Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Jeep Wrangler owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Engine failed, speedometer, tach went to 0, all gauges went to 0, power steering failed after I declutched and then coasted to a full stop (power brakes failed but still had some brake input) safely on the shoulder of an off ramp. (This not the first time this has happened, however it was the first time pulling a full trailer, so I drive as if it could happen again) Vehicle was at Branhaven Jeep in Branford, CT last July @ 64429 miles... they were unable to duplicate. It is now at Gengras Jeep in East Hartford, CT, same story. I've asked Gengras to replace the ignition switch again. I have the ignition switch from Branhaven which I found the copper plate worn off to steel and evidence of arcing on the contacts
The dashboard will display odd behavior and all of a sudden the ignition will cut. Total loss of power. This has happened in the past with children in the vehicle. Very dangerous. Resetting the key will reset but it is random.
2014: dash and rear lights stopped working. Had to replace multi-function switch. Module and wiring melted and fused together. 2017: during install of new stereo, mechanic discovered multi-function switch and module melted again. Replaced all wiring with heavier gauge, replaced all bulbs with lower wattage leds. Wondering when next electrical problem will surface.
005-2006 Jeep wranglers are incurring an apparent large number of PCM/ECU failures (as evidenced in many online forums and a high backlog of PCM orders which Jeep/Chrysler is unable to fill or provide an eta for). The failure of the PCM reveals itself in many ways including emissions system failures (and resultant vehicle inspection failures I will add), transmissions failing to shift, hard forceful transmission shifts with vehicle lunges and more. On my vehicle specifically the transmission codes are coming on and the vehicle will randomly not shift out of second gear and randomly shifts to neutral while driving at highway speeds and presents itself as a safety hazard when entering high speed freeways and interstates. To the PCM and further online investigation indicates this a frequent and recurring issue. …
Had been noticing a plastic burning smell for a couple months, never found a cause or anything not working properly. Driving home early one morning I noticed my headlights were not working, the brights worked and so did the fog lights, but no low beams. After looking on Jeep forums and noticing a lot of people were having the same problem I decided to take the cover off my column and take a look. The wiring harness connected to my multifunction switch was burnt, proof of at least one small electrical fire, if not multiple small fires. I cannot be the only one with this problem, multiple posters on Jeep forums have reported similar events.
Noticed a burning smell and thought it was one of four trucks ahead of me. Pulled off onto my exit and continued to notice the smell. Smoke began pouring from the dash. I had seen the service department the same morning and informed them my blower motor had been working intermittently. They verified the problem and ordered a new motor. Upon inspection of my vehicle I notice that the area around the blower motor is extremely hot. Blower motor has the following: label 1 valeo:kjlhd 929520g rev a -- pass 11-18-4 10:10:50 label 2 Bosch made in Mexico dpl 653 12v 9 000 025 075 19 904 929431h cw 49104 1.
Turned my Jeep on and the check engine light, sentry key light, fuel light came on and fuel gauge went to 0, Jeep ran for approx 30sec and shut off. Fuses were checked, nothing found out of place. Tried it again, same thing happened. Was towed to dealership to check and fix. Was informed that the main wiring harness near an o2 sensor was "fried" and that wires were fused and melted together. Granted, my Jeep is 9 years old, but this is a design issue, not a wear and tear issue. Why would wiring be placed close enough to a heat source to where it's able to catch fire and fuse together?
The PCM has a known high failure rate due to the vibration. The components are covered in a resin that you can not remove. The PCM is 500-1300 to get a repaired and reprogramed one. I have a 2005 and the PCM has failed and gives bad performance and does not run on teh 14.7 stokes for air/fuel/ it dumps fuels and I do not think it meets emisson levels in this condition.
Over a period of several days the vehicle started shifting hard and eventually went into "limp" mode and started throwing different codes for various sensors. After many visits to different mechanics I researched the problem myself and pinpointed the PCM as the problem.
I purchased my Jeep Wrangler rubicon sahara in July 2005. Over the years, the biggest problems I had were the infamous shaking of the car at speeds over about 55mph and the constant need to jump the car and buy new batteries. The latter problem seemed like something I could live with but over time it became worse and you could no longer rely on the car to start. Jeep has always been very cavalier about these problems, but they are real. My car now has only about 17,000 miles on it because of the reliability problem. In January 2011 there was an electrical explosion and smoke in the car. It was towed to lithia Jeep in santa fe nm (where I originally bought it). They couldn't really figure out the problem, but charged me for some rewiring and sent it back to me. Within days, the battery was dead again, so I bought a new battery. …
Electrical complaints in other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2005 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Jeep Wrangler, 3% of the model year's 650 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › interior/under dash (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Jeep Wrangler electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2005 Jeep Wrangler, though it has 1 recall 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 Wrangler electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 6 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.