YearToAvoid

2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA has 253 owner complaints about transmission problems in the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 12% of all 2,051 complaints for this model year. That is #3 highest transmission complaint count among 21 Grand Cherokee model years. These complaints report 15 crashes, 8 fires, and 7 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 73,250 miles.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
253
12% of 2,051
Crashes reported
15
Fires reported
8
Injuries reported
7
Median mileage
73,250 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 20, 2004, latest Nov 24, 2025.

2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per quarter142004 Q42006 Q42008 Q42011 Q22013 Q32015 Q32017 Q32020 Q2
253 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2004 Q4 to 2025 Q4; peak 2005 Q4 (14).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee

  1. 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.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Grand Cherokee model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2005253 (12%)
  2. 2006173 (14%)
  3. 2007196 (18%)
  4. 200877 (11%)
  5. 200923 (17%)
  6. 201022 (19%)
  7. 201190 (5%)
  8. 2012102 (6%)
  9. 201355 (7%)
  10. 2014474 (20%)
  11. 2015351 (26%)
  12. 201678 (25%)
  13. 201788 (24%)
  14. 201875 (9%)
  15. 201945 (12%)
  16. 202039 (16%)
  17. 202158 (14%)
  18. 202236 (14%)
  19. 202338 (10%)
  20. 202428 (12%)
  21. 202511 (15%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee have transmission problems?
NHTSA has 253 owner complaints about the transmission in the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 12% of all complaints for this model year, including 15 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 73,250 miles.
Which Jeep Grand Cherokee year has the most transmission complaints?
The 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee has the most transmission complaints (474), compared with 253 for the 2005.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee concerns the transmission: 05V396000.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.