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Jeep Grand Cherokee 2005–2010 problems by year and mileage

3rd generation (WK)

Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.

The 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee

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Median failure report
78,000 mi
Complaints filed
2,051
Recalls naming this year
3

Most reported on the 2005

  1. Electrical system927 reports · median 92,000 mi
  2. Body structure405 reports · median 75,000 mi
  3. Transmission and driveline253 reports · median 72,000 mi

3 recall campaigns name the 2005: Electrical system — ignition; Electrical system; Power train — automatic transmission. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

The 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee

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Median failure report
80,000 mi
Complaints filed
1,300
Recalls naming this year
4

Most reported on the 2006

  1. Electrical system764 reports · median 90,000 mi
  2. Transmission and driveline176 reports · median 84,000 mi
  3. Engine126 reports · median 90,000 mi

4 recall campaigns name the 2006: Electrical system — ignition; Electrical system; Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee

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Median failure report
69,000 mi
Complaints filed
1,108
Recalls naming this year
5

Most reported on the 2007

  1. Electrical system658 reports · median 79,000 mi
  2. Transmission and driveline196 reports · median 54,000 mi
  3. Engine169 reports · median 88,000 mi

5 recall campaigns name the 2007: Electrical system — ignition; Electrical system; Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

The 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee

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Median failure report
74,000 mi
Complaints filed
733
Recalls naming this year
4

Most reported on the 2008

  1. Electrical system472 reports · median 78,000 mi
  2. Engine107 reports · median 78,000 mi
  3. Transmission and driveline77 reports · median 76,000 mi

4 recall campaigns name the 2008: Electrical system — ignition; Electrical system; Service brakes, hydraulic — foundation components. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

The 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Close
Median failure report
58,000 mi
Complaints filed
138
Recalls naming this year
2

Most reported on the 2009

  1. Electrical system47 reports · median 83,000 mi
  2. Transmission and driveline23 reports
  3. Engine22 reports

2 recall campaigns name the 2009: Electrical system; Air bags — frontal. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

The 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Close
Median failure report
68,000 mi
Complaints filed
118
Recalls naming this year
5

Most reported on the 2010

  1. Electrical system47 reports · median 85,000 mi
  2. Transmission and driveline22 reports
  3. Engine21 reports

5 recall campaigns name the 2010: Electrical system; Electrical system — ignition; Equipment. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

Each tile shows the median mileage at which that model year’s failures were reported. The 2006 reports latest and the 2009 earliest, but part of that gap is age: the 2006 has had 3 more years on the road to accumulate mileage.

The short answer

“Is the 2005–2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?”

Median of reported failures
75,000 mi
90% of reports came by
140,000 mi
Reports with mileage
3,658
Recalls
14

Most reported

  1. Electrical system53.5% of complaints · median 85,000 mi
  2. Transmission and driveline13.7% of complaints · median 71,000 mi
  3. Engine10.6% of complaints · median 86,000 mi

When each system fails ↓

Documented problems

What each one is ↓

Owners filed 5,448 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005–2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee; the electrical system leads with 53.5% of them, and half of the 3,658 that record an odometer reading came by 75,000 miles. A count like this can’t rate reliability on its own: NHTSA records what owners chose to report, not how many of each car were sold.

Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 45,000 and 107,000 miles.

Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗

How many miles does a 2005–2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee last?

Complaint records can’t measure how long a car lasts; they show when reported failures happened. On the 2005–2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee, half of the 3,658 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 75,000 miles and 90% by 140,000 miles.

270 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 46 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Grand Cherokee reached that mileage, not that it failed there.

Figure 1 · Jeep Grand Cherokee 2005–2010 · 3,658 reports with mileage

Mileage at failure

Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 186 complaints.

