2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 49 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee, most often about electrical system. There are 2 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
49
Recalls
2
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
2
Median mileage
146,744 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Electrical System is the most-reported problem area, named in 23 of 49 complaints (47%).
  • Engine (14) and seats & seat belts (10) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 146,744 mi.
  • Owners reported 1 crash, 1 fire and 2 injuries.
  • The 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 2 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 18th of 22 Jeep Grand Cherokee model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 21% fewer complaints than the 2005 model year (62).

2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems by category

  • 23 complaints
  • Engine
    14 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    12 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    10 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    7 complaints
  • Airbags · 1 crash
    6 complaints
  • Brakes
    5 complaints
  • Lighting
    5 complaints
  • Steering · 1 crash
    4 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    2 complaints
  • Body & Structure · 1 crash
    2 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    1 complaints
  • Suspension
    1 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Electrical system22
Engine14
Unknown or other12
Seat belts10
Power train7
Air bags6
Exterior lighting5
Service brakes5

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k10k–30k30k–60k460k–100k5100k–150k7150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee complaints that list mileage.

2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls (2)

  • Recall 14V438000Jul 21, 2014649,353 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.

  • Recall 13V175000May 7, 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.

    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 defect investigations

  • PE14017Opened Jun 16, 2014Closed Dec 23, 2014led to recall 14V438000

    Air Bag Non-deployment

    Chrysler is conducting a safety recall of approximately 643,618 model year 2006-2007 Jeep Commander and model year 2005-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles to address the problem of ignition turning off while driving (see NHTSA recall 14V-438 for more information).According to Chrysler, these vehicles may experience an unintended change in ignition switch position while driving, which may result in loss of engine power, power steering, and braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash and disabling one or more of the vehicle's safety features including the frontal air bags.Most of the reported …

  • AQ10001Opened Nov 18, 2010Closed Dec 28, 2015

    Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit

    On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.RMD queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.Analysis of this…

Recent 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Apr 26, 2026NCAirbagsBrakesSuspension
    1>Air bag Recal F39 2>. Knee contract my turn off ignition switch Recal P41 3> Possibly vehicle rollover Recall N23 4> Components electrical system Recal AQ10001 5> After Market Performance Suspension system Recal 09E039000 6> ABS Electronic Control Module Recal 4GO
    NHTSA complaint #11733859 · source
  2. Filed Mar 1, 2026OKOther / Unknown
    All of the inside door handles have broken under normal circumstances. It's almost impossible to open the doors and that to me could become a safety concern for a number of reasons. Especially if involved in an accident. Thank you for your attention to this complaint. God bless.
    NHTSA complaint #11721267 · source
  3. Filed Jan 15, 2026167,000 miILElectrical System
    Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 116,000, and after taking the vehicle to a certified mechanic, the Carfax report indicated that the actual mileage was 167,000. The contact had not reported the odometer fraud to another agency.
    NHTSA complaint #11711071 · source
  4. Filed Dec 5, 2025IAElectrical SystemEngineLighting
    Vehicle will all of a sudden shut off with out warning while driving. It has shut off while in motion going about 25miles per hour . I hurry and put it in park and restart it. It has restarted every time. Sometime the lights on the dash will flash for a moment but has only done that 2 times out of the 10 that it has shut off while driving
    NHTSA complaint #11703265 · source
  5. Filed Jul 30, 2025MISeats & Seat Belts
    Something is wrong with both front driver and passenger seat belt buckle. When attempting to fasten the seat belt, something in the buckle prevents from clicking in the belt unless you press the button down. The seat belt sign stays on, raising safety concerns while operating the vehicle.
    NHTSA complaint #11677396 · source
  6. Filed Jun 30, 2024GAElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown
    I am experiencing so many problems with my jeep. It shift out of gear then start shutting down. Lights appear all across the dash board. At times, I have difficulty in shifting gear.The clutch slip and I get this burning smell. Then engine light comes on. It slow to move after shifting it into the forward gear. Sometimes it doesn't move when I shift it into the forward gear. Then when it does, it start bucking and kicking while driving. It slows down even when you press the…
    NHTSA complaint #11597815 · source
  7. Filed Apr 15, 2024MDAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts
    On this vehicle both front eat seatbelt receivers are faulty. This was not caused by an accident or excessive wear of the seatbelts. When you push the seatbelt into the receiver, it will not accept the seatbelt without first pushing down on the seatbelt button. Additionally, the vehicle does not recognize when the seatbelts are in use and the light on the dash stays on regardless. This issue started some time ago, however, more recently (past 3 weeks) the airbag light…
    NHTSA complaint #11583149 · source
  8. Filed Feb 1, 2024175,000 miDEElectrical System
    The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH and attempting to merge into traffic the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights illuminated; however, the vehicle coasted to a stop and all the electrical power had failed. The contact turned the ignition to the off position and waited before restarting the vehicle and the vehicle returned to normal functionality. The contact stated that the…
    NHTSA complaint #11569301 · source

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Other 2006 Jeep models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology