RoadVitals

2005 Jeep Wrangler Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
649
Latest Oct 5, 2023
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
19
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Mar 18, 2005

What this page shows

Our database holds 649 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Jeep Wrangler. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 649 · page 1 of 26

Engine
Filed Oct 5, 2023

Engine warning light has been coming on since about 70k miles(190k now). Scanner says O2 sensor is bad. After replacement of the O2 sensor, the fault continues to show up randomly. I carry a scanner to reset the engine code on the road. All wiring has been checked and is ok. When I clear the code, the error does not show up again for anywhere from 125 miles to around 300 miles. Clearing the code starts the process all over.

NHTSA ID
11548495
Incident
Oct 7, 2008
Steering
Filed Mar 6, 2023

As I was driving home from work on Feb. 14, 2023, in Rocky Hill, NJ. the vehicle developed a sudden loss of steering control. I had it towed to Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Princeton, NJ. The service manager informed me that the area of the frame to which the steering gear box is bolted had completely rotted, and the steering box had separated. The car was not driveable and could not be repaired. The vehicle will be available for inspection until April 15, 2023.

NHTSA ID
11510341
Incident
Feb 14, 2023
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 27, 2022

Ecm computer , o2 heater sensor from ecm and controls transmission shift points . Replaced o2 sensors and transmission is controlled by ecm not shifting correctly will stay in first gear and hard shift to second can create loss of control in wet weather conditions.

NHTSA ID
11481555
Incident
Aug 22, 2022
Powertrain (other)SteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 10, 2022

Keep wobble almost caused head on collision afraid to drive vehicle over 55 mph

NHTSA ID
11478517
Incident
May 8, 2019
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 14, 2021

The dashboard will display odd behavior and all of a sudden the ignition will cut. Total loss of power. This has happened in the past with children in the vehicle. Very dangerous. Resetting the key will reset but it is random.

NHTSA ID
11424836
Incident
Jul 14, 2021
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 28, 2021

Engine failed, speedometer, tach went to 0, all gauges went to 0, power steering failed after I declutched and then coasted to a full stop (power brakes failed but still had some brake input) safely on the shoulder of an off ramp. (This not the first time this has happened, however it was the first time pulling a full trailer, so I drive as if it could happen again) Vehicle was at Branhaven Jeep in Branford, CT last July @ 64429 miles... they were unable to duplicate. It is now at Gengras Jeep in East Hartford, CT, same story. I've asked Gengras to replace the ignition switch again. I have the ignition switch from Branhaven which I found the copper plate worn off to steel and evidence of arcing on the contacts

NHTSA ID
11422633
Incident
Jun 27, 2021
Engine
Filed Jun 28, 2021

The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle loss motive power. Several gauges became inoperable with unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled over and waited approximately 15 minutes before the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The ignition switch was replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,666.

NHTSA ID
11422619
Incident
Jun 27, 2021
Mileage
66,666 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 15, 2021
2 injuries reported

At every fuel fill up, gasoline splashes back out onto the vehicle, the person filling the vehicle and creates a very unsafe puddle of gasoline on the ground. There is never a time that it does not happen. I would be readily available to make my vehicle available for inspection of this concern. Chrysler has issued recalls for this exact problem on several of their vehicle models all within the same time period of manufacturing. The fuel tank inlet check valve is a widely known and dangerous issue that should be seriously considered to repair the remaining vehicles on the road with this problem. It has been documented by numerous owners of Jeep Wranglers from 2005-2006 while the same issue forced a recall of the same Jeeps in later model years, 2007-2008. The Jeep has been inspected by a certified mechanic where I was notified of much of this information. With the amount of gasoline that spills out and the motorist re-enters their vehicle, there could be a static charge that could ignite the gasoline and cause extreme personal harm and property damage. There is no indication or warning sign to alert you that it is going to splash out gasoline. I am left to rarely fill my fuel tank to the maximum level to avoid being soaked in gasoline and irritating my skin or worse. I have owned this Jeep for going on 4 years and it has been a concern since day 1. I am noting this report of having been injured but the injuries at this point are only skin irritations as a result of gasoline coming in contact with our skin. I also noted the date as the first time this happened but as mentioned before, it happens or will happen at every fill up.

NHTSA ID
11420994
Incident
Oct 9, 2018
Engine
Filed Jun 4, 2021

The camshaft sensor upper bushing does not get lubricated seizes up causes camshaft to wear out. In my jeep I replaced three of them on the inline 4.0 6cyl. I only have 66,660 miles on my jeep. June 4, 2021.

NHTSA ID
11419621
Incident
Jun 4, 2006
Electrical
Filed Oct 22, 2020

ECU STOPED WORKING NO REASON.

