2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Problems, Recalls & Reliability

990 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee, alongside 5 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 24/100 on the trouble index — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Electrical leads the reports, typically around 78,000 miles.

990Complaints
24/100Trouble index
5Recalls
77,000Typical trouble mileage

Typical

Where 2008 sits among all Grand Cherokee years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Electrical 493 complaints (50%) · typically ~78,000 miles
“Problems with vehicle starting some days--other days won't start. No one can find the problem. Just completed the recall of the ignition switch but still have start problems.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 Grand Cherokee
Engine 146 complaints (15%) · typically ~66,000 miles
“The engine is stalling suddenly while driving in highway. All electrical systems shut downs after this occurs. Other grand cherokee have received recalls for the same issue (control modules) but not for my vin number. This is very unsafe.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 Grand Cherokee
Transmission & drivetrain 78 complaints (8%) · typically ~75,600 miles
“Car gets stuck in gear, stalls when accelerating, reverse goes out until periodically”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 Grand Cherokee
Other 58 complaints (6%) · typically ~90,000 miles
“My 2008 jeep grand cherokee laredo will not start. The battery is new. Lights come on, radio comes on, lights do not dim, but jeep will not start. (not even click to indicate starter)”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 Grand Cherokee
Airbags 40 complaints (4%) · typically ~109,852 miles
“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 to NHTSA, 2008 Grand Cherokee
Visibility & wipers 27 complaints (3%) · typically ~51,000 miles
“Windshield wiper fluid does not work in cold weather as it freezes in the windshield wiper fluid resevoir.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 Grand Cherokee

Mileage when trouble shows up

Among the 721 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 77,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 45,000 and 100,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.

Recalls (5)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14V567000 2014

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,…

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…

POWER TRAIN 13V175000 2013

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…

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…

SUSPENSION 09E039000 2009

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…

Fix: 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…

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 08V059000 2008

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 1,338 MY 2008 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND COMMANDER VEHICLES. THE FRONT CONTROL MODULE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED.

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 07V415000 2007

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.

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…

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

2008peak 354 in 20152026

Questions buyers ask

Is the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?

The 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee drew 990 complaints in federal safety records — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Its trouble index is 24/100, scored against the model's worst year (2014).

What are the most common 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems?

The top reported problems for the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee are electrical (493 complaints), engine (146), and transmission & drivetrain (78).

At what mileage do 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems show up?

Owners most often report 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems around 77,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 45,000 and 100,000 miles.

Does the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee have recalls?

5 recall campaigns apply to the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.

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Data updated 2026-08-12 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.