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
2,051 reports, newest first.
Power train, Mar 14, 2006
2005 GRAND CHEROKEE SHUT OFF, LOCKING IN THIRD GEAR. *TS THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASION FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN DRIVING AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF THIRD GEAR. WHEN MAKING A TURN THE TRACTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE STALLED OUT MAINLY ON RIGHT TURNS. *NM
Power train, Mar 14, 2006
I HAVE A 2005 JEEP CHEROKEE WITH A V8 ENGINE THAT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. MY CAR SAT FOR 5 DAYS WHILE I WAS ON VACATION. UPON RETURNING THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD, I HAD THE BATTERY JUMPED AND DROVE HOME FROM AIRPORT. THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN THE NEXT MORNING, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. AFTER REPLACING THE BATTERY AND AN OIL CHANGE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING WHEN STOPPED AT RED LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO LUNGING FORWARD WHEN STOPPED. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE GOTTEN THE SAME RESPONSE "ROAD TESTED- NORMAL CONDITION AT THIS TIME". THE SERVICE REP EVEN CALLED ME TO TELL ME HE DROVE THE VEHICLE AND THOUGHT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION, THAT THERE IS A HESITATING SHIFT AND A JERKS HARD FORWARD ON ACCELERATION. HOWEVER THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. VEHICLE HAS 9,000 MILES. *JB
Power train, Electrical system, Mar 9, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE RPMS INCREASED VERY RAPIDLY. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER REPLACED MULTIPLE PARTS IN AN ATTEMPT TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM HOWEVER, THE SURGING PROBLEM CONTINUED. *AK
Electrical system, Mar 7, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING OR IN PARK THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF WHEN THE CONTACT'S KNEE TOUCHED THE KEY. EVEN WHEN THE SEAT WAS MOVED FARTHER BACK THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. THE KEY CONTAINS THE REMOTE KEYPAD ON IT, WHICH MAKES THE KEY LARGER AND EASY TO BE HIT. THE IGNITION IS LOCATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER IN AN ATTEMPT TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM FROM OCCURRING WITHOUT SUCCESS. UPDATED 03/22/06
Air bags, Mar 2, 2006
ORANGE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ON AT ALL TIMES, EVEN WITH PASSENGER SEAT UNOCCUPIED SINCE DAY OF PURCHASE. CUSTOMER WAS TOLD AT DEALERSHIP THAT THIS WAS NORMAL IF SEAT WAS UNOCCUPIED. AFTER A FEW MONTHS, THE ORANGE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT AND THE RED AIR BAG LIGHT ARE ON CONTINUOUSLY, OR THE ILLUMINATIONS ALTERNATE EVERY FEW MINUTES. JEEP CHEROKEE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. CUSTOMER WAS TOLD IT WAS A CALIBRATION PROBLEM, AND THAT THE ORANGE LIGHT SHOULD ONLY BE ON IF BETWEEN 1 AND 25 POUNDS OR SO WHERE IN THE SEAT. NO PROBLEMS FOR ONE MONTH (LIGHTS WERE OFF, NO PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE). ORANGE AND RED LIGHTS NOW ALTERNATING AGAIN EVERY FEW MINUTES YESTERDAY AND TODAY (MARCH 1&2, 2006). *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
Power train, Visibility, Feb 17, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO ACCURATELY REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V396000 CONCERNING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HOWEVER THE RECALL DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. AFTERWARDS, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL AGAIN. ALSO, THE DEALER SUGGESTED THE AUTOMATIC CONTROL OF THE SUNROOF ASSEMBLY WHICH FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY WAS RELATED TO THE ONGOING TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AS WELL, BUT NO FURTHER REPAIRS WERE MADE.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 16, 2006
2005 GRAND CHEROKEE BRAKE & ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARE AT THE SAME LEVEL. *TS *JB THE CONSUMER STATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKE TO STOP, HE ALSO APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. HE STATED THE TWO PEDALS ARE ADJUSTABLE, BUT, THEY ARE ADJUSTABLE TOGETHER NOT SEPARATELY. UPDATED 04/08/10.*JB
