10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
15 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
16 / 0
Average Mileage:
47,853 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee electrical problems

electrical problem

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2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Owner Comments (Page 40 of 44)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #93

May 052013

Grand Cherokee

  • 130,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was neither repaired nor diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

- Peragould, AR, USA

problem #92

Apr 052012

Grand Cherokee 8-cyl

  • 59,000 miles
I began to notice some unexplained acceleration and deceleration. While driving, when the vehicle should downshift, I could feel a bump and noticeable hesitation. That gradually worsened to become major fluctuations in the RPM while both accelerating and decelerating. For instance, while steadily engaging the gas pedal to accelerate, the vehicle sometimes feels jumpy, does not accelerate smoothly, and if you look at the RPM's they jump up and down by 500 - 1000 rpms. Also, while coasting to a stop, when I am not braking but just allowing the vehicle to roll to the stop from say 45 mph, the same jumping occurs with the rpms. This sometimes causes the car to lurch forward if the rpms flare at a near stop, and once, as I was pulling out of my driveway, I stopped at the bottom of the drive but the engine flared and pushed the car out onto the roadway by about a foot. Eventually, this RPM issue began causing stalling. When I would stop at a traffic light, the engine would jump, and then the rpms would drop to zero and the engine would stall. Sometimes after just a few attempts I could restart. Twice I needed towed. My regular mechanic was able to replicate the stalling and saw and felt the RPM flares. He found no mechanical issues and suggested it was a computer issue and directed me to a dealership. 2 dealerships could find nothing wrong and sent me away with no fix. So, my regular mechanic did a computer reset which seemed to solve the problem temporarily. Reset was at 66,000 miles. Now at 72,300, problem is again becoming pronounced. I am getting nowhere with the dealerships and I'm honestly frightened driving this car. I cannot trust the car to accelerate or decelerate properly and I can't be sure the engine won't stall in traffic.

- Bluffton, SC, USA

problem #91

Feb 152013

Grand Cherokee

  • 175,000 miles
2005 Jeep has been slipping into neutral since February 2013. It caused me to have an accident because I couldn't get out of the way of rear-oncoming traffic. No major damage was done thankfully! a few weeks later I experienced a rollaway. I went into the sitter to pick up my son. After about 5 minutes of being inside I my Jeep roll across the street! I go running outside, opened the door and pulled up the emergency break...just missing an embankment! since the "neutral" thing started I have had several service lights come on. My mechanic performed a diagnostic check and he said its all electrical. Also, I've had issues with the front passenger window going up/down slower than the rest of the windows since 3 months into purchase. Other issues are cracked door handles (both front doors), replacing taillight kit, ac switch-a few times as it would only work on high.

- Murdock, FL, USA

problem #90

Jul 152012

Grand Cherokee

  • 88,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, all the warning lights illuminated and the gauges failed to provide accurate readings. The failure occurred intermittently. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.

- Twin Lakes, WI, USA

problem #89

Jan 302013

Grand Cherokee

  • 47,000 miles
The electrical system has a mind of its own. On some occasions all the dormant indicators simply light up (tire inflation, check engine, seat belt ect) at other times we lose total electrical on the interior and dash. We lose fuel gauge, heater fan, dash lights, radio ect. Then it comes back to life. Even the best mechanics cannot find a ghost. Jeep has a problem and they better acknowledge it fast or someone will die. I have seen the same problem described by many, many owners. They cant all be crazy.

- Utica, NY, USA

problem #88

Feb 052013

Grand Cherokee 4WD 8-cyl

  • 119,000 miles
Exact same scenario.... traveling down the road, stopped at a light and car went into limp mode with the esp mode disabled lit up on the dash. Car was idling at just under 2K RPM and would not accelerate. Car normally idles at just under 1K RPM. With my foot on the brake the car wanted to drive forward, light turned green and let off the brake, I was doing 20mph without my foot on the gas. I pulled over and shut the car off, restarted and ran fine for a day. Next day I broke down 5 times coming home from work. Car would run fine and all of a sudden I would feel a power surge in acceleration and I knew it was coming, next stop light car would start to idle funny and light turns green, no power. No matter how hard I smashed the gas pedal, rpms would not move from just under 2K. I shut the car off, restarted and took off like normal. Im going to the dealer tomorrow to have it checked out and im taking statements from this page to show the dealer that there are many people having this problem and cannot fix it.. I am positive Jeep knows about this problems and will not admit to it. Hey if we have enough people can any say "class action law suit""??? oh yeah remember I said I have video of this??? because everyone said dealer could not replicate the problem or figure it out" I also have a 15,000$ paper weight in my driveway that's worth no more than 400$ at the local scrap yard. I've had to many problems with this Jeep and this is the last straw. Jeeps are junk, and remember "its a Jeep thing", you wouldn't understand. Yeah they are right on that, I don't think anyone understands!!! I also have recorded video of this if anyone from Jeep wants to contact me.

