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: other or unspecified
35 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Jun 24, 2015
THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE PLACED ON NOVEMBER 10, 2014. SINCE THE RECALL ON THE IGNITION, MY JEEP HAS HAD MULTIPLE OCCASIONS IN WHICH THE IGNITION KEY IS MALFUNCTIONING AND I GET A LOSS OF CERTAIN ELECTRICAL FEATURES. I HAVE SPOKEN TO CHRYSLER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS REQUESTING A RENTAL VEHICLE UNTIL MY VEHICLE CAN GET FIXED AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Jun 12, 2015
WHEN GOING ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR, SPECIFICALLY ON HIGHWAYS, AS SOON AS I HIT A LARGE BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE KEY "BUMPS" OUT OF THE ON POSITION AND INTO THE OFF POSITION. AS A RESULT, I LOOSE POWER STEERING, BRAKE ASSIST, LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, AND ALL OTHER POWER. I AM ABLE TO PUT MY 4 WAY FLASHERS ON AND STEER OFF THE ROAD, RESTART THE CAR, AND GET BACK ON THE ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MOST RECENT WAS YESTERDAY WHEN GOING 70 ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE BEING TAILGATED BY A TRACTOR TRAILER. WHEN THE KEY SLIPPED, I WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY TAKEN OUT BY THE TRACTOR TRAILER. THIS ISSUE IS A KNOWN RECALL; HOWEVER, WHEN REACHING OUT TO JEEP AND OTHER LOCAL DEALERSHIPS, I AM BEING TOLD THAT THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. THEY ARE NOT OFFERING ANY SOLUTIONS TO REMEDY THE ISSUE IN THE MEANTIME. I WAS TOLD THAT IF I WANTED A RENTAL, IT WOULD BE OUT OF POCKET. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE MY KIDS AROUND OR COMMUTE TO MY JOB AN HOUR AWAY FROM HOME. JEEP DOES NOT HAVE AN ESTIMATED TIME OF WHEN THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 4, 2015
WITHOUT WARNING, CAR WOULD NOT START. HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE. MULTIPLE SOURCES HAVE DETERMINED IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRELESS MODULE. SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AMONG JEEPS, BUT NO RECALL.
Other or unspecified, May 22, 2015
I WAS ENTERING A ROUND ABOUT AND THE JEEP JUST QUIT. I HAD NO POWER. IT WAS AS IF SOMEONE SHUT THE KEY OFF. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH THIS AUTO. THE DEALER SAID THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG AND THERE ISN'T A RECALL ON THIS VIN NUMBER.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 17, 2015
RECALL PART "WIN" MODEL WILL NOT ALLOW KEY TO TURN IN IGNITION. DEALER IS UNABLE TO GET NEW OR RECALL PART FROM CHRYSLER . NO RESPONSE FROM CHRYSLER AND NO INDICATION WHEN PART WILL BE AVAILABLE. VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE UNTIL PART IS FIXED. DEALER ORDERED A NEW PART AMC CHRYSLER CANCELLED PART WITH NO EXPLANATION. CHRYSLER REFUSES TO RETURN PHONE CALLS AND EMAILS REGARDING THIS REPAIR. RECALL # P57
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 8, 2015
DROVE THE CAR HOME WHERE IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE ENGINE ON. LUCKILY, THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING OR THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT. IT WAS AS IF THE PART THAT THE KEY WENT IN WAS JAMMED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE WCM WAS NOT RECOGNIZING THE KEYS. THE WCM WAS REPLACED AND AS A RESULT, TWO NEW FOBIKS HAD TO BE PURCHASED. THE DEALERSHIP TESTED BOTH THE POWER AND THE GROUND TO THE WCM, ALL TESTED GOOD, FOUND THAT THE WCM WAS NOT RECOGNIZING THE KEYS THAT WERE IN THE IGNITION. WE RECEIVED THE RECALL ON THE FOBIKS, AND SUBMITTED THE PAPERWORK FOR REIMBURSEMENT. WE WAITED THE 60 DAYS THAT WAS REQUIRED BUT WHEN CALLING ABOUT THE REFUND WAS TOLD THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE SECOND RECALL IN ORDER TO BE REIMBURSED. I WAS TOLD THAT EVEN IF THERE HAD BEEN NO PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE, AND IF I WOULD HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A