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2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee, most recently filed July 2014. Owners have filed 2,051 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
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Recalls (3)

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 14V438000 Filed Jul 21, 2014

Knee Contact may Turn Ignition Switch Off

Electrical system · ignition · switch
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
49.6% repairedof 649,353 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V438000
Listed for 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 13V175000 Filed May 7, 2013

Possible Vehicle Rollaway

Electrical system
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Repair progress not yet reported295,345 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 13V175000
Listed for 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 05V396000 Filed Sep 14, 2005

CONDENSATE WATER ENTERING TRANSMISSION

Power train · automatic transmission
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Repair progress not yet reported101,925 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 05V396000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (2,051)

2,051 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.

82involved a crash
24involved a fire
74injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 2,051.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2005 compares with other Grand Cherokee years

Best and worst Grand Cherokee years →
2001200220032004200520062007200820092010
This year (2005)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 17 mpg combined

17
mpg combined
15
city
21
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,950
CO₂ tailpipe
523 g/mi
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle -

What it costs you to run

$3,842per year
$320per month
882gallons a year

Miles ÷ 17 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
3.7 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive15 / 21 / 17$3,950523
3.7 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive15 / 19 / 17$3,950523
4.7 L 8-cyl · 5-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive14 / 18 / 15$4,450593
4.7 L 8-cyl · 5-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 15$4,450593
5.7 L 8-cyl · 5-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive13 / 18 / 14$4,800635
5.7 L 8-cyl · 5-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive13 / 18 / 14$4,800635

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2005 Grand Cherokee for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Grand Cherokee years

Where to next

2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee FAQ

How many recalls does the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 14V438000 (electrical), 13V175000 (electrical), 05V396000 (power train). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems?

Owners filed 2,051 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (927), Structure (405), Power train (253) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee get?

EPA rates the 3.7 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic version at 15 city, 21 highway and 17 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2005 Grand Cherokee compare with other years?

Among the 2001–2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee model years at least five years old, the 2010 drew the fewest complaints (118) and the 2005 the most (2,051). The 2005 drew 2,051. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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