2008 Jeep Wrangler Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2008 Jeep Wrangler, 8% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 59,500 miles. The words owners use most often: “first gear” (21% of reports).
- 67power train complaints
- 59,500median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 17%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- First gear: mentioned in 14 of 67 complaints (21%)
- Manual transmission: mentioned in 12 of 67 complaints (18%)
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 54 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 67 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 6 a fire.
Jeep Wrangler power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Wrangler | 1 | 9% | — |
| 2025 Wrangler | 12 | 17% | — |
| 2024 Wrangler | 177 | 24% | 12,500 |
| 2023 Wrangler | 51 | 14% | 21,000 |
| 2022 Wrangler | 65 | 16% | 17,000 |
| 2021 Wrangler | 148 | 16% | 15,000 |
| 2020 Wrangler | 47 | 8% | 3,750 |
| 2019 Wrangler | 80 | 11% | 37,250 |
| 2018 Wrangler | 177 | 10% | 27,294 |
| 2017 Wrangler | 50 | 16% | 19,000 |
| 2016 Wrangler | 74 | 16% | 31,000 |
| 2015 Wrangler | 51 | 11% | 33,000 |
| 2014 Wrangler | 88 | 13% | 44,000 |
| 2013 Wrangler | 230 | 35% | 23,161 |
| 2012 Wrangler | 282 | 34% | 18,250 |
| 2011 Wrangler | 40 | 8% | 35,000 |
| 2010 Wrangler | 68 | 10% | 25,250 |
| 2009 Wrangler | 34 | 9% | 41,750 |
| 2008 Wrangler | 67 | 8% | 59,500 |
| 2007 Wrangler | 46 | 8% | 64,000 |
| 2006 Wrangler | 57 | 8% | 24,000 |
| 2005 Wrangler | 41 | 6% | 58,000 |
| 2004 Wrangler | 26 | 14% | 32,500 |
| 2003 Wrangler | 22 | 22% | 17,000 |
| 2002 Wrangler | 14 | 13% | 20,000 |
| 2001 Wrangler | 23 | 14% | 90,000 |
| 2000 Wrangler | 70 | 28% | 35,400 |
| 1999 Wrangler | 20 | 9% | 52,000 |
| 1998 Wrangler | 33 | 12% | 95,000 |
| 1997 Wrangler | 53 | 13% | 73,815 |
| 1995 Wrangler | 32 | 16% | 74,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
ABS control module has gone out
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or local dealer. The manufacturer was…
I have a 2008 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon that has a lifetime powertrain warranty. Since I purchased the vehicle in 2008 I have maintained it exactly as required to keep the warranty valid. This includes the 5 year lifetime warranty powertrain inspections which are performed every 5 years. I have…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2008 Jeep Wranglers have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 67 owner complaints about power train for the 2008 Jeep Wrangler (8% of the 873 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Jeep Wrangler power train?
Yes: 1 safety recall list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 59,500 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 2008 Jeep Wrangler?
The most frequent phrase is “first gear”, in 14 of 67 complaints, followed by “manual transmission” (12).
Other 2008 Jeep Wrangler problems
See all 2008 Jeep Wrangler problems or power train problems across all Wrangler years.