NHTSA ID
11365817
Incident
Oct 15, 2020
Mileage
149,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 29, 2020

THE PCM HAS A KNOWN HIGH FAILURE RATE DUE TO THE VIBRATION. THE COMPONENTS ARE COVERED IN A RESIN THAT YOU CAN NOT REMOVE. THE PCM IS 500-1300 TO GET A REPAIRED AND REPROGRAMED ONE. I HAVE A 2005 AND THE PCM HAS FAILED AND GIVES BAD PERFORMANCE AND DOES NOT RUN ON TEH 14.7 STOKES FOR AIR/FUEL/ IT DUMPS FUELS AND I DO NOT THINK IT MEETS EMISSON LEVELS IN THIS CONDITION.

NHTSA ID
11361908
Incident
Jun 15, 2020
Mileage
138,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 12, 2019

STEERING STABILIZER GOES OUT ON AVERAGE ABOUT 20,000 TO 30,000 MILES WITH NORMAL STREET OR HIGHWAY DRIVING. STEERING WHEEL STARTS SHAKING BACK AND FORTH AND WHEELS SHAKE VIOLENTLY . I SEE JEEP IS NOW RECALLING SOME 2018-2019 JEEPS AND WOULD LIKE MINE FIXED TOO .

NHTSA ID
11243391
Incident
Aug 12, 2016
Mileage
55,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 16, 2019

HOOD FLUTTER WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AT OR ABOVE 50MPH. HAD TO REPLACE LATCHES WITH A NEW SYSTEM TO ELIMINATE THE FLUTTER AND POSSIBILITY OF IMPENDING FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
11232533
Incident
Apr 20, 2018
Mileage
68,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 9, 2019
Crash reported

: I AM THE OWNER OF A 2005 JEEP WRANGLER. FOR THE LAST 10+ YEARS MY ACCELERATOR HAS STUCK AT FULL THROTTLE 5-7 TIMES. EVERY TIME I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A SHOP - THEY HAVE TEST DRIVEN IT BUT NO STICKING. LAST WEDNESDAY (5/22) AT A 4 WAY STOP SIGN MY ACCELERATOR STUCK AGAIN AT FULL THROTTLE & I HIT A CAR. NO ONE WAS HURT, BUT I WAS GIVEN A CITATION WITH WITNESSES TO THE ACCELERATOR BEING STUCK. THE MAN AT THE SHOP TOLD ME HIS JEEP WRANGLER HAD A RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I CONTACTED JEEP CORPORATION & FILED A REPORT (CASE [XXX]) WITH A WORKER "ALY". SHE TOLD ME TO PARK MY JEEP AND AN INSPECTOR WOULD BE THERE TO INVESTIGATE. THAT WAS MORE THAN A WEEK AGO & 5 CALLS TO 1-877-426-5337. CAN YOU HELP ME? MY INSURANCE CO. WANTS ME TO GET ESTIMATES FOR MY DAMAGE BUT I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN DRIVE ON THE ROAD DUE TO THE ACCELERATOR STICKING & NOT BEING INSPECTED BY JEEP RECALL INSPECTORS. PLEASE HELP ME...'. (XXXX) PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT

NHTSA ID
11218770
Incident
May 22, 2019
Mileage
75,000 mi
Body & structurePowertrain (other)
Filed May 10, 2019

THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND PULLING FROM MY DRIVEWAY ONTO A CITY STREET WHEN THIS HAPPENED. BOTH DRIVERS AND PASSENGER CENTER SECTIONS OF THE FRAME RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT WITH NO VISIBLE INDICATION ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE FRAME RAILS. WATER AND DEBRIS ENTER THROUGH HOLES USED IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS AND DUE TO NO DRAIN HOLES IN ANY OF THE LOWER POINTS THE WATER AND DEBRIS ROT THE FRAME AWAY. IN MY CASE THE TRANSMISSION PAN ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FELL FREE WHEN THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME RAIL ON THAT SIDE CRUMBLED WHILE ENTERING A CITY ROAD FROM A PRIVATE DRIVE AT LESS THAN 5 MPH. DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE TRANSMISSION, TRANSFER CASE, ONE AXLE, AND THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE GARAGE BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO PLACE IT ON A LIFT TO INSPECT THE DAMAGE AS THE FRAME WOULD HAVE CRUMBLED AND SNAPPED IN ADDITIONAL PLACES THUS CREATING A HAZARD AND POSSIBLY DEADLY SITUATION THE TECHNICIAN INSPECTING THE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN PLACED ON A FLATBED AND BROUGHT BACK TO MY HOME.

