Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
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.
I have owned this Jeep since approximately 2010 and is in great condition. This has been a great vehicle and has recently began to give us these issues. 1. Something is definitely wrong with the electrical system. It is available for inspection upon request. 2. Temperature gauge not reading, drivers side rear tail light and front passenger side marker lights do not work. Directional and brake light functions work only. Partial illumination on instrument panel, driver side window switch intermittently works, windshield washer intermittently works, defogger / vent function partially working, 1 horn working and vehicle reliability is the safety issue. 3. My mechanic looked at it and is was NOT surprised about all the issues at once. He mentioned the TIPM having issues as many other of his customers having the same issues. 4. My vehicle has not been inspected by anyone else but my mechanic. …
Vehicle turn signal randomly indicates the wrong direction. Has happened multiple times in vehicle. It appears to affect the right turn signal more than the left. Occasionally it will flash the wrong turn signal once, then it flashes the correct one. However there has been instances where it flashed the wrong direction the entire time the lever was in position. During a visit to dealer for a recall on another part, the service manager informed me that there are new module updates available. However he would not inform me what they fixed, and they would end up costing me $90/ service flash. This should not be legal for the dealers to charge for a safety related update. Provided that the update is for that issue
The fobik when inserted does not turn vehicle on (acts like vehicle battery is dead) but when key is removed and reinstalled it will then crank. Then other times it cranks but is like it's in off position (inside lights nor radio comes on) also, after acting up the airbag light stays on without flashing or going off. Windshield wipers "motor" doesn't function properly (works but stops in from of drivers window area) until it's put on high speed. These issues occur before and after vehicle is started. Both areas of city street and highway.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that water leaked into the vehicle through the sun roof and the interior lights during rainy weather. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000. The VIN was unavailable.
My air bag light has been lit up like a Christmas tree for since June. I have not been in an accident and the wipers are not responding properly when turned on.
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee limited model- driver's side heated power mirror exploded while driving. I was driving on 1/30/10 in rye brook, ny and temperatures were approximately 15 degrees fahrenheit. As I was driving the driver's side mirror literally exploded. The roads were clear and free of debris and I swerved off the road as I thought someone had thrown a rock or a ball at my window. I quickly got out of the car and noticed a gaping hole through the mirror but no other damage to any other part of the vehicle. No scratches were on the mirror or the car but there was a greenliquid from inside the mirror loosely scattered in small spots on the driver's side. It was the same green liquid present in greater amounts within the mirror. It was clear the mirror malfunctioned and imploded. …
Tl contact owns a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While stopped at a red light, the vehicle began to shake and lose power. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to have the PCM programmed. The PCM did not stop the shaking; however, the vehicle no longer jerked forward. The vehicle has been at the dealer five times for the shaking issue, but they cannot remedy the failure. The contact feels that this is a safety issue because the shaking and jerking almost caused a crash. The current mileage is 11,700 and failure mileage was 5,514. Updated 6/4/09 the rear view mirror was out of frame, the engine had a rough idle and it felt as though it was going to stall. Updated 06/09/09. The consumer she and her husband were displeased with the arbitration boards' decision. …
It would not roll down. Tl contact owns a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving approximately 30 MPH on normal road conditions, the engine unexpectedly stalled. There were no warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle restarted after the first attempt. The gear shifter was placed into drive and the accelerator pedal was depressed, but there was no response. The contact made several attempts before the vehicle was able to be driven again. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, but they were unable to duplicate the failure. In addition, the gear shifter was stuck in park and would not shift into reverse. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on a separate occasion for identical failures, but there were no resolutions. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 2,355. …
Enough issues that a class action suit in new jersey for this exact matter is in process. Faulty sunroof rear drain tubes become pinched, looped, or otherwise unable to drain away water. When water comes forward (as in braking on the freeway and narrowly averting an accident) water comes down and through the a pillars and overhead console, and other areas of headliner. A bit startling when traveling in rush hour traffic on the freeway. After reading about the countless stories of other owners experiencing the same thing, I began contacting dealerships including the out of area dealership where the vehicle was bought used in December 2011. It became apparent that there would be no relief and I would bear most if not all of the cost of the repair of this design flaw that can create very unsafe driving conditions and cause accidents.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 4% of the model year's 734 complaints. The component named most often is sun/moon roof assembly (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 43,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 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.