Mileage at failure, Jeep Grand Cherokee 2005–2010Histogram of 3,658 owner-reported failures by mileage, in 5,000-mile bins from 0 to 200,000. The tallest bin is 60,000 to 65,000 miles with 186 complaints, 5.1 percent of the total. Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 45,000 and 107,000 miles. A further 46 complaints, 1.3 percent, were reported above 200,000 miles and are shown as a separate detached bar. Median mileage at failure is 75,000.
  • Rest of the range
  • Median
  • 200,000+ — 46 complaints (1.3%), plotted separately
10%
17,000
25%
45,000
Median
75,000
75%
107,200
90%
140,000

Tallest bin: 186 complaints between 60,000 and 65,000 miles. Based on 3,658 complaints that record mileage. Bin width 5,000 miles.

Show the numbers
Complaints by mileage bin
MileageComplaintsShare
0–5,0001724.7%
5,000–10,000732.0%
10,000–15,000782.1%
15,000–20,000842.3%
20,000–25,000762.1%
25,000–30,000872.4%
30,000–35,000922.5%
35,000–40,0001103.0%
40,000–45,0001143.1%
45,000–50,0001143.1%
50,000–55,0001704.6%
55,000–60,0001353.7%
60,000–65,0001865.1%
65,000–70,0001524.2%
70,000–75,0001584.3%
75,000–80,0001544.2%
80,000–85,0001744.8%
85,000–90,0001293.5%
90,000–95,0001413.9%
95,000–100,0001333.6%
100,000–105,0001604.4%
105,000–110,000962.6%
110,000–115,0001093.0%
115,000–120,000752.1%
120,000–125,000902.5%
125,000–130,000782.1%
130,000–135,000952.6%
135,000–140,000531.4%
140,000–145,000661.8%
145,000–150,000340.9%
150,000–155,000581.6%
155,000–160,000230.6%
160,000–165,000340.9%
165,000–170,000170.5%
170,000–175,000220.6%
175,000–180,000190.5%
180,000–185,000170.5%
185,000–190,000110.3%
190,000–195,000120.3%
195,000–200,000110.3%
200,000+461.3%

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.

What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.

Common Grand Cherokee problems, and when they happen

Figure 2 · Jeep Grand Cherokee 2005–2010

When each system fails

Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.

  1. Engine and its cooling system255 reports33,00011,000–57,000Engine and its cooling system: 255 reports, median 33,000 miles, middle half 11,000 to 57,000 miles.
  2. Transmission and driveline747 reports71,00038,000–103,000Transmission and driveline: 747 reports, median 71,000 miles, middle half 38,000 to 103,000 miles.
  3. Body structure568 reports72,00052,000–100,000Body structure: 568 reports, median 72,000 miles, middle half 52,000 to 100,000 miles.
  4. Electrical system2,915 reports85,00055,000–116,000Electrical system: 2,915 reports, median 85,000 miles, middle half 55,000 to 116,000 miles.
  5. Engine579 reports86,00066,000–120,000Engine: 579 reports, median 86,000 miles, middle half 66,000 to 120,000 miles.
  6. Airbag system248 reports91,00054,000–130,000Airbag system: 248 reports, median 91,000 miles, middle half 54,000 to 130,000 miles.
  7. Problems owners could not categorise304 reports100,00065,000–131,000Problems owners could not categorise: 304 reports, median 100,000 miles, middle half 65,000 to 131,000 miles.
  • Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”

Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.

All systems in a table
Complaints by vehicle system
SystemComplaintsShareMedian25–75%
Electrical system2,91553.5%85,00055,000–116,000
Transmission and driveline74713.7%71,00038,000–103,000
Engine57910.6%86,00066,000–120,000
Body structure56810.4%72,00052,000–100,000
Problems owners could not categorise3045.6%100,00065,000–131,000
Engine and its cooling system2554.7%33,00011,000–57,000
Airbag system2484.6%91,00054,000–130,000
Throttle and speed control2484.6%72,00038,000–106,000
Latches and locks1943.6%58,00042,000–78,000
Steering1893.5%86,00060,000–125,000
System by system, in words

Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 75,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.

The electrical system accounts for 53.5% of complaints (2,915 reports, 1,576 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 85,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 55,000 and 116,000 miles.

A single system taking 53.5% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.

The transmission and driveline accounts for 13.7% of complaints (747 reports, 652 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 71,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 38,000 and 103,000 miles.

The engine accounts for 10.6% of complaints (579 reports, 495 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 86,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 66,000 and 120,000 miles.

