Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
PCM HAS BEEN REPLACEMENT MULTIPLE TIMES BY DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOP. When computer fails it has failed a circuit with 02 sensors which kills engine power randomly while driving on highways. It has turned ABS light on and Service 4x4 randomly and won't let the vehicle travel over 10mph. Very dangerous on roads. I've had three computers installed in the last Year and a half and have given me 3 close calls almost causing accident. That's 3 too many. I'm not the only one with the computer issues ask around to owners with these jeeps. How many close called does someone need for Chrysler to not even repair but Just to look into. Do people need to die in an accident for people to take this seriously. The issue is NOT from lack of maintenance either. If my ABS module was failed I would no. …
Lights on the dashboard were blinking, there were no turning signals, the gas gauge was not working, and the check engine light was flashing. My safety was put at risk because I could not let people know when I was turning. I took it to the dealer, and they said there were too many codes, but none were active for them to fix the problem. So, I have to drive the jeep, but this is dangerous. The warning keeps showing me that there is a problem with the ignition switch that was previously recalled. I want this taken care of, please.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While depressing the brake pedal, the contact started the engine and placed the gear shifter in drive. Suddenly, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated and struck a parked vehicle. The police and fire departments were present, but no reports were filed. There were no injuries. On two previous occasions, the vehicle was taken to baxter Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep (2010 s 124th circle, la vista, nebraska 68128) for the same failure in January and March, but the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was never repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted for the recent failure. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.
Tl* the consumer owns a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The cobsumer stated that while pulling into the driveway, the vehicle independently accelerated and crashed into the garage. As a result, the consumer's vehicle destroyed another vehicle that was parked in the garage. The driver sustained injuries to the chest and arms. The seat belt failed to restrain the driver and the front driver's and passenger air bags failed to deploy. Medical attention was received. A police report was not filed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was 54,000. The VIN was unknown.
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration and the speed increased to 80 MPH. The driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a utility pole. The driver sustained injuries to the neck, back, left arm, and left foot, which required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. A police report was filed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 200,000. ...updated 07/10/17 ..updated 07/13/17
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While changing lanes at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently without warning. The brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. As a result, the contact crashed into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The manufacturer and the dealer were made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 73,000.
I was leaving the car wash and after putting the Grand Cherokee in drive with my foot on the brake it accelerated on its own and the brakes were not responsive. Unable to stop or slow down, to avoid traffic, I crashed into a stone wall. The car is totaled and I had serious injury to my head as the airbag also did not deploy.
While driving approximately 55 MPH the etc warning light came on and I lost all control of the throttle control of the car. I manged to coast home at 15 MPH speed where I call call the dealer and have the car towed tothe shop for repair. A throttle control module was identified as being shorted and they replaced it at $1508.20 cost to me. Prior to this incident my control module went out causing the electric seats to retract and engine begin to shut down. This required a new power module at $1543 cost to me. The recall issued by Chrysler for the ignition switch problem NHTSA 14v-438 has yet to be resolved by Chrysler since September 2014. …
A few weeks/months after the purchase of my Jeep about 2 years ago, I noticed that my cruise control had stopped working and the ABS light had come. I checked my fuses and relays and they were OK. Then a day or so later I was driving on the interstate and my check engine light and my brake lights came on. My Jeep then seemed to downshifted itself. It felt as if the transmission had locked up, it slowed to about 30mph and would not shift onto another gear. I pulled over killed the motor. After a few attempts to drive it, I turned the key over and noticed the break and engine lights were off so I attempted to drive home and was sucessfull. This started to happen more and more often. I noticed that it mainly happened when either I was running my ac or it was wet/raining outside. I then started researching Jeep problems and recalls. I came across the daminoncrysler recall no. 13. …
OK I'm fully aware my vehicle is under 3 recalls well technically speaking 2 cause ones a recall on the recall waiting for that recall to be recalled. This whole process is insane my vehicle has turned off while driving has unparked itself shifted on its own had the lights flicker I have even been pulled over mutiple times for these problems twice when the Jeep decided it was gonna stop accelerating 3 times because the lights start flickering sometime just inside sometimes just the outside and most recently all the lights just stopped working vehicle still running made it about 10 feet after the lights went out and sure enough before I could even pull of tbe road blue lights I've had the vehicle less then 60 days it's stalled while sitting still it's stalled while driving it's shut off while idle and while driving. …
Acceleration complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 88 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 4% of the model year's 2,051 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 23 crashes, 1 fire and 19 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.