2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1989 | 5 |
| 1990 | 5 |
| 1991 | 6 |
| 1992 | 3 |
| 1993 | 562 |
| 1994 | 609 |
| 1995 | 723 |
| 1996 | 893 |
| 1997 | 991 |
| 1998 | 1028 |
| 1999 | 1638 |
| 2000 | 1447 |
| 2001 | 883 |
| 2002 | 1476 |
| 2003 | 762 |
| 2004 | 1294 |
| 2005 | 2051 |
| 2006 | 1280 |
| 2007 | 1108 |
| 2008 | 733 |
| 2009 | 138 |
| 2010 | 117 |
| 2011 | 1639 |
| 2012 | 1638 |
| 2013 | 802 |
| 2014 | 2373 |
| 2015 | 1355 |
| 2016 | 308 |
| 2017 | 364 |
| 2018 | 850 |
| 2019 | 362 |
| 2020 | 232 |
| 2021 | 401 |
| 2022 | 257 |
| 2023 | 380 |
| 2024 | 239 |
| 2025 | 69 |
| 2026 | 14 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
46% of complaints: electrical system — 938 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing switch and ignition.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I PURCHASED A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE ON 10/14/2017 AND ON 10/20/2017 ON MY WAY FROM DROPING MY KID OFF ,COMING HOME MY CAR STARTED TO RUN SLUGGISH SO GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY IT CAUGHT ON FIRE.WAS THERE EVER A RECALL ON THIS CAR, SO I LOOK ON THE...
NHTSA ODI report, 20171218
Also filed under ENGINE and UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V438000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240123
20% of complaints: structure — 413 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing door and body.
CRASH FIRE INJURY12% of complaints: power train — 256 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and transfer case (4-wheel drive).
CRASH FIRE INJURY8% of complaints: latches/locks/linkages — 163 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing latch.
CRASH INJURY7% of complaints: engine — 134 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND GRAY SMOKE WAS EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120525
The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal tapping sound coming from the engine. There were no warning lights illuminated.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240712
SAFETY TIMELINE
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.7L ENGINES AND NAG1 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR CONDENSATE WATER MAY ENTER THE TRANSMISSION AT THE FILL TUBE GROMMET SEAL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION FOR LEAKAGE AT THE FILL TUBE GROMMET SEAL. IF NO LEAK IS DETECTED, A NEW FILL TUBE GROMMET SEAL AND WATER DEFLECTOR SHIELD WILL BE INSTALLED, AND PROPER ALIGNMEN
Campaign 05V396000 — check if this car was fixed
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
ROCK KRAWLER IS RECALLING 44 PERFORMANCE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE. THESE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS WERE PRODUCED WITH GRADE 2 CARRIAGE BOLTS INSTE
Remedy: ROCK KRAWLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15. 2008. ALL THE AFFECTED UNTITS HAVE BEEN REMEDIED. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ROCK KRAWLER AT 1-518-270-98
Campaign 09E039000 — check if this car was fixed
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, through March 9, 2010; and 2006-2010 Jeep Commander vehicles manufa
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the final drive controller which governs the transfer case, with new software, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2013. Owners may c
Campaign 13V175000 — check if this car was fixed
Air Bag Non-deployment
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. Chrysler sent interim notifications to owners in September 2014. The recall began on October 9, 2015.
Campaign 14V438000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (938 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for structure issues (413 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (256 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 05V396000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E039000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V175000 (electrical system, power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V438000 (electrical system) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 46% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.