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2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Grand Cherokee years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee are substantially higher than the model-year median of 726.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

1,363 reports with mileage · 688 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 927 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 405 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 253 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

82 crash reports24 fire reports50 injury reports

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

163 reports
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50,102 miles · Nov 27, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages

I OWN A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE INSIDE REAR DOOR HANDLE HAS BROKEN INSIDE THE DOOR PANEL. THIS REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF THE DOOR PANEL. NOW YOU CAN NOT EXIT THE VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WILL NOT FIX THIS NOR WILL CHRYSLER. THE DEALER SAID IT WILL COST $700+ TO REPAIR. THE PANEL WHICH IS NOT EVEN…

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I OWN A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE INSIDE REAR DOOR HANDLE HAS BROKEN INSIDE THE DOOR PANEL. THIS REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF THE DOOR PANEL. NOW YOU CAN NOT EXIT THE VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WILL NOT FIX THIS NOR WILL CHRYSLER. THE DEALER SAID IT WILL COST $700+ TO REPAIR. THE PANEL WHICH IS NOT EVEN AVAILABLE FROM CHRYSLER! CHRYSLER SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL THE VEHICLE AND REPLACE THE INSIDE PANELS BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10367960

80,000 miles · Nov 17, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

ON THE DRIVERS DOOR, THE PLASTIC OF THE PANEL SUPPORTING THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE HAS BROKEN LEAVING THE HANDLE UNMOUNTED AND USELESS. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS IT TAKES MORE TIME TO EGRESS THE VEHICLE IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10366528

41,000 miles · Oct 27, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AND REAR DOOR PANELS WERE CHIPPING AROUND THE DOOR HANDLE AREA, CAUSING THE DOOR HANDLES TO DETACH FROM THE PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT A FACTORY DE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AND REAR DOOR PANELS WERE CHIPPING AROUND THE DOOR HANDLE AREA, CAUSING THE DOOR HANDLES TO DETACH FROM THE PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT A FACTORY DEFECT AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE DEALERS STATEMENT AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

NHTSA ODI #10362667

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR WHEN THE DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED FROM THE DOOR PANEL. IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, SHE HAD TO EXIT THROUGH ANOTHER DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO REPLA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR WHEN THE DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED FROM THE DOOR PANEL. IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, SHE HAD TO EXIT THROUGH ANOTHER DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE DOOR PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON EACH DOOR HANDLE IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10362655

30,500 miles · Oct 23, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED. BOTH FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER DOOR PANELS HAVE BROKEN AND CRACKED. THE PFRONT PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE ON THE INSIDE IS NOW INOPERABLE. IT IS NOW PERMANENTLY INOPERABLE ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 31,000 MILES ON IT. SO FAR THE DEALER CLAIMS NO RECALLS ARE AVAILABLE AND THE PRICE TO REPLACE IS ABOUT 80…

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2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED. BOTH FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER DOOR PANELS HAVE BROKEN AND CRACKED. THE PFRONT PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE ON THE INSIDE IS NOW INOPERABLE. IT IS NOW PERMANENTLY INOPERABLE ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 31,000 MILES ON IT. SO FAR THE DEALER CLAIMS NO RECALLS ARE AVAILABLE AND THE PRICE TO REPLACE IS ABOUT 800 PER DOOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10361928

Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

DOOR PANEL HANDLES CRACKED ON ALL 4 DOORS, UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE BACK. PASSENGERS ARE UNABLE TO OPEN DOOR. PLASTIC CRACKED AND FINALLY GAVE WAY IN THE REAR OF VEHICLE, FRONT DOORS ARE CRACKED AND VERY CLOSE TO GIVING WAY. HUGE SAFETY ISSUE HERE. DEFECTED MATERIALS, DATE INDETERMINABLE OF ISSUE BASED ON DEFECTS.…

