Jeep Grand Cherokee 2005–2010
3rd generation (WK)
NHTSA data through 13 August 20267,321 complaints, 5,191 with mileageMethod
- Reports with mileage
- 5,191
- Median of reported failures
- 77,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Electrical system (39.9%)
- Recalls
- 6
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 46,838 and 110,000 miles.
Figure 1 · Jeep Grand Cherokee 2005–2010 · 5,191 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 265 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 69 complaints (1.3%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 17,000
- 25%
- 46,838
- Median
- 77,382
- 75%
- 110,000
- 90%
- 140,495
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 249 | 4.8% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 101 | 1.9% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 110 | 2.1% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 103 | 2.0% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 107 | 2.1% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 125 | 2.4% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 126 | 2.4% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 139 | 2.7% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 162 | 3.1% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 166 | 3.2% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 217 | 4.2% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 182 | 3.5% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 252 | 4.9% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 207 | 4.0% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 220 | 4.2% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 229 | 4.4% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 265 | 5.1% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 184 | 3.5% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 194 | 3.7% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 189 | 3.6% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 223 | 4.3% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 129 | 2.5% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 149 | 2.9% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 102 | 2.0% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 143 | 2.8% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 129 | 2.5% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 135 | 2.6% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 78 | 1.5% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 105 | 2.0% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 48 | 0.9% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 85 | 1.6% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 40 | 0.8% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 56 | 1.1% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 23 | 0.4% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 35 | 0.7% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 34 | 0.7% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 24 | 0.5% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 22 | 0.4% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 16 | 0.3% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 19 | 0.4% |
| 200,000+ | 69 | 1.3% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 7,321 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005–2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 5,191 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 46,838 and 110,000 miles. The median is 77,382 miles.
The most-reported areas are the electrical system (39.9% of complaints, typically around 85,000 miles), the transmission and driveline (10.2% of complaints, typically around 71,000 miles), the engine (7.9% of complaints, typically around 86,000 miles).
6 recall campaigns cover this generation.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
How many miles does a 2005–2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2005–2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee were filed by 77,000 miles and 90% by 140,000 miles — figures drawn from 5,191 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
69 reports (1.3%) came in past 200,000 miles — each one proof a Grand Cherokee reached that mileage, not that it died there.
Before you buy a 2005–2010 Grand Cherokee: the 3-minute check
Generated from 5,191 mileage-tagged complaints, 6 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check engine (5.7l hemi) on 2005–2010 cars. Broken exhaust manifold bolts producing a cold-start 'Hemi tick' and exhaust leak; MDS-related lifter and camshaft lobe wear on cylinder-deactivating cylinders.
- Check engine (4.7l v8) on 2005–2007 cars. Same head-gasket/overheating and sludging pattern carried over from the WJ.
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 47,000 and 110,000 miles, with a median of 77,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the electrical system and the transmission and driveline are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The transmission and driveline in particular shows a median failure mileage of 71,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Jeep Grand Cherokee 2005–2010
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Engine and its cooling system257 reports32,00011,000–57,000Engine and its cooling system: 257 reports, median 32,000 miles, middle half 11,000 to 57,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline748 reports71,00037,000–103,000Transmission and driveline: 748 reports, median 71,000 miles, middle half 37,000 to 103,000 miles.
- Throttle and speed control248 reports72,00038,000–106,000Throttle and speed control: 248 reports, median 72,000 miles, middle half 38,000 to 106,000 miles.
- Body structure574 reports72,00052,000–99,000Body structure: 574 reports, median 72,000 miles, middle half 52,000 to 99,000 miles.
- Electrical system2,924 reports85,00055,000–116,000Electrical system: 2,924 reports, median 85,000 miles, middle half 55,000 to 116,000 miles.