NHTSA ID
11206892
Incident
Nov 12, 2018
Mileage
70,000 mi
AirbagsPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 14, 2019

TAKATA RECALL, OIL PUMP DRIVE GEAR, PCM POWERTERRAIN CONTROL MODULE I BELIEVE NEEDS TO BE REPROGRAMMED I HAVE A FAILURE OF POWER WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD LIKE ITS GETTING TO MUCH OR TO LITTLE FUEL AND LAST WEEK MY OIL PRESSURE WILL NOT BUDGE MY GAUGES ARE SLOWLY GOING OUT ON MY DASH AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASH BLINKS RAPIDLY WITH THE CHECK GAUGES BECAUSE OF MY OLD PRESSURE I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MULTIPLE PLACES TO GET IT DIAGNOSED AND THEY SAY IT IS THE OIL PUMP DRIVE GEAR AND THE PCM NEEDING TO BE REPROGRAMMED ALONG WITH THAT BEING OUT OF LINE MY GROUND CONNECTIONS SEEM TO BE BAD BUT I REPLACE ALL OF THEM FROM THE BATTERY TO THE ENGINE BLOCK THE DASH AND A COUPLE MORE IT HAS PRESSURE BUT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE IT. ALL OF THIS STARTED HAPPENING AT ABOUT 143,000 MILES I HAVE REPLACED MULTIPLE PARTS INCLUDING THE OIL PUMP OIL SENSOR ALL OF THE GROUND WIRES AND TERMINALS AND CHECKED AS MANY RELAYS AS I CAN. ALONG WITH MY DASH WHEN I HAD GOT IT IT HAD 130,000 MILES ON AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS ALWAYS BLINKED AND NOTICED A LOSS IN POWER WHEN I DRIVE SINCE I'VE HAD IT, IT RUNS THROUGH SPARK PLUGS AND COILS PACKS MONTHLY AND HAS SINCE I'VE GOTTEN IT I DROVE IT TO GEORGIA AND BACK AND IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS GETTING WORSE AND JUST KEPT GETTING WORSE AND WORSE UNTIL LAST WEEK MY OIL PRESSURE GAUGE SAYS I HAVE NO PRESSURE AND THE ENGINE HAS OIL PRESSURE BUT YOU CAN TELL IT'S GOING MORE AND MORE OUT OF LINE. I KNOW WHEN I LOOK UP MY VIN NUMBER IT SAYS IT'S BEEN UPDATED SINCE MARCH 14, 2019 BUT WHEN I LOG INTO ANOTHER APP IT SAYS I HAVE RECALLS I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO OR HOW TO FIX IT BUT IT DEFINITELY IS THE THREE RECALLS THAT WAS PUT ON THE 2005 JEEP WRANGLER TJ.

NHTSA ID
11186910
Incident
Aug 4, 2018
Mileage
140,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 22, 2019

I GET A CODE THAT POPS UP AFTER BEING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR A TIME THAT SAYS SOMETHING REGARDING TRANSMISSION. ALSO THE TRANSMISSION IS SLOW TO SHIFT BETWEEN DRIVE AND REVERSE SOMETIMES AND GRINDS (AUTO TRANS). THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE REPORTS OF PCM ISSUES THAT REQUIRE REBUILD OR REPLACEMENT BUT AVAILABILITY IS SCARCE. COULD BE POOR DESIGN.

NHTSA ID
11181802
Incident
Jul 22, 2017
Mileage
65,000 mi
Body & structurePowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Feb 5, 2019

MY WRANGLER HAS SEVER RUST DAMAGE ON THE FRAME, WINDSHIELD FRAME, PASSENGER ROCKER, AND FIREWALL. THE FRAME HAS ROTTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND CAUSED THE TRANSFER CASE MOUNTING BOLTS TO PULL THROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENED BUT LUCKILY I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY HEADED TO WORK. THE WINDSHIELD FRAME RUST CAUSED HOLES THAT ALLOWED WATER TO LEAK INSIDE THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE FLOOR TO RUST FROM THE INSIDE OUT AS WELL. THESE ISSUES CONTINUE TO HAPPEN AGAIN AND AGAIN WITH EACH NEW REVISION TO THIS MODEL. WHEN AND WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR THE COMPANY TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO THEIR NEGLIGENCE?

NHTSA ID
11174411
Incident
Jan 28, 2019
Mileage
75,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Nov 28, 2018

THE SEAT BELT IS SITUATED IN A POSITION TO WHERE IT IS REGULARLY SMASHED AGAINST THE STRIKER PLATE ON THE DOOR WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED. THIS BREAKS THE FIBERS IN THE BELT THEREBY WEAKENING THE BELT AND MAKING IT VERY PRONE TO BREAKING IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL IMPACT WHERE THE BELT WOULD BE MOST NEEDED.

