2008 Jeep Wrangler Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
55/100
#10 most-complained of 21 Wrangler years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2008 Jeep Wrangler has 873 owner complaints and 7 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 55 out of 100 — #10 highest of 21 Wrangler model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is airbags (309 complaints, 35% of the total). Complaints report 15 crashes, 25 fires, and 5 injuries.
- Complaints
- 873
- Recalls
- 7
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 15 / 25
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 15 city / 19.5 hwy
Top 2008 Jeep Wrangler problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags309 (35%)
- Electrical System180 (21%)
- Steering156 (18%)
- Fuel System140 (16%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires122 (14%)
- Brakes71 (8%)
- Engine69 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain67 (8%)
- Other44 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers24 (3%)
2008 Jeep Wrangler recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Jeep Wrangler a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Jeep Wrangler ranks #10 of 21 among Wrangler model years (Complaint Index 55/100, verdict: Caution). It has 873 complaints and 7 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Jeep Wrangler?
- The most reported problem areas are airbags (309 complaints), electrical system (180 complaints), and steering (156 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 62,000 miles.
- Does the 2008 Jeep Wrangler have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2008 Jeep Wrangler, most recently reported 2016, covering airbags, brakes, and transmission & powertrain. At least one carries a Do Not Drive advisory.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Jeep Wrangler?
- EPA rates the 2008 Jeep Wrangler at 17 MPG combined (15 city / 19.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,800. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.