Body structure accounts for 10.4% of complaints (568 reports, 437 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 72,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 52,000 and 100,000 miles.

Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 5.6% of complaints (304 reports, 210 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 100,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 65,000 and 131,000 miles.

The engine and its cooling system accounts for 4.7% of complaints (255 reports, 234 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 33,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 11,000 and 57,000 miles.

Known problems with the 2005–2010 Grand Cherokee

Engine (5.7L Hemi) 2005–2010

Broken exhaust manifold bolts producing a cold-start 'Hemi tick' and exhaust leak; MDS-related lifter and camshaft lobe wear on cylinder-deactivating cylinders.

Engine (4.7L V8) 2005–2007

Same head-gasket/overheating and sludging pattern carried over from the WJ.

Before you buy a 2005–2010 Grand Cherokee: the 3-minute check

Generated from 3,658 mileage-tagged complaints, 14 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 14 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
  2. Check engine (5.7L hemi) on 2005–2010 cars. Broken exhaust manifold bolts producing a cold-start 'Hemi tick' and exhaust leak; MDS-related lifter and camshaft lobe wear on cylinder-deactivating cylinders.
  3. Check engine (4.7L V8) on 2005–2007 cars. Same head-gasket/overheating and sludging pattern carried over from the WJ.
  4. Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
  5. End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.

For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 45,000 and 107,000 miles, with a median of 75,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.

On inspection, the electrical system and the transmission and driveline are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The transmission and driveline in particular shows a median failure mileage of 71,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.

None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.

Grand Cherokee problems by mileage: where your car sits

Type your odometer reading, or read the common mileages in the table. Your marker lands on the timing chart above and on the curve below.

earlier most reports on that system came below this mileage — ask for repair records. in window this mileage sits inside the middle half of its reports. later most reports came above it. That describes reports, not your odds.

Where each system’s reports sit against common odometer readings
SystemMiddle half of reports, miAt 60k mi36% belowAt 90k mi62% belowAt 120k mi81% belowAt 150k mi93% belowAt 200k mi99% below
Electrical system55,000–116,000in windowin windowearlierearlierearlier
Transmission and driveline38,000–103,000in windowin windowearlierearlierearlier
Engine66,000–120,000laterin windowearlierearlierearlier
Body structure52,000–100,000in windowin windowearlierearlierearlier
Problems owners could not categorise65,000–131,000laterin windowin windowearlierearlier
Engine and its cooling system11,000–57,000earlierearlierearlierearlierearlier
Airbag system54,000–130,000in windowin windowin windowearlierearlier

Figure 3 · Jeep Grand Cherokee 2005–2010 · 3,658 reports with mileage

Share of reports below each mileage

Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.

Cumulative share of reports by mileage, Jeep Grand Cherokee 2005–2010Of 3,658 reports that record mileage, the share filed below each odometer reading, rising in steps at each 5,000-mile bin edge. 36 percent below 60,000 miles. 62 percent below 90,000 miles. 81 percent below 120,000 miles. 93 percent below 150,000 miles. 99 percent below 200,000 miles. Median 75,000 miles.
  • 60,000 mi — 36% of reports below
  • 90,000 mi — 62% of reports below
  • 120,000 mi — 81% of reports below
  • 150,000 mi — 93% of reports below
  • 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
  • Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
  • Your odometer — appears after you enter it above

The staircase tops out at 99%: the remaining 1.3% of reports (46) came above 200,000 miles.

Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.

2005–2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls (14)

NHTSA records 14 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.

The campaigns cluster around the electrical system (6), the hydraulic brake circuit (4), the airbag system (2). Several campaigns against one area can mean a remedy that did not hold, or separate defects in parts filed under the same heading; the summaries below name each defect.

Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.

Recall repairs are free at an authorized dealer, for any owner. Summaries below shorten NHTSA’s own wording.

  1. Sep 2014 · 2008 · Electrical SystemIf the ignition stays between "START" and "ON" positions it could cause loss of certain electrical functions.

