Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 138 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 27 | 20% |
| Power train | 11 | 8% |
| Engine | 10 | 7% |
| Unknown or other | 7 | 5% |
| Air bags | 5 | 4% |
| Wheels | 5 | 4% |
| Power train | 5 | 4% |
| Tires | 5 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 4% |
| Structure | 5 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
My car is driving okay but it’s having some electrical issues and it shuts down.
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Clock spring shorts out the electrical system. It causes the AC and heat not to work and no blower motor. This could cause others problems as well
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
When the airbag light comes on and is visible on the dashboard, this action shorts out the ac, heat, as well as the defroster. This airbag light is a constantly lit up and will not go out. I have been told that there is
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to put the key into ignition; however, the key was inoperative. The contact stated that the key was inte
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Driver's heated seat fire burned holes in seat and burnt pants. Burnt marks shown to Jeep dealer and problem confirmed.
NHTSA complaint: Seats
Just prior to a cross country trip, my airbag warning light came on. Upon arriving to our destination in Spring Hill, TN, I took my 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee to have it checked. Their diagnosis found a "squib" problem, an
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I just purchased this vehicle, in May 2023 and I have honestly had nothing but problems. I have no idea what is causing this but the speedometer/odometer does not work at all (all the lights and warning symbols work, cru
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The contact owns a 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the driver’s side air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnose
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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.
Fix: 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-
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 a
Risk: If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.
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 c
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 LOS
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF EFFECTIVE LIFT AND LOWERING OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLE, POSSIBLY CREATING THE DRIVER TO PANIC WHICH COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: ROCK KRAWLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15. 2008. ALL THE AFFECTED UNTITS HAVE BEEN REMEDIED. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ROCK KRAWLER AT 1-518-270-98
| Reliability raw | 78 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 71 | good |
| Depreciation | 80 | excellent |
| Performance | 79 | good |
| Efficiency | 29 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 138 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 27 of them (20%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 78/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2009 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 72/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.