repaired · 2017 Q1
Ignition: switch
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…
2005 Jeep Grand CherokeeProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 2,052 owner complaints about the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 14V-438 the manufacturer reports only 50% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 27, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: TTTNIS, CC0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee has problems
2,052 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
928Electrical system21 crash/fire/injury
405Structure13 crash/fire/injury
253Power train26 crash/fire/injury
163Latches/locks/linkages2 crash/fire/injury
134Engine
95Air bags
88Vehicle speed control
78Engine and engine cooling
64Steering
36620 other systems35 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 928 | 21 |
| Structure | 405 | 13 |
| Power train | 253 | 26 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 163 | 2 |
| Engine | 134 | 14 |
| Air bags | 95 | 28 |
| Vehicle speed control | 88 | 24 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 78 | 5 |
| Steering | 64 | 8 |
| 20 other systems | 366 | 35 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Electrical system
Risk. If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.
no report yet
Power train: automatic transmission
Risk. IT CAN LEAD TO INCREASED TRANSMISSION OPERATING TEMPERATURES, BOILING OF THE WATER, AND A SUBSEQUENT PURGING OF TRANSMISSION FLUID INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Jeep.
Mileage at failure
When do electrical system problems start?
91kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 470 electrical system complaints. 56% were reported before 100,000 miles.
55under 30k miles264under 100k miles206100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Structure
60 owners mentioned a cost$788median
Middle half: $700 – $2,000
Latches/locks/linkages
34 owners mentioned a cost$760median
Middle half: $685 – $2,000
Unknown or other
9 owners mentioned a cost$750median
Middle half: $340 – $2,000
Electrical system
8 owners mentioned a cost$327median
Middle half: $137 – $750
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2005 vs. every other Grand Cherokee year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Grand Cherokee median. How we score
5555887198939911,0281,6381,4478831,4767621,2952,0521,2801,1097341381181,6411,6458052,3921,3723133648573712414142704102588137
'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee safety ratings
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Rollover: 4 stars (19.1% risk)
- Stability control: Optional
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the recalls they led to.
- Air Bag Non-deploymentLed to recall 14V-438
In owners' words
What Grand Cherokee owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
Driving down the road all my dash lights cut off, the windows, turn signals wont work and the headlights (Auto) turn off.
The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local dealer for repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V438000 (Electrical System). While placing the key in the ignition, it was extremely tight. The driver thought the key could possibly break. The…
The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 35–40 MPH, the engine seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart after several attempts. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times, including three times while driving…
Own a 2005 Grand Cherokee?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.