- Broomfield, CO, USA

problem #87

Feb 012013

Grand Cherokee 6-cyl

  • 106,450 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Jeep will not crank. Lights come on and stereo works but only clicks when the key is turned. Jumper cables did not fix the problem.

- Shavertown, PA, USA

problem #86

Aug 212012

Grand Cherokee

  • 89,900 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after several attempts. The contact was able to start the vehicle by having the battery jumped. The contact also stated that the failure recurred intermittently and the battery was prematurely drained. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,900.

- Johnston, IA, USA

problem #85

Nov 292012

Grand Cherokee

  • 80,000 miles
This has happened a lot. While driving all the intrument lights will flash, causing the ac/heater to turn off and on, headlights to go off, and traction control to turn off. Twice recently the vehicle has shifted itself into reverse with the gear selector still in drive. I have taken it to a shop and they went through the entire electrical system and could not find a source for this problem. All Jeep owners I have talked with (over 30) have this exact same issue. This is extremely unsafe and Jeep needs to be held responsible.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #84

Nov 062012

Grand Cherokee 4WD 8-cyl

  • 95,000 miles
The vehicle will not idle when hitting the brakes at a stop sign or traffic light or coming to a complete stop resulting in a rear end collision. From the vehicle not maintaining a normal idle position.this is a danger to the vehicle occupants and anybody else on the road.Jeep is aware of the problems and have not come up with a solution for the customers.I have seen this same thing reported to the NHTSA onrecord a million times and will see this issue gets addressed if I have to call a senator that is a good friend of mine somebody is going to answer for this! to read the amount of complaints that have been reported to the NHTSA and nothing has been done is unacceptable and I can assure you the NHTSA better investigate this immediately. This pertains to Jeep Grand Cherokee 2005 V8 4.7 liter motor found in 57% of all Jeep that were built. You can go to youtube and see this in a video of this happening and its also on the Jeep forums web site posted a million times.

- Shelby, NC, USA

problem #83

Jan 122010

Grand Cherokee 6-cyl

  • 45,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

First the locks stopped working properly along with the key. Next the vehicle failed to start with only a click and then nothing occasionally it would start and then happen again at the next destination. Have taken it to the dealer on 10-12 occasions and have had a starter replaced. It happened the next day. I have seen online several hundred instances of the same thing some worse than others. This is a common problem that is rendering these vehicles useless owners are all told the same thing "never heard of it, yet if one searches, you will find several times its the same issue this is unsafe the vehicle shut off at 45 mph on time and it cannot be trusted and no one can seem to fix this common problem help.

- Machias, ME, USA

problem #82

Jun 012012

Grand Cherokee

  • 128,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact mentioned that the failure would occur sporadically and that she had to wait several minutes before she could restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the ECM was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 128,000 and the current mileage was 130,000.

- Indiannapolis, IN, USA

problem #81

May 152012

Grand Cherokee

  • 80,000 miles
I was driving the 2005 Grand Cherokee that we puchased and on the second day after purchasing the car at 80,000 miles the interior and exterior lights started flickering on and off and all the emergency light would come on. We took the vehicle back to the dealer we purchased from told them about the problem, so they ran a diagnostic on it and drove it and could find nothing wrong. Now recently the problem started to worsen as my wife drives the car at night with our 3 year old daughter in the vehicle the light are flickering on and off then completely going blank and not coming back on. This is very unsafe and dangerous to have a vehicle that the headlights go off when needed especially driving down the dark roads of Texas. Something absolutely needs to be done immediately about this problem, everytime I take the vehicle to shop cant ever find anything wrong. This issue is putting my family and other family's at danger. We depend on our vehicle to be reliable and safe. I thought I was the only one experiencing this problem and that it was an electrical problem but it is obviously a defect on these 2005 vehicles. My vehicle is now at 90,000 miles and the issues have got worse. Chrysler needs to do something about this immediately before is results in a fatality.

- Tomball, TX, USA

problem #80

Jul 162012

Grand Cherokee 4WD 8-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
When attempting to start the vehicle, I heard one click and nothing happened. Lights and gauges worked, but nothing else. Jeep was jumped and then started right up. It went two months and is now doing the same again. Within a week, it has done it 3 times. Battery replaced and starter checks out fine. Also gauges dim and then come back on within seconds. The alarm goes off whenever it feels like it. Doors sometimes will not unlock with the fob which sets the alarm off. Nav system only works when it feels like it. Low setting on heater doesn't work. This lemon needs recalled!!!

- Sandpoint, ID, USA

problem #79

Jul 092012

Grand Cherokee

  • 101,000 miles
While driving for about 30 minutes, the gears changed from drive to the 3rd gear. Transmission reves up and the check engine light comes on. After coming to a stop, and restarting it, it sometimes goes back to drive mode, but reverts back to the third gear, displays "3" and stays there. Took it to a mechanic, could not fix. Dealer claims no recalls for this problem, but online blogs show plenty of people with the same problem. Help.

