2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 2,051 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 26 Grand Cherokee model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 82 involved a crash and 24 involved a fire. 74 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical system, ignition, switchJul 21, 2014
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, drivers should adjust their seat to allow clearance between the driver's knee and the ignition key, and remove all items from their key ring, leaving only the vehicle key. Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, to July 5, 2007, and 2006-2007 Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured January 31, 2005, to July 5, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the driver may accidentally hit the ignition key with their knee, unintentionally knocking the key out of the run position, turning off the engine.
If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. Chrysler sent interim notifications to owners in September 2014. The recall began on October 9, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P41.
Campaign 14V438000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, transfer case (4-wheel drive)May 7, 2013
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, through March 9, 2010; and 2006-2010 Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured January 31, 2005, through March 10, 2010. A transfer case electrical failure may result in an unintentional shifting of the transfer case into the neutral position.
If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the final drive controller which governs the transfer case, with new software, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N23.
Campaign 13V175000 on NHTSA.gov
SuspensionJun 19, 2009
ROCK KRAWLER IS RECALLING 44 PERFORMANCE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE. THESE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS WERE PRODUCED WITH GRADE 2 CARRIAGE BOLTS INSTEAD OF THE PROPER GRADE 5 CARRIAGE BOLTS. THE IMPROPER GRADE 2 CARRIAGE BOLTS COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF CLAMPING FORCE FOR THE BOTTOM STRUT FORK.
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF EFFECTIVE LIFT AND LOWERING OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLE, POSSIBLY CREATING THE DRIVER TO PANIC WHICH COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
ROCK KRAWLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15. 2008. ALL THE AFFECTED UNTITS HAVE BEEN REMEDIED. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ROCK KRAWLER AT 1-518-270-9822.
Campaign 09E039000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionSep 14, 2005
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.7L ENGINES AND NAG1 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR CONDENSATE WATER MAY ENTER THE TRANSMISSION AT THE FILL TUBE GROMMET SEAL. THIS CAN RESULT IN SHUDDER DURING TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT.
IT CAN LEAD TO INCREASED TRANSMISSION OPERATING TEMPERATURES, BOILING OF THE WATER, AND A SUBSEQUENT PURGING OF TRANSMISSION FLUID INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION FOR LEAKAGE AT THE FILL TUBE GROMMET SEAL. IF NO LEAK IS DETECTED, A NEW FILL TUBE GROMMET SEAL AND WATER DEFLECTOR SHIELD WILL BE INSTALLED, AND PROPER ALIGNMENT OF THE FILL TUBE VERIFIED. IF THE PRESENCE OF A LEAK IS DETECTED, THE VEHICLE WILL BE EVALUATED FOR SHUDDER DURING TORQUE CONVERTER ENGAGEMENT. IF NO SHUDDER IS DETECTED, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE TRIPLE FLUSHED, AND NEW FILL TUBE GROMMET SEAL AND WATER DEFLECTOR WILL BE INSTALLED AND PROPER ALIGNMENT OF THE FILL TUBE VERIFIED. IF SHUDDER IS DETECTED, THE TORQUE CONVERTER WILL BE REPLACED, A NEW FILL TUBE GROMMET SEAL AND WATER DEFLECTOR WILL BE INSTALLED, AND PROPER ALIGNMENT OF THE FILL TUBE VERIFIED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 31, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 05V396000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
212 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Mar 30, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, THE ENGINE REVVED AND MADE A LOUD ROARING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED, BUT DID NOT DETECT ANY FAILURE CODES. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 4/11/2006 - *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 28, 2006
CAR SHUTS OFF RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 22, 2006
