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2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 726.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

509 reports with mileage · 224 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 472 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 107 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 77 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

23 crash reports5 fire reports9 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

472 reports
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120,000 miles · Oct 16, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

* WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD PROPERLY. THE HEADLIGHTS LEVELING WAS NOT WORKING AND THE HEADLIGHTS SHOWN ABOUT 25 FEET INFRONT OF THE CAR AND WOULD NOT RAISE UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE HEAD LIGHT LEVELING SENSOR SHOWED A FAULT CODE TH…

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* WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD PROPERLY. THE HEADLIGHTS LEVELING WAS NOT WORKING AND THE HEADLIGHTS SHOWN ABOUT 25 FEET INFRONT OF THE CAR AND WOULD NOT RAISE UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE HEAD LIGHT LEVELING SENSOR SHOWED A FAULT CODE THAT IT HAD FAILED BUT IT WAS NOT ACTING UP WHEN THEY CHECKED IT OUT. THEY SAID BRING IT BACK WHEN IT FAILS CONSTANTLY. IT IS NOW FAILING CONSTANTLY. HAVE NOT TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER YET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10648286

56,379 miles · Oct 15, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD FLASHED. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT, HEAD LIGHTS, RADIO AND THE DRIVER SEAT FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD FLASHED. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT, HEAD LIGHTS, RADIO AND THE DRIVER SEAT FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,379.

NHTSA ODI #10644784

80,502 miles · Oct 4, 2014
Electrical System

KEY WILL NOT RELEASE FROM IGNITION AFTER DRIVING OR ENGAGING THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10641468

102,450 miles · Sep 28, 2014
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

VEHICLE HAS HAD A HISTORY OF UNRESOLVED ELECTRICAL ISSUES BEGINNING AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. IN 2009, THE IGNITION SWITCH BEGAN TO FAIL AND THE KEY FOB WAS REPLACED. DUE TO A VIN NUMBER ISSUE WITH A REPLACEMENT PROGRAM, CHRYSLER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE KEY ASSEMBLIES THOUGH THEY WERE REPLACING IDENTICAL ASSEMBLIES ON OTHER VEHICL…

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VEHICLE HAS HAD A HISTORY OF UNRESOLVED ELECTRICAL ISSUES BEGINNING AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. IN 2009, THE IGNITION SWITCH BEGAN TO FAIL AND THE KEY FOB WAS REPLACED. DUE TO A VIN NUMBER ISSUE WITH A REPLACEMENT PROGRAM, CHRYSLER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE KEY ASSEMBLIES THOUGH THEY WERE REPLACING IDENTICAL ASSEMBLIES ON OTHER VEHICLES THAT USED THE SAME MODULES. SEVERAL "REPROGRAMMING" HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED TO CLEAR PROBLEMS. SPECIFIC ISSUES INCLUDE: 1. ERRATIC BEHAVIOR OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT STEMS FROM THE OPERATION OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. FOR EXAMPLE THE ENGINE WILL START BUT THE VEHICLE WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK AND THE RADIO/NAVIGATION WILL NOT WORK UNTIL YOU JIGGLE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND KEY FOB. 2. CHRONIC FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE. YOU CAN BE DRIVING ALONG AT ANY SPEED AND YOU WILL LOSE THROTTLE CONTROL. THIS HAS CAUSED SEVERAL NEAR MISS ACCIDENTS. THE PROBLEM IS ACKNOWLEDGED BY A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND LIGHTING OF AN SPECIFIC IDIOT LIGHT ON THE DASH. HOWEVER, THE LACK OF THROTTLE RESPONSE IS VERY DANGEROUS AND CAN BE RESTORED BY ONLY STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND SHUTTING DOWN THE ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES TO RESET THE ELECTRONICS. 3. CHRONIC FAILURE OF THE DEALERSHIP TO ADDRESS PROPER CORRECTION OF THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. VEHICLE WAS COVERED BY A FULL WARRANTY AND AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT THESE PROBLEMS WERE NEVER REPAIRED. DUE TO SPORADIC AND RANDOM NATURE OF THE SYSTEMS FAULTS, THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO MAKE REPAIRS. 4. DEALERSHIPS UNABLE TO CLEAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND BLAME ISSUES ON THE FACT THIS UNIT HAS A DIESEL ENGINE. LOCAL WATERWAY CAR WASH IS REFUSING TO WASH THESE VEHICLES DUE TO RAPID AND UNATTENDED ACCELERATION ISSUES WHICH HAVE CAUSED ACCIDENTS AT THEIR CAR WASHES. THIS PROBLEM CAN BE DOCUMENTED BY CALLING THEM BY TELEPHONE. THEY CONSIDER THE VEHICLES TO BE A SAFETY RISK. PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10639669

