Jeep Grand Cherokee 2005–2010 problems by year and mileage
3rd generation (WK)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20265,449 complaints, 3,659 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Close- Median failure report
- 78,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 2,051
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2005
- Electrical system927 reports · median 92,000 mi
- Body structure405 reports · median 75,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline253 reports · median 72,000 mi
Recall areas Electrical system — ignition · Electrical system · Power train — automatic transmission
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Close- Median failure report
- 80,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,300
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2006
- Electrical system764 reports · median 90,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline176 reports · median 84,000 mi
- Engine126 reports · median 90,000 mi
Recall areas Electrical system — ignition · Electrical system · Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Close- Median failure report
- 69,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,108
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2007
- Electrical system658 reports · median 79,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline196 reports · median 54,000 mi
- Engine169 reports · median 88,000 mi
Recall areas Electrical system — ignition · Electrical system · Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Close- Median failure report
- 74,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 734
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2008
- Electrical system473 reports · median 78,000 mi
- Engine107 reports · median 78,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline77 reports · median 76,000 mi
Recall areas Electrical system — ignition · Electrical system · Visibility — windshield wiper/washer
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Close- Median failure report
- 58,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 138
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2009
- Electrical system47 reports · median 83,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline23 reports
- Engine22 reports
Recall areas Electrical system · Air bags — frontal
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Close- Median failure report
- 68,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 118
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2010
- Electrical system47 reports · median 85,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline22 reports
- Engine21 reports
Recall areas Electrical system · Electrical system — ignition · Equipment
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2006; earliest: the 2009, and the 2006 is 3 years older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2005–2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 75,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 140,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 3,659
- Recalls
- 14
Most reported
- Electrical system53.5% of complaints · median 85,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline13.7% of complaints · median 71,000 mi
- Engine10.6% of complaints · median 86,000 mi
Owners filed 5,449 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005–2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee; the electrical system leads with 53.5% of them, and half of the 3,659 that record an odometer reading came by 75,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 45,000 to 107,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2005–2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee last?
On the 2005–2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee, half of the 3,659 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 75,000 miles and 90% by 140,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
270 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 46 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Grand Cherokee reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Jeep Grand Cherokee 2005–2010 · 3,659 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
5,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 186 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 46 complaints (1.3%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 17,000
- 25%
- 45,000
- Median
- 75,000
- 75%
- 107,000
- 90%
- 140,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 172 | 4.7% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 73 | 2.0% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 78 | 2.1% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 84 | 2.3% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 76 | 2.1% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 87 | 2.4% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 93 | 2.5% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 110 | 3.0% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 114 | 3.1% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 114 | 3.1% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 170 | 4.6% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 135 | 3.7% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 186 | 5.1% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 152 | 4.2% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 158 | 4.3% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 154 | 4.2% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 174 | 4.8% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 129 | 3.5% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 141 | 3.9% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 133 | 3.6% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 160 | 4.4% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 96 | 2.6% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 109 | 3.0% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 75 | 2.0% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 90 | 2.5% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 78 | 2.1% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 95 | 2.6% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 53 | 1.4% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 66 | 1.8% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 34 | 0.9% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 58 | 1.6% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 23 | 0.6% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 34 | 0.9% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 17 | 0.5% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 22 | 0.6% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 19 | 0.5% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 17 | 0.5% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 11 | 0.3% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 12 | 0.3% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 11 | 0.3% |
| 200,000+ | 46 | 1.3% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Grand Cherokee problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Jeep Grand Cherokee 2005–2010
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Engine and its cooling system255 reportsmedian 33,000middle half 11,000–57,000
- Transmission and driveline747 reportsmedian 71,000middle half 38,000–103,000
- Body structure568 reportsmedian 72,000middle half 52,000–100,000
- Electrical system2,916 reportsmedian 85,000middle half 55,000–116,000
- Engine579 reportsmedian 86,000middle half 66,000–120,000
- Airbag system248 reportsmedian 91,000middle half 54,000–130,000
- Problems owners could not categorise304 reportsmedian 100,000middle half 65,000–131,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 2,916 | 53.5% | 85,000 | 55,000–116,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 747 | 13.7% | 71,000 | 38,000–103,000 |
| Engine | 579 | 10.6% | 86,000 | 66,000–120,000 |
| Body structure | 568 | 10.4% | 72,000 | 52,000–100,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 304 | 5.6% | 100,000 | 65,000–131,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 255 | 4.7% | 33,000 | 11,000–57,000 |
| Airbag system | 248 | 4.6% | 91,000 | 54,000–130,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 248 | 4.6% | 72,000 | 38,000–106,000 |
| Latches and locks | 194 | 3.6% | 58,000 | 42,000–78,000 |
| Steering | 189 | 3.5% | 86,000 | 60,000–125,000 |
Known problems with the 2005–2010 Grand Cherokee
Engine (5.7L Hemi) 2005–2010
Broken exhaust manifold bolts producing a cold-start 'Hemi tick' and exhaust leak; MDS-related lifter and camshaft lobe wear on cylinder-deactivating cylinders.
