2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee has a complaint index of 80 and ranks 5th-worst out of 21 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. Electrical System complaints dominate at 46% of the 2,051 total, with 3 recalls on file.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #5 of 21 Grand Cherokee years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 2,051
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 82
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 24
- Injuries
- 74
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 15
- 14 city / 18.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 74 / 0
Top 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System946 (46%)
- Structure & Body486 (24%)
- Engine286 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain253 (12%)
- Other154 (8%)
- Brakes120 (6%)
- Airbags95 (5%)
- Steering64 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires43 (2%)
- Fuel System34 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine surges or redlines unexpectedly at low speed, in some cases leading to a crash.
- Vehicle stalls and backfires while driving, sometimes followed by an engine compartment fire and loss of steering control.
- Automatic transmission clunks into drive, hesitates, or downshifts to first gear and back to drive on its own while moving.
- Transmission jumps between 4th and 1st gear even after recall repair, in one case causing a crash into a pole.
- Airbags fail to deploy during a rear-end collision.
- Windshield wipers stop working, and separately the vehicle sways at highway speed before leaving the roadway.
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 14V438000Jul 21, 2014Electrical System649,353 vehicles
Electrical system:ignition:switch
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, drivers should adjust their seat to allow clearance between the driver's knee and the ignition key, and remove all items from their key ring, leaving only the vehicle key. Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, to July 5, 2007, and 2006-2007 Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured January 31, 2005, to July 5, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the driver may accidentally hit the ignition key with their knee, unintentionally knocking the key out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Risk: If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
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. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P41.
- NHTSA 13V175000May 7, 2013Electrical System295,345 vehicles
Electrical system
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 manufactured January 31, 2005, through March 10, 2010. A transfer case electrical failure may result in an unintentional shifting of the transfer case into the neutral position.
Risk: If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.
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 contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N23.
- NHTSA 05V396000Sep 14, 2005Transmission & Powertrain101,925 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
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. This can result in shudder during torque converter clutch engagement.
Risk: It can lead to increased transmission operating temperatures, boiling of the water, and a subsequent purging of transmission fluid into the engine compartment potentially resulting in an underhood fire.
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 alignment of the fill tube verified. If the presence of a leak is detected, the vehicle will be evaluated for shudder during torque converter engagement. If no shudder is detected, the transmission will be triple flushed, and new fill tube grommet seal and water deflector will be installed and proper alignment of the fill tube verified. If shudder is detected, the torque converter will be replaced, a new fill tube grommet seal and water deflector will be installed, and proper alignment of the fill tube verified. The recall began on october 31, 2005. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 14 MPG
- Highway
- 18.5 MPG
- Combined
- 15 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 model ranks 5th-worst of 21 model years for this vehicle, with a complaint index of 80 and an Avoid verdict.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- Electrical System issues are the top problem area, accounting for 946 of 2,051 complaints (46%), with a median mileage at failure of 90,600.
- Does the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee, covering electrical system issues including an ignition switch replacement and a transfer case control reflash, plus a transmission fill tube seal fix.
- How does the 2005 model compare to other Grand Cherokee years?
- The 2005 model's complaint index of 80 is worse than most other years; only 2011 (85), 2012 (90), 2014 (100), and 2015 (95) score higher, while 2010 is the Best-rated year with an index of 0.
- What mileage do problems typically appear at on the 2005 Grand Cherokee?
- Median mileage at failure across all complaints is 78,343, with Electrical System failures reported at a median of 90,600 miles.