Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
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).
1. Fuel tank started leaking on the top. 2. Middle backseat belt was stuck. It would not pull out. No matter what we tried it just got tighter and tighter, had to cut it. 3. Can't use seat warmer on passenger side because it will burn the person sitting there because the seat tore.
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 stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle veered to the passenger side and it would attempt to stall. The vehicle was then shifted from drive into park and shifted back into drive. The vehicle was able to be driven, however, the failure recurred on several occasions. The contact also stated that on several occasions the check engine and seat belt warning indicators illuminated when the vehicle was started and while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was not diagnosed 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 not made aware of the failure. …
The middle rear seat belt is locked in place to the point it is digging into my seat. I now can not use the seat belt and causes a safety concern for my children and or passengers if they are not wearing a seat belt. Also, the rear headrest removes but the poles that holds them in still stick out of the seat. The headrest must be removed to properly install my daughters booster seat. The booster seat does not sit flush against the seat unless the head rest cushion is removed but it does not look safe especially in the event of a car accident having the head rest support poles sticking out of the seat. So all in all the rear seat renders me useless with only two seat belts and one of the two working ones not properly installing a car seat becaise of the headrest.
I bought this car nov. 2015. (car was stationary) I did not know there was a problem with seat belt until I tried put my Grand child in middle back seat and noticed the seat belt was stuck and was not usable. After doing some research, and reading other complaints on same issue, it turns out their is a problem with the seat belt retractor. This is definitely a safety issue as well as a law that all must wear them. When we took the car to dealer the to fix 2 other recall issues they said it would cost at least $500 to fix the seat belt issue and that it might happen again! I strongly feel something should be done about this problem and that it's the company's responsibility to fix this safety issue!
The center back seat seatbelt will not come loose. It is tightened and will not retract. I have to put my six year old on the left passenger side because I cannot seat her in the middle. It's concerning in the event of an accident, my child is susceptible to more injuries since I cannot properly seat her in the middle seat in the back. Also, when it rains, the car leaks into the inside. This has been going on for quite sometime. I don't understand it. I spoke with my cousin who also owns a brand new Jeep and even hers does this as well.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving 25 MPH, the contact's vehicle was struck by another vehicle. The vehicle at fault slammed on the brakes, which caused the contact to slam on the brakes as well. The air bags failed to deploy and the seat belts failed to restrain the contact. A police report was filed. He stated that this is a safety issue because the components failed to protect him from bodily harm, which could have LED to being severely injured. The current and failure mileages were 27,000.
Middle backseat seatbelt is stuck unfastened, unable to fasten seatbelt, unable to place small children or babies in the middle seat. Middle seatbelt is not a lap belt, it goes across the chest. Safest seat is now the most unsafe position in the car. When trying to start the ignition, the key has to be turned several times and can take up to five minutes until the car ignition will turn on to start car.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the seat belt tensioner was tightening up and not releasing. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it could not be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl* - while driving 40 - 45 miles per hour. The contact lost control of the vehicle on a gravel/dirt road which caused a collision with a post. The contact's airbags did not deploy. The seatbelt didn't secure her in the vehicle which caused her to lose 4 front teeth and, severely injure her jaw bone and chin.
Seat Belt complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat belt problems on the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the seat belts of the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 1% of the model year's 2,051 complaints. The component named most often is front (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee seat belt problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seat belts 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 seat belt problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to seat belts 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.