YearToAvoid

2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee has a complaint index of 65, ranking 8th worst out of 21 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. Owners logged 1,280 complaints, led by electrical system issues (60% share), plus 4 recalls covering ignition switches, transfer case software, ABS, and airbag inflators.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
65/100
#8 of 21 Grand Cherokee years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
1,280
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
4
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
47
reported in complaints
Fires
7
Injuries
41
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2010
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
15
14 city / 19 hwy
Injuries / deaths
41 / 2

Top 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System774 (60%)
  2. Engine222 (17%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain173 (14%)
  4. Structure & Body135 (11%)
  5. Brakes96 (8%)
  6. Other78 (6%)
  7. Airbags60 (5%)
  8. Seat Belts41 (3%)
  9. Steering37 (3%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires23 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Vehicle experiences sudden unintended acceleration while shifting into gear or turning, sometimes leading to a crash.
  • Ignition turns off unexpectedly while driving at moderate speed when the key is slightly bumped, cutting power to steering.
  • Vehicle surges from a stop or low speed up to 30-40 mph on its own without driver input and cannot be slowed by braking.
  • Accelerator pedal sticks to the floor when shifted into drive, causing loss of control.
  • Brakes fail to stop the vehicle when pressed, even after prior dealer visits about a related recall.
  • Airbags fail to deploy in rear-end collisions, resulting in facial and dental injuries.
2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee complaints: complaints filed per quarter1672005 Q42008 Q22010 Q42013 Q22015 Q42018 Q22020 Q42023 Q4
1,280 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2005 Q4 to 2026 Q2; peak 2015 Q4 (167).

2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 14V438000Jul 21, 2014Electrical System649,353 vehicles

    Electrical system:ignition:switch

    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.

    Risk: 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.

    Remedy: 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.

  2. NHTSA 13V175000May 7, 2013Electrical System295,345 vehicles

    Electrical system

    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.

    Risk: If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.

    Remedy: 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.

  3. NHTSA 07V434000Sep 14, 2007Brakes296,550 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module

    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.

    Risk: This could cause a crash without warning.

    Remedy: 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 1-800-853-1403.

See all 4 recalls for the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee →

2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee fuel economy and fuel cost

City
14 MPG
Highway
19 MPG
Combined
15 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,300
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2006 compared with other Grand Cherokee years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Avoid802,051315
2006Caution651,280415
2007Caution601,108515
2008Good40733415

All Jeep Grand Cherokee years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 model carries a Caution verdict with a complaint index of 65, ranking 8th worst among 21 model years of the Grand Cherokee. Electrical system problems make up 60% of its complaints.
What are the main problems with the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The top problem area is the electrical system, with 774 complaints and a median failure mileage of 90,000. Engine complaints (222) and transmission/powertrain complaints (173) follow, with engine issues reported at a median of 70,250 miles.
Does the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2006 Grand Cherokee, covering the ignition switch/electrical system, transfer case controller software, ABS braking software, and a driver's airbag inflator connector. None are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2006 model compare to other Grand Cherokee years?
The 2006 model's complaint index of 65 is worse than the 2008 (40, Good) and 2010 (0, Best) model years, but better than the 2005 (80), 2011 (85), 2012 (90), and 2014 (100), which all carry Avoid verdicts.
What is the fuel economy of the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
EPA rates the 2006 Grand Cherokee at 15 mpg combined (14 city / 19 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,300.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.