2005 Jeep Wrangler/TJ

No photo available — body style shown for reference.

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Fuel System

Fuel System leads by volume: 448 of 650 complaints (69%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Suspension, Wheels & Tires include more reported injuries (7) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Complaints filed rose from 192 in 2004 to 650 in 2005.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 4 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.
Category2003200420052006vs. 2005 Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Annual fuel cost ($)3,650–3,9003,650–3,9003,650–4,4503,650–4,450
Combined MPG16–1716–1714–1714–17
City / Highway MPG14–16 / 17–1814–16 / 18–1913–16 / 16–1913–16 / 16–19
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)523–555523–555523–635523–635
Complaints filed98192650730Not compared
Recalls issued4323Not compared
Crash-involved complaints817107Not compared
Fire-involved complaints3797Not compared
Injuries reported5121524Not compared
Deaths reported1120Not compared
Configurations compared4433

Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.

Common questions

How many recalls does the 2005 Jeep Wrangler/TJ have?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 2005 Jeep Wrangler/TJ?

Fuel System: 448 of 650 NHTSA complaints (69%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 2005 Jeep Wrangler/TJ get?

EPA rates it 14–17 MPG combined across 3 configurations.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2005 Jeep Wrangler/TJ?

EPA estimates $3,650–$4,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

EPA-Rated Configurations (3)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Manual 6-spd42.4L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularSport Utility Vehicle - 4WD16 mpg (high)19 mpg (high)17 mpg (high)$3,650 (low)523 g/mi (low)
Configuration 2Automatic 4-spd64.0L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularSport Utility Vehicle - 4WD13 mpg (low)16 mpg (low)14 mpg (low)$4,450 (high)635 g/mi (high)
Configuration 3Manual 6-spd64.0L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularSport Utility Vehicle - 4WD13 mpg (low)17 mpg15 mpg$4,150592 g/mi

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine410000
Transmission & Drivetrain411220
Fuel System4480150
Electrical200600
Brakes152000
Steering581010
Suspension, Wheels & Tires594072
Airbags & Restraints82032
Driver Assistance & Speed Control102000
Body, Seats & Latches90010
Visibility & Lighting90100
Other160000

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (2)

  • SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · Campaign 06E022000 · Mar 13, 2006

    Defect: CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.

    Consequence: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    Remedy: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.

  • POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · Campaign 05V460000 · Oct 6, 2005

    Defect: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 42RLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE CUP PLUG THAT RETAINS THE PARK PAWL ANCHOR SHAFT MAY BE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. IF THE SHAFT MOVES OUT OF POSITION, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE 'PARK' POSITION.

    Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS AND THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED, THE VEHICLE MAY ROLL AWAY AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

    Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSIONS AND INSTALL A BRACKET TO ENSURE THE PARK PAWL ANCHOR SHAFT IS RETAINED IN THE PROPER POSITION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 28, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.