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2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 734 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee, most often about the electrical (64% of complaints, typically around 78,000 miles). It is 15th of 27 Grand Cherokee model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems
Electrical
473 complaints · 64%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, instrument cluster/panel, wiring, seat heater.
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the key fob malfunctioned, preventing him from unlocking and locking the doors. The failure also prevented the contact from using the automatic starter. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician verified the failure and advised…
The moving vehicle inadvertently stalls. The stall has mostly occurred on the highway at speeds of 70-75 MPH, as well as on-ramps and off-ramps. The frequency of occurrence is approximately (3-4) times per month. When the vehicle stalls I have to quickly put the vehicle in neutral and restart the engine. Fortunately…
Engine
146 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 70 mpg, the engine stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the engine as it functioned properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection but they could not diagnose the cause of failure. The vehicle was not…
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving approximately 60 MPH. The vehicle coasted to a stop and the contact was able to restart the engine. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and they were unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not…
Transmission
77 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 75,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
Went into dealership service center to have "n23" safety recall performed. Before n23 software update there was no problem using the 4WD-low function, afterwards the 4WD-low shift function comes up with "service 4WD" code and will not shift into 4WD-low. I discovered this while stuck in a snow drift this weekend.…
I was purchasing a used Jeep cherokee 4x4, and had completed a full and detailed inspection of the unit on apr 28th, 2014. I had tested the 4 low and it worked fine. The unit was to go into chrysler on the apr 29th for the n23 recall prior to my picking up the unit the following day. The n23 recall was completed and…
Air bags
40 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 110,000 miles.
Purchased the vehicle used with approximately 57,000-58,000 miles in 2011. Two separate front end collisons at above 35 MPH with deer in rural area. No air bag ever deployed in may 2014 with mileage at approximately 109,852 the key would lock in the ignition and could not be removed. Car was still running, dash lights…
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently, went into a ditch, and crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained an injury to the left shoulder, but did not require medical attention. A police report was not filed. The contact…
Other or unspecified
35 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 95,000 miles.
There was a wire coming our of the steering column and the airbag warning light came on. I called nyle maxwell Jeep to ask to bring in my car and they could not schedule me until 4 days later. I asked if it was safe to drive it and they said yes. The following morning my husband was driving to the store and the airbag…
The ignition won't turn to on when I put the fob in the ignition. There was a recall # p57 but it seems that my VIN # doesn't fall under this recall. Who can I speak with regarding this? Thank you.
Visibility and wipers
28 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 42,500 miles. Parts named most often: rearview mirrors/devices, sun/moon roof assembly, power window devices and controls, windshield wiper/washer.
While driving all my gauges stopped working such as the wipers, speedometer, oil light, all of my gauges stopped working that are controlled by the computer. Couldn't tell what gear I was in while driving. My radio and clock wouldn't work. My blinkers wouldn't work. I had to take it to get it fixed this morning. I…
Vehicle stalled at around 20 MPH and could not restart (engine would not turn over) for several hours. After several hours, vehicle started fine for dealer. Dealer could not find root of the problem. Behavior seems similar to recall NHTSA campaign id 08v059000, but this vehicle is not on the recall list.
Speed control
27 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 89,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
Driving on highway 91 south check battery light came on then check engine and then all warning lights illuminated. Then speedometer, lights and engine shut off shortly after at 65 MPH. . .very dangerous had to coast to the side of the highway with heavy weekend traffic. Towed Jeep to chrysler dealer where they got…
My Jeep had just finished going through the car wash, the attendant got into the Jeep turned on the engine and the Jeep accelerated into a concrete wall. The Jeep was totaled.
Steering
24 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 74,500 miles.
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…
9/1/15 at approximately 8:20 p.m. Unintended change in ignition switch to the off position resulting in engine shutdown, electrical and power steering completely shutdown/lock. Collision averted by pulling resting 45 degree angle against the curb. Engine restarted thereafter. T/c to another dealership (this time…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls
Electrical: ignition
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: electrical system
Risk: If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Visibility and wipers: windshield wiper/washer
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
Chrysler is recalling 1,338 my 2008 jeep grand cherokee and commander vehicles. The front control module may have been incorrectly manufactured.
Brakes: caliper
Risk: This would increase the vehicle's stopping distance and could cause a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (473 complaints, typically around 78,000 miles); engine (146 complaints, typically around 66,000 miles); transmission (77 complaints, typically around 75,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 17, 2014 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- It is 15th of 27 Grand Cherokee model years by number of complaints, with 734 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.