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DOOR PANEL HANDLES CRACKED ON ALL 4 DOORS, UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE BACK. PASSENGERS ARE UNABLE TO OPEN DOOR. PLASTIC CRACKED AND FINALLY GAVE WAY IN THE REAR OF VEHICLE, FRONT DOORS ARE CRACKED AND VERY CLOSE TO GIVING WAY. HUGE SAFETY ISSUE HERE. DEFECTED MATERIALS, DATE INDETERMINABLE OF ISSUE BASED ON DEFECTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10361374

63,000 miles · Oct 17, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

MY 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE DOOR HANDLES INSIDE ARE BREAKING. THEY ARE PLASTIC AND SEEM TO BE CHEAPLY MADE. THEY JUST START TO CRACK AND AFTER A FEW MONTHS THE WHOLE HANDLE IS GONE. JEEP NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL OR LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE CANT GET OUT OF THERE VEHICLE IN A EMERGENCY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10360941

35,000 miles · Oct 13, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

RE: 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED - INTERIOR DOOR PANELS (WHERE DOOR HANDLE IS ATTACHED) ARE CRACKING AND FALLING AWAY RESULTING IN THE DOOR HANDLES NO LONGER BEING ATTACHED TO THE DOOR. THIS REQUIRES, AT TIMES, THE DOOR TO BE OPENED FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. CHRYSLER WILL NOT REPLACE AS THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE DE…

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RE: 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED - INTERIOR DOOR PANELS (WHERE DOOR HANDLE IS ATTACHED) ARE CRACKING AND FALLING AWAY RESULTING IN THE DOOR HANDLES NO LONGER BEING ATTACHED TO THE DOOR. THIS REQUIRES, AT TIMES, THE DOOR TO BE OPENED FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. CHRYSLER WILL NOT REPLACE AS THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS $700 + LABOR (PER DOOR) TO REPAIR SOMETHING THAT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING/MATERIAL DEFECT AND SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10360345

56,000 miles · Oct 13, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

REAR PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE BROKE FROM DOOR PANEL CAUSING CHILD TO NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE. THE HANDLE IS NOW DANGLING THERE FROM WIRE. THE OTHER DOORS ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF SPIDER CRACKS, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO BREAKAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10360235

56,000 miles · Oct 13, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

REAR PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE BROKE FROM DOOR PANEL CAUSING CHILD TO NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE. THE HANDLE IS NOT DANGLING THERE FROM WIRE. THE OTHER DOORS ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF SPIDER CRACKS, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO BREAKAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10360234

Official recalls

3

14V438000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch

Jul 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

13V175000 · Electrical System; 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System

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.

Consequence: If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.

Remedy: 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.

Power Train:transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive)

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.

Consequence: If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.

Remedy: 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.

05V396000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Sep 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

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

1

PE14017 · Air Bag Non-deployment

Opened Jun 16, 2014 · Closed Dec 23, 2014

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:ignition; Electrical System:ignition:module; Electrical System:ignition:switch

Chrysler is conducting a safety recall of approximately 643,618 model year 2006-2007 Jeep Commander and model year 2005-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles to address the problem of ignition turning off while driving (see NHTSA recall 14V-438 for more information).According to Chrysler, these vehicles may experience an unintended change in ignition switch position while driving, which may result in loss of engine power, power steering, and braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash and disabling one or more of the vehicle's safety features including the frontal air bags.Most of the reported incidents occurred as a result of driver interaction with the ignition key.Based on the recall action taken by Chrysler, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed.Additionalinformation on this closing resume, and the investigation are in the PE14-017 public file available online at SaferCar.gov.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10101116 10103300 10106060 10112589 10116788 10126986 10128093 10130780 10145501 10146213 10153018 10155291 10156396 10158165 10162933 10166746 10178559 10183305 10186545 10189530 10192237 10193106 10194092 10199552 10199986 10221500 10222283 10227253 10231011 10328609 10358324 10392364 10577532 10585326 10585976 10599142 10604990 10605091 10605209 10606494 10606610 10607043 10607614 10607785 10608196 10615565 10615671 10615761 10616124 10633266 10633313 10633724 10639371 10640010 10644827 10652526 10653000 10653382 10654009 10654139 10654809 10655095 10659448 10662220 10662703

