10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
29,841 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Owner Comments

problem #20

Aug 172011

Grand Cherokee

  • 53,000 miles

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

Failed to start on 2 occasions 8/10/11 & 8/17/11. All electrical components working; battery recently replaced.

- Piscataway, NJ, USA

problem #19

Jul 182008

Grand Cherokee

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles
I have a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, 3.7L engine, automatic transmission. When driving, the vehicle will just shut off as if the key was turned off, losing all power. The vehicle will start afterwards and the check engine light will stay on for a few hours this has been going on for a couple years. This problem is similar to the recall on the 2008 Grand Cherokee stalling and I think this problem is more wide spread than Chrysler wants to admit. I have an appointment with a Jeep dealer who recently relocated in my area next week.

- Cool Ridge, WV, USA

problem #18

Dec 162009

Grand Cherokee

  • 69,000 miles
My 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee keeps stalling while driving! the dealerships do not seem to know how to fix it. It has happened 5 times in the past 6 months. There is no steering when this happens and cars behind me had to slam on brakes to avoid hitting me! if you search the Jeep blogs, you will see this is happening to everyone! please help. This is not safe and is putting my life and my child's life in danger.

- Owasso, OK, USA

problem #17

Sep 152009

Grand Cherokee

  • 54,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. He stated that while driving 45 mph the dashboard lights illuminated and the vehicle shut off and lost power steering, and brakes. He had time to drive into the emergency lane; however, after a few minutes, he attempted to restart the vehicle and was unsuccessful. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and after 24 hours they could not duplicate the failure. In two months this has occurred approximately 3 times. The dealer stated that there were no related recalls. The contact has done extensive research and found that the failure is common for his year, make and model vehicle. The failure mileage was 54000 and the current mileage was 55000.

- Fredicksburg, VA, USA

problem #16

Dec 072008

Grand Cherokee

  • 25,000 miles
My Jeep Grand Cherokee stalls. No rhyme no reason to it. Usually low speed but not exclusive. It has the 4.7 liter engine, this is dangerous as there is no warning. Dealer has no solution to this as no codes are set.

- West Frankfort, IL, USA

problem #15

Apr 172007

Grand Cherokee 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While approaching a stop at approximately 5 mph, the vehicle completely shut off. The contact had to place the vehicle into park in order for it to restart. The failure occurs most frequently when making left turns. The vehicle was taken to the dealer three times, but they were unable to determine the cause of the failure. The current mileage was 18,500 and failure mileage was 15,000.

- Canoga Park, CA, USA

problem #14

Nov 182007

Grand Cherokee

  • miles

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

I own a 2005 4.7 liter V8 Grand Cherokee. Since my purchase (two years ago), the engine has idled rough almost the entire time and completely shut off while driving about 8 times.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #13

Oct 212007

Grand Cherokee 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,000 miles
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.7L 4WD. Engine idles rough and stalls when brakes are applied. Reported to dealerships for servicing on multiple occasions. Unable to resolve.

- Garner, NC, USA

problem #12

Sep 252007

Grand Cherokee 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,385 miles
I have taken my 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee into the dealership 3 times for rough idle and stalling issues. They informed my that it was the spark plugs and needed a throttle body cleaning. So I paid to have those things done. Then, 2 days after the service was performed, I was driving and my vehicle shut off. I was in the middle of traffic and lost ability to steer and brake. Luckily I was able to safely move on the shoulder and avoid a collision. I have done quite a bit of research online about this problem, and there are many people who have the same problem with their 4.7 gc and commanders.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #11

May 172007

Grand Cherokee 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,213 miles
I purchased a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee limited w/ a 4.7L V8 engine in early 2005 from hunter Chrysler in charlotte, nc, now owned by metrolina Chrysler, South blvd, charlotte, nc. Since the vehicle was brand new it stalled on numerous occasions - sometimes when I was at a stop, and other times when the vehicle was at rated speeds! I took it to the dealer at least 5-6 times for this problem, and they have finally admitted that Chrysler was aware of the problems on this engine, but no one could offer a solution. I have talked to several Chrysler representatives, who were always very courteous, but no one has offered a solution. The last chrsyler representative said the only thing he could do was to recommend to me to trade the vehicle in. When I explained that I would take a loss on the trade-in value, less than two years old but 48000 miles he suggested that a Chrysler district manager would be in contact and could maybe help soften the financial blow. It has been two weeks and I have heard nothing. Meanwhile the vehicle kept stalling and I was afraid that I will get into an accident and get hurt or worse. My wife will no longer drive the vehicle. Please help.