Engine (4.7L V8) 2005–2007
Same head-gasket/overheating and sludging pattern carried over from the WJ.
Before you buy a 2005–2010 Grand Cherokee: the 3-minute check
Generated from 3,659 mileage-tagged complaints, 14 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 14 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check engine (5.7L hemi) on 2005–2010 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check engine (4.7L V8) on 2005–2007 cars.
- Years differ here: from 118 to 2,051 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Grand Cherokee problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi36% below | At 90k mi62% below | At 120k mi81% below | At 150k mi93% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 55,000–116,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 38,000–103,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 66,000–120,000 | later | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Body structure | 52,000–100,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 65,000–131,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Engine and its cooling system | 11,000–57,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 54,000–130,000 | in window | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Jeep Grand Cherokee 2005–2010 · 3,659 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 36% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 62% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 81% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 93% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2005–2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls (14)
NHTSA records 14 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the electrical system (5), the hydraulic brake circuit (4), the airbag system (2) (why one area can repeat).
Sep 2014 · 2008 · Electrical SystemIf the ignition stays between "START" and "ON" positions it could cause loss of certain electrical functions.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. 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…
The free 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…
Jul 2014 · 2005–2007 · Electrical SystemIf the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which…
The defect. This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, drivers should adjust their seat to allow clearance between the driver's knee and the ignition key, and remove all items from their key ring, leaving only the…
What can happen. 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…
The free fix. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. Chrysler sent interim notifications to owners in September 2014. The recall began on October 9, 2015. Owners…
May 2013 · 2005–2010 · Electrical SystemIf the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.
The free 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…
May 2010 · 2010 · Electrical SystemThe result of the defect could lead to a condition where the key may be removed from the ignition switch (win…
The defect. Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2010 Chrysler 300, Dodge challenger, charger, Jeep commander, Grand Cherokee and Dodge RAM vehicles. These vehicles may have been built with a wireless ignition node (win) module exhibiting a binding condition of the…
What can happen. The result of the defect could lead to a condition where the key may be removed from the ignition switch (win module) prior to placing the shifter in park. This could result in the potential for…
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the win module free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before august 23, 2010. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Mar 2010 · 2010 · EquipmentReduced vehicle stability could occur increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Chrysler is recalling model year 2010 Jeep commander and Grand Cherokee vehicles. They may have been built with an improperly manufactured rear track bar.
What can happen. Reduced vehicle stability could occur increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the rear track bar bushing retaining hoop and replace the rear track bar if any are found to be mis-positioned. The safety recall is expected to begin during april 2010. Owners…
Jan 2010 · 2010 · Service Brakes, HydraulicThis could result in brake failure without warning which could cause a crash.
The defect. Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2010 Chrysler sebring; Dodge avenger and nitro; Jeep liberty, commander and Grand Cherokee; and model year 2009-2010 Dodge RAM truck. These vehicles may have been built with an improperly formed or missing brake…
What can happen. This could result in brake failure without warning which could cause a crash.
The free fix. Chrysler will replace the brake booster input rod retaining clip free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during february 2010. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Nov 2009 · 2010 · Electrical SystemThe airbag may not properly protect the passenger in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The defect. Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee passenger vehicles manufactured from october 22 through november 12, 2009. The passenger side airbag may not properly deploy through the instrument panel tear seam.
What can happen. The airbag may not properly protect the passenger in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the top cover of the instrument panel free of charge. The campaign is expected to begin in december 2009. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Apr 2009 · 2009 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash, the driver's airbag may not properly inflate and may not be able to properly protect…
The defect. Chrysler is recalling 4,314 my 2009 Dodge journey, Jeep Grand Cherokee, commander and wrangler vehicles. Wiring may be reversed on the steering column control module driver airbag squib connector. The driver's airbag may not deploy as intended.
