jun 13, 2007
Suspension

SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE 2005 JEEP WRANGLER 2 DOOR I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT VIBRATION WHEN I HIT A BUMP AT ABOUT 30-35 MPH THAT S TARTS SHAKING THE VEHICLE SO VIOLENTLY I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN TO BELOW 5 MPH. THE JEEP JERKS ALL OF THE ROAD OUT OF CONTROL UNTIL I SLOW DOWN. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS ON THE SUSPENSION. THE …

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SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE 2005 JEEP WRANGLER 2 DOOR I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT VIBRATION WHEN I HIT A BUMP AT ABOUT 30-35 MPH THAT S TARTS SHAKING THE VEHICLE SO VIOLENTLY I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN TO BELOW 5 MPH. THE JEEP JERKS ALL OF THE ROAD OUT OF CONTROL UNTIL I SLOW DOWN. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS ON THE SUSPENSION. THE DEALER IS KINGS JEEP 513-774-5333. I HAVE ALSO SEEN ON WEB AT THIS ADDRESS HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=VQVKG2LP4R4 . THIS PROBLEM MAY LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL AND OR A DEATH. JEEP NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS AS IT APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH OTHER JEEPS TOO.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10193120

Mileage unknown · May 21, 2007
SteeringSuspension

I HAD THE FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH THE FRONT END SHIMMYING WHEN I HAD APPROXIMATELY 15,000 MILES ON THE JEEP. IT HAPPENED AFTER CROSSING A SEAM IN THE PAVEMENT ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH. IT HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THEN WHEN HITTING ANY SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD. I TOOK THE JEEP TO THE DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED THE STEERING…

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I HAD THE FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH THE FRONT END SHIMMYING WHEN I HAD APPROXIMATELY 15,000 MILES ON THE JEEP. IT HAPPENED AFTER CROSSING A SEAM IN THE PAVEMENT ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH. IT HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THEN WHEN HITTING ANY SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD. I TOOK THE JEEP TO THE DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED THE STEERING STABILIZER WITH A HEAVY DUTY MODEL BUT IT MADE NO DIFFERENCE. I STILL HAD THE PROBLEM. I COULD NOT LET MY WIFE OR CHILDREN DRIVE THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE IT COULD EASILY SEND YOU EITHER OFF THE ROAD OR INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN THE SHIMMY OCCURS. YOU HAVE TO COME TO ALMOST A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE IT WILL STOP SHAKING AND DRIVE NORMAL AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10191349

9,617 miles · Apr 18, 2007
SteeringSuspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE ENGAGES IN A "DEATH WOBBLE" (UNCONTROLLABLE SHAKING) CAUSED BY STEERING SUSPENSION FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING DIMPLER, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 9,617. THE VIN IS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10188209

14,000 miles · Jul 29, 2006
SteeringSuspension

UNCONTROLLABLE HANDLING ( IN THE FRONT END) WHEN GOING AN EXCESS SPEED OF 45 MILES OR MORE AND HIT ANY KIND /SIZE BUMP IN ROAD. FOUND OUT IT WAS THE STABILIZER BAR. WHEN I FIRST TOOK MY CAR IN (MONTHS AGO) THEY TOLD ME ( CHRYSLER) IT WAS MY ROTORS. DIDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW MY ROTORS COULD DO THAT SINCE I WASN'T BRAKING AT THE TI…

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UNCONTROLLABLE HANDLING ( IN THE FRONT END) WHEN GOING AN EXCESS SPEED OF 45 MILES OR MORE AND HIT ANY KIND /SIZE BUMP IN ROAD. FOUND OUT IT WAS THE STABILIZER BAR. WHEN I FIRST TOOK MY CAR IN (MONTHS AGO) THEY TOLD ME ( CHRYSLER) IT WAS MY ROTORS. DIDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW MY ROTORS COULD DO THAT SINCE I WASN'T BRAKING AT THE TIME THE SHAKING WAS HAPPENING. I ENDED UP TAKING IT TO A MECHANIC AND THEY FIGURED OUT WHAT IT WAS. THE GUYS AT CHRYSLER HAVE A NICKNAME FOR IT; "SUDDEN DEATH". NOT ONCE DID I GET A RECALL LETTER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THEY MUST OF BEEN WORRIED ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT ONLY TOOK THEM ABOUT 2 HOURS TO FIX IT. THEY WENT AND BOUGHT AN AFTER MARKET STABILIZER BAR. I HAVE HAD OIL CHANGES FROM THE SAME PLACE THAT HAVE TAKEN LONGER. I HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT A YEAR WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THE SHAKING BUT I HEARD ABOUT OTHER WRANGLERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. SOMEONE NEEDS TO LET OTHER JEEP OWNERS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM . IT'S VERY DANGEROUS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10163887

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2006
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

2005 JEEP WRANGLER FRONT BRAKES WERE SEVERELY WORN AND BALL JOINTS NEED REPLACING. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *JB

NHTSA ODI #10150806

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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