- Waxhaw, NC, USA

problem #10

Apr 282007

Grand Cherokee 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,500 miles

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

2005 grand Jeep Cherokee Laredo stalls on turns. I lose power steering and brakes. It has approximately 45,000 miles and has a V8. It has stalled a few times a couple months back and I had taken my Jeep to a Jeep dealership and they could not find anything wrong. When it stalled a few days ago I almost hit a building. It stalls when I am braking and making a turn. Each time I have almost been in a series accident. It is very scary and happens randomly. I am calling the dealership once again. If they can not do anything I am contacting Jeep.

- Flushing, MI, USA

problem #9

Jan 142007

Grand Cherokee 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,500 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving 75 mph the vehicle completely shut off and the headlights went out without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after the vehicle came to a stop. The dealer recommended cleaning the throttle body and the fuel injectors. However, they were unsure if that was the reason for the stalling. The current and failure mileage were 40,500. The dealer was unable to identify problems because codes did not register after vehicle shut off. Update 4/23/07

- Sebago, ME, USA

problem #8

Mar 062007

Grand Cherokee 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,200 miles
Oil changed routinely around 3000 miles. Cold morning -3 Fahrenheit. Let car warm up for 5-10 minutes. Drove 5 miles to work. When stopped at a light on the way to work I could smell hot oil. I thought it was the car in front of me. After I parked in the car I noticed a large amount of smoke coming from my hood. I immediately popped the hood to see what was going on. There were approximately 3 inch tall flames on the exhaust manifold for about 6 inches along the manifold. Since the engine was off the flames died out and did not ignite the car. The valve cover gasket had failed and was leaking oil out on the exhaust manifold. Dealer thought the PCV valve might have had moisture in it and froze. This caused excess pressure to build and popped the valve cover gasket the weakest point. Dealer replaced valve cover, valve cover gasket, and PCV valve. Failure again: Exactly 2 weeks after the first failure. Same scenario, it was 3 degrees this time and I let the car warm up for less than a minute. This time though there was no fire. Dealer tore deeper into the engine and found the oil had sludged up. I had just changed my oil a month ago and 1000 miles previous. The sludge caused moisture to be trapped in the PCV valve and freeze. The sludge also was found in every component the oil lubricates. When I asked the dealer what I can do to prevent this from happening again they told me to change my oil as recommended. I already do that. They suggested that since I first saw this failure at 35000 miles, I should have my engine torn apart every 35000 miles to have the sludge removed. They told me they have seen the sludging problem before and Chrysler is aware of it. Chrysler will not cover the sludge clean up once it is out of warranty at 36000 miles.

- Dafter, MI, USA

problem #7

Jan 282005

Grand Cherokee 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,500 miles
Engine occasionally stalls when braking. I originally only noticed it when parking after 30-50 minutes of driving. On 28 Jan 07, Jeep stalled on 31W while approaching a stop light. There was a chime, a red light in upper right of dash started to blink, and the message center stated programming active. After about 30 seconds, there was another chime, the message went out, and I could restart the vehicle. The vehicle has stalled several times since then, all while braking.

- Fort Knox, KY, USA

problem #6

Dec 132006

Grand Cherokee 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,900 miles
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee purchased brand new - vehicle stalled while driving down the road. (I was in the process of slowing down for a red light). Had no control of vehicle on December 13, 2006. Vehicle stalled again after making right hand turn into a parking lot. Loss of power on December 29, 2006. Car restarts after turning key off and then back on. Called dealer. Said they had never heard of this before. Took car into dealer. They put it on the machine to see if the computer recorded any codes. It didn't and they couldn't find anything wrong with it. Was told to bring it back if it happens again and would have to leave vehicle at dealer.

