2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee most often describe the engine shutting off while driving, sometimes at highway speed, and link it to the ignition switch; many say parts for a related ignition recall were unavailable for long periods. A second frequent theme is electrical trouble in the front control module, TIPM and wiring, causing multiple warning lights, dead batteries or no-start conditions. Reports appear from roughly 50,000 to 150,000 miles, with ignition-related stalling spread across that range rather than clustered early.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Engine shuts off while driving (stalling)

   • 278 complaints (38%)
   • median 71,450 mi at 6.4 yrs old (253 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,150 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2008–2026

   Owners describe the engine quitting without warning at various speeds, from parking-lot speeds up to highway travel, often with loss of power steering and power braking. In many accounts the vehicle restarts after being shifted into park and the key cycled off and back on, and some had the ignition switch or key cylinder replaced based on a mechanic's diagnosis. Several mention being told the VIN was covered by a recall for the ignition but that the repair part was not available. Reported across a wide range, roughly 55,000 to 150,000 miles, at all speeds and not tied to a particular season.

   Recall 14V5670001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition switch recall (14V567000) has been completed and whether the switch or key cylinder has been replaced. During a test drive, note whether the key feels loose or sticky in the ignition and whether the engine idles steadily.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee overland 5.7 hemi stalled on freeway. I had to immediately pull over as heavy traffic and vehicle would not restart and I lost all steering/brakes/engine control. I ended up hitting a road cone (no notable damage) as I was pulling into the somewhat small pullover zone (was in highway construction). Vehicle restarted only after being put in park and removing and reinserting the key.”

   NHTSA complaint #10537419, filed 2013-08, 78,256 miles

   “While driving onto a major roadway with my wife and kids in the vehicle the car just stalled out and I lost all control of the vehicle. Luckily there was no other vehicles on the road. I turned the key to off and started the car right up again. I researched this online to find this is a widespread issue and I cannot believe the NHTSA has done nothing after the entire GM scandal with cars shutting off causing several fatalities.”

   NHTSA complaint #10629025, filed 2014-08, 100,400 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Key will not turn or come out of ignition

   • 118 complaints (16%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 7.2 yrs old (98 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2008–2025

   Complaints describe the key sticking in the ignition after the vehicle is shut off, or the key failing to turn so the engine will not start, sometimes requiring repeated jiggling of the shifter or cycling of the key. Some owners were told the wireless ignition module or a key fob needed replacement, and a few describe the fob not being recognized at all. For one owner the shift lever also seized in park. Mostly reported between about 68,000 and 150,000 miles; some owners note it worsens in humid weather.

   Recall 14V567000Recall 08V059000

   What to check: Try starting the vehicle several times and check that the key turns freely and releases cleanly when shut off. Ask whether the wireless ignition module or any keys have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The ignition won't turn to on when I put the fob in the ignition. There was a recall # p57 but it seems that my VIN # doesn't fall under this recall. Who can I speak with regarding this? Thank you.”

   NHTSA complaint #11329347, filed 2020-06, 91,000 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10715422, filed 2015-05, 77,382 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Multiple warning lights and front module faults

   • 165 complaints (22%)
   • median 75,250 mi at 6.6 yrs old (136 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $694 (median of 12 quotes)
   • filed 2008–2026

   Owners report clusters of dash warning lights flashing, along with headlights, brake lights, radio or seat functions behaving erratically, and in some cases the vehicle will not start at all. Complaints describe dealers diagnosing the front control module or the integrated power module (TIPM) as the cause and quoting a replacement. A few reports describe a burning smell or smoke from wiring near the alternator. Typically reported between about 56,000 and 130,000 miles.

   Recall 08V0590003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check that all warning lights go out after starting and that lights, radio, mirrors and seat functions work. Ask whether the front control module or TIPM has ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have been waiting for over a year for a part that doesn't exist. It has gotten a lot worse with the humidity changes and every time I start the Jeep it sticks. I was told to call at the beginning of every week to see if the part comes in. They also told me that they are limited to how many they get each week. I am beyond this bull crap on waiting for a part that's just so simple as they claim to replace.”

   NHTSA complaint #10759083, filed 2015-08, 200,001 miles

   “I get 3 lights on, engine, esp/bas and traction lights, dealer states it needs the tipm replace and is charging me to replace it but this is a problem that chrysler knows about it from other cars but I do not have a recall for my car to replace this part”

   NHTSA complaint #10819319, filed 2016-01, 65,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Fuel spills or overflows when filling the tank

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe fuel overflowing or spilling from the filler neck at nearly every fill-up, sometimes onto the vehicle and the ground. Others report a gasoline smell inside the cabin while parked or driving, without a visible leak, and one diesel owner reports fuel leaking from the bottom of the tank where salt and debris collect around the skid plate. Reported from roughly 60,000 to 210,000 miles, during or shortly after fueling and while parked.

   What to check: Fill the tank slowly during a test drive and watch the filler neck for overflow; also note any fuel odor in the cabin or under the rear of the vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When filling up my Jeep with gas the filler neck over flows every single time and I heard the counterparts on the dodge durango is having the same issue and there is a recall on them fixing the same issue. This is a huge environmental hazard and since other Jeep owners I know with the same make and model are having the same issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #11291856, filed 2019-12, 79,000 miles

   “On many occasions both my husband and I have smelled gasoline when getting into the car as well as when driving the car. This is not after fueling the car when there may be a smell of gasoline. Its when it has been sitting or just driving down the road. We have not noticed a leak. I have seen on the news today that the national highway traffic safety is wanting a recall of certain model Jeep Grand Cherokee's but the corporation is not planning to move forward with recalls. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10515156, filed 2013-06, 60,000 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transfer case will not shift or shows service 4WD

   • 28 complaints (4%)
   • median 62,650 mi at 6.1 yrs old (26 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2008–2018

   Complaints describe the transfer case refusing to go into neutral or between 4WD modes, with a service 4WD message appearing, often when trying to set up flat towing behind a motorhome. Owners report repeated visits where the dealer replaced the actuator or reflashed control software, in some cases with the same fault returning, and parts sometimes being unavailable for an extended period. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 74,000 miles, often soon after a control-module reprogramming.

   Recall 13V1750005 related service bulletins

   What to check: On a 4WD example, cycle through 4HI, 4LO and neutral with the engine running and confirm the lights match the selected mode. Ask whether the final drive control module has been reprogrammed under the related service actions.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I believe this issue/complaint is a result of safety recall n23/NHTSA 13v-175. Ten days ago we were preparing to hook up my Jeep for towing behind our rv. When I attempted to put the transfer case into neutral it would not move and I would get a 'service 4w system' error message. We took the Jeep to the dealer and was advised the transfer case module was bad. The worst news was there were none to be found within hundreds of miles and I had no powertrain warranty. Ten days later and I am still waiting for a replacement part. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10562625, filed 2014-02, 68,000 miles

   “I filed a complaint back in january 2014 regarding this issue. It went no where with NHTSA. Chrysler/fiat sent out recall n23...their fix for vehicles that might roll when remote start was used.this recall reprogramming caused jeeps to loose 4x4, 4x4low etc. Some get stuck in 4low, some in 2high. After almost $700 and months of aggravation, paying to replace my actuator (which was fine!), I still have the problem with no 4x4, 4x4 low or ability to shift transfer case into neutral. I had to have the dealer clear the error codes again! …”

   NHTSA complaint #10610308, filed 2014-07, 73,000 miles

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the ignition switch, key cylinder and electrical modules, and confirm any open recalls have been completed, since those account for most of the reported trouble. A 4WD model deserves a check of transfer case operation before purchase.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.