DecodedCars2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV 4WD Laredo, 4dr SUV 4WD Limited/Overland, 4dr SUV 4WD Srt8
- Engines
- 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.7L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Diesel, Regular Gasoline, FFV, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 20 combined · 18 city / 23 hwy
- Length
- 186.6–188.6 in
- Curb weight
- 4,440–4,786 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Many owner complaints458 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 84 for similar models — most often about the electrical system.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 30 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a SUV - offered with 4 engines (3.0L 6-cyl, 3.7L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl and 4.7L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 187 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,440 lb (4dr SUV 4WD Laredo).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 20 MPG combined (18 city / 23 highway), 6% better than the 2008 SUV - average of 18.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,950 a year in fuel.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 458 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2008
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2007 Grand Cherokee — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 Grand Cherokee →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Detroit, Michigan
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 2 2008 Grand Cherokee configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV 4WD Laredo | 186.6 in | 73.2 in | 67.7 in | 109.4 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 4,440 lb | 54/46 |
| 4dr SUV 4WD Limited/Overland | 186.6 in | 73.2 in | 67.7 in | 109.4 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 4,665 lb | 54/46 |
| 4dr SUV 4WD Srt8 | 188.6 in | 73.2 in | 66.5 in | 109.4 in | 63.8 / 62.2 in | 4,786 lb | 55/45 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Cherokee 2WD Diesel | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 23 / 20 | +6% | $4,800 | 509 |
| Grand Cherokee 4WD Diesel | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 22 / 19 | +9% | $5,050 | 536 |
| Grand Cherokee 2WD | 3.7L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 17 | -10% | $3,950 | 523 |
| Grand Cherokee 4WD | 3.7L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 19 / 17 | -2% | $3,950 | 523 |
| Grand Cherokee 2WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 / 19 / 15 | -21% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Grand Cherokee 4WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | -14% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Grand Cherokee 4WD FFV | 4.7L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 15 | -14% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Grand Cherokee 2WD FFV | 4.7L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 15 | -21% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Grand Cherokee 4WD | 6.1L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 / 14 / 12 | -31% | $6,850 | 741 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2008 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee (this car) | 20 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser | 15 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2008 Toyota RAV4 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 13 |
| 2008 Toyota 4Runner | 18 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2008 Toyota Highlander | 26 MPG | Not rated | 10 |
| 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe | 20 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2008 Volkswagen Touareg | 17 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (2)
Electrical System › Ignition · Sep 17, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V567000 · 292,798 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 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.
- Risk
- 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 bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- 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.
Electrical System · May 7, 2013
NHTSA campaign 13V175000 · 295,345 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.
- 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.
Not every 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 342 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Engine — 56 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Air Bags — 37 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 89,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Grand Cherokee years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Grand Cherokee | 23 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Grand Cherokee | 23 | 193.3 in | Not rated | 6 | 56 |
| 2025 Grand Cherokee | 23 | 193.3 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 122 |
| 2024 Grand Cherokee | 23 | 193.3 in | ★★★★★ | 18 | 317 |
| 2023 Grand Cherokee | 23 | 204.7 in | Not rated | 23 | 599 |
| 2022 Grand Cherokee | 23 | 204.7 in | Not rated | 24 | 492 |
| 2021 Grand Cherokee | 21 | 189.8 in | ★★★★★ | 16 | 504 |
| 2020 Grand Cherokee | 21 | 189.8 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 241 |
| 2019 Grand Cherokee | 24 | 189.8 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 370 |
| 2018 Grand Cherokee | 25 | 189.8 in | ★★★★★ | 10 | 855 |
| 2017 Grand Cherokee | 21 | 189.8 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 364 |
| 2016 Grand Cherokee | 25 | 189.8 in | ★★★★★ | 8 | 312 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Jeep. How we calculate this →