Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
I have not owner this vehicle for very long but while driving the engine will tune off! The engine isnt stalling it straight tunes off at low speeds or high speeds. It will tune off while accelerating almost like its miss firing. Most time the vehicle will recover on it own but ultimately will tune off. This is important becuase it dose this while on the highway, in traffic and it unsafe not to mention scary.
I was traveling on montrose parkway in rockville, md. I was traveling at about 45mph. I approached a slight bend to the left that had a slight decline. I lost control on debris that was left over from an accident earlier that morning. I struck and went over the curb with the right side of my vehicle. I went head on into a steel light post incased in a concert footer. The vehicle sustained very extensive damage to the front end. The airbags did not deploy during the collision. This is a very major concern to me because this could have turned out way worse, but I was very, very lucky to be able to only sustain bruising. This vehicle was a total loss.
My vehicle shut off going over a bump in the road. My vehicle has done this on numerous occasions, twice in the middle of intersections and once on a railroad track. I was sent an important safety recall notice from Chrysler (notification code p57) approximately 3 months ago and have not heard anything since then and this issue has progressively got worse over the last several months. I did contact the local Chrysler dealership and they had no information to provide and I also had my vehicle in to be serviced for this issue about one year ago with no issue identified by riverside auto group in marinette, wi. I also called Chrysler at [phone] and they had no update on this issue or any idea when this recall would occur to fix this issue. I cannot afford to purchase a different vehicle and this issue has become a safety concern for me and my family. What recourse do I have here? …
Went to get in my car to go to work and it wouldn't start. I assumed it was just a battery. So I called aaa to jump me. He advised that your key should not wiggle when in the ignition. He was 90% sure that was the cause for my battery issue. He jumped me so I could get to the garage to have it tested to see if it was a battery or another issue because he didn't want to replace battery if that is the issue because it would drain it again. I went .8 of a mile and was stopped in traffic and all the lights started flashing on the dash and it went dead. Called again to get jumped. I went 5 feet and it staled out again. He had me towed to dealership because he thinks it is part of the recall. Went to dealership, they couldn't give me a loaner and told me if part of recall it would take 3-4 weeks to get the part. I don't have another car. …
Dear Sirs: Two months ago I went to the local Jeep Dealer (Taraborelli, in Bariloche, Argentina) asking for 4 incomplete recalls. Two were completed but, in particular the number 57, the local dealer informed me that they asked MOPAR for spare parts (CDBOH113 -680050499AA- and CBTTP578AA and CBTTP57LAA) without any response from MOPAR. To my surprise the recalls appear now as "completed"! The dealer received my complaint and asked me to report the problem. They are waiting for the spare parts to complete recall repairing. What I'm expected to do about this problem?. Original recals were N11, N23, P57 and P73, those related with software were resolved but for P57 they required spare parts to MOPAR it is very important affecting the driving. I do appreciate your response asap. Thanks in advance [redacted] 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited, 3.0 CRD VIN [redacted]
Wife pulled into parking lot and hit bump and engine shut down freezing steering wheel scaring wife. Happened once before. Took into dealer(jan-'14) and was told key was too heavy and became loose in ignition causing car to shut down. (charged $106). Fall 2014, recalls started being announced for same problem(same key as we have); filed complaint to Chrysler in nov. 2014(case #26001552) and Chrysler said our VIN not under recall. Same key/ same problem, but not under recall? They implied, if under recall might be able to credit $106 back. Currently: interested in 3 things: 1) include my vehicle under recall- very dangerous and people must be advised, if she were driving faster, could have been major accident. 2) credit back $106- dealer did nothing but tell me key is heavy. 3) current key needs replaced- I will pay for this, but will it be the same key? …
Have had nothing but problems with this Jeep. Purchased it as a certified pre-owned and it has been in the dealer for service a substantial amount. Main issue is the car does not start when I turn the key fob. Have got towed to the dealership three times with this same issue, once in May 2014, again in July 2014 and again in September 2014. Dealer cannot find solution to fix. Coincidentally, I receive a notice from Chrysler in November 2014, notice number p57 which states there is a recall on the ignition! I went for (3) weeks in May and a full month in July with a loaner! Four months after I receive the recall notice, the problem is not fixed. My ''ad hoc'' solution when car does not start is to slam the door with the key in the ignition position. This seems to start the car. Pitiful that this is how I must start the car now as there seems to be nothing else I can do...
Multiple incidents of unintended change in ignition switch position to the off position, resulting in engine shutdown, electrical and power steering completely shutdown/lock. First occurrence (approximately 2010) was during a left-hand turn, which nearly caused a multiple vehicle accident. Constant airbag light warning. Multiple other occurrences since then, resulting in multiple calls to dealer and contact to 1800 numbers provided. Fac p57/NHTSA 14v-567 important safety recall notice received and dealer again contacted. However, I was advised that the ignition is no longer in production and there is no way of knowing if/when the part will become available. Accordingly, no repair/remedy can be made. Thank you, [redacted]
Engine complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 146 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 20% of the model year's 734 complaints. The component named most often is engine (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 2 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.