2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 733 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 15th highest complaint count among 26 Grand Cherokee model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 23 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 10 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical system, ignitionSep 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 14V567000 on NHTSA.gov
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.
If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.
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.
Campaign 13V175000 on NHTSA.gov
SuspensionJun 19, 2009
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.
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF EFFECTIVE LIFT AND LOWERING OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLE, POSSIBLY CREATING THE DRIVER TO PANIC WHICH COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
ROCK KRAWLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15. 2008. ALL THE AFFECTED UNTITS HAVE BEEN REMEDIED. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ROCK KRAWLER AT 1-518-270-9822.
Campaign 09E039000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical systemFeb 6, 2008
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 1,338 MY 2008 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND COMMANDER VEHICLES. THE FRONT CONTROL MODULE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED.
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.
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.
Campaign 08V059000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, disc, caliperSep 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.
THIS WOULD INCREASE THE VEHICLE'S STOPPING DISTANCE AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
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.
Campaign 07V415000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
40 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 18, 2016
DURING NORMAL OPERATION, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP) FEATURE AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATES ITSELF EVEN ON A DRY ROADWAY AND IN OPTIMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS WHERE THE RISK OF SKIDDING OR HYDROPLANING ARE MINIMAL. ADDITIONALLY, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES FOR NO APPARENT REASON ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Electrical system, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Nov 12, 2015
VEHICLE HAD ISSUE RESOLVED BY RECALL P57 WHERE KEY FOB WOULD STICK IN IGNITION BETWEEN OFF AND ON. THE KEY FIRST GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION ON 8/14/14, A MEMORABLE DAY, BECAUSE IT HAPPENED ON THE DAY WE WERE GOING TO THE TITLE COMPANY TO CLOSE ON OUR FIRST HOME. AT THE SAME TIME THE IGNITION SWITCH ISSUE STARTED THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND ALL THE STEERING WHEEL FUNCTIONS ARE DISABLED. THE HORN NO LONGER WORKS. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THE AIRBAGS WORK. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE BUT THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE $90 JUST TO HOOK THE VEHICLE UP TO THEIR MACHINES TO DIAGNOSE WHAT IS GOING ON AND WILL NOT CONSIDER THIS AS RELATED TO THE RECALL P57. NOT BEING ABLE TO HONK IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY IS A PROBLEM. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THE AIRBAGS ARE FUNCTIONAL SO I GUESS IT WILL TAKE GETTING IN AN ACCIDENT TO FIND OUT (AN ACCIDENT WHICH CANNOT BE PREVENTED BY HONKING MY HORN TO WARN ANOTHER DRIVER).
Air bags, Sep 1, 2015
THIS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JEEP ON 10/10/2013 DUE TO THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMING ON. THERE WERE 112,988 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR THIS, $400, AS WELL AS BRAKE PADS, AND DIAGNOSTICS, $600.63. ON 10/21/13, AT 113,851 MILES, THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND HAD TO BE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. THERE WAS NO CHARGE FOR THIS SERVICE AS THE VEHICLE WAS JUST SEEN FOR A SIMILAR ISSUE. I RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION IN THE MAIL THE WEEK OF 8/17/2015 FROM FCA ON THE STATUS OF THE P57/NHTSA 14-567 RECALL FOR THE WIRELESS IGNITION MODULE (WIN). UPON READING THE RECALL NOTIFICATION SENT OUT, FCA RECOGNIZES THAT THE "WIN POSITION SPRING BACK MAY ALSO CAUSE THE DISABLING OF ONE OR MORE OF THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY FEATURES INCLUDING THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS." AT APPROXIMATELY 120,000 MILES, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WENT OFF AGAIN AND WAS INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED UNTIL 123,000 MILES, WHERE THE LIGHT HAS STAYED CONTINUOUSLY ON. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER TO INQUIRE IF THEY HAD PARTS, AND THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS IN STOCK FOR THE RECALL, BUT I WAS ADDED TO A WAITING LIST. UPON REQUESTING INFORMATION ON THE AIRBAG, I WAS IMMEDIATELY TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGHT HE NOTIFICATION SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED THE AIRBAGS. THE CLERK GAVE ME A 1-800 NUMBER FOR JEEP. I CALLED THE JEEP 1-800 NUMBER AND WAS CONNECTED TO AN AGENT WHOM I INQUIRED ABOUT THE AIRBAG AS WELL AND WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO DIAGNOSE THE AIRBAG. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY TO DIAGNOSE THE AIRBAG IF THE RECALL NOTIFICATION MENTIONS THAT THE AIRBAGS COULD HAVE BEEN AFFECTED. I FEEL THAT JEEP SHOULD BE DIAGNOSING THE AIRBAGS ON THE CUSTOMER'S BEHALF. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ALMOST A YEAR WITH THEM JUST GETTING TO A RESOLUTION. YOU WOULD THINK THEY WOULD WANT TO GO THE EXTRA MILE FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS.