- Engine577 reports86,00066,000–120,000Engine: 577 reports, median 86,000 miles, middle half 66,000 to 120,000 miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise301 reports100,00065,000–131,000Problems owners could not categorise: 301 reports, median 100,000 miles, middle half 65,000 to 131,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 2,924 | 39.9% | 85,000 | 55,000–116,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 748 | 10.2% | 71,000 | 37,000–103,000 |
| Engine | 577 | 7.9% | 86,000 | 66,000–120,000 |
| Body structure | 574 | 7.8% | 72,000 | 52,000–99,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 301 | 4.1% | 100,000 | 65,000–131,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 257 | 3.5% | 32,000 | 11,000–57,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 248 | 3.4% | 72,000 | 38,000–106,000 |
| Airbag system | 247 | 3.4% | 90,000 | 54,000–130,000 |
| Latches and locks | 194 | 2.6% | 58,000 | 42,000–78,000 |
| Steering | 188 | 2.6% | 86,000 | 60,000–125,000 |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Jeep Grand Cherokee 2005–2010 · 5,191 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 34% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 61% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 80% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
The staircase tops out at 99%: the remaining 1.3% of reports (69) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
34% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Engine and its cooling system — median 32,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Electrical system — middle half 55,000–116,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 37,000–103,000 mi
- Body structure — middle half 52,000–99,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — middle half 38,000–106,000 mi
Mostly reported later
- Engine — middle half 66,000–120,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 65,000–131,000 mi
At 90,000 miles
61% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Engine and its cooling system — median 32,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Electrical system — middle half 55,000–116,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 37,000–103,000 mi
- Engine — middle half 66,000–120,000 mi
- Body structure — middle half 52,000–99,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 65,000–131,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — middle half 38,000–106,000 mi
At 120,000 miles
80% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Electrical system — median 85,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 71,000 mi
- Engine — median 86,000 mi
- Body structure — median 72,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system — median 32,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — median 72,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 65,000–131,000 mi
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 77,382 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The electrical system accounts for 39.9% of complaints (2,924 reports, 1,587 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 85,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 55,000 and 116,000 miles.
A single system taking 39.9% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 10.2% of complaints (748 reports, 653 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 71,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 37,000 and 103,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 7.9% of complaints (577 reports, 493 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 86,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 66,000 and 120,000 miles.
Body structure accounts for 7.8% of complaints (574 reports, 440 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 72,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 52,000 and 99,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 4.1% of complaints (301 reports, 209 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 100,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 65,000 and 131,000 miles.
The engine and its cooling system accounts for 3.5% of complaints (257 reports, 236 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 32,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 11,000 and 57,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2005 model year drew the most — 2,733 complaints — while 2010 drew the fewest at 171. The median year sits at 1,234.
That makes 2005 an outlier: roughly 2.2 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 6 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the electrical system (4), equipment (1), the hydraulic brake circuit (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 7,321 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 325 (4.4%)
- Fires
- 73
- Injury reports
- 174
- Fatality reports
- 4
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Documented problems
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.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2,733 | 1,911 |
| 2006 | 1,754 | 1,195 |
| 2007 | 1,478 | 1,056 |
| 2008 | 990 | 729 |
| 2009 | 195 | 156 |
| 2010 | 171 | 144 |
Recalls (6) — is your car included?
Oct 2015 · 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 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,
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 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.
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 contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P41.
Aug 2015 · 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, 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. Potenti
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 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.
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 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P57.
Aug 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 case electrical failure may result in an unintentional shifting of the transfer case into the neutral position.
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 contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N23.
Aug 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 solenoid latch.
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 unintended vehicle movement and could increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Apr 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 may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Feb 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 booster input rod retaining clip.
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.
What owners reported
I have owned my vehicle since 2008 at 32,000 miles, the sunroof worked great for a few years then i noticed that the sunroof would close passed the roof line of the Jeep. I did not think of it much because i assumed that the Jeep would have a secondary seal on the inside of the roof line, in between the headliner to…
2005 · Electrical system
Air bag light is constantly flashing and rendering cruise control useless. Everything work as necessary, then one day when attempting to get on highway, i pressed cruise control only for it to flash in the dash panel, then disappear. Once off the highway to my destination, i turned the Grand Cherokee off. When i got…
2005 · 2 miles · Airbag system
From the first day took deliver of 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee ltd. 5.7 Lt hemi engine, first in when pressing accelerator in low RPM, then when reached 80 MPH. On flat freeway (with 400 miles on the odometer), ecessive groan and noise from the engine. Same noise was not present on identically equiped test-drive vehicle.…
2005 · 10 miles · Transmission and driveline
Interior door handles have broken. They have been this way for many many years.... This seems to be very common with this model Jeep. The plastic cup that houses the lever became very brittle and door handle basically broke apart in many pieces. 3 Out of the 4 are broken. The rear doors aren't used much, so assume…
2005 · 30 miles · Problems owners could not categorise
Built from 5,191 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page