2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 138 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 5, ranking 20th out of 21 model years. It carries a Good verdict, though the rating is capped because complaint records for 2005-2009 are less complete.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 5/100
- #20 of 21 Grand Cherokee years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 138
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 15
- 14 city / 19 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System50 (36%)
- Engine35 (25%)
- Transmission & Powertrain23 (17%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires17 (12%)
- Other12 (9%)
- Airbags11 (8%)
- Steering11 (8%)
- Structure & Body10 (7%)
- Fuel System8 (6%)
- Brakes5 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report brake failure where repeated pedal pressure produced a grinding noise but the vehicle did not stop, in one case ending in a collision.
- Some describe the vehicle rolling backward unexpectedly when placed into drive, including on an incline, even after dealer visits.
- Reports describe intermittent engine stalling at various speeds that resolved after restarting, despite a PCM update.
- Owners mention the horn failing to sound reliably and the vehicle shutting off after starting, tied to an ignition switch issue.
- Some report tire tread separating suddenly at low speed with no assistance from the dealer.
- A few describe the plastic front bumper detaching because its mounting snaps break easily, leaving no impact protection.
2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- NHTSA 09V118000Apr 9, 2009Airbags4,314 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
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.
Risk: In the event of a crash, the driver's airbag may not properly inflate and may not be able to properly protect an occupant, increasing the risk of injuries.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the driver's airbag squib wires and replace the steering column control module free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2009. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
2009 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.
2009 compared with other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?
- Compared with other Grand Cherokee model years, 2009 ranks 20th out of 21 with a complaint index of 5, the second-lowest complaint volume in the lineup. It earns a Good verdict, though the rating is capped due to less complete complaint records for 2005-2009.
- What are the most common problems on the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- Electrical System issues make up 36% of complaints (50 total), followed by Engine problems at 25% (35 complaints) and Transmission & Powertrain issues at 17% (23 complaints).
- Does the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists two recalls: one for a final drive controller reflash affecting the Electrical System (campaign 13V175000) and one for reversed airbag squib wiring (campaign 09V118000).
- Why is the 2009 Grand Cherokee capped at Good instead of Best?
- NHTSA data for 2005-2009 Grand Cherokee model years is considered less complete, so this year is capped at Good rather than rated on complaint index alone.
- How does 2009 compare to other Grand Cherokee years to avoid?
- Years like 2014 (complaint index 100), 2012 (90), and 2015 (95) are rated Avoid, while 2009's complaint index of 5 places it among the lowest-complaint years, alongside 2010's complaint index of 0.