Most common 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems
Share of the 734 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Jeep Grand Cherokee complaints by model year
Best Grand Cherokee years: 2016, 2020, 2017. Years to avoid: 2014, 2012, 2011, 2024, 2023. Compare all years →
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls (4)
Electrical system › Ignition
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,…
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.
Electrical system
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.
Electrical system
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
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.
What 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners say
Electrical system all 472 →
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 following day, while attempting to start the vehicle, the ignition failed to immediately respond while starting the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic and was diagnosed with ignition failure. The contact was informed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V567000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that after pulling into the garage and parking the vehicle, the vehicle was turned off however, the key had seized in the ignition switch. After waiting for several minutes, the contact heard a click from the ignition switch and the key was able to be removed. The contact stated the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the ignition switch was faulty and needed to be replaced. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V567000 (Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Engine & cooling all 146 →
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.
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.
Transmission & drivetrain all 77 →
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.
I bought the vehicle. In less than 1000 miles within purchase the 4w drive light came on. I was parked on a curb at a retirement home and a ambulance was parked in front of me. While I was inside people ran in and said my Jeep was rolling away and it hit the ambulance in front of me. The Jeep was parked and turned off when it rolled away. Witnesses and the police report confirm this. After getting the run around from the dealership for 6 months I took it somewhere else to get it looked at and was told the transfer case needed to be replaced.
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl diesel | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 23 / 20 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl diesel | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 22 / 19 |
| 3.7L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
| 3.7L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 19 / 17 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 19 / 15 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 18 / 15 |
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 19 / 15 |
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 15 |
| 6.1L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 11 / 14 / 12 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee a good car?
Based on 734 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Grand Cherokee rates average: 19% fewer complaints than 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 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The electrical system — 472 complaints, 64% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition. Next are the engine & cooling (146) and transmission & drivetrain (77).
How many recalls does the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the most recent from September 17, 2014 (ignition). 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 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 74,000 miles; 29% 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.