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: other or unspecified
134 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Dec 1, 2010
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR PANEL PLASTIC MOULDINGS SURROUNDING AND ENCASING THE DOOR HANDLES HAS BROKEN WITH PIECES FALLING INSIDE THE DOOR. THE DOOR PANEL NO LONGER SECURELY HOLDS THE HANDLE MECHANISM AND ON OCCASION JAMS THE HANDLE.. THESE FAILURES WERE NOT DUE TO UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES OR ABUSE, BUT RATHER FAILURES OCCURRED IN NORMAL ENTRY AND EGRESS ACTIVITY FROM THE VEHICLE. NO USED REPLACEMENT DOOR PANELS CAN BE FOUND VIA USED PART OUTLETS SHOWING THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM, AND OEM REPLACEMENT/REPAIR COSTS ARE OUTRAGEOUS AND IS NEARLY $2000 (I UNDERSTAND THESE PLASTIC MOULDINGS ARE ON NATIIONAL BACKORDER). NUMEROUS IDENTICAL INCIDENTS OF THIS FAILURE ARE EVIDENTLY PROLIFIC AS SOURCED BY INTERNET CUSTOMER SATISFACTION RESEARCH ON THE JEEP CHEROKEE AS WELL AS COMPLAINTS POSTED WITH THE DOT/NHTS. PLEASE ADD MY MOST VOCAL AND SERIOUS COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THIS OBVIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM POTENTIALLY PROHIBITS EXIT FROM THE VEHICLE SHOULD AN ACCIDENT REQUIRE SUCH ACTION, NOT TO MENTION THE COSTS TO THE CONSUMER DUE TO A FAULTY PRODUCT. A RECALL TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT SHOULD BE IMMEDIATE AND SUSTAINED FOR ANY CONSUMER WHO EXPECTS TO BE ABLE TO OPEN AND CLOSE A VEHICLE DOOR FOR THE EXPECTED LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Nov 11, 2010
THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES, ALL 4, BROKE OFF, AT ALMOST THE SAME TIME. THERE IS A COMMON MANUFACTURERS MATERIAL DEFECT, AS THE DOOR HANDLE "POCKET" IS MADE OUT A BRITTLE PLASTIC, AND THEY JUST SHATTERED, OR CRACKED SIMPLY BY USING THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IN AN EMERGENCY, ONE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IF THE DOOR HANDLE BREAKS OFF IN YOUR HAND.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 23, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHENEVER AN OBJECT TOUCHES THE IGNITION KEY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,200 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. UPDATED 05/19/08. *LJ
Other or unspecified, May 24, 2007
REAR DEFROST DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. UPPER PORTION OF DEFROSTER DOES NOT WORK WHILE THE LOWER PORTION DOES WORK MINIMALLY.
Other or unspecified, Aug 28, 2006
CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE CONTINUES TO FAIL AND DEALER REFUSES TO BUY BACK VEHICLE. *KB *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, Apr 28, 2006
I HAVE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME MONTHS NOW. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS PROBLEM AT LEAST THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. MY ENGINE COMES ON AND STAYS ON FOR DAYS AT A TIME. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THAN FOR LAST FEW MONTHS, WHILE I AM DRIVING ALL THE GEARS ON MY DASHBOARD LIGHT UP AND WONT ALLOW ME TO GIVE THE CAR ANY GAS, AND MAKES A SOUND LIKE THE ENGINE IS REVING UP. THIS CAN HAPPEN TWO TO FIVE TIMES A DAY. NOW, WHEN I PUT THE CAR FROM PARK TO REVERSE IT IS A MAKING A LONG BANGING NOISE AND JERKING THE CAR. *JB
Other or unspecified, Dec 29, 2005
NEW 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE HAS BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES FOR LEAKS IN FRONT A-PILLARS. HAS BEEN IN SHOP 2X FOR THE TRANSMISSION RECALL, AND A MISTAKE THEY MADE COMPLETING THE SERVICES. CAR IS GOING INTO SHOP AGAIN BECAUSE THE AUTO SENSOR ON THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR IS MALFUNCTIONING. WE FILED LEMON LAW WITH DAIMLER, AND ARE AWAITING A RESPONSE. FILING COMPLAINT WITH THE STATE OF OREGON ON THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO CUSTOMER SERVICE ISSUES. *JB
Other or unspecified, Nov 9, 2005
I NOTICED BIRD DROPPINGS ON HOOD. WASHED CAR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. BIRD DROPPINGS HAD EATEN THROUGH CLEAR COAT AND PAINT RIGHT DOWN TO BARE METAL. CALLED DEALER WHERE PURCHASED, THEY TOLD ME TO CONTACT CHRYSLER. I E-MAILED CHRYSLER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. RECENTLY HAD REPAIRED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *JB
Other or unspecified, Oct 7, 2005
I HAVE A REDESIGNED 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE PURCHASED IN JAN 05. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE NOTICED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF PAINT CHIPPING ON THE ON THE LOWER BODY AREA JUST IN FRONT OF THE REAR WHEELS. I HAVE OWNED TWO PRIOR JEEPS (96, 94) AND NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. FACTORY REP SAYS IT IS IN THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE AND REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. HAVE NOTICED PROBLEM ON OTHER 2005'S AS WELL. *NM