2008 Jeep Wrangler Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Wrangler years
- Far more complaints than other years 3rd of 32 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 7 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 873 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Jeep Wrangler. That ranks 3rd out of 32 Wrangler model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (309 complaints, 35%), typically at around 71,000 miles. Complaints mention 15 crashes, 25 fires, 5 injuries. There are 7 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 8 defect investigations involving it.
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- 873owner complaints
- 7safety recalls
- 8NHTSA investigations
- 15complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2008 Jeep Wrangler problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags problems | 309 | 35% | 71,000 | “clock spring” (28%) | $700 |
| Electrical System problems | 178 | 20% | 75,500 | “clock spring” (11%) | — |
| Steering problems | 156 | 18% | 50,000 | “death wobble” (33%) | — |
| Suspension problems | 108 | 12% | 48,784 | “death wobble” (45%) | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline problems | 71 | 8% | 36,605 | “gas tank” (31%) | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System problems | 69 | 8% | 70,204 | “gas tank” (23%) | — |
| Power Train problems | 67 | 8% | 59,500 | “first gear” (21%) | — |
| Service Brakes | 38 | 4% | 58,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 37 | 4% | 82,715 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 37 | 4% | 80,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 29 | 3% | 50,464 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 24 | 3% | 87,250 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 22 | 3% | 64,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 21 | 2% | 94,527 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 20 | 2% | 87,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 16 | 2% | 66,500 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 12 | 1% | 53,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 11 | 1% | 35,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 6 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 | 1% | 65,000 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 0% | 36,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 3 | 0% | 46,000 | — | — |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 2 | 0% | 82,000 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 2 | 0% | 3,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 2 | 0% | 170,000 | — | — |
| Trailer Hitches | 2 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2008 Jeep Wrangler recalls (7)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not drive
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.
Risk: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Jeep Wrangler JK vehicles manufactured March 2, 2006, to August 13, 2010. The clockspring assembly may become contaminated with dust and cause the air bag circuit to fail.
Risk: Failure of the air bag circuit may prevent the driver's frontal air bag from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clockspring, wheel back cover, and column shroud, free of charge. The recall began on December 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S33.
Air bags
Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Jeep Wrangler right-hand drive vehicles manufactured February 1, 2007, through October 10, 2011. The affected vehicles have airbag clockspring assemblies that could experience broken airbag circuits.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, a broken electrical circuit in the airbag clockspring wiring assembly can lead to non-deployment of the driver-side frontal airbag and will not be able to properly protect the driver, increasing the risk of injuries.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clockspring and add a steering wheel dust shield, free of charge. The recall began on June 10, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. This recall supercedes NHTSA recall 11V-528. Chrysler's recall campaign number is M31.
Air bags:frontal
Problem: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 right hand drive (rhd) jeep wrangler vehicles manufactured from february 1, 2007, through october 10, 2011. Some vehicles may be equipped with driver's airbag clockspring assemblies that could experience a compromised airbag circuit resulting in an airbag lamp illumination, which indicates that the airbag may not deploy.
Risk: A broken electrical circuit in the airbag clockspring wiring assembly can lead to non-deployment of the driver frontal airbag and will not be able to properly protect the driver in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injuries.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners and remedy the vehicles as necessary free of charge. Chrysler will mail to owners an interim notification during march 2012. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Service brakes, hydraulic
Problem: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2010 jeep wrangler left and right hand drive passenger vehicles manufactured from may 15, 2006 through april 22, 2010. There may be contact between the right and left front inner fender liners and the right front and left rear brake tubes which could cause wear of the tubes causing a brake fluid leak.
Risk: A brake fluid leak can cause partial loss of service brakes at the affected wheel increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. Owners may contact chrysler toll-free at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train:automatic transmission
Problem: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2008 jeep wrangler vehicles manufactured from june 2006 through july 2008, equipped with automatic transmissions. These vehicles were not equipped with a transmission fluid temperature warning system.
Risk: Fluid could boil over and may come into contact with a hot engine or exhaust component and cause a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and install a "hotoil" message in the instrument cluster and a chime indicating an elevated transmission fluid condition. The recall began on february 22, 2010. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-835-1403.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: Chrysler is recalling 1,585 my 2007-2008 jeep wrangler, right hand drive only, vehicles. Some vehicles may have insufficient clearance between the steering intermediate shaft and rear brake tubes.
