2008 Jeep Wrangler 4-DR 4X2 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2008 Jeep Wrangler 4-DR 4X2 has a complaint index of 50 with 35 complaints, ranking 2nd-worst out of 3 model years tracked. Steering issues dominate, making up 37% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 35,000 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #2 of 3 Wrangler 4-DR 4X2 years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 35
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Steering
- Best nearby year
- —
- no alternative with data
Top 2008 Jeep Wrangler 4-DR 4X2 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering13 (37%)
- Electrical System8 (23%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (23%)
- Fuel System6 (17%)
- Airbags5 (14%)
- Other5 (14%)
- Engine4 (11%)
- Brakes3 (9%)
- Structure & Body2 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering wheel shakes violently at highway speeds, often triggered by hitting a small bump.
- Front end develops a 'death wobble' between 40 and 65 mph that only stops by slowing to a near-crawl.
- Steering stabilizer replacements have not permanently fixed the wobble for some owners.
- Fuel spills out of the tank when refueling, sometimes on repeated fill-ups.
- Water leaks through the soft top roof during rain, soaking the vehicle interior.
- One owner reported an engine compartment fire preceded by flickering gauges and smoke.
2008 Jeep Wrangler 4-DR 4X2 recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2008 compared with other Wrangler 4-DR 4X2 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Jeep Wrangler 4-DR 4X2 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 35 complaints for the 2008 model year, giving it a complaint index of 50, which ranks it 2nd-worst among the 3 Wrangler model years with data. Steering is the top problem area, accounting for 37% of complaints.
- What is the death wobble in the 2008 Jeep Wrangler?
- Owners describe a violent front-end shake, often called a death wobble, that occurs between 40 and 65 mph after hitting a bump. The median mileage at failure for steering-related complaints is 35,000 miles.
- Does the 2008 Jeep Wrangler 4-DR 4X2 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2008 Jeep Wrangler 4-DR 4X2.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Jeep Wrangler?
- NHTSA complaint data shows steering issues lead at 37% of complaints, followed by electrical system and suspension/wheels/tires problems each at 23%.
- How does the 2008 Wrangler compare to other years?
- The 2007 Wrangler has a higher complaint index of 100 with 67 complaints, while the 2009 Wrangler has a much lower complaint index of 0 with 5 complaints.