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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.

About this comparison →

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
2,500 miles · Oct 13, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

YESTERDAY I WAS SITTING AT A STOP SIGN WITH MY FOOT RESTING ON THE BRAKE. I WAS NOT PRESSING THE PEDAL ACTIVELY, BUT THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE JEEP SURGED FORWARD. MY FOOT WAS NO WHERE NEAR THE GAS PEDAL, YET THE JEEP REVVED AND MOVED ABOUT A FOOT. I PRESSED HARD ON THE BRAKE AND IT STOPPED, BUT TOOK A SECOND TO REV BACK DOWN…

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YESTERDAY I WAS SITTING AT A STOP SIGN WITH MY FOOT RESTING ON THE BRAKE. I WAS NOT PRESSING THE PEDAL ACTIVELY, BUT THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE JEEP SURGED FORWARD. MY FOOT WAS NO WHERE NEAR THE GAS PEDAL, YET THE JEEP REVVED AND MOVED ABOUT A FOOT. I PRESSED HARD ON THE BRAKE AND IT STOPPED, BUT TOOK A SECOND TO REV BACK DOWN. THE ENGINE WAS COLD AS IT HAD NOT BEEN STARTED IN 4 DAYS AND I WAS ONLY ABOUT 1 MINUTE INTO THE DRIVE. HAS ANYONE HAD THIS HAPPEN? ANYONE KNOW THE CAUSE? THE JEEP IS A 2005 RUBICON, AUTOMATIC. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED 3 TIMES. TWICE WHILE THE ENGINE WAS COLD, ONCE WHILE WARM AFTER AN HOUR LONG DRIVE. EACH TIME IT OCCURRED WHILE THE RPM LOAD WAS VERY LOW. TWICE AT A STOP SIGN, ONCE WHILE PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY. I POSTED ON A RUBICON MESSAGE BOARD TO SEE IF ANYONE HAD SEEN THIS AND HERE ARE SOME OF THE RESPONSES: "WHEN I PULL INTO MY DRIVE, WHICH HAS A SLIGHT INCLINE AND DEEP AZ RAIN GUTTERS, IF I SLOW ENOUGH TO AVOID SLAMMING THE BUMP STOPS I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO MAKE IT ALL THE WAY UP. ON THE OCCASIONS THAT I TRY TO IDLE UP I HAVE GOTTEN THE SURGE WHICH LAUNCHES ME INTO THE GARAGE THE FIRST TIME I WAS STOPPED BY MY WORK BENCH SAYING HELLO TO MY BRUSH GUARD" "YES, THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME A FEW TIMES. I HAVE AN 05 RUBICON WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION...." "I'VE BEEN WONDERING ABOUT THAT. MY '05 AUTO DOES THE SAME THING, REAR ENDED A CAR THE FIRST TIME IT DID IT...." "MINE WILL DO THAT SOMETIMES GOING UP MY DRIVEWAY INTO THE GARAGE. I HAVE TO TAKE IT SLOW TO GET IT LINED UP PERFECTLY AND THAT IS WHEN IT HAPPENS..." "MINE DID THIS A FEW TIMES A WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT IT. HAD IT TO THE DEALER TWICE, THEY FOUND NO ISSUES...." AND A LINK TO THE POST: HTTP://WWW.RUBICONOWNERSFORUM.COM/PHPBB2/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?P=238239#238239

NHTSA ODI #10139539

Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2005
Power Train

SIX SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION GRINDS GOING INTO REVERSE/ POPS OUT OF REVERSE. DEALERSHIP PROVIDED TECHNICAL BULLETIN STATING THIS CONDITION WILL LEAD TO AN EVENTUAL LOSS OF FORWARD DRIVE GEARS IF NOT CORRECTED. HOWEVER, PROBLEM WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND SUBSEQUENTLY WAS NOT REPAIRED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10139126

300 miles · Sep 28, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

ODI 10137688 FOLLOW UP KUDOS TO JEEP FOR STANDING BY THEIR PRODUCT, THEY ARE CURRENTLY REPLACING THE ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND I AM HOPEFUL THIS REMEDIES THE OVERWHELMING EXHAUST SMELL COMING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. HOPE THE PAINT ISSUE GOES AS WELL. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10138074

300 miles · Sep 26, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

BOUGHT NEW 2005 JEEP WRANGLER X 8/3/05 TOOK ON TRIP AND SOON WAS OVERWHELMED WITH BUTANE/EXHAUST SMELL IF WINDOWS OR VENT WAS OPEN; EVENTUALLY CAME LEAKING THROUGH AC. SMELL BAD ENOUGH TO MAKE YOU NAUSEOUS WHICH EVENTUALLY BECAME NUMB NOSE/LIPS AND BURNING EYES FOR TWO HOURS AFTER DRIVING. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS FLUFFED, I…

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BOUGHT NEW 2005 JEEP WRANGLER X 8/3/05 TOOK ON TRIP AND SOON WAS OVERWHELMED WITH BUTANE/EXHAUST SMELL IF WINDOWS OR VENT WAS OPEN; EVENTUALLY CAME LEAKING THROUGH AC. SMELL BAD ENOUGH TO MAKE YOU NAUSEOUS WHICH EVENTUALLY BECAME NUMB NOSE/LIPS AND BURNING EYES FOR TWO HOURS AFTER DRIVING. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS FLUFFED, I.E., COULD HAVE BEEN A PLASTIC BAG, ONLY SMELL WAS NEW CAR SMELL, ETC., THEY EVEN CLAIMED TO HAVE DRIVEN IT WITH WINDOWS DOWN. THIS WAS IMPOSSIBLE SO I SENT MY HUSBAND THERE AND SERVICE MANAGER EXPERIENCED THE BURNING EYES AND NAUSEA DURING RIDE. CALLED JEEP AND WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T DISCUSS ANY SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS, REFERRED ME TO DEALERS. 2ND FIX ATTEMPT 9/15/05 @1344 MILES RESULTED IN "NO FAULT CODES IN SYSTEM, PERFORMED FUEL SYSTEM MONITOR TEST READING NOT IN SPECS, EXCESSIVE FUEL THROUGH SYSTEM." CHANGED SOFTWARE, WROTE "ROAD TESTED VEHICLE, HAS SLIGHT RESIDUE ODOR. CAT CONVERTER BAFFLES HAVE SOME INTERIOR FUEL COATING THAT WILL NEED TO BE BURNED OFF. WILL TAKE ABOUT 500 MILES OF DRIVING TO BURN ALL COATING FROM INSIDE OF EXHAUST SYSTEM." I WAS TOLD TO DRIVE IT "50 MILES". THEY ALSO HAD TO REPAINT THE SPIDERWEB /DEFECT PAINT TO THE TUNE OF $454. BACK IN 9/22/05 @ 1508 MILES AS PAINT WAS DETERIORATING ALL OVER. SENT FOR FULL REPAINT QUOTE ($3353- HAVE TO WAIT FOR JEEP ZONE MGR OK) MPG HAS DECLINED FROM 19 TO 17 AFTER 2ND SERVICE VISIT. TODAY 9/26/05, THE 3RD TRIP IN ON SMELL AFTER AGREEING TO TRY A SHORT TRIP. SAME RESULT/SYMPTOMS; I NEVER WILL GET THE HARD TOP OFF. TOLD SERVICE DO NOT RETURN IT UNTIL THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, SEALS, EXHAUST, WHATEVER, NO LONGER SMELLS. NOW THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER STICKS IN THE SPARE TIRE/WAS INOPERABLE, APPARENTLY MANUFACTURER PUT ON THE WRONG BLADE VIA SERVICE. ALSO WAS TOLD THAT I WAS THE ONLY WRANGLER X WITH THE EXHAUST/BUTANE SMELL PROBLEM BUT SEE ANOTHER AS EARLY AS 3/10/05. I DON'T KNOW WHAT EXCUSE I'LL HEAR ON THIS THE 3RD ATTEMPT, BUT WONDER IF SMELL IS CARBON MONOXIDE RELATED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10137688