Risk: Prolonged brake tube contact could wear a hole in the tube and cause a partial brake system loss. This could cause a crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will install a revised brake tube clip to retain the tubes, inspect the brake tubes for damage due to potential contact with the steering intermediate shaft, and replace the brake tubes if necessary. The recall began on june 30, 2008. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.
- Air Bag Clockspring Wiring Failure (EA15007) — opened Dec 4, 2015, closed Jul 6, 2016, led to recall 16V288000.
- Air Bag Clockspring Wiring Failure (PE15025) — opened Jun 19, 2015, closed Dec 7, 2015.
- Totally Integrated Power Module Failure (DP14004) — opened Sep 25, 2014, closed Jul 24, 2015.
- Airbag Clockspring Failure (PE11019) — opened May 23, 2011, closed Nov 7, 2011, led to recall 11V528000.
- Fuel Spill During Refueling (PE10032) — opened Aug 23, 2010, closed Feb 16, 2011.
- Transmission overheating / fire (PE09037) — opened Aug 12, 2009, closed Nov 17, 2009, led to recall 09V436000.
- Tow bar assembly failure (EQ09006) — opened Jul 22, 2009, closed Aug 19, 2009.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
"On March 4, 2022, Customer Satisfaction Notification S33 (Airbag Clockspring Recall Remedy) was performed on my 2008 Jeep Wrangler by an authorized dealer at 123,314 miles. The vehicle now has 137, 347 miles. The replacement clockspring provided as the official safety remedy has completely failed…
Odometer rollback and was not aware until yesterday.
ABS systems not functioning properly, showing engine code U0121 that states lost communication with ABS module. This is a common occurrence with jeeps and is a safety issue due to the abs system not working properly. Also causes the brakes to randomly engage and disengage.
While driving at speed, vehicle electrical went haywire. Headlights went on and off. Horn sounding on and off, Wipers and washers going on and off, HVAC blower on and off. Pulled over vehicle and turned off and removed key and it still remained running, all horn, lights, and wipers still going on…
The ABS computer brake module is bad in my jeep. It needs a replacement. Confirmed by Chrysler Jeep dealership. However, Chrysler does not offer a replacement module. ABS does not work on my vehicle. This is a huge safety issue and is common problem among this year Jeep. Chrysler shouldnât be…
Other Jeep Wrangler years
← 2007 Wrangler · 2009 Wrangler →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Wrangler | 11 | 3 |
| 2025 Wrangler | 71 | 4 |
| 2024 Wrangler | 741 | 11 |
| 2023 Wrangler | 368 | 14 |
| 2022 Wrangler | 404 | 15 |
| 2021 Wrangler | 949 | 15 |
| 2020 Wrangler | 613 | 12 |
| 2019 Wrangler | 743 | 9 |
| 2018 Wrangler | 1,824 | 14 |
| 2017 Wrangler | 311 | 5 |
| 2016 Wrangler | 461 | 5 |
| 2015 Wrangler | 476 | 3 |
| 2014 Wrangler | 657 | 4 |
| 2013 Wrangler | 654 | 6 |
| 2012 Wrangler | 835 | 9 |
| 2011 Wrangler | 485 | 10 |
| 2010 Wrangler | 686 | 10 |
| 2009 Wrangler | 372 | 6 |
| 2008 | 873 | 7 |
| 2007 Wrangler | 558 | 8 |
| 2006 Wrangler | 730 | 3 |
| 2005 Wrangler | 650 | 1 |
| 2004 Wrangler | 192 | 1 |
| 2003 Wrangler | 98 | 0 |
| 2002 Wrangler | 108 | 2 |
| 2001 Wrangler | 170 | 3 |
| 2000 Wrangler | 251 | 1 |
| 1999 Wrangler | 213 | 1 |
| 1998 Wrangler | 265 | 2 |
| 1997 Wrangler | 401 | 3 |
| 1996 Wrangler | 2 | 0 |
| 1995 Wrangler | 202 | 1 |
See all Jeep Wrangler problems by year, every Jeep model, or the Jeep VIN decoder.
Similar Jeep models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Jeep Wrangler?
Owners most often report air bags, electrical system, steering problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 309 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Jeep Wrangler?
Yes, 7 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2008 Jeep Wrangler a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Wrangler model years, the 2008 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.