Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2005 Jeep Wrangler submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 40 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 40, in the owner's own words
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL DAYS THE VEHICLE STARTED SHIFTING HARD AND EVENTUALLY WENT INTO "LIMP" MODE AND STARTED THROWING DIFFERENT CODES FOR VARIOUS SENSORS. AFTER MANY VISITS TO DIFFERENT MECHANICS I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM MYSELF AND PINPOINTED THE PCM AS THE PROBLEM.
JULY 2016 - 83,000 MI. -FAILURE OF OIL PUMP GEAR DRIVE. REPAIRED BY JEEP DEALER IN MONTROSE, CO. JUNE 2017 - 88,000 MI. - OIL PUMP GEAR DRIVE FAILED AGAIN, THIS TIME CAM SHAFT GEAR DRIVE ALSO FAILED REQUIRING A MAJOR ENGINE OVERHAUL. REPAIRED BY JEEP DEALER IN MONTROSE, CO. RESEARCHING ON INTERNET I DISCOVERED THIS IS A REOCCURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. A RECALL WAS ISSUED BY JEEP/CHRYSLER FOR A LIMITED NUMBER OF VIN NUMBERS BUT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OUTSIDE OF THEIR RECALL RANGE, INCLUDING MINE. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER WARRANTY DEPT BUT THEY REFUSE TO MAKE AN EXCEPTION.
I WAS DRIVING MY JEEP TO WORK ON SUNDAY JUNE 4TH GOING APPROXIMATELY 35MPH WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND CHECK GAUGES LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD NO OIL PRESSURE AND IT WAS MAKING A HORRIBLE NOISE FROM THE ENGINE BAY SO I IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAD FOUND THAT THERE WAS AN E05 RECALL ON 2005 AND 2006 JEEPS FOR THE CAMSHAFT SYNCHRONIZER, CAMSHAFT GEAR AND OIL PUMP DRIVE ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL COVERS ALL JEEPS WITH THE 8TH CARACTER OF THE VIN BEING LETTER S WHICH MINE IS AND THEY ALSO COVER SPECIFIC BUILD DATES AND MY JEEP FALLS 1 MONTH SHORT OF THOSE DATES BUT I AM EXPERIENCING ALL THE SAME PROBLEMS AS OTHERS. I HAD CALLED CHRYSLER AND THEY ARE MAKING A CASE FOR ME BUT SAID IT IS NOT CERTAIN THAT ANYTHING CAN BE DONE AND THAT I SHOULD FILE ON NHTSA AS WELL. I AM VERY DISSAPOINTED AS WELL BECAUSE MY 2005 JEEP WRANGLER ONLY HAS 88K MILES ON IT AND ID LIKE TO GET ALOT MORE LIFE OUT OF IT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING, THE RPMS WOULD NOT INCREASE PAST 3,000 RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL PUMP DRIVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,201.
THIS SPECIFIC PART WAS RECALLED ELEVEN OR SO YEARS AGO. SINCE THAT TIME, THE SAME PART HAS BEEN REPLACED 6 TIMES. ONE TIME REQUIRING A TOTAL ENGINE OVERHAUL. UPON RESEARCHING THIS PART, I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS WITH THE FAILURE OF THIS SAME MODEL YEAR OF JEEP WRANGLERS AND THIS PART (OIL PUMP DRIVE). WE HAVE POURED OVER $5000 INTO THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THIS PART AND WE STILL HAVE A VEHICLE THAT DOES NOT RUN. I HAVE CALLED JEEP THREE TIMES NOW AND THEY HAVE NO ADVICE FOR ME OR OFFER OF ASSISTANCE FOR THIS PART. ENGINE LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. *TR
THIS IS AN UPDATE TO NHTSA COMPLAINT 10919983 - REGARDING CHRYLSER E05 CAMPAIGN CAMSHAFT REPLACEMENT - I STILL NEED A NEW CAMSHAFT BUT HAVE PERFORMED A TEMPORARY FIX IN REPLACING THE OPDA. THE NEW GEAR ON THE OPDA HAS PREVENTED ENOUGH WEAR GAP FOR THE ENGINE TO NOT GO INTO LIMP MODE AND WILL START IMMEDIATELY WHEN TEMPS ARE UNDER 40 DEGREES F. I STILL NEED A NEW CAMSHAFT TO COMPLETE THIS FIX. I MAY TRY THE CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE TO RESOLVE, BUT THE E05 RECALL DOES NOT COVER MY MANUFACTURE DATE AND THE CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN CLOSED. I AM STUCK WITH A USED LEMON! BUYER BEWARE OF THIS MODEL YEAR, THERE IS A CAMSHAFT GEAR ISSUE THAT WILL PREVENT ENGINE TIMING TO RUN CORRECTLY AND ABILITY TO PASS EMISSIONS! CODES P340 AND P344 PLUS ENGINE WILL NOT REV BEYOND 2500RPM (LIMP MODE) ARE THE TELL TALE SIGNS. A NEW OPDA IS WORTH A TRY TEMPORARY FIX $80. BUT DO NOT BUY THIS YEAR OR 2004, 2006 WITHOUT CHECKING IF CAMSHAFT HAS BEEN REPLACED, OR PLAN ON DOING SOME MAJOR ENGINE WORK/ENGINE REBUILD.