NHTSA ID
11154403
Incident
Dec 10, 2005
Mileage
3,300 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 28, 2018

WHEN REFUELING MY JEEP HAS ALWAYS BELCHED GASOLINE BACK OUT OF THE FUEL FILLER NECK WHEN THE GAS PUMP AUTOMATICALLY SHUTS OFF WHEN THE TANK GETS FULL. THIS COULD EASILY CAUSE A DISASTER & MY WIFE IS AFRAID TO PUT FUEL IN IT. I THOUGHT THAT MINE WAS THE ONLY ONE TO DO THIS, BUT TALKING WITH OTHER OWNERS, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT ALL SIMILAR JEEPS HAVE THE SAME DANGEROUS DEFECT.

NHTSA ID
11154402
Incident
Dec 10, 2005
Mileage
3,300 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 7, 2018

JEEP STARTED STALLING EITHER WHEN PARKED OR IN TRAFFIC. DEALERSHIP SAYS ITS THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL UNIT (PCM OR COMPUTER). TWICE ENGINE STALLED AS I WAS DRIVING. ONCE AS I WAS MAKING A TURN LUCKILY HAD ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO PULL OVER AND ANOTHER TIME GETTING READY TO PROCEED AFTER A RED LIGHT IT STALLED ALL OF A SUDDEN AND AGAIN ABLE TO PULL OVER. I HAVE FOUND MANY JEEP OWNERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM AND I AM AWARE JEEP IS AWARE BUT NOTHING HAS EVER BEEN DONE. STARTED MOTHERS DAY 2018 AND A FEW TIMES UP TILL JULY WHEN I JUST PARKED IT AND HAD IT TOWED TO 3 SHOPS INCLUDING DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ID
11128130
Incident
May 13, 2018
Mileage
137,900 mi
Filed Jul 11, 2018

TRANSMISSION KEPT POPPING OUT OF REVERSE AND WOULDN'T GO INTO REVERSE, HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
11110720
Incident
Aug 9, 2017
Mileage
100,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 25, 2018

THE POOR DESIGN OF THE GAS TANK ROLLOVER SAFETY FLOAT BALL IN THIS VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ALLOW GASOLINE TO SPLASH BACK OUT OF THE GAS FILLER NECK OF THE VEHICLE EVERY SINGLE TIME AT AN AUTO SHUT OFF FUELING NOZZLE IS USED. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT BUT WHICH THEY OFFERED A REMEDY THAT HAD AN AGE OR MILEAGE LIMIT. THIS IS A GROSS SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD WARRANTY T A RECALL BEFORE SOME ONE BLOWS UP.

NHTSA ID
11090193
Incident
Apr 25, 2018
Mileage
57,168 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 26, 2018

005-2006 JEEP WRANGLERS ARE INCURRING AN APPARENT LARGE NUMBER OF PCM/ECU FAILURES (AS EVIDENCED IN MANY ONLINE FORUMS AND A HIGH BACKLOG OF PCM ORDERS WHICH JEEP/CHRYSLER IS UNABLE TO FILL OR PROVIDE AN ETA FOR). THE FAILURE OF THE PCM REVEALS ITSELF IN MANY WAYS INCLUDING EMISSIONS SYSTEM FAILURES (AND RESULTANT VEHICLE INSPECTION FAILURES I WILL ADD), TRANSMISSIONS FAILING TO SHIFT, HARD FORCEFUL TRANSMISSION SHIFTS WITH VEHICLE LUNGES AND MORE. ON MY VEHICLE SPECIFICALLY THE TRANSMISSION CODES ARE COMING ON AND THE VEHICLE WILL RANDOMLY NOT SHIFT OUT OF SECOND GEAR AND RANDOMLY SHIFTS TO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND PRESENTS ITSELF AS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN ENTERING HIGH SPEED FREEWAYS AND INTERSTATES. TO THE PCM AND FURTHER ONLINE INVESTIGATION INDICATES THIS A FREQUENT AND RECURRING ISSUE. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE PCM THROUGH JEEP/CHRYSLER I AM UNABLE TO BECAUSE THE PART IS BA CKLOGGED. I HAVE PLACED A PRICEY $1600 ORDER FOR THE PART BUT THUS FAR OVER 3 MONTHS MY VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO OBTAIN A WORKING REPLACEMENT PART BASED ON THE LARGE NUMBER AND TYPE OF ISSUES REPORTED ONLINE WITH THIS PCM I AM LEFT WONDERING WHY IT IS NOT A SAFETY, EMISSIONS AND/OR RECALL ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11081325
Incident
Nov 17, 2017
Mileage
80,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 11, 2018

EVERY TIME I FILL THE GAS TANK FUEL SPILLS OUT THE FILLER NECK CAUSING A SIGNIFICANT FUEL SPILL. THE JEEP IS STATIONARY AND ON LEVEL GROUND AT THE GAS STATION

NHTSA ID
11078580
Incident
Jan 31, 2018
Mileage
37,500 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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