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #5

Aug 252006

Grand Cherokee

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,825 miles
I purchased a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee in January 2005. On August 25, 2006, I took the vehicle to normandin Chrysler Jeep because the check engine light had come on and the car was lurching, making noise and kept sliding into third gear. The car was returned to me after three plus weeks and the first time I drove it, my passenger and I were almost involved in an accident because the car died. The car was immediately returned to the dealership where it has been for over two weeks awaiting a "new" transmission. The car has been in the dealership for a total of 36 of the last 38 days. The car is still at the dealership.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #4

Jun 132006

Grand Cherokee 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,356 miles
: the contact stated while changing the gear from drive to reverse there was a clicking noise. This occurred intermittently. While attempting to apply pressure to the accelerator pedal the engine made a roaring noise and the vehicle failed to pick up speed. The dealership rebuilt the transmission, however no other repairs have been made. The manufacturer has been alerted. Updated 6/27/2006 - the vehicle battery would not hold a charge. The headliner had to be replaced because it was unraveling.. the sunroof motor had to be replaced. The transmission was rebuilt on 2-27-06 with on 90000 miles. The memory seat did not move back at times when the key was removed from the ignition. The tire pressure monitoring system was inoperative. The power steering pump was binding and had to be replaced. The air bag light illuminated on the dash. The rear windshield wipers were not flush with the windshield.

- Tobyhanna, PA, USA

problem #3

Dec 012005

Grand Cherokee 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,673 miles
Car shuts off randomly while driving.

- Corona, CA, USA

problem #2

Jun 022005

Grand Cherokee 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,204 miles
Vehicle experiences a shuddering, hesitation or bucking motion when driving around town 20-30 mph and also on the highway. Taken to blevins brothers in ogdensburg, NY and had E13 recall completed. Problem continued. E-mailed Chrysler customer relations about problem and told the info I was requesting was "either proprietary or unavailable". also made a phone call to Chrysler customer relations and had them note additional complaint regarding problem. Blevins brothers service manager arranged for vehicle to be taken by a technician to a daimler Chrysler school for evaluation by course instructor. He agreed there was a problem and suggested replacement of torque converter as water may have damaged unit prior to E13 recall completion. Torque converter was replaced. Problem continued and became worse due to fall and winter temperature drop. Was advised by blevins brothers to call Chrysler customer relations and have them open a claim on the vehicle. Chrysler refused to open cair claim and told me I should contact dealer. They also told me there was a booklet in the glove compartment I should read. The booklet referred to provided info about state lemon laws. Dealer said Chrysler has told them this is a characteristic of the vehicle and there is no fix for it nor is any planned. A chrylser engineer (gary vleck) says they haven't had any other complaints. He refused to come to the dealership to drive the vehicle. I feel this a flaw in the mds (multi-displacement system) that regulates whether there are 8 or 4 cylinders in operation. I also feel Chrysler is trying to stonewall the problem by telling customers that this is how their vehicle is supposed to operate. They are hoping customers will not take it any further and give up. This mds engine is also present in magnums, chargers, 300S, durangos, commanders and 06 Ram. It would be interesting to see if this problems exists with these vehicles.

- Ogdensburg, NY, USA

problem #1

Dec 032005

Grand Cherokee 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,567 miles
Repeated accident's of my vehicle going from idle (1000 RPM) to 1500-2000 RPM while vehicle stopped and in gear. Requires significant effort to prevent vehicle from surging ahead. Has occurred when vehicle is entering street from driveway, at a pedestrian crosswalk and at a traffic light. Local dealer placed monitor in car and it recorded four instances in a month. Damiler-Chrysler engineering claims no vehicle problem, driver is supposedly stepping on both accelerator and brake. This is not correct, both driver in our family have experienced problem. Car is unsafe.

- Riva, MD, USA

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