KnownCarProblems2008 Jeep Wrangler Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 873 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Jeep Wrangler, most often about the air bags (35% of complaints, typically around 71,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Wrangler model year since 2000 and has 7 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory1 recall for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2008 Jeep Wrangler problems
Air bags
309 complaints · 35%Half of these problems showed up before 71,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
On the 2008 Jeep Wrangler (lhd) dashboard, the airbag warning light flashes on every other minute with a chime, an indication that there is something malfunctioning or interfering with the vehicle's airbags. This has been a recurring issue and concern for many 2008 Jeep Wrangler (lhd) owners, including myself, and has…
On the 2008 Jeep Wrangler (lhd) dashboard, the airbag warning light flashes on every other minute with a chime, an indication that there is something malfunctioning or interfering with the vehicle's airbags.this has been a recurring issue and concern for many 2008 Jeep Wrangler (lhd) owners, including myself, and has…
Electrical
178 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 75,500 miles. Parts named most often: horn, ignition, starter assembly.
Intermittent problem starting the car. When the problem occurs, you turn the key and you just hear a dull click. The engine does not crank. After 2 or 3 tries, it will start. This has happened about a dozen time in the last 6 months. The starter relay switch has been changed but the problem persists. A new starter was…
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while parked, the vehicle failed to start until after several attempts. The contact stated that a lighting bolt warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired.…
Steering
156 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH over a bump in the road, the front end of the vehicle began to shake violently. The contact referred to the shaking as the "death wobble" which caused the contact to slightly lose control of the vehicle. The contact was forced to slow down…
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Wrangler ltd. The contact was driving 50 MPH when the front end began shaking violently and the vehicle became uncontrollable. The vehicle had to come to a complete stop before the shaking stopped. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised the contact that there could have been…
Fuel system
140 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage.
When filling gas tank, gas overflows spilling fuel all over vehicle, pump and any persons close by. This happens just after the pump shuts off, and happens at every fill up.
Issue with fuel spillage when filling up the vehicle. Apparently there is fuel tank inlet check valve that has an issue. Every time I try to fill the vehicle up with gas it overflows...the pump clicks off as it should but there is an overflow of gas that comes out of the vehicle after the pump clicks off. I've had to…
Suspension
108 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 49,000 miles. Parts named most often: front.
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Wrangler. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the front end of the vehicle began to shake and the vehicle had no balance. The contact merged to the shoulder of the road, shut off the vehicle and restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing where the technicians…
Vehicle began violently shaking on the interstate. It now shakes at any speeds greater than 40 MPH and any bumps in the road or turns also set it off. The vehicle was unable to be turned or moved off the road during the shaking and the shaking only stops once the vehicle slows down to under 10 MPH.
Transmission
67 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 59,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission.
I have a 2008 Jeep Wrangler x, manual transmission. The vehicle keeps popping our of gear on its own which often results in a sudden and unpredictable stop in the middle of the road. This occurs when the vehicle is accelerated after a complete stop, the problem also displays anytime while driving on 1st , 2nd or 3rd…
While parked in a mall parking garage, vehicle caught fire forward of the firewall. According to a policeman, a witness saw smoke coming from under the hood 15-20 minutes after the vehicle had been parked. Vehicle was completely destroyed forward of the firewall. Smoke and heat damage to front interior of vehicle…
Brakes
52 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components.
Brakes apply them self different wheels at different times at different speeds wheels get hot, smoke and wears brake shoes out, damages rotors. When you hit gas the brakes apply. This is dangerous if another vehicle is behind you when the bakes apply then you will be hit in the back.can not find anythying wrong when…
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Wrangler. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the brake light illuminated on the instrument panel and the brake pedal dropped to the floorboard abnormally. The contact stopped the vehicle on the shoulder of the road and added brake fluid to the braking system. In addition, the air bag…
Engine
48 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
I started my 2008 Jeep Wrangler jk and immediately got a check engine light with an audible sound. The engine was running very rough and shaking. I turned off the engine and it seemed fine but the check engine light was still on. I have a obd2 diagnostic code reader and it showed the code p0306. This is a misfire on…
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Wrangler. While driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed back to…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Jeep Wrangler recalls
Air bags: inflator module
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.