NEW WCM, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR AND THEN WAIT FOR THE SECOND RECALL NOTICE BEFORE REIMBURSEMENT. THE REPRESENTATIVE REPEATED THIS INFO TO ME SEVERAL TIMES B/C I COULD NOT BELIEVE WHAT I WAS HEARING. I ASKED FOR A SUPERVISOR AND NONE WAS AVAILABLE. THE SUPERVISOR WAS TO CALL ME BACK BUT I RECEIVED NO SUCH CALL. PER THE RECALL, I HAVE PROVIDED A COPY OF THE ORIGINAL RECEIPT AND I CONFIRMED THAT THEY DID RECEIVE THE RECEIPT. I AM ASKING FOR THE CHRYSLER RECALL TO REIMBURSE ME FOR MY EXPENSE AS THEIR RECALL STATES "REIMBURSEMENT WILL BE SENT TO YOU WITHIN 60 DAYS". *TR
Other or unspecified, Apr 30, 2012
I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED IN 2008. ALMOST FROM THE VERY BEGINNING I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE & HAD BEEN GOING BACK & FORTH TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ONE REPAIR AFTER THE OTHER. ALTHOUGH THE PREVIOUS ISSUES WERE SERIOUS, THEY DID NOT RISE TO THE LEVEL OF BEING A HEALTH/SAFETY HAZARD AS MY CURRENT PROBLEM DOES. IN 2011, I STARTED EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL FAILURE; SPECIFICALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD JUST STOP NO MATTER WHETHER I WAS DRIVING 70 ON THE HWY OR 30 IN A NEIGHBORHOOD. THE VEHICLE WOULD TURN OFF WITHOUT WARNING & I WOULD BE LEFT TRYING (W/OUT ANY POWER STEERING) TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH WHATEVER MOMENTUM WAS LEFT. ONCE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, TURNED THE IGNITION TO THE OFF POSITION & WAIT A FEW SECONDS. I WOULD THEN START THE VEHICLE RIGHT UP AS IF NOTHING HAD HAPPENED. I HAVE TAKEN THE JEEP IN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. I'VE GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE EACH TIME IT STOPS, I CALL THE DEALER SERVICE DEPT JUST SO THE RECORD WOULD SHOW THAT I CALLED, REPORTED THE PROBLEM HAD OCCURRED AGAIN & ALSO TO VENT MY FRUSTRATION OF THIS RECURRING PROBLEM. MY CONCERNS: 1) THE STALLING IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY 2) THE PROBLEM CAN'T BE DUPLICATED ON CUE 3) I CAN'T GET MORE THAN A CONDESCENDING, WHAT DO YOU WANT TONE FROM MGMT AT THE DEALERSHIP & 4) THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ANY SENSE OF URGENCY FROM ANYONE OTHER THAN MYSELF . MY QUESTIONS: DOES THERE REALLY HAVE TO BE SOME TYPE OF ACCIDENT OR FATALITY BEFORE SOMEONE ACTUALLY TRIES TO FIND OUT WHY THIS IS HAPPENING & FIX IT? WHY AREN'T THE SERVICE PEOPLE EQUIPPED TO DO MORE THAN JUST SPEAK TO THE VEHICLE OWNER AS IF WE ARE STUPID & LIKE I'M JUST MAKING UP STORIES. ALTHOUGH THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, IS THERE TRULY SOMEONE TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS? WHO DO I NEED TO CONTACT? *JS
Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, Apr 25, 2011
ENGINE STOPS RUNNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. TYPICALLY THE FAILURE OCCURS WHEN THE THROTTLE IS CLOSED DURING DECELERATION I.E. (WHEN DECELERATING TO EXIT THE FREEWAY OR DECELERATING TO STOP IN TRAFFIC). THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST ENCOUNTERED AT 14K MILES AND PERSISTS TO DATE. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS ACCRUED 46K MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON 5 OCCASIONS FOR DIAGNOSIS/REPAIR OF THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND NO FAULT CODES ARE STORED IN THE ON BOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM MEMORY. CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS CONTACTED FOR ASSISTANCE TO NO AVAIL. THE CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MERELY CONTACTED THE SERVICING DEALER AND WAS TOLD NO DRIVEABILITY ISSUES EXIST WITH THE VEHICLE. I NOTE THE VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING IN TRAFFIC AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT 4/22/2011 (CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS ADVISED). THIS CONDITION IS UNSAFE AS STEERING AND BRAKING SYSTEMS ARE SIGNIFICANTLY DEGRADED WITHOUT POWER ASSIST.
