2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 4 recalls, 734 owner complaints and up to 20 mpg combined.
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Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #07V415000 · 2007 · 28,755 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: This would increase the vehicle's stopping distance and could cause a crash.
The 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.
Visibility (wipers, glass), Electrical Vehicle recall #08V059000 · 2008 · 1,338 vehicles
What's wrong: The front control module May have been incorrectly manufactured.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the module and replace it if necessary. The recall began on February 18, 2008.
Electrical, Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #13V175000 · 2013 · 295,345 vehicles
What's wrong: A transfer case electrical failure May result in an unintentional shifting of the transfer case into the neutral position.
Why it matters: If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it May roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.
The 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.
Electrical Vehicle recall #14V567000 · 2014 · 292,798 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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…
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key fobs, free of charge. The recall began August 19, 2015.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Suspension Equipment recall #09E039000 · 2009 · 44 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 5 mention a fire, 10 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (473): the most common themes are electrical failure (313), stalls / loses power (140).
- Engine (107): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (60), electrical failure (28).
- Transmission & drivetrain (77): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (30), stalls / loses power (28).
- Airbags (40): the most common themes are warning light on (15), fails to deploy (6).
The 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 734 owner complaints, ranking #19 of 37 Grand Cherokee model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 786). Complaints peaked in 2015 (289 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 74,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2007 (1108 complaints, 5 recalls), 2009 (138 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 23 | 20 | Diesel |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | Diesel |
| 3.7 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
| 3.7 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 17 | Regular |
| 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 19 | 15 | Regular |
| 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | Regular |
| 4.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 15 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 4.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 15 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 6.1 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 | 14 | 12 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems?
Owners have filed 734 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (473), engine (107), transmission & drivetrain (77).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee get?
EPA ratings run up to 20 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic 5-spd), across 9 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.