UsedScore

2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Best bet

Owners filed 43 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee in its first five years on the road, about 57 for every 100,000 sold: 0.4× the rate of a typical Grand Cherokee year. That's among the fewest of any Grand Cherokee year.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is the powertrain (transmission and drivetrain) (28% of complaints, median 55,000 miles).

Complaint index
0.4×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical Grand Cherokee year
Rank
2nd of 14
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
43
first five years; 57 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
5
campaigns
3rd generation (WK), 2005–2010 · Updated September 24, 2026 · How we rate
2008–2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Photo: 2008–2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee · IFCAR, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Problem areas

Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles
  1. Powertrain28% · 12 complaints · median 55,000 miles
  2. Air bags9% · 4 complaints
  3. Electrical26% · 11 complaints · median 56,000 miles
  4. Brakes19% · 8 complaints · median 28,000 miles
  5. Engine9% · 4 complaints
  6. Speed control9% · 4 complaints
  7. Visibility9% · 4 complaints
  8. Body and structure9% · 4 complaints
  9. Wheels and tires14% · 6 complaints · median 29,000 miles
  10. Fuel and propulsion2% · 1 complaints

Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

What owners describe

Air bags

Owners report inconsistent air bag behavior, including bags that deploy without a crash, fail to deploy during a collision, or a warning light that comes on intermittently. Some also mention electrical issues like the TIPM or battery affecting airbag function.

Warning signs:
Some report a loud noise, smoke, or a dinging sound and warning light activating before the air bag issue was noticed.
What shops did:
Some took the vehicle to a dealer, who in one case said a replacement part was no longer produced; others report investigation without resolution.
Mileage:
most between 20,000 and 70,000 miles, among 8 complaints that give it

“The contact heard a loud noise, saw white smoke inside the vehicle and within minutes noticed that the driver side frontal air bag had deployed”

“Air bag warning light comes on and off with car in park and while car is in motion”

Electrical

Owners of this Jeep Grand Cherokee describe ignition and electrical problems ranging from stalling and no-start events to keys that come loose or fall out while driving. Many say dealers replaced ignition-related modules, but some report being told their vehicle wasn't covered by a related recall.

Warning signs:
Owners report warning lights (check engine, battery, airbag) illuminating, dimming instrument panels, clicking or ticking noises, and keys loosening or falling out of the ignition before failures.
What shops did:
Dealers often replaced the WIN module, ignition module, or ignition sensor, though some owners say technicians could not duplicate the problem or found the vehicle excluded from a recall.
Mileage:
most between 55,000 and 110,000 miles, among 41 complaints that give it

“Key fell out of ignition while car was still on. Ignition is now stuck between acc and on mode”

“The instrument panel lights would independently dim. The contact also stated that when idled, the vehicle stalled without warning.”

Powertrain

Owners describe their Jeep unexpectedly shifting into neutral, stalling, or losing power, sometimes tied to transmission, WIN module, or timing chain problems. Many say dealers struggled to permanently fix these issues even after related recalls or software updates.

Warning signs:
Owners report warning lights (check engine, oil, ETC, or transmission over-temp), rumbling from the rear end, hesitation to start, or sudden loss of acceleration before failures.
What shops did:
Dealers sometimes replaced modules, sensors, or performed software updates, though several owners say repairs did not resolve the issue or parts were on back order.
Mileage:
most between 50,000 and 100,000 miles, among 18 complaints that give it

“I no longer have the ability to activate my 4WD-low option and instead am greeted with "service 4WD" message”

“Turns out the timing chain broke damaged intake valve on #2 cylinder and exhaust valve on #8 cylinder”

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints shown on NHTSA's site and checked against them; quotes are word for word.

Recalls (5)

Check a VIN on NHTSA ›
  • NHTSA 13V175000May 2013295,345 vehicles

    Electrical system · Power train: transfer case (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

    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.

    Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the final drive controller which governs the transfer case, with new software, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 10V200000May 201037,335 vehicles

    Electrical system: ignition: module

    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.

    Risk: 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.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the win module free of charge.

  • NHTSA 10V085000March 20103,465 vehicles

    Equipment

    Chrysler is recalling model year 2010 jeep commander and grand cherokee vehicles. They may have been built with an improperly manufactured rear track bar.

    Risk: Reduced vehicle stability could occur increasing the risk of a crash.

    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.

  • NHTSA 10V009000January 201020,045 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic

    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.

    Risk: This could result in brake failure without warning which could cause a crash.

    Fix: Chrysler will replace the brake booster input rod retaining clip free of charge.

  • NHTSA 09V454000November 20092,977 vehicles

    Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel

    Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2010 jeep grand cherokee passenger vehicles manufactured from october 22 through november 12, 2009. The passenger side airbag may not properly deploy through the instrument panel tear seam.

    Risk: The airbag may not properly protect the passenger in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    Fix: Dealers will replace the top cover of the instrument panel free of charge.

A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.

Service bulletins

Jeep sent NHTSA 56 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2010 Grand Cherokee. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • 101232 · October 2024Plate - Planetary
  • 9100226 · September 2023Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability.
  • V51 · April 2022Customer Satisfaction Notification V51 Reprogram Powertrain Control Module
  • S1709000010 · March 2022Customer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire.
  • 9004009 · April 2021Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1.
  • 9004361 · March 2021NAG1 Transmission Before installing the transmission with the engine, check for dowel pins (2) for alignment.
  • 08-049-20 · April 2020Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty…
  • 9004178 · November 2019DAMPER, Transfer Case Reman Transfer Case will arrive equipped with the Transfer Case Damper.

All 2010 Grand Cherokee bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?
Owners filed 43 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee in its first five years on the road, about 57 for every 100,000 sold: 0.4× the rate of a typical Grand Cherokee year. That's among the fewest of any Grand Cherokee year. Ratings compare Grand Cherokee years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.
What are the most common 2010 Grand Cherokee problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve the powertrain (transmission and drivetrain) (28%), the air bags (9%) and the electrical system (26%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the most recent in May 2013 (electrical system). Enter the vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repairs were done.

Sources

Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of September 24, 2026. Complaints are counted once each, over the model year's first 60 months on the road. UsedScore is not affiliated with NHTSA or Jeep. The 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee on NHTSA.gov · How we rate