Additional source detail variants (3)

Electrical System:ignition

Chrysler is conducting a safety recall of approximately 643,618 model year 2006-2007 Jeep Commander and model year 2005-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles to address the problem of ignition turning off while driving (see NHTSA recall 14V-438 for more information).According to Chrysler, these vehicles may experience an unintended change in ignition switch position while driving, which may result in loss of engine power, power steering, and braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash and disabling one or more of the vehicle's safety features including the frontal air bags.Most of the reported incidents occurred as a result of driver interaction with the ignition key.Based on the recall action taken by Chrysler, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed.Additionalinformation on this closing resume, and the investigation are in the PE14-017 public file available online at SaferCar.gov.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10101116 10103300 10106060 10112589 10116788 10126986 10128093 10130780 10145501 10146213 10153018 10155291 10156396 10158165 10162933 10166746 10178559 10183305 10186545 10189530 10192237 10193106 10194092 10199552 10199986 10221500 10222283 10227253 10231011 10328609 10358324 10392364 10577532 10585326 10585976 10599142 10604990 10605091 10605209 10606494 10606610 10607043 10607614 10607785 10608196 10615565 10615671 10615761 10616124 10633266 10633313 10633724 10639371 10640010 10644827 10652526 10653000 10653382 10654009 10654139 10654809 10655095 10659448 10662220 10662703

Electrical System:ignition:module

Chrysler is conducting a safety recall of approximately 643,618 model year 2006-2007 Jeep Commander and model year 2005-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles to address the problem of ignition turning off while driving (see NHTSA recall 14V-438 for more information).According to Chrysler, these vehicles may experience an unintended change in ignition switch position while driving, which may result in loss of engine power, power steering, and braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash and disabling one or more of the vehicle's safety features including the frontal air bags.Most of the reported incidents occurred as a result of driver interaction with the ignition key.Based on the recall action taken by Chrysler, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed.Additionalinformation on this closing resume, and the investigation are in the PE14-017 public file available online at SaferCar.gov.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10101116 10103300 10106060 10112589 10116788 10126986 10128093 10130780 10145501 10146213 10153018 10155291 10156396 10158165 10162933 10166746 10178559 10183305 10186545 10189530 10192237 10193106 10194092 10199552 10199986 10221500 10222283 10227253 10231011 10328609 10358324 10392364 10577532 10585326 10585976 10599142 10604990 10605091 10605209 10606494 10606610 10607043 10607614 10607785 10608196 10615565 10615671 10615761 10616124 10633266 10633313 10633724 10639371 10640010 10644827 10652526 10653000 10653382 10654009 10654139 10654809 10655095 10659448 10662220 10662703

Electrical System:ignition:switch

Chrysler is conducting a safety recall of approximately 643,618 model year 2006-2007 Jeep Commander and model year 2005-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles to address the problem of ignition turning off while driving (see NHTSA recall 14V-438 for more information).According to Chrysler, these vehicles may experience an unintended change in ignition switch position while driving, which may result in loss of engine power, power steering, and braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash and disabling one or more of the vehicle's safety features including the frontal air bags.Most of the reported incidents occurred as a result of driver interaction with the ignition key.Based on the recall action taken by Chrysler, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed.Additionalinformation on this closing resume, and the investigation are in the PE14-017 public file available online at SaferCar.gov.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10101116 10103300 10106060 10112589 10116788 10126986 10128093 10130780 10145501 10146213 10153018 10155291 10156396 10158165 10162933 10166746 10178559 10183305 10186545 10189530 10192237 10193106 10194092 10199552 10199986 10221500 10222283 10227253 10231011 10328609 10358324 10392364 10577532 10585326 10585976 10599142 10604990 10605091 10605209 10606494 10606610 10607043 10607614 10607785 10608196 10615565 10615671 10615761 10616124 10633266 10633313 10633724 10639371 10640010 10644827 10652526 10653000 10653382 10654009 10654139 10654809 10655095 10659448 10662220 10662703

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