Power train, Service brakes, Electric, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Jul 5, 2010
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A NEWER MODEL USED VEHICLE THAT HAS STARTED TO PRESENT SOME SERIOUS CONCERNS THAT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT CANNOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM AND DISCOUNTS MY COMPLAINT. MY VEHICLE'S MOTOR ACTS AS IF IS GOING TO STALL ON TAKE OFF FROM A STOP POSITION. I HAVE ATTEMPTED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS TO HAVE THE PROBLEM SERVICED BY THE DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT; HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THEY HAVE NO CONCERNS WITH THE VEHICLE. ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM IS NOT PRESENTING ITSELF WHEN I BRING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, IT IS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN NOW THAN IN THE BEGINNING OF THE VEHICLE'S PURCHASE THAT I KNOW THE PROBLEM IS ESCALATING. I CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHAT "TRIGGERS" THIS EVENT EXCEPT THAT WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN, MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN ARE IN THE VEHICLE. A NEW ISSUE ALSO HAS PRESENTED ITSELF. ON JULY 4, AS WE WERE TRAVELING DOWN A NARROW ROAD ALIGNED BY TREES, THE VEHICLE DOWN SHIFTED SO HARD IT CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE AND FORCIBLY JERK; HOWEVER, WE IMMEDIATELY REGAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. MY ABS, ESP AND BAS LIGHTS ARE DISPLAYED AND I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THIS SERVICED FOR TUESDAY, JULY 6, AT WHICH TME I WILL ALSO ASK THEM TO PERFORM ANOTHER INSPECTION/SERVICE MY STALLING MOTOR ISSUE AS WELL AS THE NEW ACCELERATING/JERKING ISSUE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Other, Other or unspecified, Dec 24, 2008
SUDDEN ACCELERATION/ LOSS OF BRAKES. VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO FULL THROTTLE WHILE ENTERING FROM FREEWAY ONRAMP. THE DRIVER TOOK FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR AND VEHICLES ACCELERATOR PEDAL CONTINUED TO MOVE DOWNWARD TO FULL THROTTLE AND WOULD NOT DECELERATE AFTER AN ATTEMPT TO "PUMP" THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO TRY AND GET THE PEDAL TO RELEASE. THE AUTOMOBILE WAS THEN PUT IN NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN IN" RPM'S". THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY WITH THE AUTOMOBILE COMING TO A VERY LONG AND SLOW STOP WHITE TRYING TO MANEUVER THE AUTOMOBILE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A STOP THE MOTOR WAS STILL AT AN EXTREME "RPM" LEVEL. THE MOTOR WAS TURNED OFF AT THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE ENGINE FINALLY STOPPED RUNNING. AFTER SITTING AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR SOMETIME THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN TO A SAFE LOCATION WHERE THE DRIVER LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR AN HOUR OR TWO AND RESTARTED FOR THE FINAL DRIVE HOME(ABOUT FIVE MILES). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY. THE DEALER RAN A SCAN ON THE VEHICLE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE EVENT OCCURRED AS STATED. THE DEALER CONSULTED CHRYSLER SERVICE CENTER AND WERE RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE AND BRAKE MODULES FOR THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND BRAKING PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE PARTS ARE AT THE DEALER WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN BY THE DEALER AND THE CUSTOMER WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS READY. WHEN THE CUSTOMER ASKED IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND SAFE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE SAID "WE INSTALLED THE RECOMMENDED PARTS BY CHRYSLER SERVICE" AND WOULD NOT SAY IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PROPERLY OR SAFE FROM THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION/BRAKE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE AS OF TODAY 12-24-2008 REMAINS AT THE DEALER. *TR