Full defect summary
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 r
Air bags: inflator module
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: frontal
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: service brakes, hydraulic
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: automatic transmission
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Air bag clockspring wiring failure
Summary
On may 10, 2016, fiat chrysler america (fca) submitted a part 573 defect information report announcing NHTSA recall 16v290 involving 394,258 model year (my) 2007-2010 jeep wrangler vehicles.under the recall fca will replace the clockspring and install a steering wheel back cover and steering wheel column shroud.this recall also includes approx. 4,524 my2007-2010 right hand drive (rhd) jeep wrangler vehicles commonly used for rural postal delivery services.in addition 7,180 my 2011-2016 right hand drive jeep wrangler vehicles were also recalled under 16v288, the same remedy repair will be used.upon review of the 1,942 my 2007-2010 jeep wrangler consumer complaints, 17,195 warranty reports and
Air bag clockspring wiring failure
Summary
In it's response to odi's pe15-025 information request letter, fca identified 1,703 consumer complaints, field reports and legal claims responsive to the subject defect condition on the subject wrangler vehicles.six of these reports alleged an air bag non-deployment in a crash in which either the air bag warning light was allegedly on or came on afterward the crash, one of which also alleged injuries as a result of the non-deployment.fca also provided data on other make, model and model year vehicles using the same clockspring.additionally fca provided 16,955 warranty claims related to the replacement of the air bag clockspring wiring assembly.it should be noted that fca initiated an extende
Totally integrated power module failure
Summary
In a letter dated august 21, 2014, the center for auto safety (cas) petitioned the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the totally integrated power module (tipm) installed in chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year. The petitioner alleges that tipm defects may result in engine stall, airbag non-deployment, failure of fuel pump shutoff resulting in unintended acceleration, fire, and other symptoms. On september 25, 2014, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened dp14-004 to evaluate the petition for a grant or deny decision. Odi analyzed complaint data provided by cas as
Airbag clockspring failure
Summary
In its july 29, 2011 response to odi's may 27, 2011 information request letter, chrysler provided 153 my 2007-2008 owner reports, additional to the 28 odi vehicle owner questionnaires (voqs), which related to the illumination of the air bag light (abl) due to a faulty clockspring (cs) wiring circuit.the right hand drive (rhd) vehicles, which were first produced in my 2008 and account for only 1% of vehicle production, accounted for 82 of these 181 reports (45%).the my2007 left hand drive (lhd) vehicle accounted for 61 of the remaining 92 lhd reports and exhibited a higher complaint rate than the my 2008 lhd vehicles.odi did not identify any incidents of crashes/injuries attributable to the c
Fuel spill during refueling
Summary
Odi found the rate of warranty claims related to fuel spit back on the subject vehicles is lower than other vehicles previously recalled to correct defects related to fuel spit back.although the rate of complaints reported to the agency on the subject vehicles is higher than or similar to the rates experienced in previous investigations where safety recalls were conducted, odi suspects that the NHTSA safety complaints submitted by subject vehicles owners may have been influenced by internet related publicity both before and during this investigation.a safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.according
Transmission overheating / fire
Summary
In a letter dated november 3, 2009, chrysler group llc (chrysler), notified NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall of approximately 161,000 model year (my) 2007 and 2008 jeep wrangler vehicles built with automatic transmissions.chrysler stated that these vehicles were not equipped with a transmission fluid temperature warning system and the operation of these vehicles beyond the limits of reasonable usage over a period of time could result in transmission failure and in some cases transmission fluid expulsion.the expelled fluid could come in contact with a hot engine or exhaust component and cause a fire.chrysler will conduct a safety recall to install a hot oil warning message in the in
Tow bar assembly failure
Summary
The defective tow bar assemblies involved in this recall were supplied to chrysler for use on some of its jeep wrangler vehicles.the purpose of this investigation was to identify any additional purchasers of identical or substantially similar defective assemblies and to initiate additional defect reporting and safety recalls as necessary.to accomplish this rmd contacted the supplier of the assemblies, valley towing products, and confirmed no other such assemblies were distributed.this eq is therefore closed.
Questions about the 2008 Jeep Wrangler
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Jeep Wrangler?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (309 complaints, typically around 71,000 miles); electrical (178 complaints, typically around 75,500 miles); steering (156 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Jeep Wrangler have?
- 7 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 24, 2016 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Jeep Wrangler?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Wrangler model year since 2000, with 873 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.