2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 29, 2026 · 734 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Grand Cherokee years
About as many complaints as other years 19th of 32 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 734 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee. That ranks 19th out of 32 Grand Cherokee model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (473 complaints, 64%), typically at around 78,000 miles. Complaints mention 23 crashes, 5 fires, 10 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year.

Jeep Grand Cherokee
Jeep Grand Cherokee (WL) in Stuttgart. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Electrical System473 · ~78,000 mi
Engine107 · ~78,000 mi
Power Train77 · ~75,600 mi
Air Bags40 · ~109,852 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling39 · ~31,000 mi
Unknown or Other35 · ~95,000 mi
Vehicle Speed Control27 · ~89,000 mi
Steering24 · ~74,500 mi
Visibility21 · ~40,223 mi
Service Brakes20 · ~80,650 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Electrical System problems47364%78,000“ignition switch” (11%)$600
Engine problems10715%78,000“stalled without” (11%)—
Power Train problems7710%75,600“transfer case” (17%)—
Air Bags405%109,852——
Engine and Engine Cooling395%31,000——
Unknown or Other355%95,000——
Vehicle Speed Control274%89,000——
Steering243%74,500——
Visibility213%40,223——
Service Brakes203%80,650——
Tires193%23,000——
Exterior Lighting172%63,500——
Fuel/propulsion System162%82,000——
Structure132%43,737——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)101%122,500——
Suspension91%76,000——
Equipment81%38,000——
Visibility/wiper71%99,500——
Wheels51%69,000——
Fuel System, Other30%18,000——
Seat Belts30%90,000——
Seats30%121,000——
Fuel System, Gasoline20%22,611——
Latches/locks/linkages20%42,125——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic20%47,000——
Fuel System, Diesel10%210,000——
Interior Lighting10%40,143——
Parking Brake10%37,859——
Service Brakes, Electric10%45,000——
Traction Control System10%45,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2015, with 289 complaints
2008: 152008152009: 19192010: 392010392011: 37372012: 212012212013: 52522014: 932014932015: 2892892016: 592016592017: 20202018: 252018252019: 19192020: 102020102021: 13132022: 6202262023: 552024: 5202452025: 332026: 420264

n = 734 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls (4)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Electrical system:ignitionSep 17, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V567000 · 292,798 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008 Chrysler 300 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2007, to May 12, 2008, Dodge Magnum vehicles manufactured May 23, 2007, to May 12, 2008, Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured May 24, 2007, to May 12, 2008, Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured April 3, 2007, to May 12, 2008, and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured March 21, 2007, to May 12, 2008. In the affected vehicles, the ignition key (FOBIK) may not return to the "ON" position after being rotated to the "START" position, instead sticking between the two positions. Potentially, while the vehicle is being driven, the ignition may inadvertently move through the "RUN" position to the "ACCESSORY" or "OFF" ignition position, turning off the engine.

Risk: If the ignition stays between "START" and "ON" positions it could cause loss of certain electrical functions. If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the "OFF" or "ACCESSORY" position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began August 19, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P57.

Electrical system; power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive)May 7, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V175000 · 295,345 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, through March 9, 2010; and 2006-2010 Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured January 31, 2005, through March 10, 2010. A transfer case electrical failure may result in an unintentional shifting of the transfer case into the neutral position.

Risk: If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the final drive controller which governs the transfer case, with new software, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N23.

Electrical system; visibility:windshield wiper/washerFeb 6, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V059000 · 1,338 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler is recalling 1,338 my 2008 jeep grand cherokee and commander vehicles. The front control module may have been incorrectly manufactured.

Risk: This could cause the engine to stall while driving or not to start and/or cause the windshield wipers to become inoperative. Engine stalling or inoperative wipers could cause a crash without warning.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the module and replace it if necessary. The recall began on february 18, 2008. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliperSep 12, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V415000 · 28,755 vehicles

Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles, front brake calipers in a certain lot may have been manufactured from gray iron instead of ductile iron as designed and could fracture without warning.

Risk: This would increase the vehicle's stopping distance and could cause a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the front brake calipers to see if they fall into this lot and, if so, will replace them free of charge. The recall began on october 22, 2007. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While stopped in traffic, the vehicle stalled with the engine oil warning light illuminated. The contact parked, turned off, and then restarted the vehicle. Additionally, the windshield wipers intermittently activated while driving. The contact…

Electrical System · received Sep 29, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11767745

The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle was started in the driveway but immediately turned off. The vehicle was restarted and shifted into reverse(R); however, the vehicle drove forward instead. The vehicle was immediately turned off to avoid a crash. The…

Electrical System · received Feb 23, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11719895

5.7L Hemi Engine fire. The primary cause was a wire harness retention clip failure that allows the starter wiring harness to lay on the steering column. As it turns, it cuts into the harness and provides battery voltage to the steering column. In my case, there was a power steering fluid leak…

Electrical System · received Feb 11, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11717216

Driver's steering wheel airbag malfunctioned and deployed unexpectedly while backing into a parking space. Safety of passengers through potential of bodily injury and car crash due to lack of sight and sudden explosion/deployment of airbag while car is actively being driven could have been causedby…

Air Bags · received Feb 7, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11716413

When driving it will randomly shift into 4th gear very hard and stay in 4th until you turn it off. It will happen at any speed and be fine for months or do have the issues consistently for long period of time then stop. It happens with no pattern or related reasons.

Power Train · received Apr 20, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11655658

Other Jeep Grand Cherokee years

← 2007 Grand Cherokee · 2009 Grand Cherokee →

See all Jeep Grand Cherokee problems by year, every Jeep model, or the Jeep VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Owners most often report electrical system, engine, power train problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 473 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Grand Cherokee model years, the 2008 has about as many complaints as a typical year. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.