- Rockville, MD, USA

problem #78

Mar 162012

Grand Cherokee 6-cyl

  • 76,000 miles
My 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee (first incident) while turning a corner at approximately 15-20mph revved up, would not shift, and prnd were all lit up on the dash, as well as the engine light came on. After a few starts the engine light has gone off. Second incident, from dead stop at a light and accelerating, same issue. Engine light goes off again. This has now occurred 4 times within 2 months and is a safety hazard considering the fact that your speed drops down out of no where and can potentially cause a serious accidents, causing harm to car a drivers, especially behind you, them not being aware that you are suddenly about to drop speed without brake lights!

- Norfolk, VA, USA

problem #77

Apr 012011

Grand Cherokee 4WD 6-cyl

  • 24,000 miles
When turning the ignition key to the start position, you hear 1 "click" but the vehicle does not start. This is an intermittent event that seems to come and go every few months. When it happens, I have to leave the key in the on position for about 1 - 2 minutes, then attempt to start the engine again. I had previously had my vehicle serviced at the dealership for this problem, but since it is so random, the service personnel could not recreate the event. I even advised them that other owners, registering this same complaint, pointed to corroded solenoid wires as being the culprit. However, the service department had me purchase a new battery last year. This did not fix the condition which continues periodically to this very day. Unfortunately, the car has been unable to start at a few times when the surroundings were less than totally safe. I have viewed a number of consumer forums, such as autoforum.classifieds1000.com/Jeep-grand_cherokee/2005_jeep_gc_not_starting?pg=10. All of these owners have the exact issue but each time, when presented with the details of the occurrences, dealerships disavow all knowledge that this condition exists. Many consumers are being told by the dealerships that no other owners have complained about this.

- Norfolk, VA, USA

problem #76

Jan 222009

Grand Cherokee 4WD 8-cyl

  • 43,000 miles
While driving the entire electrical system fails; lights start flashing, heat goes out, all system warning lights flash ( brakes, tire pressure, service 4 wheel drive system, check engine light comes on), I was able to continue to drive the car but the lights flashed continuously for approximately 15 miles. This has happened multiple times since I purchased the SUV June 2005. The dealership runs test by say they cannot find anything wrong. I have read on the internet that this is happening to many owners of the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the dealers and mechanics at the dealership cannot find anything wrong. This is a dangerous situation as many people also loose power and the SUV shift into low gear. I am afraid to drive my Jeep now because the check engine light keeps coming on and off. I am going back to the dealership again for some more stupid "I did not find anything wrong" statements. Originally I was told it was because I had a remote starter so I has it disconnected and the problem still exists.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #75

Dec 082008

Grand Cherokee 6-cyl

  • 52,162 miles
Purchased vehicle 8/9/08. At this time only problem we was you had to press clock button for radio to work. During 2008 we noticed a lot of odd behavior in electrical areas. October 29, 2009 brought Jeep to used car dealership with these complaints: First check engine light started coming on, then it began flashing, door chime starts dinging, illuminated areas dim & brighten-flashing, dashboard lights go crazy flashing on & off, interior lights turn on & off, transmission lights go crazy & need to shift down in order to get vehicle to drive, headlights & tail lights flash on and off which is very unsafe while driving on a dark highway at night. Used car dealership had car towed to Jeep dealership in new london. These repairs cost $500.12 for faulty crank sensor, sensor crankshaft, spark plugs, leak at trans electrical. August 17, 2011 took to a new dealership w/ same problems. Went to valenti Jeep in mystic, ct. Was advised junction block needed to be replaced and codes in multiple modules reset-this cost $318.52. September 10, 2011 back to valenti Jeep for same problems & for install. Of junction box costing $249 because of installation costs & other items we were advised to take care of. Meanwhile as a warning this all begins after check engine light starts flashing. By September 28, 2011 it begins again: At this time check engine light & all other lights start up again, along with fact that you can now pull key out & vehicle is still running. Blinking dash lights, ac on & off, gauges drop to 0, told only reason this is happening is because we have remote start system they don't use. Tech reset system & disconnected our remote start system at a cost of $90.40. Then by October of 2011-approximately, check engine light has returned & transmission lights are blinking. Also headlights started flashing & tail lights. These issues are very sporadic.

- Ledyard, CT, USA

problem #74

Nov 152011

Grand Cherokee 4WD 8-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact attempted to start the ignition; however the engine failed to operate until after a jump start was performed to the battery. The similar failure occurred on two different occassions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and they were unable to locate the recurring problem. The manufactuer was notified if the defect. The approxiamte failure mileage was 90,000. Kmj.. updated 12/29/11 updated 12/30/11

- Fresno, CA, USA

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