82,000 miles · Sep 25, 2014
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

SO THE STARTER HAS BEEN A ISSUE EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM MY FATHER 2 YEARS AGO. THE KEY SEEMS TO BE THE PROBLEM SINCE I GOT THE STARTER REBUILT. IT JUST DOESN'T START AND WILL TURN OFF AT TIMES FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHICH WOULD SCARE EVERYONE IN THE CAR. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE IS A RECALL BECAUSE THERE SHOULD BE. *…

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SO THE STARTER HAS BEEN A ISSUE EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM MY FATHER 2 YEARS AGO. THE KEY SEEMS TO BE THE PROBLEM SINCE I GOT THE STARTER REBUILT. IT JUST DOESN'T START AND WILL TURN OFF AT TIMES FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHICH WOULD SCARE EVERYONE IN THE CAR. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE IS A RECALL BECAUSE THERE SHOULD BE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10639114

60,000 miles · Sep 22, 2014
Electrical System

CAR WOULD NOT START. NEITHER FOB WOULD WORK. CAR WAS IN WRANGELL ALASKA AND HAD TO BE SHIPPED TO BELLINGHAM. CAR IS NOW AT DEALERS. WAS NOT A FOB PROBLEM. ECM, ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE? AFTER TWO DAYS WORK WITH TWO MECHANICS, THEY STILL DO NOT KNOW THE PROBLEM, JUST GUESSING. ONLY DEALER CAN WORK/PROGRAM THE CAR COMPUTER. COST…

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CAR WOULD NOT START. NEITHER FOB WOULD WORK. CAR WAS IN WRANGELL ALASKA AND HAD TO BE SHIPPED TO BELLINGHAM. CAR IS NOW AT DEALERS. WAS NOT A FOB PROBLEM. ECM, ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE? AFTER TWO DAYS WORK WITH TWO MECHANICS, THEY STILL DO NOT KNOW THE PROBLEM, JUST GUESSING. ONLY DEALER CAN WORK/PROGRAM THE CAR COMPUTER. COST OF SHIPPING CAR + HOTELS+RESTAURANTS+TOWING TO AND FROM FERRY++++++ DEALER COST. ALL BECAUSE THE CAR HAS TO BE FIXED AT THE DEALER AND THEY APPARENTLY CAN'T DO IT EITHER. THIS IS GETTING REALLY EXPENSIVE. WHAT IF I HAD BEEN OUT IN THE BOONIES, AWAY FROM PHONE SERVICE IN THE WINTER AND THIS HAD HAPPENED? *TR..UPDATED 09-25-14 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10638038

Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2014
Electrical System

IGNITION WON'T RELEASE KEY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10637825

80,000 miles · Sep 17, 2014
Electrical SystemSteeringCrash

THE IGNITION ON MY JEEP WENT OUT OF IT'S NORMAL OPERATING POSITION TO ACC POSITION AFTER THE KEY WAS ACCIDENTALLY BUMPED. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AT THE TIME. STEERING LOCKED UP AND THE ACCELERATOR WAS DISABLED. AND JUST A FEW DAYS AGO THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THIS TIME MY CAR ROLLED AT A SLOW SPEED INTO ANOTHER CAR DUE TO LA…

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THE IGNITION ON MY JEEP WENT OUT OF IT'S NORMAL OPERATING POSITION TO ACC POSITION AFTER THE KEY WAS ACCIDENTALLY BUMPED. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AT THE TIME. STEERING LOCKED UP AND THE ACCELERATOR WAS DISABLED. AND JUST A FEW DAYS AGO THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THIS TIME MY CAR ROLLED AT A SLOW SPEED INTO ANOTHER CAR DUE TO LACK OF BRAKES. LUCKILY, NO DAMAGE OR INJURIES IN THAT CASE EITHER. I ASSUME THE RECENT RECALL FOR JEEP GRAND CHEROKEES UP TO 2007 FOR THE SAME REASON WILL BE EXTENDED TO THE 2008 MODELS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10633846