Equipment, Feb 13, 2006
MY 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE NEEDED A FLAT CHANGED. THE JACK IN THE CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO JACK THE CAR HIGH ENOUGH TO GET THE FLAT WHEEL DISMOUNTED EASILY NOR COULD THE NEW WHEEL BE MOUNTED FROM THE TRUNK. THE DEALER SENT A SHOP MECHANIC WHO ALSO COULD NOT GET THE JACK HIGH ENOUGH. I HAD TO CALL AAA. I ALSO KNOW OF 3 MORE JEEPS (2-2005 AND 1-2006) WITH THE SAME POTENTIAL PROBLEM. ODDLY, ONE OF THEM, WHICH IS OWNED BY A LADY FRIEND, HAD THE ODDEST PROBLEM. MY BROTHER-IN-LAW WAS DRIVING IT ONE DAY. TURNS OUT THERE WAS A WHEEL SHIMMY GOING ON. HE STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. WHEN HE CALLED ME HE INDICATED 3 LUG BOLTS WERE MISSING WHICH WE BOTH THOUGHT STRANGE. HE SUBSEQUENTLY COAXED THE CAR VERY SLOWLY HOME. THE DEALER CHARGED THE LADY FOR THE REPAIR AND REMOUNTING OF A NEW TIRE. I SUSPECT THAT SHE HAD A FLAT, GOT SOME HELP AND BECAUSE THE NEW WHEEL WAS NOT MOUNTED IN A TRUE FASHION BECAUSE THE CAR COULD NOT BE RAISED HIGH ENOUGH, SHE JUST HAD TO MAKE DO. THAT WAS DANGEROUS FOR THE LADY. AS IT TURNS OUT, MY WIFE ALSO HAS ONE OF THE JEEPS I MENTIONED, AND I HAVE INSTRUCTED HER TO JUST CALL AAA WHEN AND IF SHE GETS A FLAT, SO THE TIRE CAN BE DISMOUNTED AND REMOUNTED WITH THE NEW ONE SAFELY. ALL OUR CARS HAVE 17" WHEELS. THE JACK NEEDS TO GO UP AT LEAST 2-3 INCHES MORE TO ALL FOR PROPER MOUNTING OR ELSE THE WOBBLE WILL RESULT AND HENCE , ULTIMATELY THE BOLTS WILL BREAK OFF GIVEN THE STRESS. I MENTIONED IT TO MY DEALER ONCE I HAD AAA REPAIR MY CAR AND ASKED THE DEALER TO REPAIR AND GET THE PROBLEM FIXED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. I ALSO THINK THE LADY I MENTIONED WHO PAID FOR HER REPAIRS BECAUSE OF JEEP'S EQUIPMENT DESIGN DEFECT SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR HER MISERY. *JB
Seats, Feb 9, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR HEAD REST DID NOT PULL DOWN TO ALLOW A CHILD SEAT TO BE SECURED IN THE SEAT SAFELY. BECAUSE OF THE HEAD REST THE CHILD SEAT WAS PUSHED FORWARD. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER DETERMINED THE HEAD REST IS DESIGNED IN THAT MANOR AND IT IS A PROBLEM IN THAT TYPE OF VEHICLES.
Electrical system, Feb 7, 2006
WHEN IGNITION KEY IS IN PLACE WITH THE 2005 GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO RUNNING, IT IS POSSIBLE TO BUMP THE LOWER EDGE OF THE KEY WITH THE DRIVER'S KNEE. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE CONSUMER STATED THE REMEDY WOULD BE TO RAISE THE IGNITION SWITCH OR MAKE THE KEY SMALLER. *JB
Seat belts, Jan 30, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER PURCHASING A NEW VEHICLE HE DISCOVERED THAT THE SEAT BELT STRAPS DID NOT HAVE ADEQUATE LENGTH TO LOCK INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY FOR LARGE OCCUPANTS. THE DEALERSHIP PROVIDED FREE SEAT BELT EXTENDERS. UPDATED 3/9/2006 - *NM
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
Power train, Electrical system, Jan 6, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 05V396000 REGARDING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, BUT AFTERWARDS IT CONTINUED TO SHUDDER WHILE DRIVING. ALTHOUGH THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ACCORDINGLY THE VEHICLE HAD A STRONG SHUDDER THAT COULD PHYSICALLY BE FELT BY THE CONTACT AS WELL AS A LOUD CHATTER FROM THE TRANSMISSION. WHILE SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE THERE WAS A LOUD CLANKING NOISE. ASIDE FROM THE PROBLEM WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DISPLAYED SOME ABNORMALITIES. WHILE DRIVING THE DASHBOARD PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND ALL OF THE GAUGES, SUCH AS THE FUEL AND SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO REGISTER. THE DEFROSTER WHICH WAS IN USE AT THAT TIME STOPPED WORKING. THIS PROBLEM LASTED ONLY A MATTER OF SECONDS BUT RETURNED TO NORMAL WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THIS OCCURRED 5 OR 6 TIMES IN A 5 MILE RADIUS AND ABRUPTLY STOPPED WITH NO FURTHER INCIDENT. WHEN THE CONTACT RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE CONTACT LEFT THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Power train, Jan 6, 2006, crash
