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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.

About this comparison →

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

Service Brakes complaints

62 reports
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170,743 miles · Oct 25, 2014
Power TrainService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING, WONT SHIFT, NO CRUISE CONTROL, BRAKE LIGHTS ON, . THIS HAPPENS AT LEST ONE A WEEK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10649877

Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2014
Service BrakesSteering

I WAS ON THE FREEWAY STOPPED IN TRAFFIC BUT DRIVING SLOWLY AS TRAFFIC MOVED WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE THE STEERING WHEEL THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL FELT REALLY STIFF SO WHEN THAT HAPPENED I JUST PUT THE TRUCK ON PARK AND TURNED IT OFF AND BACK ON AND AFTER DOING THAT IT DROVE NORMALLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10648821

16,000 miles · Oct 6, 2014
Service Brakes

DURING A RECENT BRAKE JOB, I REMOVED MY BRAKE ROTORS. MY JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE (2005) HAS A COMBINATION DISK AND DRUM BRAKE SYSTEM IN THE REAR IN A SINGLE ROTOR. THE DRUM BRAKES ARE FOR THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM. WHEN I REMOVED THE REAR ROTORS ONE OF THE DRUM BRAKE PADS FELL OFF ON THE FLOOR. I CHECKED THE OTHER THREE PADS FR…

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DURING A RECENT BRAKE JOB, I REMOVED MY BRAKE ROTORS. MY JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE (2005) HAS A COMBINATION DISK AND DRUM BRAKE SYSTEM IN THE REAR IN A SINGLE ROTOR. THE DRUM BRAKES ARE FOR THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM. WHEN I REMOVED THE REAR ROTORS ONE OF THE DRUM BRAKE PADS FELL OFF ON THE FLOOR. I CHECKED THE OTHER THREE PADS FROM BOTH REAR TIRES AND ALL OF THEM WERE ON THE VERGE OF COMING OFF. THEY APPEAR TO BE GLUED ON AND GLUE FAILED. THESE ARE FACTORY INSTALLED BRAKE PADS. THIS SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE. I SHOULD ALSO NOTE THAT THESE DRUM BRAKE PADS HAD VIRTUALLY NO WEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10641763

50,000 miles · Sep 29, 2014
EngineService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THERE WAS A DELAY BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD STOP. THE FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V4380…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THERE WAS A DELAY BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD STOP. THE FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V438000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10640010

100,000 miles · Sep 19, 2014
Electrical SystemService BrakesService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF, THE BRAKE LIGHT, REAR TAIL LIGHT, AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE BAR LINKS, THE BAR BRUSHES, AND THE FRONT AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF, THE BRAKE LIGHT, REAR TAIL LIGHT, AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE BAR LINKS, THE BAR BRUSHES, AND THE FRONT AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL PINION SEALS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10637500

76,000 miles · Sep 17, 2014
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH MAKING A RIGHT TURN, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE WHEELS AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE AIR BAG AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V438000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH MAKING A RIGHT TURN, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE WHEELS AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE AIR BAG AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V438000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO FIND A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

NHTSA ODI #10636986

43,000 miles · Aug 19, 2014
Electrical SystemService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE MESSAGES "SERVICE ELECTRICAL BRAKE SYSTEM" AND "SERVICE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM" APPEARED ON THE INFORMATION PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE MESSAGES "SERVICE ELECTRICAL BRAKE SYSTEM" AND "SERVICE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM" APPEARED ON THE INFORMATION PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

NHTSA ODI #10626395

67,120 miles · Aug 12, 2014
EngineService BrakesSteering

DRIVING 16 MILES PER HOUR ENTERING IN TO A LEFT TURN WHEN ENGINE SHUT DOWN, LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, NO POWER STEERING AND NO BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10621717

79,443 miles · May 1, 2014
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR WHEELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKES HAD SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR WHEELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKES HAD SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,443. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10585868

139,000 miles · Mar 31, 2014
EngineService BrakesSteering

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE TRUCK JUST SHUT OFF COMPLETELY FOR NO REASON THEN RESTARTED ITSELF THIS HAPPEN 3 TIMES THAT DAY AND HAS HAPPEN 2 MORE TIMES AFTER THAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10576092

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

Go deeper into Jeep Grand Cherokee problems