Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
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).
The vehicle flipped down an embankment and into a creek and none of the air bags deployed, frontal or side curtains. Insurance adjuster has inspected vehicle. No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to failure.
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving at approximately 35 MPH, the engine stalled without warning and caused the vehicle to go off the road and flip over three times. The air bags did not deploy. The driver suffered from cuts on both of his legs that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was declared destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V438000 (electrical system); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000. Ma 10/5
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 owns a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received a recall notification for an unspecified NHTSA campaign number. The vehicle was not repaired due to the parts not being available. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact's wife experienced difficulty steering, braking, and unexplained acceleration, which resulted in a head on collision with a tree. The vehicle was destroyed and towed from the scene. The contact's wife struck her head and suffered loss of consciousness, which required medical attention. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 83,799.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While parked, the contact exited the vehicle and it rolled backwards without warning. The contact's vehicle crashed into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was not towed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V438000 (electrical system); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving 45 MPH, the contact encountered black ice on the road. The vehicle skidded and crashed into a guardrail and a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact sustained a concussion, which required medical attention. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 142,000.
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.
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving 30 MPH, the air bag inadvertently deployed without warning. The contact crashed into the rear of another vehicle. A police report was filed. The contact sustained fractured ribs and other unknown health issues, which required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was 86,000.
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.
Airbag complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 95 complaints about the air bags of the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 5% of the model year's 2,051 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags 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 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 91,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 28 crashes, 0 fires and 22 injuries to air bags 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.