    The defect. Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008 Chrysler 300 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2007, to May 12, 2008, Dodge Magnum vehicles manufactured May 23, 2007, to May 12, 2008, Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured May 24, 2007, to May 12…

    What can happen. If the ignition stays between "START" and "ON" positions it could cause loss of certain electrical functions. If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the "OFF" or "ACCESSORY" position, the…

    The free fix. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began August 19, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at…

    NHTSA campaign 14V-567 (2014-09-17).

  2. Jul 2014 · 2005–2007 · Electrical SystemIf the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which…

    The 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…

    What can happen. 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…

    The free fix. 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…

    NHTSA campaign 14V-438 (2014-07-21).

  3. May 2013 · 2005–2010 · Electrical SystemIf the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.

    The 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…

    What can happen. If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.

    The free fix. 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…

    NHTSA campaign 13V-175 (2013-05-07).

  4. May 2010 · 2010 · Electrical SystemThe result of the defect could lead to a condition where the key may be removed from the ignition switch (win…

    The defect. Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2010 Chrysler 300, Dodge challenger, charger, Jeep commander, Grand Cherokee and Dodge RAM vehicles. These vehicles may have been built with a wireless ignition node (win) module exhibiting a binding condition of the…

    What can happen. The result of the defect could lead to a condition where the key may be removed from the ignition switch (win module) prior to placing the shifter in park. This could result in the potential for…

    The free fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the win module free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before august 23, 2010. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

    NHTSA campaign 10V-200 (2010-05-11).

  5. Mar 2010 · 2010 · EquipmentReduced vehicle stability could occur increasing the risk of a crash.

    The defect. Chrysler is recalling model year 2010 Jeep commander and Grand Cherokee vehicles. They may have been built with an improperly manufactured rear track bar.

    What can happen. Reduced vehicle stability could occur increasing the risk of a crash.

    The free fix. Dealers will inspect the rear track bar bushing retaining hoop and replace the rear track bar if any are found to be mis-positioned. The safety recall is expected to begin during april 2010. Owners…

    NHTSA campaign 10V-085 (2010-03-05).

  6. Jan 2010 · 2010 · Service Brakes, HydraulicThis could result in brake failure without warning which could cause a crash.

    The defect. Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2010 Chrysler sebring; Dodge avenger and nitro; Jeep liberty, commander and Grand Cherokee; and model year 2009-2010 Dodge RAM truck. These vehicles may have been built with an improperly formed or missing brake…

    What can happen. This could result in brake failure without warning which could cause a crash.

    The free fix. Chrysler will replace the brake booster input rod retaining clip free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during february 2010. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

    NHTSA campaign 10V-009 (2010-01-11).

  7. Nov 2009 · 2010 · Electrical SystemThe airbag may not properly protect the passenger in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    The defect. Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee passenger vehicles manufactured from october 22 through november 12, 2009. The passenger side airbag may not properly deploy through the instrument panel tear seam.

    What can happen. The airbag may not properly protect the passenger in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    The free fix. Dealers will replace the top cover of the instrument panel free of charge. The campaign is expected to begin in december 2009. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

    NHTSA campaign 09V-454 (2009-11-25).

  8. Apr 2009 · 2009 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash, the driver's airbag may not properly inflate and may not be able to properly protect…

    The defect. Chrysler is recalling 4,314 my 2009 Dodge journey, Jeep Grand Cherokee, commander and wrangler vehicles. Wiring may be reversed on the steering column control module driver airbag squib connector. The driver's airbag may not deploy as intended.

    What can happen. In the event of a crash, the driver's airbag may not properly inflate and may not be able to properly protect an occupant, increasing the risk of injuries.

    The free fix. Dealers will inspect the driver's airbag squib wires and replace the steering column control module free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2009. Owners may contact Chrysler at…

    NHTSA campaign 09V-118 (2009-04-09).

  9. Feb 2008 · 2008 · Electrical SystemThis could cause the engine to stall while driving or not to start and/or cause the windshield wipers to…

    The defect. Chrysler is recalling 1,338 my 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee and commander vehicles. The front control module may have been incorrectly manufactured.

    What can happen. This could cause the engine to stall while driving or not to start and/or cause the windshield wipers to become inoperative. Engine stalling or inoperative wipers could cause a crash without warning.

