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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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Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ARE DEFECTIVE. PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS COMPLETELY BROKEN DUE TO THE CHEAP PLASTIC AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS ALMOST FAILED AS WELL. I AM AFRAID THAT IN AN EMERGENCY, I AND MY PASSENGERS MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. I'VE BEEN READING ONLINE AND THIS APPEA…

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2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ARE DEFECTIVE. PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS COMPLETELY BROKEN DUE TO THE CHEAP PLASTIC AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS ALMOST FAILED AS WELL. I AM AFRAID THAT IN AN EMERGENCY, I AND MY PASSENGERS MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. I'VE BEEN READING ONLINE AND THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE, BUT CHRYSLER REFUSES TO FIX THE DOORS. THEY WANT $700 PLUS TO FIX EACH DOOR HANDLE, BUT YOU CAN'T EVEN GET ONE BECAUSE THEY ARE ON BACK ORDER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10359865

50,000 miles · Oct 1, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

I HAVE TWO 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEES. ALL THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLES ARE CRACKING AND SOME ARE COMPLETELY DESTROYED TO THE POINT YOU CAN NOT OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. WHICH IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, NO ONE WOULD BE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. IT'S OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM WITH THE PLASTIC BEING TOO THIN/BRITTLE. IT'S ALL OVER THE …

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I HAVE TWO 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEES. ALL THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLES ARE CRACKING AND SOME ARE COMPLETELY DESTROYED TO THE POINT YOU CAN NOT OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. WHICH IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, NO ONE WOULD BE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. IT'S OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM WITH THE PLASTIC BEING TOO THIN/BRITTLE. IT'S ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE EVEN YOUTUBE VIDEOS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10358771

53,000 miles · Sep 28, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages

N/A MATERIAL USED INSIDE VEHICLE FAULTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10358016

50,000 miles · Sep 20, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. ALL 4 INTERIOR PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE MOUNTINGS HAVE CRACKED. THE TWO REAR HANDLES HAVE FALLEN OFF COMPLETELY. CHRYSLER SAYS THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10356635

45,000 miles · Sep 10, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

2 OF 4 INTERIOR DOOR PANEL ON MY 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE ARE BROKEN. I HAVE NOT REPLACED THE PANELS DUE TO COST AND WORKING AROUND THE PROBLEM FOR NOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10354920

45,000 miles · Sep 7, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesVisibility

I AM REPORTING A VERY BIG SAFETY CONCERN ABOUT 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED V8 HEMI INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES AS IT IS MADE OF VERY CHEAP PLASTIC AND I HAVE THE FOUR HANDLES RIPPED OFF ON MY VEHICLE. THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE DOORS ARE FROM OUTSIDE. IN CASE OF EMERGENCY OR IF THE CAR IS DAMAGED WHERE I CAN NOT BRING DOWN THE WIND…

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I AM REPORTING A VERY BIG SAFETY CONCERN ABOUT 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED V8 HEMI INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES AS IT IS MADE OF VERY CHEAP PLASTIC AND I HAVE THE FOUR HANDLES RIPPED OFF ON MY VEHICLE. THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE DOORS ARE FROM OUTSIDE. IN CASE OF EMERGENCY OR IF THE CAR IS DAMAGED WHERE I CAN NOT BRING DOWN THE WINDOWS I WILL BE STUCK INSIDE THE CAR. WHEN I TRIED TO ORDER A REPLACEMENT PARTS I FOUND IT IS OUT OF STOCK AND BACKORDERED. IT MIGHT TAKE FEW MONTHS BEFORE I GET IT. THIS JUST SHOW HOW BIG IS THE PROBLEM AND HOW MANY CARS ARE INVOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10354205

61,000 miles · Sep 6, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED EDITION INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES BREAKING OFF. 3 OF THE 4 DOOR HANDLES ARE UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. DUE TO THE NUMBER OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE, JEEP OBVIOUSLY HAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT NEEDS A RECALL ISSUED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10354051

50,000 miles · Sep 5, 2010
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

I BOUGHT MY 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE IN APRIL 2010 SO I HAVE HAD IT FOR 5 MONTHS. IN THAT 5 MONTHS THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR HANDLE HAS COMPLETELY BROKEN AND FALLEN INTO THE DOOR, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR HAS CRACKED AND WILL BE COMPLETELY BROKEN SOON, THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR HANDLE IS JUST BEGINNING TO CRACK SO THE ONLY ON…

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I BOUGHT MY 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE IN APRIL 2010 SO I HAVE HAD IT FOR 5 MONTHS. IN THAT 5 MONTHS THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR HANDLE HAS COMPLETELY BROKEN AND FALLEN INTO THE DOOR, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR HAS CRACKED AND WILL BE COMPLETELY BROKEN SOON, THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR HANDLE IS JUST BEGINNING TO CRACK SO THE ONLY ONE THAT REALLY WORKS 100% IS THE DRIVER DOOR HANDLE. I HAVE AN EXTENDED BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY THAT WE PURCHASED AND WERE TOLD THE ONLY THING IT DIDN'T COVER WAS THE DVD PLAYER...WELL THEY LIED! ABOUT A MONTH AFTER WE BOUGHT THE JEEP WHILE DRIVING THE AC WOULD SHUT OFF AND EVERYTHING ON THE DASH WOULD START TO BLINK ON AND OFF AND THEN SUDDENLY STOP, I TOOK IT IN AND ALL THEY SAID WAS WE COULD NOT GET IT TO DO IT AGAIN. WE RECENTLY HAD THE REAR DIFFERENTIALS REPAIRED DUE TO THEM GOING OUT, THEY ACTUALLY COVERED THAT UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE ONLY OTHER ISSUE IS SOMETIMES WHILE STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT AND IDLE THE JEEP WILL SEEM LIKE IT WANTS TO DIE BUT NEVER DOES. I ONLY HAVE 56000 MILES ON MY CAR AND HAVE OWNED IT 5 SHORT MONTHS AND HAVE HAD ALL OF THESE ISSUES, MY MAIN CONCERN IS THE DOOR HANDLES BECAUSE NOT ONLY CAN MY 3 KIDS NOT GET OUT IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY, BUT WHERE THE PLASTIC HAS CRACKED IT HAS SHARP EDGES AND THEY COULD EASILY CUT THEIR HANDS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE THAT HAPPENS! WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE, AN INJURED CHILD????? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353968

72,000 miles · Sep 2, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE WAS MADE OF DEFECTED PLASTIC. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE DEFECT. THE DOOR HANDLE WILL BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 72,000.

NHTSA ODI #10353583

89,000 miles · Sep 1, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES. 3 OF MY 4 HANDLES HAVE BROKEN OFF. JEEP CHARGES $700.00 TO REPLACE THIS. IT IS A JOKE, CONSIDERING I HAVE USED THE BACKSEAT DOOR HANDLES MAYBE 15 TIMES SINCE I HAVE HAD IT SINCE 2007. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OR SEEN DOOR HANDLES ON ANY VEHICLE COMPLETELY BREAK OFF OUT OF NO…

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2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES. 3 OF MY 4 HANDLES HAVE BROKEN OFF. JEEP CHARGES $700.00 TO REPLACE THIS. IT IS A JOKE, CONSIDERING I HAVE USED THE BACKSEAT DOOR HANDLES MAYBE 15 TIMES SINCE I HAVE HAD IT SINCE 2007. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OR SEEN DOOR HANDLES ON ANY VEHICLE COMPLETELY BREAK OFF OUT OF NO WHERE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353242

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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