ENGINE CODES P0340 AND P0344 CHRYSLER CAMPAIGN E05 REPLACE OPDA AND CAMSHAFT - MY MANUFACTURE DATE IS JUNE 2005, THERE IS 113K ON THE ENGINE, WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD (40 F OR BELOW) THE ENGINE HAS LONG START ISSUES, THERE IS PLAY IN THE OPDA ENOUGH TO PUT THE ENGINE IN LIMP MODE NOT REVVING PAST 2500RPM. FOR SURE THIS NEEDS A NEW CAMSHAFT AND NEW OPDA, BOTH GEARS ARE WORN. THE CHRYSLER CAMPAIGN ONLY COVER UP TO A FEB 2005 MANUFACTURE. THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR ADDITIONAL MANUFACTURE DATES WITH MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON NHTSA ABOUT THIS ISSUE.
WAS CROSSING A BUSY 4-LANE ST RT WHEN THE THROTTLE CABLE CAME APART AND PROPULSION WAS LOST. NEARLY GOT T-BONED BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. A MULTI-CAR PILEUP WAS NARROWLY AVERTED. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 85,000 MILES. THROTTLE CABLE FRAYED JUST INSIDE THE FIREWALL IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. IT HAS NO HISTORY OF ACCIDENTS OR REPAIRS ON THIS ASSEMBLY. NO WARNING. VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE. STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, PERPENDICULAR TO TRAFFIC.
SO WAS DRIVING MY JEEP WHEN I STOPED LOST ALL OIL PRESSURE DROPPED TO 0 PRESSURE WHEN ACCERLERATED OIL PRESSURE WENT BACK BUT CONTINUES TO DROP TO 0 WHEN STOPPED I HAVE REPLACE THE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH WITH NO CHANGE .I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH MOST 2005 HEEP WRANGLERS SO MY QUESTION IS IS WHEN IS ENOUGH /ENOUGH WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO RECALL AND DO THE RIGHT THING?
MY JEEP STARTED MAKING A VERY LOUD NOISE WHEN DRIVING. THE MORE GAS I GAVE IT THE LOUDER IT GOT AND NOW IT IS UN DRIVABLE DUE TO A DISTRIBUTOR OIL PUMP. BIGGEST PROBLEM IS ALL THE JEEP PARTS PEOPLE HAD NO IDEA WHAT THE PART IT WAS AND NOW THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY IN THE SYSTEM NOR CAN THEY TELL ME WHEN THEY CAN HAVE ME ONE. THERE IS A LOT OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS, STAND UP AND DO RIGHT FOR US JEEPERS!
