Model year guide

2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 209 on record.

2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints733
Combined16 mpg
Typical price$10,032

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls 5

Electrical System:ignition NHTSA Campaign #14V567000 · 17/09/2014

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 t…

Fix: 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.

Power Train:transfer Case (4-wheel Drive) NHTSA Campaign #13V175000 · 07/05/2013

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.

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. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N23.

Electrical System NHTSA Campaign #08V059000 · 06/02/2008

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 1,338 MY 2008 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND COMMANDER VEHICLES. THE FRONT CONTROL MODULE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED.

Fix: 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.

Suspension NHTSA Campaign #09E039000 · 19/06/2009

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.

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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ROCK KRAWLER AT 1-518-270-9822.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper NHTSA Campaign #07V415000 · 12/09/2007

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.

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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 733 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.

2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4-DR. w/SAB. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee MPG & running costs

Combined16 mpg
City14 mpg
Highway19 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,239

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee worth?

Low
$5,900
Typical price
$10,032
High
$14,600

From 207 comparable 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$21,195
Depreciation (5 yrs)$7,200
Total$28,395
Per mile$0.38

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($10,032) with the same model 5 model-years older ($2,832), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee trims & engines on record

Trims
Laredo · Limited · SRT-8 · Overland · Laredo/Rocky Mountain Edition
Engines
3.7L 6-cyl · 5.7L 8-cyl · 4.7L 8-cyl · 6.1L 8-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl

2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles on record

Other Jeep Grand Cherokee model years

2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee — frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Based on 733 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, air bags, engine.

What is the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee crash-test ratings of frontal 5★, side 5★, rollover 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee at about 16 mpg combined (14 city / 19 highway).

How much is a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee worth?

Comparable 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee listings run roughly $5,900–$14,600, typically around $10,032 (from 207 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.