The Lemon Index

All cars · Jeep Grand Cherokee · 2005

2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index190100 = average car
Complaints281NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold213,584U.S. model year
Per 100K sold132complaints
Year rank#17 of 23#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 6

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
3.7L 6-cylAuto 5-spdRWD15 / 21 / 17Regular$3,650
3.7L 6-cylAuto 5-spd4Wheel or AWD15 / 19 / 17Regular$3,650
4.7L 8-cylAuto 5-spdRWD14 / 18 / 15Regular$4,150
4.7L 8-cylAuto 5-spd4Wheel or AWD14 / 19 / 15Regular$4,150
5.7L 8-cylAuto 5-spd4Wheel or AWD13 / 18 / 14Regular$4,450
5.7L 8-cylAuto 5-spdRWD13 / 18 / 14Regular$4,450

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 47,200 and 112,000 miles. Median 78,000, from 1,360 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Electrical92,00057,000–129,000470
Body structure75,00055,000–100,000316
Transmission & drivetrain72,50017,000–109,500209
Doors, locks & latches59,00042,100–78,500137
Engine100,00079,000–135,000111

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Transmission & drivetrain28%
Electrical22%
Engine20%
Speed control9%
Brakes9%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
2,051822450017

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 5

  • 14V438000 Jul 2014 Electrical System / Ignition / Switch

    Defect. 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,

    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.

  • 13V175000 May 2013 Power Train / Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)

    Defect. 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.

  • 09E039000 Jun 2009 Suspension

    Defect. ROCK KRAWLER IS RECALLING 44 PERFORMANCE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE. THESE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS WERE PRODUCED WITH GRADE 2 CARRIAGE BOLTS INSTEAD OF THE PROPER GRADE 5 CARRIAGE BOLTS. THE IMPROPER GRADE 2 CARRIAGE BOLTS COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF CLAMPING FORCE FOR THE BOTTOM STRUT FORK.

    Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF EFFECTIVE LIFT AND LOWERING OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLE, POSSIBLY CREATING THE DRIVER TO PANIC WHICH COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

    Remedy. ROCK KRAWLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15. 2008. ALL THE AFFECTED UNTITS HAVE BEEN REMEDIED. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ROCK KRAWLER AT 1-518-270-9822.

  • 09E012000 Apr 2009 Exterior Lighting

    Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

    Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

  • 05V396000 Sep 2005 Power Train / Automatic Transmission

    Defect. 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

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedAir bag non-deployment20142014

Manufacturer communications 117

Jeep filed 117 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Nag1 (w5a580) transmission - shudder when torque converter clutch engages
  • Oil pressure warning light may illuminate
  • UConnect Hands Free Module Fails To Respond Due To Module Lock Up This bulletin involves…

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
OptionalNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2002134307224,233Brakes
200394163207,479Brakes
2004243399182,313Brakes
2005190281213,584Transmission & drivetrain
2006102115139,148Electrical
2007132147120,937Engine
200813211073,678Engine

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data