What can happen. In the event of a crash, the driver's airbag may not properly inflate and may not be able to properly protect an occupant, increasing the risk of injuries.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the driver's airbag squib wires and replace the steering column control module free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2009. Owners may contact Chrysler at…
Feb 2008 · 2008 · VisibilityThis could cause the engine to stall while driving or not to start and/or cause the windshield wipers to…
The defect. Chrysler is recalling 1,338 my 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee and commander vehicles. The front control module may have been incorrectly manufactured.
What can happen. 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 free 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.
Sep 2007 · 2006–2007 · Service Brakes, HydraulicThis could cause a crash without warning.
The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles, the software programmed into the ABS electronic control module may allow a momentary delay in braking when coasting up a hill during certain conditions.
What can happen. This could cause a crash without warning.
The free fix. Dealers will reprogram the ABS electronic control module with new software that prevents this condition free of charge. The recall began on october 22, 2007. Owners may contact Chrysler at…
Sep 2007 · 2007–2008 · Service Brakes, HydraulicThis would increase the vehicle's stopping distance and could cause a crash.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. This would increase the vehicle's stopping distance and could cause a crash.
The free 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…
Dec 2006 · 2007 · Service Brakes, HydraulicThis could result in a loss of vehicle control and cause a crash without warning.
The defect. On certain vehicles, the antilock brake system (ABS) control module software may cause the rear brakes to lock up during certain braking conditions.
What can happen. This could result in a loss of vehicle control and cause a crash without warning.
The free fix. Dealers will reprogram the ABS electronic control unit. The recall began on february 19, 2007. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Aug 2006 · 2006 · Air BagsThe air bag may not inflate properly which can increase the risk of injury in certain crash conditions.
The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles, the inflator connector for the driver's air bag may have been incorrectly assembled.
What can happen. The air bag may not inflate properly which can increase the risk of injury in certain crash conditions.
The free fix. Dealers will repair the driver's front air bag inflator free of charge. The recall is expected to begin the week of august 2, 2006. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Sep 2005 · 2005 · Power TrainIt can lead to increased transmission operating temperatures, boiling of the water, and a subsequent purging…
The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.7L engines and nag1 automatic transmissions, the air conditioner evaporator condensate water may enter the transmission at the fill tube grommet seal. This can result in shudder during torque converter clutch…
What can happen. It can lead to increased transmission operating temperatures, boiling of the water, and a subsequent purging of transmission fluid into the engine compartment potentially resulting in an underhood…
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the transmission for leakage at the fill tube grommet seal. If no leak is detected, a new fill tube grommet seal and water deflector shield will be installed, and proper…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 5,449 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 198 (3.6%)
- Fires
- 51
- Injury reports
- 112
- Fatality reports
- 2
Grand Cherokee problems by model year
The 2005 drew the most complaints of this generation, 2,051, most of them about the electrical system, and the 2010 the fewest, 118. A typical year drew about 921.
That makes the 2005 stand out at roughly 2.2 times a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2,051 | 1,360 | 78,000 | Electrical system (927) | 3 |
| 2006 | 1,300 | 837 | 80,000 | Electrical system (764) | 4 |
| 2007 | 1,108 | 740 | 69,000 | Electrical system (658) | 5 |
| 2008 | 734 | 509 | 74,000 | Electrical system (473) | 4 |
| 2009 | 138 | 112 | 58,000 | Electrical system (47) | 2 |
| 2010 | 118 | 101 | 68,000 | Electrical system (47) | 5 |
What Grand Cherokee owners reported
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While stopped in traffic, the vehicle stalled with the engine oil warning light illuminated. The contact parked, turned off, and then restarted the vehicle. Additionally, the windshield wipers intermittently activated while driving. The contact associated the failure with…
2008 · 30,000 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated after the ignition switch was replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V438000 (Electrical System), the vehicle started making an abnormally loud sound at startup. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone; however, no diagnostic trouble code was retrieved. The…
2007 · 192,000 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle was started in the driveway but immediately turned off. The vehicle was restarted and shifted into reverse(R); however, the vehicle drove forward instead. The vehicle was immediately turned off to avoid a crash. The following day, while…
2008 · 155,000 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local dealer for repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V438000 (Electrical System). While placing the key in the ignition, it was extremely tight. The driver thought the key could possibly break. The Uconnect and power…
2005 · 146,000 miles · Electrical system
Built from 3,659 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Grand Cherokee generations
- Grand Cherokee 1993–1998 799 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline
- Grand Cherokee 1999–2004 4,209 reports with mileage, most about the hydraulic brake circuit
- Grand Cherokee 2011–2020 5,790 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system
- Grand Cherokee 2021–2025 276 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system