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OF MY 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE ,BEGAN ACTING UNUSUAL IN MID NOVEMBER 2005. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD CLUNK WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE , THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO HESITATE BEFORE MOVING, ALSO ON 2 OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WOULD DOWN SHIFT TO FIRST GEAR AND THEN BACK TO DRIVE ON ITS OWN WHILE IN MOTION. ON DECEMBER 18, 2005 I TOLD THE JEEP DEALER SERVICE MANGER OF THE PROBLEM WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN , I HAD RECEIVED FROM DAIMLER-CHRYSLER A RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING THE TRANSMISSION , AS FAR AS I KNOW THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE SEEMED FINE UNTIL DECEMBER 30, 2005 WHEN WHILE TRAVELING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT 55 MILES PER HOUR WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED THE VEHICLE AGAIN DOWNSHIFTED TO FIRST GEAR MOMENTARILY , ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON THEN SHIFTED BACK TO DRIVE THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND SPEED UP UNEXPECTEDLY . I THEN LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE SPINNING OUT AND HITTING THE CONCRETE DIVIDER WALL OF THE EXPRESSWAY. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED OVER $10,000 IN DAMAGE, LUCKILY THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO ME OR MY PASSENGER. I HAVE NOTIFIED CHRYSLER AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY OF PROBLEM, AT THIS POINT I HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANY COLLISION REPAIRS TO THIS VEHICLE. CHRYSLER SAID THEY WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE, I AWAIT TO SEE WHAT THEY WILL DO. I DON'T INTEND TO REPAIR OR DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AGAIN OR ANY JEEP CHEROKEE ,FOR THAT MATTER AS TO ITS UNSAFE TRANSMISSION . *NM
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
Power train, Dec 23, 2005, fire
3.7 L JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO WITH 9,000 MILES. FIRST MAJOR TRIP WE HAVE (ABOUT 500 MILES AWAY FROM HOME), OUR VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WAS FIRE UNDER THE HOOD, IT'S GOOD THAT THE SUV STALLED IN FRONT OF THE SERVICE CENTER OR THERE COULD BE AN EXPLOSION. WE JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN LESS THAN 6 MOS. THE SERVICE CENTER TOLD US THAT IT WILL TAKE ABOUT 2 WEEKS TILL WE COULD GET OUR JEEP BACK AND IT'S ALREADY 17 DAYS; I MADE A FOLLOW-UP AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVEN'T RECEIVED THE TRANSMISSION THAT THEY'VE ORDERED. THE SERVICE CENTER HAVE US RENT A CAR. CALLED CHRYSLER AND WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE IS ONLY SAFETY CONCERN AND OUR VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE WHEN IN ONE WEB PAGE, WE SAW 18 SIMILAR TRANSMISSION COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME VEHICLE? CHRYSLER WON'T COVER OUR CAR RENTALS AND MOTEL. *JB
Electrical system, Dec 20, 2005
GRAND CHEROKEE SHUT OFF BY ITSELF (LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES). CAR STARTED RIGHT BACK UP. THIS HAPPENED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AROUND A SHARP CURVE AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CAR ACCIDENT WITH INJURIES OR EVEN DEATH. BROUGHT THE CAR TO A DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND SOMETIMES THE INTERNAL COMPUTER NEEDS TO BE REBOOTED. I BOUGHT THE CAR BECAUSE OF ALL THE SAFETY FEATURES. I WILL PROBABLY TRADE THIS CAR IN. IT'S NOT WORTH MY WELL-BEING. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Dec 19, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED. TO STOP THE VEHICLE HE PUT IT IN NEUTRAL, WAITED FOR THE RPMS TO COME BACK DOWN. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP EACH TIME, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THEREFORE, THE CONTACT SOLD THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS INJURED. UPDATED 01/11/06. *JB
