2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 733 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (57% of complaints); the 2009 and 2010 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 733 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 combined with the electrified steering assembly started a fire. Any similar combustible fluid would have the same result. It may be a potential recall that should be investigated. VIN 8C244809. Incident occurred on 1-28-26. I have video footage of the issue if needed.”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2026
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2025
“Ignition switch sticking in on position. Making electrical type sound and a burrrr sound. Called Jeep corporate and told not on recall list.I See recall for 2008 jeep grand Cherokee for this exact issue but they say not for Laredo.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“My 2008 jeep grand cheroke has caught on fire multiple times & started smoking. The rpms would always jump High and one day I went to go leave and it went real high causing it to accelerate on its own and went I went to go try to stop it my breaks failed and emergency brake would not work.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2024
“The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V567000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2024
“Tboned in an intersection, jeep rolled over multiple times, no airbags deployed. checked online, no recalls in effect so they should have gone off.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2023
“The interior lights like dashboard/radio/a.c lights flicker while I'm driving. Its seems like some kind of short cause my the bulb on my right tail light seems to go out a lot more than any other light. When im parked and any door gets opened the dome lights flicker on and off even when I have it to be off when when the doors open. Also my headlights look like moist of some sort, dont see any cracks for that to happen. Due to the moisture or maybe not even related to it but the headlights dont even look like theyre on”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2023
“Clockspring has gone bad and caused my airbag light to come on and off. A recall has already been placed for Jeep Wrangler but Grand Cherokee should have been included with the same issue.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2023
“The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while looking underneath the vehicle, he noticed that the skid plate was severely rusted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who confirmed that the skid plate was extremely rusted. The contact called the local dealer and was notified that there was a replacement part. The contact was also provided the cost to do the repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 39,400.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2022
“the jeep goes into limp mode and gets stuck in 2 gear I have replaced the shifter solenoid and still happens I have read about this happing to the same jeep from 2005-2010 model and this is a safety issue that need to be recalled immediately. I was driving on the highway and the jeep shifted into 2nd gear mind I was going the speed limit of 65 and it went down to 30 MPH and it almost caused a pike up on the interstate.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2022
When filing, owners marked a crash in 23 of these complaints and injuries in 10 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
ROCK KRAWLER IS RECALLING 44 PERFORMANCE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE. THESE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS WERE PRODUCED WITH GRADE 2 CARRIAGE BOLTS INSTEAD OF THE PROPER GRADE 5 CARRIAGE BOLTS. THE IMPROPER GRADE 2 CARRIAGE BOLTS COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF CLAMPING FORCE FOR THE BOTTOM STRUT FORK.
Remedy: ROCK KRAWLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15. 2008. ALL THE AFFECTED UNTITS HAVE BEEN REMEDIED. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ROCK KRAWLER AT 1-518-270-9822.
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 1,338 MY 2008 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND COMMANDER VEHICLES. THE FRONT CONTROL MODULE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED.
Remedy: 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2008 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Grand Cherokee by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?
NHTSA has 733 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The most complained-about area is electrical system (57% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 75,000 miles or less.
Does the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:ignition. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.