Most common 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems
Share of the 2,051 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Jeep Grand Cherokee complaints by model year
Best Grand Cherokee years: 2016, 2020, 2017. Years to avoid: 2014, 2012, 2011, 2024, 2023. Compare all years →
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls (3)
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
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.
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.
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.
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.
Power train › Automatic transmission
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.
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…
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee:
Air Bag Non-deployment
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…
What 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners say
Electrical system all 927 →
The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH, the engine seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart after several attempts. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times, including three times while driving to the dealer. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V438000 (Electrical System) which was associated with the VIN. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the recall repair might not be able to be performed because of the age of the vehicle. In addition, the contact was informed that if the repair was approved by the manufacturer, the labor fee might be at the owner's expense. The contact was informed that the manufacturer needed to approve the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer made the manufacturer aware of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local dealer for repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V438000 (Electrical System). While placing the key in the ignition, it was extremely tight. The driver thought the key could possibly break. The Uconnect and power train warning lights were illuminated. The contact was alerted that the brake lights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, who informed the contact that the vehicle was serviced with no brake lights and informed the contact that a diagnostic test was needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. After taking possession of the vehicle, there was an abnormal sizzling sound coming from the dashboard, and the radio was inoperable. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 145,677.
Body & structure all 405 →
1. Airbag light was on when I purchased the vehicle from SRQ in Bradenton Florida February 2020. 2. The hood handle inside the vehicle was broke replaced it, it broke again. 3. The hood will not shut properly due to the latch inside the vehicle broke. Now the Hood will not stay up by itself property, began in August 2022. 4. Both door handles inside vehicle in the back were broken now the passenger side is broken no way to open vehicle door from inside. 5. December 2022 battery light is coming on, battery is no more than 2 years old check engine light keeps coming on. 6. Sunroof is leaking inside the vehicle when it rains. Hardly ever use/open sunroof. 7. Traction control light comes on blinking quite often since I purchased a vehicle in February 2020. 8. Sometimes vehicle will go into third gear from drive and will not switch down to any other gear or back into drive. It stays in 3rd. …
On June 11, 2013, I pulled into a convenience store parking lot. I put my (2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee) in park & got out (the engine was still running). After a moment or so, my Jeep started rolling forward. It rolled between the fueling islands & it was headed towards the street. My Jeep hit a yellow pole & that stopped it from rolling into the street. (the yellow pole is a safety pole that protects the fire hydrant). I am 100% confident that I put my Jeep in park before I got out of it. I was shocked & scared when I saw it rolling down the lot. I filed an accident claim with my insurance company. The damage was around $6,000. My deductible was $500. Today, (August 13, 2013), I received a safety recall notice from Chrysler. …
Transmission & drivetrain all 253 →
The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH, the engine seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart after several attempts. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times, including three times while driving to the dealer. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V438000 (Electrical System) which was associated with the VIN. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the recall repair might not be able to be performed because of the age of the vehicle. In addition, the contact was informed that if the repair was approved by the manufacturer, the labor fee might be at the owner's expense. The contact was informed that the manufacturer needed to approve the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer made the manufacturer aware of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while idle, the vehicle would overheat with the transmission temperature sensor warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle would shudder and hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed him that the vehicle had to be serviced by an authorized dealer. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V396000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.7L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
| 3.7L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 19 / 17 |
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 18 / 15 |
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 19 / 15 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 18 / 14 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 18 / 14 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee a good car?
Based on 2,051 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Grand Cherokee rates average: 1.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the Grand Cherokee at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The electrical system — 927 complaints, 45% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition › switch. Next are the body & structure (405) and transmission & drivetrain (253).
How many recalls does the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the most recent from July 21, 2014 (switch). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2016, 2020 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2014, 2012, 2011, 2024 and 2023. See the full Jeep Grand Cherokee years comparison.
At what mileage do 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 78,000 miles; 26% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.