Reliability
Jeep

Grand Cherokee (WK)

2005-2010 · Midsize SUV · 8 engines
5,434 NHTSA Complaints
16 Recalls
50 Fire Reports
196 Crash Reports
Data covers 2 NHTSA model names
GRAND CHEROKEELAREDO
View all 5 generations of the Jeep Grand Cherokee → Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

6.1 / 10

Reliability score

More owner complaints than similar midsize SUVs

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 1,545 powertrain complaints. A typical midsize SUV fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 1,110.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 1.5 points better in the typical case.

Most of the complaints came before 2023.

Breakdown
Complaints overall1,545 complaints against about 1,110 for similar vehicles
6.1
Last three years14 complaints against about 21 for similar vehicles
7.8
Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced135 complaints against about 192 for similar vehicles
7.9
Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating20 complaints against about 56 for similar vehicles
9.0

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year
  • 20056.2
  • 20066.0
  • 20075.0
  • 20086.3
  • 20097.8
  • 20108.2

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

By engine

3.7L 6-cyl 7.2/10
About 62% fewer owner complaints than this generation's other engines, per vehicle built. (593 complaints, about 452,000 built)
4.7L 8-cyl 4.8/10
About 80% more owner complaints than this generation's other engines, per vehicle built. (303 complaints, about 97,000 built)
5.7L 8-cyl 4.1/10
About 2.5 times as many owner complaints as this generation's other engines, per vehicle built. (371 complaints, about 92,000 built)
6.1L 8-cyl 9.5/10
About 97% fewer owner complaints than this generation's other engines, per vehicle built. (1 complaints, about 16,000 built)
3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel 3.9/10
About 3 times as many owner complaints as this generation's other engines, per vehicle built. (51 complaints, about 9,000 built)

A complaint counts toward an engine only when its VIN names the engine. Each score is that engine on its own against similar vehicles, worked out the same way as the score above.

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

Show

Jeep Grand Cherokee Unidentified Engine

711 complaints 118.5 per year
4 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
284
body
143
engine
111
transmission
103
cooling
47

4.7-V8-FlexFuel

4.7L 8-cyl
116 complaints 58.0 per year Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV)
1 fire report
View details

3.0T-V6-Diesel

3.0L 6-cyl Turbo
74 complaints 18.5 per year Diesel
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
27
engine
25
transmission
21
cooling
14
fuel system
9

SRT HEMI SMPI

6.1L 8-cyl
64 complaints 21.3 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

wheels tires
28
electrical
21
transmission
7
engine
4
safety systems
3
Show 10 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

6.1-V8-Gas

6.1L 8-cyl
7 complaints 3.5 per year Gasoline
View details

3.5-V6-Gas

3.5L 6-cyl
2 complaints 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
2

Same engine used in

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5.2-V8-Gas

5.2L 8-cyl
2 complaints 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Next Gen.

2.8L 4-cyl Turbo
2 complaints 1.0 per year Diesel
View details

Complaint Breakdown

other
1
electrical
1

Same engine used in

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Jeep Grand Cherokee, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical System: 2,956 owner complaints
Engine: 831 owner complaints
Transmission: 748 owner complaints
Body/Trim: 647 owner complaints
Cooling System: 255 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee

On a used 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the electrical system (2,956), the engine (831) and the transmission and drivetrain (748). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

  1. Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 2,956 owner complaints on the 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee about the electrical system.
  2. Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 831 owner complaints on the 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee about the engine, all engines combined.
  3. Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 748 owner complaints on the 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
  4. Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 647 owner complaints on the 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee about the body and structure.
  5. With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 255 owner complaints on the 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee about the cooling system, all engines combined.
Open the full inspection checklist for the 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Recalls (16)

14V567000Sep 17, 2014serious
Electrical System

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.

14V438000Jul 21, 2014serious
Electrical System

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 vehicle key. Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, to July 5, 2007, and 2006-2007 Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured January 31, 2005, to July 5, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the driver may accidentally hit the ignition key with their knee, unintentionally knocking the key out of the run position, turning off the engine.

13V175000May 7, 2013serious
Powertrain

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.

10V200000May 11, 2010serious
Electrical System

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 SOLENOID LATCH.

10V085000Mar 5, 2010serious
Equipment

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2010 JEEP COMMANDER AND GRAND CHEROKEE VEHICLES. THEY MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED REAR TRACK BAR.

Show 11 older recalls
10V009000Jan 11, 2010serious
Service Brakes

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 BOOSTER INPUT ROD RETAINING CLIP.

09V454000Nov 25, 2009serious
Electrical System

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.

09E039000Jun 19, 2009serious
Suspension

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.

09V118000Apr 9, 2009serious
Electrical System

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.

09E012000Apr 7, 2009serious
Exterior Lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

08V059000Feb 6, 2008serious
Electrical System

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

07V434000Sep 14, 2007serious
Service Brakes

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.

07V415000Sep 12, 2007serious
Service Brakes

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.

06V493000Dec 29, 2006serious
Service Brakes

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE MAY CAUSE THE REAR BRAKES TO LOCK UP DURING CERTAIN BRAKING CONDITIONS.

06V295000Aug 8, 2006serious
Air Bags

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE INFLATOR CONNECTOR FOR THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ASSEMBLED.

05V396000Sep 14, 2005serious
Powertrain

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 ENGAGEMENT.

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
4/5 (19.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
4/5 (19.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
4/5 (19.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
4/5 (19.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
4/5 (19.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
4/5 (19.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
4/5 (19.1% risk)
ESC: Optional FCW: No LDW: No

Alternatives in Midsize SUV

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee complaints?

Owners have filed 5,434 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The systems they name most often are the electrical system, the engine and the transmission.

Is the 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 5,434 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?

NHTSA has 5,434 owner complaints on file for the 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

NHTSA lists 16 recalls covering some 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the electrical system, the engine and the transmission, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Grand Cherokee?

The 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 4 stars (19.1% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 5,434 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.

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