The 2008 Grand Cherokee lasts around 150,000 miles with some engine and transmission issues. At $6,351 to $16,995, it’s a lot of money for an SUV that breaks down a lot.
Is the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee a Good Used SUV?
- No, 2008 is a bad year for the Grand Cherokee. Owner reviews complain about mechanical problems, poor efficiency, and broken engine & steering parts.
- Interior material quality is better than average compared to other midsize SUVs. The infotainment system was changed in 2008, and offers more features than rivals.
- Reliability ratings are poor. There are a lot of mechanical problems on the 2008 model, with improvements for 2009–2010
- Performance is average from the standard V6, but the largest V8 offers more power than most other SUVs.
- The Grand Cherokee is reasonably safe, getting 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests.
- Fuel economy is worse than the competition up to 17 MPG combined.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Grand Cherokee?
- Consumer Reports says the Grand Cherokee is more settled than in earlier years, but has low owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds gives the Grand Cherokee a 4.5/5 liking the off-road performance, but disliking the bouncy ride on the road.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the Grand Cherokee 4.2/5 and enjoy the luxurious interior, but don’t like the lack of a third row.
What Common Problems Does the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Have?
Some common problems found on the 2008 Grand Cherokee include engine issues, failures to start, and transmission failures.
Engine issues are the most widespread issue at around 100,000 miles. The main source of the problem is the swirl valve motor, which can cost over $3,500 to replace if it wears out.
A failure to start is another frequent problem at around 90,000 miles. The wiring harness is the most common source of the problem and repairing the harness costs around $450. In some cases replacing the fuel pump is necessary, and costs about $800.
Transmission failures show up on some Grand Cherokee models at around 95,000 miles. The components in the transmission simply wear out faster than rivals. Some owners choose to rebuild the transmission for about $2,000, and others replaced it for around $3,500.
There are 5 recalls, with the most serious being for the vehicle failing to shift into park, which can cause it to roll away unexpectedly.
How Long Will the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Last?
A properly maintained 2008 Grand Cherokee should last around 150,000 miles, half as long as top competitors like the Toyota 4Runner. Regular annual maintenance costs are higher than other midsize SUVs, according to Repair Pal, at $514 per year.
Since most 2008 Grand Cherokees will have over 100,000 miles, prospective buyers should be prepared to replace the transmission oil cooler line for $400, A/C evaporator costing $1,000, and the front u-joint, which costs around $300.
Yes, very reliable. Not many issues. Because it is older, it just needs routine maintenance. Runs great.
Yes. I believe it is reliable. It did have a cracked radiator due to a leak that I did not properly take care of.
Yes it is reliable although it is a gas hog. It is a v8 hemi so it takes a lot of fuel. I haven't ran into any major problem with the jeep.
It is extremely reliable and gets me from place to place with no problems at all. It feels good to drive and it is really smooth on the turns.
It is reliable enough and does not require too much gas to keep it going. However, the build can easily be flipped over in an accident, and the overall driving experience is not very smooth.
It seems to be very reliable but there have been some issues with it. The turn signal switch went on it not long after I got it so that needed fixed and there was issues with the muffler.
Yes. I feel it is reliable. I have not had any problems with it. I keep up with maintenance. And I use a good quality gasoline.
Very reliable. As I stayed before. I have only had to do basic things for my Jeep. I am a definite customer for life. Good mileage and excellent in the inclement weather of New England.
How Much Is the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Worth?
Blue book prices range from $6,351 to $16,995, which is similar in price to the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot. When new, the price range was $29,420 to $43,290. Depreciation is worse than average, losing about 12% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Grand Cherokee?
There are four models of the Grand Cherokee available for 2008. Technology was just updated for 2008, with some new lighting and safety features added in 2009 as well.
Laredo is the entry-level model with:
- 17-Inch Aluminum Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Power Driver’s Seat
- 6-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo With AUX Jack & Satellite Radio
Limited is a step up adding features such as:
- Leather Seating
- Wood-Grain Interior Trim
- Heated Front & Rear Seats
- Dual-Zone Climate Control
- Rearview Camera
- 6-Speaker Boston Acoustics Stereo System
Overland is next in the lineup and adds:
- 18-Inch Chrome Wheels
- HID Headlights
- Premium Leather Seating
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- Hard-Drive Based Navigation System
SRT-8 is a high-performance version and has:
- 20-Inch Wheels
- Leather & Suede Interior
- Improved Sport Suspension
- Brembo Brakes
What Engines Come In the Grand Cherokee?
- The base engine is an average 3.7L V6 which makes 210 horsepower and gets up to 17 MPG combined.
- A step up is the more popular 4.7L V8, which produces 305 horsepower while getting up to 15 MPG combined.
- Next in the lineup is the stronger 5.7L V8 making 330 horsepower, and getting up to 15 MPG combined as well.
- The final engine option is the very powerful 6.1L V8 which produces 420 horsepower and gets up to 12 MPG combined. Performance is great, taking only 4.7 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Grand Cherokee Come In?
How Big Is the Grand Cherokee?
The 2008 Grand Cherokee is an average midsize SUV and similar in size to the Nissan Pathfinder or Chevrolet Trailblazer. Passenger room is okay in both the front and back seats, but there is no third row available.
Cargo space is a bit lower than rivals with 35 cubic feet of room behind the seats, and up to 69 cubic feet with the seats folded flat.
How Does the Grand Cherokee Compare to the Competition?
The Toyota 4Runner is a popular rival costing about $3,500 more. Off-road performance and reliability are both better in the 4Runner, but the Grand Cherokee is more luxurious. We recommend the 4Runner since they last much longer and are cheaper to own.
The Ford Explorer is another competitor costing about $1,000 less. Passenger and cargo space are both better in the Explorer, but the Grand Cherokee has more technology. We recommend the Explorer since there are fewer serious mechanical issues.
Do Owners Recommend the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Yes. I have had a jeep for many years and it is my vehicle of choice. Will continue to purchase a jeep.
Yes. I believe so it has served me well. I like the way it looks and how it handles. It could have a little better gas mileage in the city.
Yes very fun and reliable. It is a mix of four wheel drive and speed. It comes with a hemi motor so you can keep up with anyone or anything.
Yes it is reliable and gets me from place to place the gas consumption is not that great but it is not the absolute worst.
The car is a decent car that gets you from point a to b, but I have been told that it can easily tip over in a crash. Also, it is an older model, so it does not have the new features of the current models.
It is an excellent vehicle and gets me to where I have to go and has a lot of room. I like the features and I like the look.
Yes. I love it. Have not had any problems with it. I drive it everyday to and from work. I would recommend it
Excellent. Has never given me problems only the usual car repairs. Interesting fact that it’s starter is a Mercedes starter. Good gas mileage and good in the snow and rain.
