The Lemon IndexAll cars · Jeep Grand Cherokee
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee is worse than average by owner complaints: 110 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 132, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 12 to 20 mpg combined. The best Jeep Grand Cherokee year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 734 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Jeep Grand Cherokee year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 43K to 100K miles on the car (509 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 55K–100K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 60K–100K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 45K–98K miles
Recalls 5
- electrical 2014
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.
- transmission & drivetrain 2013
A transfer case electrical failure may result in an unintentional shifting of the transfer case into the neutral position.
- suspension 2009
ROCK KRAWLER IS RECALLING 44 PERFORMANCE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE.
Show all 5 recalls
- electrical 2008
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 1,338 MY 2008 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND COMMANDER VEHICLES.
- brakes 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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Jeep told dealers about
Jeep sent dealers 62 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Diesel alternator inoperative
- Flash: UConnect and Voice Recognition Inoperative This bulletin involves replacing the Hands…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3800–6650 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.1L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Crank sensor failed in 2008 Jeep overland diesel, loss or power and inability to restart on highway, also I am stranded 1500 km s from home awaiting the replacement part.
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee owner · NHTSA complaint 10278458
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.3× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 132; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Jeep Grand Cherokee year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (30%), electrical (28%) and transmission & drivetrain (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
5 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee get?
12 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 43,500 and 100,000 miles. The middle report was at 74,000 miles, from 509 complaints.
Does the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 13% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee cost in fuel a year?
About $3800 to $6650 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
3.0L 6-cyl, 3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.1L 8-cyl.
What Jeep Grand Cherokee year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2019 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works