repaired · 2016 Q4
Electrical system: ignition
Risk. If the ignition stays between "START" and "ON" positions it could cause loss of certain electrical functions.
2008 Jeep Grand CherokeeProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 734 owner complaints about the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 14V-567 the manufacturer reports only 45% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 29, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee has problems
734 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
473Electrical system12 crash/fire/injury
107Engine3 crash/fire/injury
77Power train6 crash/fire/injury
40Air bags
39Engine and engine cooling
27Vehicle speed control
24Steering
21Visibility
20Service brakes
12420 other systems5 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 473 | 12 |
| Engine | 107 | 3 |
| Power train | 77 | 6 |
| Air bags | 40 | 8 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 39 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 27 | 6 |
| Steering | 24 | 2 |
| Visibility | 21 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 20 | 3 |
| 20 other systems | 124 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Electrical system
Risk. If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.
no report yet
Electrical system
Risk. THIS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING OR NOT TO START AND/OR CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
no report yet
Disc: caliper
Risk. THIS WOULD INCREASE THE VEHICLE'S STOPPING DISTANCE AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Jeep.
Mileage at failure
When do electrical system problems start?
78kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 284 electrical system complaints. 74% were reported before 100,000 miles.
24under 30k miles209under 100k miles75100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Electrical system
9 owners mentioned a cost$357median
Middle half: $200 – $750
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2008 vs. every other Grand Cherokee year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Grand Cherokee median. How we score
5555887198939911,0281,6381,4478831,4767621,2952,0521,2801,1097341381181,6411,6458052,3931,3723133648573712414142704102588137
'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee safety ratings
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Rollover: 4 stars (19.1% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What Grand Cherokee owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While stopped in traffic, the vehicle stalled with the engine oil warning light illuminated. The contact parked, turned off, and then restarted the vehicle. Additionally, the windshield wipers intermittently activated while driving. The contact…
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle was started in the driveway but immediately turned off. The vehicle was restarted and shifted into reverse(R); however, the vehicle drove forward instead. The vehicle was immediately turned off to avoid a crash. The…
5.7L Hemi Engine fire. The primary cause was a wire harness retention clip failure that allows the starter wiring harness to lay on the steering column. As it turns, it cuts into the harness and provides battery voltage to the steering column. In my case, there was a power steering fluid leak…
Own a 2008 Grand Cherokee?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.