2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee Problems & Complaints

Averageabout as many complaints as a typical year of the Grand Cherokee at the same age

Owners have filed 1,280 complaints about the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is about average for the Grand Cherokee at the same age. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (753 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles). 4 recalls cover this model year.

1,280complaints
4recalls
47crashes
7fires
41injuries
2deaths

Most common 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems

Share of the 1,280 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Jeep Grand Cherokee complaints by model year

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Owner complaints per model year, Jeep Grand Cherokee. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Grand Cherokee years: 2016, 2020, 2017. Years to avoid: 2014, 2012, 2011, 2024, 2023. Compare all years →

2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls (4)

Electrical system › Ignition › Switch

NHTSA recall 14V-438 · Jul 21, 2014 · 649,353 vehicles

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, drivers should adjust their seat to allow clearance between the driver's knee and the ignition key, and remove all items from their key ring, leaving only the vehicle key.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. Chrysler sent interim notifications to owners in September 2014. The recall began on October 9, 2015.

Electrical system

NHTSA recall 13V-175 · May 7, 2013 · 295,345 vehicles

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.

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.

Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module

NHTSA recall 07V-434 · Sep 14, 2007 · 296,550 vehicles

On certain sport utility vehicles, the software programmed into the ABS electronic control module May allow a momentary delay in braking when coasting up a hill during certain conditions.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the ABS electronic control module with new software that prevents this condition free of charge. The recall began on October 22, 2007. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 06V-295 · Aug 8, 2006 · 15,021 vehicles

On certain sport utility vehicles, the inflator connector for the driver's air bag May have been incorrectly assembled.

Remedy: Dealers will repair the driver's front air bag inflator free of charge. The recall is expected to begin the week of August 2, 2006. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee:

Air Bag Non-deployment

NHTSA investigation PE14017 · opened Jun 16, 2014 · closed Dec 23, 2014 · led to recall 14V-438

Chrysler is conducting a safety recall of approximately 643,618 model year 2006-2007 Jeep Commander and model year 2005-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles to address the problem of ignition turning off while driving (see NHTSA recall 14V-438 for more information).According to Chrysler, these vehicles may experience an unintended change in ignition switch position while driving, which may result in loss of engine…

Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit

NHTSA investigation AQ10001 · opened Nov 18, 2010 · closed Dec 28, 2015

On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.RMD queried three…

What 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners say

Electrical system all 753 →

The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH and attempting to merge into traffic the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights illuminated; however, the vehicle coasted to a stop and all the electrical power had failed. The contact turned the ignition to the off position and waited before restarting the vehicle and the vehicle returned to normal functionality. The contact stated that the electrical failure and the vehicle stalling were intermittent at first, but have since become a recurring failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the braking system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the stalling and electrical failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. …

175,000 miles · Sep 2023

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 116,000, and after taking the vehicle to a certified mechanic, the Carfax report indicated that the actual mileage was 167,000. The contact had not reported the odometer fraud to another agency.

Instrument panel › Speedometer/odometer · 167,000 miles · Jan 2026

Engine & cooling all 177 →

Maybe hose radiator to the ac vent under the passenger cabin. My son got a 2nd degree burn on the top of his foot.the problem is not fixed.it was inspected by the local police and fire chief.there was no warning at all..

Jun 2021 · fire · 1 injury

The Jeep dealer replaced my ignition switch that was part of the 2014 ignition switch recall. My Jeep continues to lose power after successfully turning on. It will turn on for a less than one minute, all the lights on the dash board will turn on, and the engine will have sudden loss of power. It can take up to an hour to get it to turn back on without it losing power again. If driven after it turn on without waiting at least 2 minutes, the car will suddenly lose power while in drive. This has been happening on an almost daily basis since 2019, which resulted in it being parked in the driveway for 6 months for fear it would turn off while driving on the freeway.

Jul 2019

Transmission & drivetrain all 173 →

Car is currently parked: I own a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee Larado which Jeep claims has no recalls yet there (3) all of which are happening to my vehicle. NHTSA 07V434000, 13V175000 and 14V438000. My car is very well maintained I have reached out to Jeep and claim my truck was not recalled yet my TRUCK is listed as having (6) recalls all of which are issues the truck is currently having. I have computer codes to prove it. I understand my truck have 150,000 miles and is 16 almost 17 years old however it was bought as an investment that Jeep seems to selectively correct issues only when they are threatened to be sued. This is totally ridiculous. There are multiple complaints from other owners. These things should have been recalled years ago. …

Jan 2023

Jeep cuts out in middle of driving it says engine misfire on 3 . Driving down road will almost died or not run in traffic im lucky I havent had wreck yet to scared to drive it have seen all over the interent how bad it is mechanics cant seem to fix even jeeps own mechanics

Oct 2021

2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
3.7L 6-cyl5-speed automaticRWD15 / 21 / 17
3.7L 6-cyl5-speed automatic4WD/AWD15 / 19 / 17
4.7L 8-cyl5-speed automaticRWD14 / 18 / 15
5.7L 8-cyl5-speed automaticRWD13 / 19 / 15
4.7L 8-cyl5-speed automatic4WD/AWD14 / 19 / 15
5.7L 8-cyl5-speed automatic4WD/AWD13 / 18 / 15
6.1L 8-cyl5-speed automatic4WD/AWD11 / 14 / 12

EPA ratings. Class: SUV.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee a good car?

Based on 1,280 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Grand Cherokee rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Grand Cherokee at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

The electrical system — 753 complaints, 59% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition › switch. Next are the engine & cooling (177) and transmission & drivetrain (173).

How many recalls does the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?

There are 4 recalls for the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the most recent from July 21, 2014 (switch). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Jeep Grand Cherokee?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2016, 2020 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2014, 2012, 2011, 2024 and 2023. See the full Jeep Grand Cherokee years comparison.

At what mileage do 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 80,000 miles; 22% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.