Power train, Dec 13, 2005
THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE REGARDING THE RECENT RECALL OF THE 2005 JEEP WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. BECAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS OUR JEEP STOPPED DEAD WHILE WE WERE GOING 65 MILES AN HOUR ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE. LUCKILY WE WERE NOT KILLED. WE HAD IT TOWED OVER 100 MILES TO OUR DEALER ON LONG ISLAND (EAST HILLS CHRYSLER JEEP) TO HAVE IT FIXED. THEY SWORE THEY FIXED IT A FEW DAYS LATER, ONLY FOR THIS TO HAPPEN TO US AGAIN A MONTH LATER. WE TOWED IT AGAIN TO OUR JEEP DEALER AND SHORTLY AFTER WE WERE TOLD, THIS TIME IT WAS REALLY FIXED. FOR THE THIRD TIME, A MONTH LATER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. AFTER AVOIDING BEING KILLED 3 TIMES, WE DO NOT TRUST THEY KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS RECALL. IT IS A LEASED JEEP AND ALL WE WANT IS TO BE LET OUT OF THE LEASE AND THEY REFUSE. THEY SWEAR NOW IT IS REALLY FIXED. DID THEY LIE THE OTHER 2 TIMES? I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR OR LET ANYONE I LOVE IN THE CAR, AS WELL AS POSSIBLY ENDANGER ANYONE DRIVING NEAR US. I THINK THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED FOR THE REST OF THE RECALLED JEEPS, BUT FOR US, WE JUST WANT A DIFFERENT CAR. THIS DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT OBVIOUSLY DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT AND THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. ALSO, WE CONTACTED DAIMLER CHRYSLER''S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT NUMEROUS TIMES. WE WERE LISTENED TO SYMPATHETICALLY BUT NOTHING WAS EVER DONE ABOUT IT. UPDATE: I DECIDED TO WAIT TO SEE IF OUR JEEP DEALERSHIP WOULD DO THE RIGHT THING BEFORE I SENT THIS IN, BUT THEY REFUSED AND MADE US PICK IT UP AFTER THEY CLAIMED IT WAS YET AGAIN REALLY FIXED FOR THE THIRD TIME. A FEW DAYS LATER, ON DECEMBER 11TH, IT BROKE DOWN AGAIN. THE CAR WAS TOWED BACK TO THEM - THE 4TH TIME IT HAS BROKEN DOWN FROM THIS SAME PROBLEM. NOW THEY ARE SAYING THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THIS SERVICE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT KNOW WHAT IT IS TALKING ABOUT. THEY REFUSE TO DO THE RIGHT THING FOR US BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX A NATIONALLY RECALLED PROBLEM. *NM
Seat belts, Dec 12, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE SEAT BELTS WERE SHORT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES. THE SEAT BELTS WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO IMPROVEMENT. THE DEALERSHIP ORDERED FOUR INCH EXTENDER. THE CONTACT FELT THIS WAS A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT. *AK THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE SPOKEN WITH THE CHRYSLER GROUP AND LONGER SEAT BELTS WERE SENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED. UPDATED 01/19/06. *JB
Power train, Dec 12, 2005
DT: CONTACT STATED VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON NOVEMBER 12, 2005 FOR NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 05V396000 CONCERNING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. HE CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT NUMEROUS TIMES, AND T STATED IT COULD TAKE ANOTHER THREE WEEKS TO REPAIR. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY PROMISED TO LOOK INTO THE MATTER AND CALL HIM BACK. *AK
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
Seats, Dec 8, 2005
2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE DOES NOT ALLOW FOR PROPER & SAFE CHILD SEAT INSTALLATION!! THE BACK SEAT HEAD REST TILT FORWARD IMPEDING THE ABILITY FOR CAR SEATS TO LAY FLUSH AGAINST SEAT. REMOVAL OF HEAD REST (WHICH WAS THE ONLY OPTION FROM JEEP) LEAVE 2 LARGE METAL BARS THAT CHILDREN CAN RECEIVE SERIOUS INJURY FROM IN JUST ENTERING THEIR SEATS ON THEIR OWN! THERE IS NO SAFE OPTION FOR CHILD CAR SEAT/BOOSTERS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED! THIS WAS ALSO NOT MENTIONED TO US UNTIL WE BROUGHT IT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE JEEP DEALERSHIP IN WHICH THEIR REPLY WAS THEY WERE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE. *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