YearToAvoid

2008 Jeep Wrangler Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2008 Jeep Wrangler carries a complaint index of 55 and ranks 10th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 873 complaints, 7 recalls (including a do-not-drive airbag recall), and airbags as the top problem area with 309 complaints.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
55/100
#10 of 21 Wrangler years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
873
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
7
1 Do Not Drive
Crashes
15
reported in complaints
Fires
25
Injuries
5
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2017
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
17
15 city / 19.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0

Top 2008 Jeep Wrangler problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags309 (35%)
  2. Electrical System180 (21%)
  3. Steering156 (18%)
  4. Fuel System140 (16%)
  5. Suspension, Wheels & Tires122 (14%)
  6. Brakes71 (8%)
  7. Engine69 (8%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain67 (8%)
  9. Other44 (5%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers24 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report airbag clockspring contamination leading to warning lights and horn or airbag malfunction, with a median failure mileage of 71,000.
  • Some drivers describe transmission overheating and smoke, with one case reporting the transmission failed to shift into reverse or neutral around 59,000 miles.
  • Several complaints describe fires starting near the transmission or engine compartment, sometimes while the vehicle was parked or driving at low speed.
  • Steering complaints describe front wheels wobbling uncontrollably over bumps or road irregularities, in some cases leading to loss of control.
  • Brake complaints include reports of the parking brake failing to hold on an incline and, in one case, a total loss of braking force downhill.
  • A fuel system complaint describes an explosion and fire under the vehicle after the gas tank reportedly ruptured while driving.
2008 Jeep Wrangler complaints: complaints filed per quarter422007 Q42011 Q32013 Q42016 Q12018 Q22020 Q32023 Q32026 Q2
873 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2007 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2012 Q1 (42).

2008 Jeep Wrangler recalls

7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 16V352000May 24, 2016Airbags4,648,270 vehiclesDo Not Drive

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    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.

    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.

  2. NHTSA 16V290000May 11, 2016Airbags388,532 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    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.

    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.

  3. NHTSA 13V176000May 7, 2013Airbags5,440 vehicles

    Air bags

    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.

    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.

See all 7 recalls for the 2008 Jeep Wrangler →

2008 Jeep Wrangler fuel economy and fuel cost

City
15 MPG
Highway
19.5 MPG
Combined
17 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,800
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2008 compared with other Wrangler years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2006Good207303—
2007Caution155578 !16.5
2008Caution558737 !17
2009Caution253726 !17
2010Caution6568610 !17

All Jeep Wrangler years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 Jeep Wrangler reliable?
Compared to other Wrangler model years, 2008 ranks 10th worst out of 21 years with a complaint index of 55, giving it a Caution verdict. It has fewer reported problems than years like 2018, 2021, and 2024, which are rated Avoid.
Does the 2008 Jeep Wrangler have a recall?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2008 Wrangler, including a do-not-drive airbag recall (16V352000) tied to expanded RAM truck airbag issues, plus recalls covering brakes and transmission fluid temperature warnings.
What is the top problem area for the 2008 Jeep Wrangler?
Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 309 complaints, or 35% of all reported issues, with a median failure mileage of 71,000.
How does the 2008 Wrangler compare to the 2007 and 2009 model years?
The 2008 model has a complaint index of 55, higher than the 2007 (15) and 2009 (25) model years, both of which are also rated Caution but with fewer reported issues.
How many complaints and crashes does NHTSA list for the 2008 Wrangler?
NHTSA lists 873 complaints, 15 crashes, 25 fires, and 5 injuries for the 2008 Jeep Wrangler, with no reported deaths.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.