Steering, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 25, 2015
WE CONTACTED WEST BROTHERS CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP IN SULLIVAN, MO IN FEB. 2015 DUE TO MULTIPLE RECALLS ON THE JEEP. THEY WERE AWARE THE JEEP WAS NOT RUNNING, WE WERE TOLD TO TOW IT TO DEALERSHIP ON FEB 26, 2015 AND THAT ALL PARTS WOULD BE THERE IN 2 TO 3 WEEKS, I AGREED TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST IF THE JEEP STILL WOULD NOT START AFTER RECALL WAS COMPLETE. I WAS TOLD DIAGNOSTIC TEST COULD NOT BE DONE UNTIL AFTER THE P57 RECALL WAS COMPLETE. AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF BEING TOLD PARTS WOULD BE IN I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM JOE BOULWARE ON JULY 23, 2015 STATING WE HAD ONE DAY TO MOVE THE JEEP OR IT WOULD BE TOWED. HE SAID HE HAD SPOKE WITH MY SON (THE PREVIOUS OWNER) ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TELLING HIM TO MOVE JEEP. THIS WAS FALSE AS MY SON WAS INCARCERATED ALL THE DATES HE GAVE. WE MET WITH GENERAL MANAGER WHO SAID WE WERE NOT WELCOME TO DO BUSINESS THERE ANYMORE DUE TO MY HEALTH ISSUES AND ACCUSATIONS MADE BY JOE BOULWARE, THEY REFUSED TO DO RECALLS ON THIS JEEP OR ON ANOTHER CHRYSLER TRUCK I OWN THAT NEEDS A SAFETY RECALL DONE. IN OUR PRESENCE, BUT NOT ON SPEAKER PHONE THE GENERAL MANAGER TELEPHONED CHRYSLER TO INQUIRE WHEN P57 PART WOULD BE IN, HE IDENTIFIED HIMSELF USING MY SONS NAME WHO IS IN THE MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS INSTEAD OF HIS OWN, HE TOLD US THE HELP LINE INFORMED HIM THEY HAD NO ESTIMATED DATE FOR PART TO BE RELEASED, WHEN I SPOKE WITH CHRYSLER THEY FOUND RECORD OF HIS CALL ON 8-18-15 BUT INFORMATION WOULD HAVE BEEN FALSE AS PART BECAME AVAILABLE 8-14-15. I FILED COMPLAINT WITH CHRYSLER AND THEY ISSUED THE DEALERSHIP A RED LETTER COMPLAINT.
Electrical system, Air bags, Aug 5, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT AN UNKNOWN WIRE RELATED TO THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Jul 30, 2015, crash
TL* 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 RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V567000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND THE PART NEEDED TO REMEDY THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
Electrical system, Air bags, Mar 29, 2015
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 68MPH ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THREE MINUTES LATER THE CAR INDICATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WAS OPEN (WHICH IT WAS NOT). ABOUT 30 SECONDS LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE-CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHICH ALMOST CAUSED ME TO CRASH BECAUSE IT WAS SO LOUD. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Mar 8, 2015, crash
AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN TWO SEPARATE FRONT END COLLISIONS KEY LOCKED IN IGNITION AND COULD NOT BE REMOVED. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Mar 8, 2015, crash
KEY WOULD BE LOCKED IN IGNITION AIRBAGS DO NOT DEPLOY AT COLLISIONS ABOVE 35 MPH. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Mar 8, 2015
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 WOULD STAY ON AND SHIFTER COULD BE MOVED. TOOK TO MALOY FORD IN JASPER, ALABAMA. THEY "REPAIRED" USING A "WIN KIT - TRANSMITTERS AND WIN" IT HAS BEEN WORKING SINCE THAT TIME. QUESTION: IS THE IGNITION REPAIRED? IS THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STILL IN NEED OF THE RECALL PART THAT WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE AT TIME OF NOTIFICATION OF RECALL? *TR
Air bags, Feb 3, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,179.
Electrical system, Air bags, Feb 3, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V567000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING SYMPTOMS RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, Jun 23, 2014
OWNER OF 2008 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE ON A REGULAR BASIS HEAR A CLICK AND THE POWER SHUTS OFF. YOU FIND YOURSELF WITH NO POWER STEERING, NO POWER BRAKES, AND NO LIGHTS. THIS ALSO OCCURS SOMETIMES WHEN YOU GO OVER A BUMP OR IF YOUR KNEE TOUCHES THE KEY RING. THE IGNITION KEY AND MECHANISMS WAS REPLACED IN 2010, AND THIS ABOVE PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING OFF AND ON SINCE THEN. IN THE PAST TWO YEARS THE OCCURRENCE HAS INCREASED. THE TECHNICIANS CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG IN THE CAR. CHRYSLER WILL NOT ADMIT THAT THE IGNITION FOB AND HOUSING IS DEFECTIVE, OR THAT THEIR IS ANY PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING IF IT OCCURS WHEN THERE IS NO PLACE TO PULL OVER AND IF HIT, AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE ENGINE IS OFF. *TR
Air bags, Oct 23, 2012, crash
MY SON HIT A TREE AND SPLIT IT IN HALF, THEN TOOK OUT A 100FT LAMP POST AND THEN CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL AND NOT ONE AIRBAG WENT OFF! *TR
Air bags, Jun 23, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD NO LONGER BE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 8/29/11 *CN UPDATED 09/21/11