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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2008 Jeep Grand CherokeeRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 734 owner complaints for the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Most complaints involve electrical system (473) and engine (107). The EPA rates it 12–20 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
12–20mpg
EPA · 9 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Sep 2014
Owner complaints
734
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Sep 17, 2014NHTSA 14V567000

Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported May 7, 2013NHTSA 13V175000

Suspension

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Jun 19, 2009NHTSA 09E039000
See all 5 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

734 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2008 – Sep 2026
  1. Electrical system473
  2. Engine107
  3. Power train77
  4. Air bags40
  5. Engine and engine cooling39
  6. Vehicle speed control27
  7. Steering24
  8. Visibility21
  9. Service brakes20

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Grand Cherokee model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
19961,342
19971,380
19981,429
19992,004
20001,829
20011,111
20021,476
2003761
20041,295
20052,051
20061,297
20071,109
2008734
2009138
2010118
20111,640
20121,644
2013805
20142,388
20151,369
2016312
2017364
2018855
2019370
2020241
2021410
2022377
2023408
2024254
202580
202632
Crashes reported
23
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
10
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

473 reports9 crashes4 fires
“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 associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V059000 (Electrical System, Visibility); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 29, 2026Electrical system, VisibilityODI 11767745

Engine

107 reports1 crash1 fire
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 11, 2026Steering, Electrical system, EngineFire reportedODI 11717216

Power train

77 reports6 crashes
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 20, 2025Power trainODI 11655658
All 2008 Grand Cherokee problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

9 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl diesel · 3.7L 6-cyl · 5.7L 8-cyl · 4.7L 8-cyl · 6.1L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Diesel · Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Grand Cherokee 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Diesel · Rear-Wheel Drive
182320$4,700509
Grand Cherokee 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Diesel · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172219$4,950536
Grand Cherokee 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152017$3,800523
Grand Cherokee 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
151917$3,800523
Grand Cherokee 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
131915$4,300592
Grand Cherokee 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141915$4,300592
Grand Cherokee 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131815$4,300592
Grand Cherokee 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141915$4,300592
Grand Cherokee 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 6.1 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
111412$6,650741
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 2656
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2008 Grand Cherokee questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?

5 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems?

Owners filed 734 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (473), engine (107), power train (77). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee at 12–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (9 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026