THE EVAPORATED SYSTEM IN THE JEEP IN TURNING ENGINE LIGHT AND WILL NOT PASS SAFETY AND EMISSIONS WITHOUT FIXING IT. WE HAVE A NEW FUEL CAP AND HAVE ALSO CHECKED THE CONSOLE AND IT STILL TURNS ON HEARD THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE BUT NO RECALLS FOR IT. *TR
WHEN FILLING GAS TANK SHUTOFF DOES NOT WORK AND GAS OVERFLOWS. HAPPENS AT EVERY STATION, EVERY TIME I FILLUP. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE AND CHECK GAUGE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,000.
I TRACED A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE TO THE OIL PUMP DRIVE ASSEMBLY. AS THE ENGINE WARMED UP THE NOISE SUBSIDED BUT CONTINUES TO OCCUR.ON LINE RESEARCH SHOWS THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE 05-06 WRANGLERS DUE TO A DESIGN CHANGE FROM 04 TO 05 MODEL YEARS WHERE A BUSHING AT THE TOP OF THE CAM POSITION SENSOR/OIL PUMP DRIVE THAT SEIZES DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION AND CAUSES THE DRIVE GEAR ON THE OIL PUMP SHAFT TO SELF DESTRUCT TAKING WITH IT THE CAMSHAFT DRIVE GEAR WHICH CAUSES LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE.DODGE ISSUED THE E05 MAR 2005 CAMPAIGN-ENGINE OIL PUMP DRIVE GEAR/CAM REPLACEMENT. LETTERS WERE SENT TO DEALERS TO REPLACE THE DRIVE GEARS AND CAMS DAMAGED BY THIS PROBLEM. THE NOTIFICATION APPLIES TO THE 4.0 L ENGINE BUILT FROM OCT 20, 2004 TO FEB 1, 2005. MY LOCAL DODGE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT MY JEEP HAS AN OCT 9, 2004 BUILD DATE AND IS THEREFORE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH THE PICTURES I SHOWED HIM OF THE DAMAGE TO THE GEARS IN MY ENGINE. THE DEALER SUGGESTED I TRY CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEY REFERRED ME TO NHTSA TO SEEK A RESOLUTION. SO AFTER INVESTING OVER $12,000 DOLLARS A MONTH AGO TO PURCHASE WHAT I EXPECTED WOULD BE A RELIABLE WINTER VEHICLE I INSTEAD HAVE A VEHICLE THAT SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY BECAUSE WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. IT CAN'T BE TRUSTED ON THE ROAD AND I CAN'T RISK USING IT AND FACING A $4,000.00 ENGINE REBUILD IF IT SEIZES. I NEED SOME HELP. *TR
THE OIL PUMP DRIVE ASSEMBLY (OPDA) UPPER BUSHING HAS NO WAY TO LUBRICATE DUE TO MANUFACTURING ERROR IN THE 2005 AND 2006 4.0 ENGINE. THIS CAUSES HIGH METAL TO METAL SCRAPING SOUND AND WILL RESULT IN ENGINE FAILURE. HAPPENED AFTER 38000 MILES IN A WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE. TALKED TO MANY JEEP DEALERS AND SERVICE TECH'S AND THEY REFUSE TO GIVE ANY ASSISTANCE OR SUGGESTIONS FOR A FIX. *TR
2005 JEEP WRANGLER. WELL MAINTAINED. HIGHEST QUALITY OIL, SPARK PLUGS, AIR FILTERS, COOLING SYSTEM. CAMSHAFT FAILURE AT ROUGHLY 50,000 MILES. EXCESSIVE WEAR CAUSING KNOCKING. DIAGNOSIS FROM CHRYSLER: NEW ENGINE REQUIRED. NO OVERHEATING, NO ABUSE. THE OIL PUMP DRIVE ASSEMBLY GEARS ARE WORN DOWN SO OIL IS NOT FLOWING PROPERLY. THIS IS A POSSIBLE CAUSE FOR THE CAMSHAFT FAILURE. THE OTHER POSSIBLE CAUSE FOR THE CAMSHAFT FAILURE IS THAT IT IS A FLAT TAPPET CAMSHAFT FROM THE FACTORY. THIS SPECIFIC TYPE OF CAMSHAFT NEEDS THE ZDDP OIL ADDITIVE. MODERN OIL DOES NOT CONTAIN ZDDP BECAUSE IT CAUSES CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE. WITHOUT ZDDP EXCESSIVE WEAR OCCURS. THIS IS COVERED IN SAE BULLETIN # 770087. SAE IS THE SOCIETY OF AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERS. ONCE WEAR REACHES A CERTAIN LEVEL FURTHER WEAR IS RAPID AND CAUSES CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE.FURTHERMORE, MY JEEP IS STILL UNDER POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. HOWEVER, MY WARRANTY HAS BEEN UNLAWFULLY DENIED BECAUSE I HAVE SOME UNRELATED AFTERMARKET PARTS ON MY JEEP. LITIGATION IS PENDING ON THIS ISSUE. CHRYSLER HAS GONE AGAINST THEIR OWN WRITTEN WARRANTY, AND WELL AS FEDERAL LAW (MAGNUSON-MOSS WARRANTY ACT). *TR
