Problems · NHTSA complaints

2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems

Owners filed 2,052 complaints about the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee with NHTSA between Nov 2004 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (928).

Complaints
2,052
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
82
Reported by owners
Fires
24
Reported by owners
Injuries
74
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system928
  2. Structure405
  3. Power train253
  4. Latches/locks/linkages163
  5. Engine134
  6. Air bags95
  7. Vehicle speed control88
  8. Engine and engine cooling78
  9. Steering64
  10. Service brakes62
  11. Exterior lighting60
  12. Service brakes, hydraulic32
  13. Electronic stability control (esc)28
  14. Seat belts26

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20045
200581
200687
200753
200855
200931
2010107
2011193
2012102
2013112
2014231
2015675
2016118
201759
201843
201937
202025
202112
202210
20238
20243
20253
20262

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

928 reports16 crashes5 fires1 related recall
“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 Uconnect and power train warning lights were illuminated. The contact was alerted that the brake lights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, who informed the contact that the vehicle was serviced with no brake lights and informed the contact that a diagnostic test was needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. After taking possession of the vehicle, there was an abnormal sizzling sound coming from the dashboard, and the radio was inoperable. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 145,677.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 8, 2026Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11709581

Structure

405 reports7 crashes1 fire
“1. Airbag light was on when I purchased the vehicle from SRQ in Bradenton Florida February 2020. 2. The hood handle inside the vehicle was broke replaced it, it broke again. 3. The hood will not shut properly due to the latch inside the vehicle broke. Now the Hood will not stay up by itself property, began in August 2022. 4. Both door handles inside vehicle in the back were broken now the passenger side is broken no way to open vehicle door from inside. 5. December 2022 battery light is coming on, battery is no more than 2 years old check engine light keeps coming on. 6. Sunroof is leaking inside the vehicle when it rains. Hardly ever use/open sunroof. 7. Traction control light comes on blinking quite often since I purchased a vehicle in February 2020. 8. Sometimes vehicle will go into third gear from drive and will not switch down to any other gear or back into drive. It stays in 3rd. I have to turn vehicle off then back on for it to be back into drive. Bought vehicle in February 2020 and spent well over $6,000 in repairs. I have all receipts. Have many more problems that I will send next. It only let me select 3 at a time.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 18, 2022Electrical system, Air bags, StructureODI 11497958

Power train

253 reports15 crashes8 fires2 related recalls
“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 to the dealer. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V438000 (Electrical System) which was associated with the VIN. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the recall repair might not be able to be performed because of the age of the vehicle. In addition, the contact was informed that if the repair was approved by the manufacturer, the labor fee might be at the owner's expense. The contact was informed that the manufacturer needed to approve the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer made the manufacturer aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 184,111.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 24, 2025Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11701189

Latches/locks/linkages

163 reports1 crash
“THE PLASTIC TRIM PANELS ON THE TWO PASSENGER DOORS BEGAN TO CRACK MAINLY AROUND THE DOOR HANDLE BUT IN OTHER PLACES ALSO. THEY CRACKED SO BADLY THAT THE DOOR HANDLE HAD NOTHING TO HOLD ON TO AND JUST FELL OFF. THE PASSENGERS CAN NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR FROM THE INSIDE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. I DID CONTACT JEEP SEVERAL TIMES BUT THEY ARE CLAIMING THIS IS NOT A DEFECT. PERHAPS ONE HANDLE FALLING OFF IS NOT A DEFECT BUT WHEN IT HAPPENS ON MULTIPLE HANDLES IN THE SAME CAR ANT TO MULTIPLE OWNERS, IT SURE SEEMS LIKE A DEFECT TO ME. BASED ON INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET, THIS PROBLEM IS FAR REACHING WITH THE DOOR TRIM PANELS ON JEEPS. UPDATED 04/12/2017*JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 12, 2015Latches/locks/linkagesODI 10724946

Engine

134 reports4 crashes10 fires
“Every single code is displayed when using a ODB2 scan tool. I have many electrical issues that go away and come back. Sluggish performance. Random components inside the jeep will fail at random. I’m thinking the ECU is faulty. Somedays it will run fine with all the codes still present.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 1, 2025Electrical system, EngineODI 11690782

Air bags

95 reports28 crashes
“The vehicle flipped down an embankment and into a creek and none of the air bags deployed, frontal or side curtains. Insurance adjuster has inspected vehicle. No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to failure.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 27, 2022Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11462393
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.