2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Photo: Bull-Doser / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee: common problems and reliability

One of the better Grand Cherokee years.

734 owner complaints, most about electrical system. 5 recalls.

Should I buy one?

The 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 734 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and engine.

Safety record for the 2008 model year

734
Owner complaints
5
Recalls
23
Crash reports
5
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles (US, public record).

The Year Score compares this year with other Grand Cherokee years only. How we score it

Is 2008 a good year for the Grand Cherokee?

Across the 31 Grand Cherokee model years we track, complaint volume runs from 118 (2010) to 2,380 (2014). With 734 complaints, the 2008 Grand Cherokee sits below the model's median of 1,108.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

electrical system
473
engine
107
power train
77
air bags
40
engine and engine cooling
39

Recalls affecting the 2008 Grand Cherokee

electrical system:ignition

Campaign 14V567000

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.

power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive)

Campaign 13V175000

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.

electrical system

Campaign 08V059000

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 1,338 MY 2008 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND COMMANDER VEHICLES. THE FRONT CONTROL MODULE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED.

suspension

Campaign 09E039000

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.

Show 1 more recall

service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper

Campaign 07V415000

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.

What owners say across generations

Sentiment is sharply divided and heavily dependent on model year and generation.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Grand Cherokee. See the full Grand Cherokee owner picture and every model year.

Typical used price

Used Grand Cherokee listings typically run $18,967–$28,998.

Other Grand Cherokee model years

Compare every Grand Cherokee year side by side to see how 2008 ranks against the rest.

Compare the Grand Cherokee against its rivals

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