I BOUGHT A 2005 SE SPORT JEEP WRANGLER ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO. IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS I HAVE NOTICED VIBRATIONS INCREASING IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND JUST IN THE PAST MONTH THE SHAKINGS HAVE BECOME EXTREMELY VIOLENT BETWEEN 52-60 MPH, CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO PULL OVER AND STOP ON THE INTERSTATE. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND HAVE HAD THE BRAKE PAD REPLACED, NEW SHOCKS, NEW ALIGNMENT, TIRES ROTATED, TIRES BALANCED, ROTORS REPLACED AND THE ENTIRE FRONT END CHECKED. THE SHAKING IS STILL PRESENT AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP REPLACING ONE THING AT A TIME WHEN NOTHING SEEMS TO HELP. THE VIOLENT SHAKING IS OCCURRING CONSISTENTLY EVERY TIME I REACH 52 MPH NOW AND I AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT ON THE INTERSTATE OR HAVE MY FAMILY DRIVE IT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO GO OR WHO TO TALK TO TO HELP ME GET THIS FIXED WITHOUT COSTING ME MY ENTIRE MONTHS SALARY OR MORE. MY TIRES ALSO APPEAR TO BE WEARING WRONG DUE TO THE SHAKING, WHICH WILL COST ME MORE MONEY TO REPLACE. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THIS "DEATH WOBBLE" AND AM FINDING THAT IT IS VERY COMMON. WE NEED SOMEONE TO HELP US SO NO ONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED AND SO WE AREN'T PAYING OUT OF POCKET FOR A TECHNICAL ERROR. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE OIL PUMP DRIVE GEAR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
THIS IS JUST A HEADS UP, HOPEFULLY FROM THOUSANDS OF OTHERS ALSO OF A PENDING MASS FAILURE OF CHRYSLER'S 4.0 MOTORS INVOLVING LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE AND THE POTENTIAL ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY MOTOR SEIZURES HAPPENING AT ANY SPEED, ANYWHERE. CHRYSLER HAS BEEN DRAGGING THEIR FEET ON ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE AND IN MY CASE NOT EVEN NOTIFYING ME OF A RECALL(WHICH WOULDN'T HAVE ALLEVIATED THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM) DESPITE MY VIN HAVING THE S INDICATOR IN IT INDICATING IT BEING IN THE RANGE FOR THE RECALL.
CHRYSLER CHANGED THE OIL PUMP DRIVE ASSEMBLY (OPDA) ON 2005-06 MODEL JEEP WRANGLERS. THE OPDA WAS DESIGNED WITH A SEAL PREVENTING OIL FROM LUBRICATING THE UPPER BUSHING CAUSING PREMATURE FAILURES. THESE FAILURES WILL RESULT IN A IMMEDIATE DROP IN OIL PRESSURE CAUSING THE POTENTIAL FOR COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS WILL RESULT IN SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE AND MAY RESULT IN PROPERTY AND/OR BODILY INJURY. CHRYSLER ISSUED A TSB (E05R) ON CERTAIN MODELS, HOWEVER THIS HAS BECOME A LARGER ISSUE. HTTP://WWW.JEEPFORUM.COM/FORUM/F9/2005-06-JEEP-OPDA_CPS_DISTRIBUTOR-FAILURE-1144202/.
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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