VehicleVerdict

2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 1,754 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.9 times the median Grand Cherokee year — the 2006 model ranks #8 of 38 Grand Cherokee years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 4 deaths and 65 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: electrical system issues account for 45% of all reports (789 of 1,754), far ahead of engine at 179.

1,754

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

2

Investigations

79

Crash-involved

9

Fires reported

65

Injuries

4

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Grand Cherokee years?

See all Grand Cherokee years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System78945%
Engine17910%
Transmission17310%
Body & Structure1207%
Other754%
Brakes724%
Lighting684%
Airbags613%
Speed Control523%
Seat Belts412%
Steering372%
Latches & Locks251%
Tires & Wheels171%
Fuel System171%
Visibility & Wipers111%
Suspension91%
Seats50%
Child Seat20%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V438000Electrical SystemJuly 21, 2014 · 649,353 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

13V175000Electrical SystemMay 7, 2013 · 295,345 units

Defect

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.

09E039000SuspensionJune 19, 2009 · 44 units

Defect

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.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

07V434000BrakesSeptember 14, 2007 · 296,550 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMMED INTO THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE MAY ALLOW A MOMENTARY DELAY IN BRAKING WHEN COASTING UP A HILL DURING CERTAIN CONDITIONS.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WITH NEW SOFTWARE THAT PREVENTS THIS CONDITION FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 22, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

06V295000AirbagsAugust 8, 2006 · 15,021 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE INFLATOR CONNECTOR FOR THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ASSEMBLED.

Consequence

THE AIR BAG MAY NOT INFLATE PROPERLY WHICH CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY IN CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG INFLATOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN THE WEEK OF AUGUST 2, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

"TAKATA RECALL" I WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT AUTO ACCIDENT, AIR BAGS NEVER INFLATED AND I WAS INJURED. I WAS DRIVING AS A MOTORIST WENT THRU A STOP SIGN AND PUSH THE JEEP INTO THE OTHER LANE OF TRAFFIC, I WAS GOING STRAIGHT ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET. SEE ALSO ODI 10875419. *DSY ..UPDATED 12/11/17…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 12, 2015 · crash

WHILE DRIVING JEEP LOST ALL POWER THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES I TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER BUT THEY DIDN'T FIND ANY THING THIS LAST TIME IT WAS IN A REAR END ACCIDENT SO CHRYSLER TOOK IT BACK TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM THE DEALER HAS HAD FOR A TOTAL OF OVER 9 WEEKS AND STILL DON'T HAVE A ANSWER FOR IT I…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 25, 2013 · crash

2006 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AFTER STARTING AND PUTTING INTO TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE REVVED AND TOOK OFF WITH OUT THE GAS PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES, WITH THE LAST INCIDENT LEADING TO A SEVERE CRASH AND INJURY. AFTER THE CRASH AND THE CAR STOPPING THE ENGINE WAS STILL REVVING.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 5, 2010 · crash

MY CAR IGNITION INADVERTENTLY TURNED OFF AND DISABLING POWER STEERING, BRAKE ETC. THIS RESULTED IN THE DRIVER NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL THE KEEP. THE JEEP ROLLED DOWN THE HILL AND HIT THE CAR BEHIND AND DAMAGING BOTH THE CARS AND INJURING ONE OF THE PASSENGERS IN THE CAR BEHIND.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 1, 2015 · crash

Maybe hose radiator to the ac vent under the passenger cabin. My son got a 2nd degree burn on the top of his foot.the problem is not fixed.it was inspected by the local police and fire chief.there was no warning at all..

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 5, 2021 · fire

2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee — common questions

Is the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,754 complaints put the 2006 model at #8 of 38 Grand Cherokee years. It is one of the Grand Cherokee years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 Grand Cherokee problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (789 complaints), engine (179 complaints), transmission (173 complaints).

Does the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Jeep Grand Cherokee years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Grand Cherokee years to avoid are 2014, 2005, 2011, 2012, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2015, 2004, 2007, 1997, 2018, 2013, 2023, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2016, 2020. The cleanest record among Grand Cherokee years belongs to 1992.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.