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES A SHUDDERING, HESITATION OR BUCKING MOTION WHEN DRIVING AROUND TOWN 20-30 MPH AND ALSO ON THE HIGHWAY. TAKEN TO BLEVINS BROTHERS IN OGDENSBURG, NY AND HAD E13 RECALL COMPLETED. PROBLEM CONTINUED. E-MAILED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER RELATIONS ABOUT PROBLEM AND TOLD THE INFO I WAS REQUESTING WAS "EITHER PROPRIETARY OR UNAVAILABLE". ALSO MADE A PHONE CALL TO CHRYSLER CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND HAD THEM NOTE ADDITIONAL COMPLAINT REGARDING PROBLEM. BLEVINS BROTHERS SERVICE MANAGER ARRANGED FOR VEHICLE TO BE TAKEN BY A TECHNICIAN TO A DAIMLER CHRYSLER SCHOOL FOR EVALUATION BY COURSE INSTRUCTOR. HE AGREED THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND SUGGESTED REPLACEMENT OF TORQUE CONVERTER AS WATER MAY HAVE DAMAGED UNIT PRIOR TO E13 RECALL COMPLETION. TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED. PROBLEM CONTINUED AND BECAME WORSE DUE TO FALL AND WINTER TEMPERATURE DROP. WAS ADVISED BY BLEVINS BROTHERS TO CALL CHRYSLER CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND HAVE THEM OPEN A CLAIM ON THE VEHICLE. CHRYSLER REFUSED TO OPEN CAIR CLAIM AND TOLD ME I SHOULD CONTACT DEALER. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THERE WAS A BOOKLET IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT I SHOULD READ. THE BOOKLET REFERRED TO PROVIDED INFO ABOUT STATE LEMON LAWS. DEALER SAID CHRYSLER HAS TOLD THEM THIS IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE AND THERE IS NO FIX FOR IT NOR IS ANY PLANNED. A CHRYLSER ENGINEER (GARY VLECK) SAYS THEY HAVEN'T HAD ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS. HE REFUSED TO COME TO THE DEALERSHIP TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I FEEL THIS A FLAW IN THE MDS (MULTI-DISPLACEMENT SYSTEM) THAT REGULATES WHETHER THERE ARE 8 OR 4 CYLINDERS IN OPERATION. I ALSO FEEL CHRYSLER IS TRYING TO STONEWALL THE PROBLEM BY TELLING CUSTOMERS THAT THIS IS HOW THEIR VEHICLE IS SUPPOSED TO OPERATE. THEY ARE HOPING CUSTOMERS WILL NOT TAKE IT ANY FURTHER AND GIVE UP. THIS MDS ENGINE IS ALSO PRESENT IN MAGNUMS, CHARGERS, 300S, DURANGOS, COMMANDERS AND 06 RAMS. IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF THIS PROBLEMS EXISTS WITH THESE VEHICLES. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 12, 2005
MY VEHICLE JUST STALLED WHILE DRIVING - NO REASON FOR STALLING. POWER WINDOWS, LOCKS, AND NAVIGATION STILL WORKED FINE. CAR RESTARTED ONCE I TURNED THE KEY...*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Dec 7, 2005
REPEATED ACCIDENT'S OF MY VEHICLE GOING FROM IDLE (1000 RPM) TO 1500-2000 RPM WHILE VEHICLE STOPPED AND IN GEAR. REQUIRES SIGNIFICANT EFFORT TO PREVENT VEHICLE FROM SURGING AHEAD. HAS OCCURRED WHEN VEHICLE IS ENTERING STREET FROM DRIVEWAY, AT A PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALK AND AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. LOCAL DEALER PLACED MONITOR IN CAR AND IT RECORDED FOUR INSTANCES IN A MONTH. DAMILER-CHRYSLER ENGINEERING CLAIMS NO VEHICLE PROBLEM, DRIVER IS SUPPOSEDLY STEPPING ON BOTH ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE. THIS IS NOT CORRECT, BOTH DRIVER IN OUR FAMILY HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM. CAR IS UNSAFE. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 18, 2005
2005 JEEP LAREDO EXHIBITS APPARENT ENGINE SKIPPING, THRASHING, ETC WHEN TRAVELING AT APPROX 1200-1500 RPM UP A GRADE (ENGINE UNDER LIGHT LOAD). DEALER AND MANUFACTURER SAY THAT THIS IS A PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. SERVICE MANAGER OF MCKINNEY DODGE IN EASLEY SC (TONY) SAYS THAT "EVERY ONE OF THEM DO THIS, NEW OR WITH A FEW MILES - WORSE AFTER A FEW MILES". SERVICE MANAGER INDICATES THAT HE HAS NO CLUE HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM, ASKED ME TO CALL NATIONAL NUMBER (PROBABLY TRYING TO GET ME OFF THE LOT). CALLED NATIONAL NUMBER, THEY CALLED LOCAL DEALER (TONY) AND WERE TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE FIXED, THEREFORE DENYING THAT IT WAS A PROBLEM AT ALL. NATIONAL CHRYSLER FOLKS SAID IT WAS AN OPERATING CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE AND THAT NOTHING COULD/WOULD BE DONE "AT THIS TIME". I PUT "500" UNDER "NUMBER OF FAILURES" IN THE FORM BELOW JUST BECAUSE I HAD TO PUT SOME NUMBER. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Sep 27, 2005
TRANSMISSION: I HAVE A 05 JEEP CHEROKEE THAT HAS CONTINUOUSLY HAD A TRANSMISSION SHUDDER PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS, FEELS SLUGGISH, JERKING THE VEHICLE FORWARD AND BACKWARD. IT HAPPENS WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, BUT IT IS EXCESSIVE WHILE AT THE 40 MPH & 1500 RPM RANGE. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY DID A TRANSMISSION FLUSH AND TOLD ME TO PICK IT UP. THE SECOND TIME, THEY ORDERED, THEN LATER REPLACED THE DRIVE LINE. THE THIRD TIME TO DEALERSHIP, THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAID THEY REPROGRAMMED THE TRANSMISSION. IT HAS NOW BEEN DROPPED OFF FOR THE SAME PROBLEM 4 TIMES, AND STILL NO REMEDY. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND TOLD THEM ABOUT A POSSIBLE RECALL I READ ABOUT ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE ON THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING. THE PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIFICALLY SUGGESTS A REMEDY, REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER (WHICH HAS NOT BEEN TRIED ON MY VEHICLE). I ASKED THEM WHY THEY COULDN'T USE THAT INFORMATION TO FIX MY VEHICLE SINCE IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY RATHER THAN WAIT TO SEE IF A RECALL IS EVEN ISSUED, AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINEERS ARE WORKING ON A REMEDY FOR THE POSSIBLE RECALL I WAS READING ABOUT, AND IT MAY NOT AFFECT MY VEHICLE. SO, UNTIL THAT RECALL IS ISSUED, NOTHING CAN BE DONE. AIR CONDITIONER:ON 9/22/05, WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION, AIR CONDITIONER, RADIO, &ALL DASH LIGHTS WENT OFF AT SAME TIME, STAYED OFF FOR 5 SECONDS OR SO, THEN CAME BACK ON. 5 MILES OR SO LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. LATER ON THE SAME DAY, THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD ONLY WORK ON THE HIGHEST SETTING. ON MY WAY TO THE SERVICE APPOINTMENT THE NEXT DAY, THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD COME ON AND TURN OFF ITSELF, LIKE IT HAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN IT OR THE DASH. I CAN ALSO SMELL PLASTIC BURNING/MELTING BUT CAN NOT LOCATE WHERE IT IS COMING FROM. DEALERSHIP NOW STATES THAT PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO FIX THE AIR CONDITIONER, AND THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY TIMELINE FOR PARTS AVAILABILITY. NO CLUE WHY THE DASH LIGHTS SHUT DOWN. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 7, 2005
DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE WHICH STALLED AFTER ONLY BEING DRIVEN 450 MILES. THE STALLING ONLY OCCURRED AFTER COLD STARTS OR WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. THIS OCCURRED AT REDUCED SPEEDS WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKE PRESSURE. THE ENGINE WOULD SIMPLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WILL IMMEDIATELY RESTART ON THE FIRST TRY. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE WILL RUN FINE WITH NO OTHER PROBLEMS. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST SIX TO EIGHT TIMES. THE CONSUMER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND OFFERED NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS PROBLEM OCCURS. THE DEALER DID PERFORM A DIAGNOSTICS TEST WHICH PRODUCED NO FAULT CODES OR FAILURES. THE LAST VISIT TO THE DEALER DID PROMPT A REPLACEMENT OF THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR, BUT THE DEALER DID NOT SAY WHY THIS CORRECTION WAS NECESSARY. SINCE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR THE VEHICLE HAS NOT STALLED. HOWEVER, THERE WAS A SLIGHT MISS IN THE ENGINE WHEN BRAKE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED. THE CONSUMER PLANNED TO CONTACT THE JEEP MANUFACTURER AT THIS TIME. *AK *MR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Equipment, Jul 20, 2005
DT: CONSUMER OWNED A 2005, JEEP , GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO. THE AIR CONDITION HAD A PART THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON 7-18-05. AND LATER ON 7-20-05 THE BLOWER FAN AND HEATER WOULD ONLY WORK ON THE HIGHEST SETTING. A PART MELTED, AND THERE WERE TOO MANY AMPS BEING DRIVEN TO THE RESISTER. THEY HAD TO THE REPLACE BLOWER MOTOR, RELAY, RESISTER, AND A WIRE HARNESS. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, May 31, 2005
THE ENGINE WOULD COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING. THE HEADLIGHTS, POWER WINDOWS, AND THE POWER LOCKS CONTINUED TO WORK. THE STEERING LOCKED. *AK *SC *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Mar 6, 2005
I HAVE A 2005 GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO UNDER 3000 MILES. MY ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON LESS THAN 10 TIMES ,AND MY CAR HAS STALLED WHEN COME TO STOP LIGHT OR COMPLETE STOP ABOUT 5 TIMES. I HAVE MADE 5 TRIPS TO THE DEALER AND THE FIRST FEW TIMES THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THEN THEY DETERMINED IT WAS RELATED TO THE REMOTE START WHICH THEY HAD INSTALLED. I GOT IT BACK AND THEY SAID IT WAS FIXED AND IT STALLED OUT WHEN I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY THAT VERY DAY. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN EXACTLY 1 WEEK LATER. ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON NOW. THIS WILL BE MY 7TH TRIP TO THE DEALER FOR THIS PROBLEM. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY THAT I HAVE ALSO HIT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TWICE WHICH MADE THE CAR SHUT OFF AND MY CAR HAS ALSO REVVED UP WITH THE BRAKE ON JUST AS THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE. I AM ALSO ONLY GETTING 12 MILES PER GALLON!*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 7, 2005
THE VEHICLE STALLED ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. DRIVER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK