Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
Dash will read "ESP System Disabled" during this the engine light and red lightning in brackets ( ) turns on, on the dash. This affects the acceleration there is none and brakes work but is slow to come to a full stop. An inspection can be scheduled. This happens anytime and randomly, getting safely off the road is hard. First happened April 1, 2024 then April 3, 2024. Had a family mechanic work on it got it back and less than a day having it back and it happened 5 more times just driving to work on August 28, 2024.
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving 65 MPH and attempting to overtake another vehicle, the power steering failed. The power steering failure caused the contact's vehicle to crash into a metal guardrail. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the back and hand, which required medical attention. The contact stated that passengers in the vehicle also sustained injuries to the arms and legs, but medical attention was not required. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V438000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the brakes and the steering wheel seized. As a result, the contact crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The vehicle sustained significant damage to the front end, but the air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The driver suffered a fractured right foot and a forehead laceration that required medical attention. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 14V438000 (electrical system) was received in September of 2014, but the parts were not available. The failure mileage was 170,000.
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.
Recall p41 on 11/8/2015-I was driving my 05jgcl and I had a blow out in the r/f wheel causing me to bounce around and lose control of vehicle where my knee came in to contact with the igniton causing my vehicle to turn off- when trying to restart the Jeep the vehicle in front of me stopped short I then forced wheel to the right and I came into contact with a utility pole causing total loss of vehicle
Turning the steering wheel to the right and turning on the signal for the right the horn beeped. Stopped immediately and didn't happen again for several days. Turn the signal on for a right turn the horn beeped longer. This didn't happen every time I used the signal and it is only on a right turn. Several days later I turned the lights on in fog and the horn sounded for several seconds and would not stop. It finally stops on its own. I parked in the parking lot and the horn continued to blow by itself for several seconds even after the lights and car was turned off. It continued to blow at intervals and I had to have the horn unhooked to stop the blowing. I have owned jeeps for a very long time and would never have considered any other vehicle. I am now reconsidering this option. …
My 200 Jeep Grand Cherokee is affected by the manufacturer recall number: p41. While driving this past weekend with my wife and two small children. The ignition switch changed positions causing the engine to shut off with steering and braking greatly reduced. Thankfully I was not on the highway traveling at high speeds. This occurred in a residential neighborhood while driving 25mph. Thankfully no other vehicle or pedestrian was in our path. This was extremely scary and could have been extremely dangerous and deadly. I am completely unsatisfied with chryslers responsiveness to this issue. Our Jeep is my wife's primary vehicle and drives my children around daily. I feel this vehicle is unfit and unsafe to drive. Chrysler promised a solution by the end of the first fiscal quarter which is months past. When will a solution be available? …
I was driving down the highway going approximately 65 MPH when, without warning, the vehicle shut down completely. Engine shut down, all power steering, braking, and power systems were lost. Luckily, I was in the far right lane and was able to pull safely to the side of the road. Once the vehicle came to a complete stop I was able to restart the vehicle and continue on. This is an extremely dangerous issue. After calling the dealer was told there was a recall for the symptoms described but no parts available to fix it and it could be months before it could be fixed. No offer was made to provide me with a vehicle to drive while the issue remained open. I am not going to endanger my life, my family's lives, or the lives of other drivers by continuing to operate this vehicle. …
In rush hour traffic, the car would lose power everytime the car came to a stop or idled. 3 days later, the car lost power in speed limit traffic after going over the railroad tracks. Since then, it loses power at every stop. If I am not aware, the car rolls into oncoming traffic! I took the car to my nearest dealer. They confirmed that it was the ignition switch that has been recalled and a part hasn't been sent to dealers. I called Chrysler and all they did was put me on a list! They apologized for me not having a car to drive and that was it! They would not provide me with a timeline of when the part would be ready. They refused to provide me with a loaner vehicle while it was off the road. I have lost my mode of transportation unless I want to risk my and my family's life, and they say there is nothing they can do even though they are at fault!
As I was leaving a shopping center about 40 miles away from my house my Jeep and as I entered onto the interstate the Jeep acted like I was having a flat tire with the steering wheel shaking and giving me a lot of vibration and the flop flop sound you get from a flat tire. I stopped and got out but no flat tire, loose lug nuts or anything I could find. Put flashers on and headed up the road slowly not going over 45 MPH. It finally quit and I was able to increase speed. It continues to have this wobble sound along with the steering wheel shaking off and on. I did some research and the only thing matched what happen was the Jeep death wobble. Some vehicles have had a recall on this but I don't see any for my year.
Steering complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 64 complaints about the steering of the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 3% of the model year's 2,051 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist system (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 93,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 1 fire and 7 injuries to steering 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.