DecodedCars2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2009 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV 4WD Laredo, 4dr SUV 4WD Limited/Overland, 4dr SUV 4WD Srt8
- Engines
- 3.7L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 6.1L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline, FFV, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 18 combined · 16 city / 21 hwy
- Length
- 186.6–188.6 in
- Curb weight
- 4,440–4,786 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 34 similar 2009 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a SUV - offered with 4 engines (3.7L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl and 6.1L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 187 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,440 lb (4dr SUV 4WD Laredo).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 18 MPG combined (16 city / 21 highway), 8% worse than the 2009 SUV - average of 19.5 MPG, for an estimated $3,700 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 65 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2009
- No diesel version any more
- Engine dropped: 3.0L 6-cyl
- Best combined MPG down from 20 to 18
Compared with 2008; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2008 Grand Cherokee →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Detroit, Michigan
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2009 Grand Cherokee configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV 4WD Laredo | 186.6 in | 73.2 in | 67.7 in | 109.4 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 4,440 lb | 54/46 |
| 4dr SUV 4WD Limited/Overland | 186.6 in | 73.2 in | 67.7 in | 109.4 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 4,665 lb | 54/46 |
| 4dr SUV 4WD Srt8 | 188.6 in | 73.2 in | 66.5 in | 109.4 in | 63.8 / 62.2 in | 4,786 lb | 55/45 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Cherokee 2WD | 3.7L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 21 / 18 | -8% | $3,700 | 494 |
| Grand Cherokee 4WD | 3.7L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 17 | -4% | $3,950 | 523 |
| Grand Cherokee 2WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | -18% | $4,200 | 555 |
| Grand Cherokee 2WD | 4.7L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 15 | -23% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Grand Cherokee 4WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 19 / 15 | -15% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Grand Cherokee 4WD | 4.7L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 15 | -15% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Grand Cherokee 2WD FFV | 4.7L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 15 | -23% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Grand Cherokee 4WD FFV | 4.7L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 15 | -15% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Grand Cherokee SRT8 AWD | 6.1L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 / 14 / 12 | -32% | $6,850 | 741 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2009 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2009 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee (this car) | 18 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2009 Toyota Land Cruiser | 15 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2009 Toyota RAV4 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 14 |
| 2009 Toyota 4Runner | 18 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2009 Toyota Highlander | 26 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe | 20 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2009 Volkswagen Touareg | 20 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (1)
Electrical System · May 7, 2013
NHTSA campaign 13V175000 · 295,345 vehicles
- Problem
- 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. The recall began on August 15, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N23.
Not every 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 30 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Engine — 10 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Air Bags — 10 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 85,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Grand Cherokee years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Grand Cherokee | 23 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Grand Cherokee | 23 | 193.3 in | Not rated | 6 | 56 |
| 2025 Grand Cherokee | 23 | 193.3 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 122 |
| 2024 Grand Cherokee | 23 | 193.3 in | ★★★★★ | 18 | 317 |
| 2023 Grand Cherokee | 23 | 204.7 in | Not rated | 23 | 599 |
| 2022 Grand Cherokee | 23 | 204.7 in | Not rated | 24 | 492 |
| 2021 Grand Cherokee | 21 | 189.8 in | ★★★★★ | 16 | 504 |
| 2020 Grand Cherokee | 21 | 189.8 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 241 |
| 2019 Grand Cherokee | 24 | 189.8 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 370 |
| 2018 Grand Cherokee | 25 | 189.8 in | ★★★★★ | 10 | 855 |
| 2017 Grand Cherokee | 21 | 189.8 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 364 |
| 2016 Grand Cherokee | 25 | 189.8 in | ★★★★★ | 8 | 312 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Jeep. How we calculate this →