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: structure
405 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Jul 27, 2006
WITHIN WEEKS OF THE PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE ON 1/06, PAINT ON BUMPER BEGAN TO HAVE SMALL CHIP MARKS. AS OF 7/06 I HAVE NOTICED MORE CHIP MARKS AND ALSO A RUB MARK WHERE THE PAINT HAS JUST RUBBED OFF EASILY, WITH NO STRUCTURE DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER. ALSO PAINT NUBS ( BUBBLING) AROUND DOOR HANDLES AND PAINT IS COMING OFF OF DRIVER DOOR HANDLE AT CREASES. IT SEEMS AS IF PAINT IS POORLY APPLIED. *NM
Structure, Feb 21, 2006
BRAND NEW 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO, RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WAS BEING OPENED, A GUST OF WIND CAUGHT THE DOOR AND HYPER-EXTENDED IT CAUSING IT TO BE MISALINGED. THE NEXT TIME THE DOOR WAS OPENED, THE FRONT LIP OF THE DOOR CAUGHT ON THE REAR OF THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER AND CAUSED A DENT IN THE FENDER APPROXIMATELY 6 INCHES LONG AND 3 INCHES WIDE. TO PROPERLY FIX DAMAGE, RIGHT FRONT FENDER WAS REPLACED AND PAINTED, RIGHT FRONT DOOR WAS REPAIRED AND REPAINTED, HOOD WAS REPAINTED TO BLEND WITH NEW PAINT ON FENDER AND DOOR. TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS WAS APPROXIMATELY $1,300. IMPORTANT TO NOTE, NO OTHER DAMAGE TO ANY OTHER VEHICLES, PROPERTY OR PEOPLE WAS CAUSED BY THIS GUST OF WIND. IT HAPPENED IN A GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT AND THERE WERE LOTS OF OTHER PEOPLE, CARS AND PROPERTY AROUND. NOTHING ELSE WAS DAMAGED AND THE GUST OF WIND SEEMED VERY MINOR. IN 30+ YEARS OF DRIVING I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED DAMAGE TO A DOOR DUE TO A WIND GUST NOR HAVE I EVER HEARD FROM ANYONE I KNOW OF RECEIVING DAMAGE TO A DOOR DUE TO A WIND GUST. THIS APPEARS TO ME TO BE A DOOR HINGE DESIGN FLAW. *NM
Structure, Oct 5, 2005
WHILE DRIVING AGT 40 MPH AND ABOVE IF ONE BACK WINDOW IS OPEN THE CAR STARTS TO SHAKE. BY THE TIME YOU REACH 60 MPH THE SHAKING IS OUT OF CONTROL. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND HE CLAIMS THIS NORMAL WIND RATTLE. I DISAGREE. *NM
Structure, Seats, Aug 15, 2005
I ATTEMPTED TO INSTALL A CAR SEAT FOR A 3 YEAR OLD CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT OF MY 2005 GRAND CHEROKEE. HOWEVER, THE HEAD REST INTERFERED WITH PROPER INSTALLATION OF THE CAR SEAT. THE HEAD REST WOULD NOT ALLOW THE SEAT TO BE TIGHTLY MOUNTED TO THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR, BUT RATHER HELD THE CHILD SEAT OUT BY ABOUT 2-3 INCHES. THIS PREVENTED THE SEAT FROM BEING SAFELY INSTALLED. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO REMOVE THE HEAD REST FROM THIS VEHICLE. I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO GET THIS DONE. BUT WHEN THE HEAD REST IS REMOVED, THERE ARE TWO "PRONGS" THAT PROTRUDE OUT, MAKING THE SITUATION EVEN MORE DANGEROUS. I CALLED CHRYSLER TO GET ADVICE ON WHAT TO DO. THEY SAID GO TO THE DEALER, BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM EITHER. I THEN CALLED CHRYSLER AGAIN, AND THEY INSISTED THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM. BUT IT IS! DAIMLER- CHRYLSER NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. IT IS A DESIGN FLOW. AT THE VERY LEAST THEY SHOULD PROVIDE A LIST OF INFANT CAR SEATS THAT CAN BE PROPERLY INSTALLED -- IF ANY SUCH SEATS EXIST. *JB
Structure, Jul 13, 2005
CAR PURCHASED 6/20/05 WITH 0 MILES. CAR TAKEN TO REPAIR 7/11/05 WITH 450 MILES. SOME WHERE ON THE RESIDENTIAL STREETS A PEBBLE WENT INTO THE CAR AND DAMAGED THE AIR COMPRESSOR. FREON HAS BEEN LEAKING SINCE THE IMPACT. THE SERVICE DEPT CAN NOT PIN POINT JUST HOW LONG THE FREON HAS BEEN LEAKING BUT ALL I KNOW IS THAT I AM 6 MONTHS PREGNANT AND HAVE 2 OTHER LITTLE GIRLS THAT HAVE BEEN INHAILING THIS FREON. THE CAR DAMAGE IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARANTY SINCE THIS IS A ROAD HAZARD. HOWEVER, THE CAR IS DESIGNED TO DRIVE THROUGH MOUNTAINS AND ROCKY ROADS. THERE IS A DESIGNER FAULT SINCE THE NEW CARS DO NOT HAVE A PROTECTION GRID /NET TO PREVENT DEBRIS FROM DOING SUCH DAMAGE. THE OLDER MODELS DO HAVE THIS. WHEN I ASKED THE SERVICE DEPT OF PREVENTION DEVISE THEY ONLY STATED THAT THE CAR WAS DESIGNED THIS WAY AND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS SIMULAR PROBLEM WITH THIS NEW JEEP LAREDO 2005.