The WK-generation Grand Cherokee (2005-2010) is a solid mid-size SUV platform built on Mercedes ML bones, but the 2009 model year sits right in the zone for major drivetrain wear—especially transmission cooler failures and Hemi lifter tick that can cascade into catastrophic engine damage if ignored.
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure Leading to Radiator Cross-Contamination
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission slipping or harsh shifting, Milky pink fluid in coolant reservoir (strawberry milkshake effect), Transmission overheating warning light, Coolant in transmission pan during fluid changes
Fix: The internal transmission cooler inside the radiator fails, allowing coolant and ATF to mix. Requires radiator replacement, transmission flush (often multiple flushes), external cooler install, and sometimes full transmission rebuild if contamination sat too long. 6-10 hours labor for full job including flush cycles.
Estimated cost: $1,200-3,500
5.7L Hemi Lifter Failure and Camshaft Wear
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Cold-start tick or rattle that may or may not go away when warm, Check engine light with multiple misfire codes, Loss of power on one bank, Metal shavings in oil filter during changes
Fix: MDS (Multi-Displacement System) lifters stick or collapse, wiping out cam lobes. Requires both heads off, new lifters, camshaft, often pushrods, and thorough oil system flush. 18-24 hours labor. If you catch it early (just lifters ticking), you might escape with lifter replacement only, but most owners wait too long.
Estimated cost: $3,500-6,500
3.7L V6 Cylinder Head Cracking
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: External coolant leaks from back of head near firewall, White smoke from exhaust on cold start, Overheating with no visible external leaks, Rough idle and misfires on one bank
Fix: The 3.7L PowerTech heads are known for cracking between valve seats or in the coolant jackets. Often both heads need replacement. 14-18 hours labor for both heads with resurfacing or replacement, new gaskets, timing chain service while you're in there.
Estimated cost: $3,000-5,000
Transfer Case Chain Wear and Viscous Coupler Failure (Quadra-Trac II)
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Grinding or howling noise during turns, especially in parking lots, Binding sensation in tight turns on dry pavement, Check engine light with transfer case codes, Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive
Fix: The NV140/245 transfer case viscous coupler wears out or the chain stretches. Fluid neglect accelerates this. Rebuild kits available but most shops replace the unit with a reman. 4-6 hours labor for R&R.
Estimated cost: $1,800-3,200
Front Lower Control Arm Bushing Failure
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps from front suspension, Wandering steering or poor return to center, Uneven tire wear on inside edges, Vibration through steering wheel at highway speeds
Fix: The front lower control arm bushings tear and separate, causing alignment issues. Replace both control arms with bushings or press in new bushings if arms aren't bent. 2-3 hours labor plus alignment.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Fuel Pump and Fuel Filter Clogging (High-Pressure Side)
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Hard starting after sitting, especially when hot, Stumbling or hesitation under acceleration, Engine dies at idle after highway driving, Check engine light with fuel rail pressure codes
Fix: In-tank fuel pump strainer clogs or pump weakens; on Hemi models, the high-pressure fuel filter (if equipped) can also fail. Pump replacement requires dropping the tank. 3-4 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $600-1,100
TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) Failures
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: Fuel pump runs constantly after key-off, killing battery, Intermittent no-start with no codes, Wipers, windows, or lights acting erratically, Phantom warning lights on dash
Fix: The TIPM (main fuse/relay box under hood) develops internal relay failures, especially fuel pump relay. Some can be repaired by resoldering; others need replacement. Chrysler issued extended coverage on some VINs. 1-2 hours labor for replacement.
Estimated cost: $400-1,200
Owner tips
Change transmission fluid every 50,000 miles and install an external cooler immediately—this single step prevents the most expensive failure on this platform
On the 5.7L Hemi, use quality 5W-20 oil and change it every 5,000 miles maximum to delay lifter failure; consider deleting MDS if you're keeping it long-term
Service transfer case fluid every 30,000 miles with the correct Mopar fluid—ATF+4 substitutes will kill the viscous coupler early
The 3.7L V6 is the budget engine but not the bargain—it's less powerful and has the head-cracking issue; the 4.7L V8 is the sweet spot for reliability
Check for TIPM extended warranty coverage by VIN before buying—some had factory extensions through 10 years/150k miles
Buy the 4.7L V8 model with service records showing regular fluid changes, or budget $3k-5k in the first year for deferred maintenance grenades on any other engine—the platform is tough, but the drivetrains need babying.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Unlock any single procedure for $3 — or become the founding sponsor and we generate every common job on this Grand Cherokee, with your name on each one.
Fitment notes: Standard top post configuration; verify clearance with aftermarket air intake systems
As an Amazon Associate, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.
Every control module on the 2008-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
⚠️ Optional equipment; sensor calibration may be needed
Backup Camera Module (BCM)0.5 hr R&Rno coding
📍 Integrated into liftgate handle or rear bumper
⚠️ Optional equipment; plug-and-play on most models
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE) · 13V175000
2013-05-07
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.
Consequence: 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.
SUSPENSION · 09E039000
2009-06-19 · PE09005
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 LOSS OF CLAMPING FORCE FOR THE BOTTOM STRUT FORK.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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 1-518-270-9822.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · 09V118000
2009-04-09
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.
Consequence: 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.
Performance
Horsepower
305hp
Torque
334lb-ft
0–60 mph
7.8sec
Quarter mile
15.8sec
Top speed
115mph
Fuel economy (EPA)
City
14mpg
Highway
19mpg
Combined
15mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
Capability & size
Towing capacity
7,400lb
Payload
1,450lb
Curb weight
4,640lb
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Wiper blades
WK generation (2005-2010). Rear may be 13-inch on some models.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.7L V8 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.