1,000 miles · Sep 26, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or OtherVisibility

BUTANE EXHAUST SMELL OVERCOMES DRIVER/PASSENGERS MALFUNCTIONING REAR WIPER PAINT FAILING. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10137675

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON 9/11/05. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE IN A HARD MANOR, BUT SINCE THE BRAKE IS VERY CLOSE TO THE GAS PEDAL, MY FOOT WAS HALF ON THE GAS AND HALF ON THE BRAKE. THE JEEP TOOK OFF AS I APPLIED MORE PRESSURE. I COULD NOT CONTROL THE JEEP, I SLAMMED INTO A WOOD FENCE, THEN INTO A PARKED CAR. CAUSING MAJOR…

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I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON 9/11/05. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE IN A HARD MANOR, BUT SINCE THE BRAKE IS VERY CLOSE TO THE GAS PEDAL, MY FOOT WAS HALF ON THE GAS AND HALF ON THE BRAKE. THE JEEP TOOK OFF AS I APPLIED MORE PRESSURE. I COULD NOT CONTROL THE JEEP, I SLAMMED INTO A WOOD FENCE, THEN INTO A PARKED CAR. CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE. THIS IS VERY POOR DESIGN BY CHRYSLER AND DANGEROUS, LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT. CHECK THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDAL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10136229

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL TO CLOSE TO ONE ANOTHER. WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE THIS WEEKEND. MY SHOE GOT STUCK BETWEEN THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDAL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WAS UNABLE TO STOP AND HIT ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE CAUSING OVER $3600 IN REPAIRS TO THE PARKED CAR, THE ESTIMATED DAMAGE…

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GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL TO CLOSE TO ONE ANOTHER. WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE THIS WEEKEND. MY SHOE GOT STUCK BETWEEN THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDAL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WAS UNABLE TO STOP AND HIT ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE CAUSING OVER $3600 IN REPAIRS TO THE PARKED CAR, THE ESTIMATED DAMAGE TO MY CAR IS THE SAME. HAVE THERE BEEN PREVIOUS SAFETY ISSUES?*JB

NHTSA ODI #10136199

387 miles · Sep 11, 2005
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train

NORMAL DRIVING RESULTS IN A CHANGE IN THE SHIFTING ACTION OF THE AUTOMATIC ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION. IF THE VEHICLE IS WARM THE ELECTRONIC BUZZ LENGTHENS AND PREVENTS THE SHIFTING FROM ONE GEAR POSITION TO THE NEXT. THE TRANSMISSION RUMBLES AND SKIPS BEFORE CHANGING TO THE NEXT GEAR FOR A SECOND OR MORE. THE GEARS CLEARLY ARE NOT…