80,500 miles · Aug 29, 2014
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING AT POSTED X-PRESS WAY SPEEDS (70 MPH) THE CAR SUDDENLY WENT DEAD. THE POWER STEERING, RADIO, A/C ETC. SHUT OFF. FORTUNATELY TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND I PULLED OFF TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. AFTER THE VEHICLE COME TO A STOP. I TURNED THE KEY TO THE LEFT (OFF POSITION) THAN TURNED BACK TO THE RIGHT ON POSITION. THE CAR…

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WHILE DRIVING AT POSTED X-PRESS WAY SPEEDS (70 MPH) THE CAR SUDDENLY WENT DEAD. THE POWER STEERING, RADIO, A/C ETC. SHUT OFF. FORTUNATELY TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND I PULLED OFF TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. AFTER THE VEHICLE COME TO A STOP. I TURNED THE KEY TO THE LEFT (OFF POSITION) THAN TURNED BACK TO THE RIGHT ON POSITION. THE CAR STARTED IMMEDIATELY AND I CONTINUED ON. THE CAR WILL ALSO STALL IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING IT AND I WILL HAVE TO SOMETIMES START IT TO TWO TO THREE TIMES BEFORE IT STAYS RUNNING. I HAD THE PROBLEM LOOKED AT A FEW YEARS AGO. FIRST THEY SAID IT WAS A BAD KEY. WHEN THAT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM THEY SAID IT WAS A BAD COMPUTER BOARD. THAT WORKED FOR A FEW MONTHS AND THAN THE INTERMITTENT STARTING AGAIN AND HAS BEEN THAT WAY EVER SINCE. I KNOW OLDER MODEL JEEPS ARE GOING TO RECALLED BUT I THINK THE RECALL SHOULD INCLUDE 2008 MODEL YEARS ALSO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10629423

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2014
Electrical System

WE ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH THE IGNITION KEY, IT SOMETIMES RELEASES EASILY AND SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO START THE CAR AGAIN AND MOVE IT AND THAT CAN HAPPEN UP TO AS MANY AS 5 OR 6 OR AS LITTLE AS 2 OR 3 TIME. INITIALLY IT WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A PROBLEM, BUT NOW IT IS BECOMING SCARY. TAKING IT TO THE DEALER AGAIN BECAUSE WE MENTIO…

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WE ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH THE IGNITION KEY, IT SOMETIMES RELEASES EASILY AND SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO START THE CAR AGAIN AND MOVE IT AND THAT CAN HAPPEN UP TO AS MANY AS 5 OR 6 OR AS LITTLE AS 2 OR 3 TIME. INITIALLY IT WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A PROBLEM, BUT NOW IT IS BECOMING SCARY. TAKING IT TO THE DEALER AGAIN BECAUSE WE MENTIONED IT THE LAST TIME WE WERE THERE AND WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE OK UNTIL THE CHECK ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT GOES ON. WE JUST CAN'T WAIT AND CONTINUE DRIVING THE CAR LIKE THIS. THERE SEEM TO BE OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH SIMILAR ISSUE. WE HOPE THAT ALL OUR CONCERNS CAN BE REMEDIED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10627279

Official recalls

4

14V567000 · Electrical System:ignition

Sep 17, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the ignition stays between "START" and "ON" positions it could cause loss of certain electrical functions. If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the "OFF" or "ACCESSORY" position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

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. Chrysler's number for this recall is P57.

13V175000 · Electrical System; Power Train:transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive)

May 7, 2013

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.

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. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N23.

Additional source detail variants (2)

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. A transfer case electrical failure may result in an unintentional shifting of the transfer case into the neutral position.

Consequence: If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.

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. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N23.

Power Train:transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive)

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.

Consequence: If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.

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. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N23.

08V059000 · Electrical System; Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

Feb 6, 2008

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

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING OR NOT TO START AND/OR CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. ENGINE STALLING OR INOPERATIVE WIPERS COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

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

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING OR NOT TO START AND/OR CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. ENGINE STALLING OR INOPERATIVE WIPERS COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

Electrical System

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

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING OR NOT TO START AND/OR CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. ENGINE STALLING OR INOPERATIVE WIPERS COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

07V415000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper

Sep 12, 2007

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS WOULD INCREASE THE VEHICLE'S STOPPING DISTANCE AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Jeep Grand Cherokee problems