2008 Jeep WRANGLER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
873 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
62,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 723 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 305 of 873 complaints (34.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 160 | 18.3% |
| Braking behavior | 80 | 9.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 66 | 7.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 64 | 7.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 54 | 6.2% |
| Engine operation | 14 | 1.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 305 |
| Electrical System | 174 |
| Steering | 156 |
| Suspension | 105 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 70 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 69 |
| Power Train | 59 |
| Service Brakes | 38 |
Air Bags: 305; Electrical System: 174; Steering: 156; Suspension: 105; Fuel System, Gasoline: 70; Fuel/Propulsion System: 69; Power Train: 59; Service Brakes: 38
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 56 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 189 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 199 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 137 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 121 |
| 150,000 and above | 21 |
Under 25,000: 56; 25,000 to 49,999: 189; 50,000 to 74,999: 199; 75,000 to 99,999: 137; 100,000 to 149,999: 121; 150,000 and above: 21
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (199). 150 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 34 |
| 2011 | 85 |
| 2012 | 121 |
| 2013 | 112 |
| 2014 | 130 |
| 2015 | 118 |
| 2016 | 84 |
| 2017 | 39 |
| 2018 | 23 |
| 2019 | 35 |
| 2020 | 33 |
| 2021 | 15 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 34; 2011: 85; 2012: 121; 2013: 112; 2014: 130; 2015: 118; 2016: 84; 2017: 39; 2018: 23; 2019: 35; 2020: 33; 2021: 15; 2022: 11; 2023: 3; 2024: 13; 2025: 11; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 160 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 80 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 66 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10209503 · 2007-11-20 (November 20, 2007)
ON NOVEMBER 19, 2007 AS I WAS REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT A RESTAURANT, I NOTICED THAT MY BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING AND QUICKLY NOTICED A RED DOT LIGHT ABOVE MY FUEL GAUGE. I HAD TO PULL MY PARKING BRAKE IN ORDER TO AVOID ROLLING ANY FURTHER. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO START MY CAR AGAIN. INITIALLY, SEVERAL LIGHTS LIT UP ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE MOTOR SEEMED TO RESPOND TO TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. HOWEVER, AFTER EACH ATTEMPT, THE ENGINE CUT OFF AFTER A FEW QUICK SECONDS. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE AT ALL TO TU…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10209503 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10249342 · 2008-11-19 (November 19, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT NOTICED UNCONTROLLABLE SHAKING IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 50 MPH. THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,559 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,500.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10249342 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10257621 · 2009-02-05 (February 5, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER SAHARA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED ERRATICALLY BETWEEN SECOND GEAR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION PLATE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,600 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,900.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10257621 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10314366 · 2010-03-03 (March 3, 2010)
2008 CHRYSLER JEEP WRANGLER. CONSUMER STATES HE HAS NOT RECEIVED A REPLY TO HIS REQUEST FROM NOVEMBER 13, 2009 CONCERNING A PROBLEM OF HOOD FLUTTER OR HOOD BOUNCING. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THIS IS HIS THIRD REQUEST FOR A RESPONSE TO HIS COMPLAINT. UPDATED 06/21/10*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10314366 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10315151 · 2010-03-01 (March 1, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ADDING FUEL TO THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE FILLER NECK WOULD "SPIT" GASOLINE OUT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ALMOST FULL. HE NOTICED THE PROBLEM EVERY TIME HE ADDED FUEL TO THE TANK. HE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD ABOUT TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS BUT THAT THEY WERE FOR VEHICLES UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT HAD NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO-DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 39,000. T…
Owner-reported narrative. 34,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10315151 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10317250 · 2010-03-05 (March 5, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, WHILE GOING OVER A PATH, HE NOTICED A HOT FLUID SMELL. WHEN HE PULLED OVER HE NOTICED THAT THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. HE OPENED THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE IT BURST INTO FLAMES, THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THERE WERE DAMAGES TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT IT WILL BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, HOWEVER THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10317250 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10320543 · 2010-03-17 (March 17, 2010)
THE COMPLAINT IS HOW CHRYSLER CORP. IS ADDRESSING THE J30 RECALL. TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING CAUSING ENGINE FIRES. I OWN A 2008 WRANGLER THAT COST 50K. FOR THE J30 RECALL FIX THEY ARE ADDING A HOT OIL ICON ON THE DASH AND FLASH THE COMPUTER TO RECOGNIZE A SENSOR. THE ENGINE CAN STILL CATCH FIRE. SOMEONE NEEDS TO FORCE CHRYSLER TO ADD A NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER TO COOL THE FLUID, AND PREVENT THE OIL FROM BOILING. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER ENGINE FIRES CAN HAPPEN IN CITY TRAFFIC STARTING AND STOPPING. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THEY COULD SELL ME ONE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10320543 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10325692 · 2010-04-14 (April 14, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE ADDING GASOLINE TO THE FUEL TANK, IT SPRAYED BACK OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10325692 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
7 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
08V202000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2008-05-06 (May 6, 2008)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗09V436000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Reported: 2009-11-05 (November 5, 2009)
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.
Consequence: FLUID COULD BOIL OVER AND MAY COME INTO CONTACT WITH A HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST COMPONENT AND CAUSE A FIRE.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗10V236000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Reported: 2010-06-03 (June 3, 2010)
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.
Consequence: A BRAKE FLUID LEAK CAN CAUSE PARTIAL LOSS OF SERVICE BRAKES AT THE AFFECTED WHEEL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA campaign record ↗11V528000 · Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2011-11-02 (November 2, 2011)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗13V176000 · Air Bags
Reported: 2013-05-07 (May 7, 2013)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V290000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2016-05-11 (May 11, 2016)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V352000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2016-05-24 (May 24, 2016)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