2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee MPG
EPA ratings for the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee run from 11–18 mpg in town to 14–23 on the highway, or 12–20 combined, depending on which of its 9 versions you look at.
The most efficient pairs the 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, at 20 mpg combined. At the other end, the 6.1-liter 8-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive manages 12 mpg combined, 8 mpg less.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Cherokee 2WD | 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 23 | 20 | Diesel · 509 g CO₂/mi |
| Grand Cherokee 4WD | 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | Diesel · 536 g CO₂/mi |
| Grand Cherokee 2WD | 3.7 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular · 523 g CO₂/mi |
| Grand Cherokee 4WD | 3.7 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 17 | Regular · 523 g CO₂/mi |
| Grand Cherokee 2WD | 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 19 | 15 | Regular · 592 g CO₂/mi |
| Grand Cherokee 4WD | 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | Regular · 592 g CO₂/mi |
| Grand Cherokee 4WD | 4.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 15 | Gasoline or E85 · 592 g CO₂/mi |
| Grand Cherokee 2WD | 4.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 15 | Gasoline or E85 · 592 g CO₂/mi |
| Grand Cherokee 4WD | 6.1 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 | 14 | 12 | Premium · 741 g CO₂/mi |
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee costs about $3,840 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (17 mpg combined), or roughly 26 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (15 mpg combined) comes to about $4,360 a year, $510 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee specs
The EPA lists 5 engine choices for the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 3.0 L 6-cyl, 3.7 L 6-cyl, 4.7 L 8-cyl, 5.7 L 8-cyl and 6.1 L 8-cyl. It came with an automatic transmission, in all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive versions. For fuel-economy purposes it sits in the EPA's "Sport Utility Vehicle" class.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L | 6 | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 3.7 L | 6 | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 4.7 L | 8 | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive; Rear-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 5.7 L | 8 | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 6.1 L | 8 | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 1 |
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems
As of October 2026, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) holds 734 owner complaints about the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Electrical system is the most-reported area (48% of component mentions), followed by engine (11%) and power train (8%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 38 complaints a year: more than the 2009 (7.6 a year).
That ranks 12th of 17 Jeep Grand Cherokee model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 734, 23 mention a crash, 5 a fire and 9 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 476 | 48% |
| Engine | 107 | 11% |
| Power train | 78 | 8% |
| Air bags | 40 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 39 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 35 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 27 | 3% |
| Steering | 24 | 2% |
| Visibility | 21 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 20 | 2% |
| Tires | 20 | 2% |
| Exterior lighting | 17 | 2% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 16 | 2% |
| Structure | 13 | 1% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 10 | 1% |
| Suspension | 9 | <1% |
| Equipment | 8 | <1% |
| Visibility/wiper | 7 | <1% |
| Wheels | 5 | <1% |
| Other fuel system | 3 | <1% |
| Seat belts | 3 | <1% |
| Seats | 3 | <1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 2 | <1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | <1% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 2 | <1% |
| Diesel fuel system | 1 | <1% |
| Interior lighting | 1 | <1% |
| Parking brake | 1 | <1% |
| Electric service brakes | 1 | <1% |
| Traction control system | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
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. …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65-70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO MOVE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. …
When driving it will randomly shift into 4th gear very hard and stay in 4th until you turn it off. …
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls
The 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee has been the subject of 4 recall campaigns, plus 1 recall of replacement equipment made for it.
The most recent, campaign 14V567000 from September 2014, concerns electrical system.
Electrical system accounts for 3 of the 5 campaigns, more than any other area.
14V567000 · September 17, 2014 · Electrical system
Problem: 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.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge.
08V059000 · February 6, 2008 · Visibility, Electrical system
Problem: THE FRONT CONTROL MODULE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING OR NOT TO START AND/OR CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MODULE AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY.
07V415000 · September 12, 2007 · Hydraulic service brakes
Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS WOULD INCREASE THE VEHICLE'S STOPPING DISTANCE AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS TO SEE IF THEY FALL INTO THIS LOT AND, IF SO, WILL REPLACE THEM FREE OF CHARGE.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Grand Cherokee years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13V175000 | May 7, 2013 | Electrical system, Power train | 2008–2010 |
| 09E039000 | June 19, 2009 | Suspension (equipment) | 2008–2009 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 1 version of the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee, without an overall score.
These ratings use NHTSA's pre-2011 test method, so they can't be compared with stars for 2011 and later models.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-door with side air bags | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Jeep Grand Cherokees can be compared fairly. Among other 2008 models in the EPA's sport utility vehicle class, the 2008 Toyota Highlander (20 mpg), 2008 Chevy Equinox (19 mpg) and 2008 Honda Pilot (18 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 20 | 734 | 38 | 5 |
| 2009 | 18 | 138 | 7.6 | 3 |
| 2010 | 18 | 118 | 6.9 | 5 |
| 2011 | 18 | 1,641 | 102 | 6 |
Every Jeep Grand Cherokee model year compared →
Similar 2008 models
FAQ
Is the 2008 Grand Cherokee a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 38 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (12th most of 17 model years), 4 recall campaigns and up to 20 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2008 Grand Cherokee problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are electrical system (476), engine (107) and power train (78). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2008 Grand Cherokee have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 1 replacement-equipment recall. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Grand Cherokee get?
The EPA rates the versions at 12–20 mpg combined (11–18 city, 14–23 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 Grand Cherokee per year?
About $3,840 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $4,360 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).