    The free fix. Dealers will inspect the module and replace it if necessary. The recall began on february 18, 2008. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

    NHTSA campaign 08V-059 (2008-02-06).

  10. Sep 2007 · 2006–2007 · Service Brakes, HydraulicThis could cause a crash without warning.

    The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles, the software programmed into the ABS electronic control module may allow a momentary delay in braking when coasting up a hill during certain conditions.

    What can happen. This could cause a crash without warning.

    The free fix. Dealers will reprogram the ABS electronic control module with new software that prevents this condition free of charge. The recall began on october 22, 2007. Owners may contact Chrysler at…

    NHTSA campaign 07V-434 (2007-09-14).

  11. Sep 2007 · 2007–2008 · Service Brakes, HydraulicThis would increase the vehicle's stopping distance and could cause a crash.

    The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles, front brake calipers in a certain lot may have been manufactured from gray iron instead of ductile iron as designed and could fracture without warning.

    What can happen. This would increase the vehicle's stopping distance and could cause a crash.

    The free fix. Dealers will inspect the front brake calipers to see if they fall into this lot and, if so, will replace them free of charge. The recall began on october 22, 2007. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler…

    NHTSA campaign 07V-415 (2007-09-12).

  12. Dec 2006 · 2007 · Service Brakes, HydraulicThis could result in a loss of vehicle control and cause a crash without warning.

    The defect. On certain vehicles, the antilock brake system (ABS) control module software may cause the rear brakes to lock up during certain braking conditions.

    What can happen. This could result in a loss of vehicle control and cause a crash without warning.

    The free fix. Dealers will reprogram the ABS electronic control unit. The recall began on february 19, 2007. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

    NHTSA campaign 06V-493 (2006-12-29).

  13. Aug 2006 · 2006 · Air BagsThe air bag may not inflate properly which can increase the risk of injury in certain crash conditions.

    The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles, the inflator connector for the driver's air bag may have been incorrectly assembled.

    What can happen. The air bag may not inflate properly which can increase the risk of injury in certain crash conditions.

    The free fix. Dealers will repair the driver's front air bag inflator free of charge. The recall is expected to begin the week of august 2, 2006. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

    NHTSA campaign 06V-295 (2006-08-08).

  14. Sep 2005 · 2005 · Power TrainIt can lead to increased transmission operating temperatures, boiling of the water, and a subsequent purging…

    The 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…

    What can happen. 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…

    The free fix. 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…

    NHTSA campaign 05V-396 (2005-09-14).

Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported

What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 5,448 complaints against this generation:

Crashes
198 (3.6%)
Fires
51
Injury reports
112
Fatality reports
2

These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.

Grand Cherokee problems by model year

The 2005 drew the most complaints of this generation, 2,051, most of them about the electrical system, and the 2010 the fewest, 118. A typical year drew about 920.

That makes the 2005 stand out at roughly 2.2 times a typical year. A count like this follows how many cars of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as how often they failed, so it is not by itself evidence of a worse year; what each year's reports name, in its card and row, is the useful part.

Complaints by model year
YearComplaintsWith mileageMedian milesMost reportedRecalls
20052,0511,36078,000Electrical system (927)3
20061,30083780,000Electrical system (764)4
20071,10874069,000Electrical system (658)5
200873350874,000Electrical system (472)4
200913811258,000Electrical system (47)2
201011810168,000Electrical system (47)5

What Grand Cherokee owners reported

The contact owns a 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated after the ignition switch was replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V438000 (Electrical System), the vehicle started making an abnormally loud sound at startup. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone; however, no diagnostic trouble code was retrieved. The…

2007 · 192,000 miles · Electrical system

The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle was started in the driveway but immediately turned off. The vehicle was restarted and shifted into reverse(R); however, the vehicle drove forward instead. The vehicle was immediately turned off to avoid a crash. The following day, while…

2008 · 155,000 miles · Electrical system

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…

2005 · 146,000 miles · Electrical system

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…

2005 · 184,000 miles · Electrical system

Built from 3,658 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-09-26 · open data · how it is built

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