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NORMAL DRIVING RESULTS IN A CHANGE IN THE SHIFTING ACTION OF THE AUTOMATIC ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION. IF THE VEHICLE IS WARM THE ELECTRONIC BUZZ LENGTHENS AND PREVENTS THE SHIFTING FROM ONE GEAR POSITION TO THE NEXT. THE TRANSMISSION RUMBLES AND SKIPS BEFORE CHANGING TO THE NEXT GEAR FOR A SECOND OR MORE. THE GEARS CLEARLY ARE NOT ENGAGING IN A TIMELY MANNER AND PREVENTS READY MOVEMENT AFTER SHIFTING TO A NEW GEAR POSITION. AFTER LONG DRIVES THIS IS NOTICEABLE DURING NORMAL UNHURRIED PARKING MANEUVERS. THIS ACTION WAS INITIALLY OBSERVED AT ABOUT 384 MILES ON ODOMETER AND BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER. THE SECOND PROBLEMS HAS OCCURRED ON 5 OR MORE OCCASIONS WHERE THE IDLE SPEED DOES NOT GO TO NORMAL AFTER REMOVING PRESSURE FROM THE ACCELERATOR. WAS FIRST NOTICED ON HILLS IN CITY OF SAN FRANCISCO AND HAS BEEN NOTICED IN TRAFFIC ON SEVERAL OTHER OCCASIONS. THE ENGINE NOISE IS QUITE AUDIBLE WHEN THIS OCCURS AND IDLES ABOVE 1000 AND CARRIES VEHICLE AT 10 PLUS MPH ON FLAT SURFACES. THE VEHICLE ALSO SURGES AFTER SHORT DRIVES AND IS NOTICEABLE IN PARKING LOTS OR GARAGE PARKING. THERE HAVE BEEN THREE "DANGEROUS" INSTANCES WHILE IN TRAFFIC. THIS WILL OCCUR IN BOTH REVERSE AND FORWARD DRIVES. THE DRIVE TRAIN ALSO HAS A LOUD RESONATING SOUND WHICH SOUNDS AS THOUGH THE ROTATING IS NOT UNIFORM AT LOW SPEEDS. THE DEALER SAYS THIS IS A NORMAL SOUND. ALL OF THESE CONCERNS WERE OBSERVED AFTER ABOUT 300 MILES AND BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER. THE DEALER DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE HEARING THE GEAR SOUNDS, SAID THE IDLE WOULD ADJUST AFTER 3600 MILES AND HAS NOT ADDRESSED THE SURGING. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10136144

90 miles · Aug 6, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

WHILE TEST DRIVING, AIR CONDITIONER DID NOT WORK, I WAS ASSURED THAT IT WOULD BE FIXED BY TIME OF PICK UP (JULY 11). THE AIR WORKED WHEN I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. AIR CONDITIONING GAVE OUT 2 WEEKS LATER, TOOK IN FOR REPAIR AND THEY SAID THE HOSE WAS CRACKED. WHEN I PICKED IT UP AFTER THE AI…

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WHILE TEST DRIVING, AIR CONDITIONER DID NOT WORK, I WAS ASSURED THAT IT WOULD BE FIXED BY TIME OF PICK UP (JULY 11). THE AIR WORKED WHEN I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. AIR CONDITIONING GAVE OUT 2 WEEKS LATER, TOOK IN FOR REPAIR AND THEY SAID THE HOSE WAS CRACKED. WHEN I PICKED IT UP AFTER THE AIR CONDITIONER REPAIRS, I DIDN'T EVEN LEAVE THE PARKING LOT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AGAIN. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 28 DAYS AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 10 DAYS. DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO MAKE RESTITUTION.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10131819

3,200 miles · Aug 5, 2005
Power TrainInjury

2005 JEEP WRANGLER SPORT. PURCHASED 4/17/2005. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING FROM 4RD TO 3RD AND FROM 2ND TO 1ST WITHOUT CONTROL, WHILE DRIVING, THEN REMAINS IN 1ST GEAR AND NO LONGER SHIFTS. 5 DAYS IN SHOP AND NOTHING WAS FOUND. 3200 MILES ON VEHICLE. DANGER OF POSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL IS IMMINENT WHEN SHIFTING G…

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2005 JEEP WRANGLER SPORT. PURCHASED 4/17/2005. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING FROM 4RD TO 3RD AND FROM 2ND TO 1ST WITHOUT CONTROL, WHILE DRIVING, THEN REMAINS IN 1ST GEAR AND NO LONGER SHIFTS. 5 DAYS IN SHOP AND NOTHING WAS FOUND. 3200 MILES ON VEHICLE. DANGER OF POSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL IS IMMINENT WHEN SHIFTING GEARS WITHOUT CONTROL. PROBABLE CAUSE OF MAJOR ACCIDENT. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TWO TIMES.. GOING BACK TO SHOP. NO DTC CODE AVAILABLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10131704

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