YearToAvoid

2008 Jeep Wrangler Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA has 67 owner complaints about transmission problems in the 2008 Jeep Wrangler, 8% of all 873 complaints for this model year. That is #10 highest transmission complaint count among 21 Wrangler model years. These complaints report 1 crash and 6 fires. Median mileage at failure: 59,500 miles.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
67
8% of 873
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
59,500 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2008 Jeep Wrangler transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Feb 5, 2009, latest Aug 14, 2025.

2008 Jeep Wrangler transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month3Feb 2009Mar 2011Jul 2012May 2013Jul 2014Oct 2016Nov 2018Nov 2020
67 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2009 to Aug 2025; peak Jun 2012 (3).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2008 Jeep Wrangler

  1. NHTSA 09V436000Nov 5, 2009Transmission & Powertrain88,461 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission

    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.

    Risk: 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.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Wrangler model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200541 (6%)
  2. 200657 (8%)
  3. 200746 (8%)
  4. 200867 (8%)
  5. 200934 (9%)
  6. 201068 (10%)
  7. 201140 (8%)
  8. 2012282 (34%)
  9. 2013230 (35%)
  10. 201488 (13%)
  11. 201551 (11%)
  12. 201674 (16%)
  13. 201750 (16%)
  14. 2018176 (10%)
  15. 201979 (11%)
  16. 202047 (8%)
  17. 2021143 (15%)
  18. 202263 (16%)
  19. 202350 (14%)
  20. 2024175 (24%)
  21. 202511 (17%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Jeep Wrangler have transmission problems?
NHTSA has 67 owner complaints about the transmission in the 2008 Jeep Wrangler, 8% of all complaints for this model year, including 1 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 59,500 miles.
Which Jeep Wrangler year has the most transmission complaints?
The 2012 Jeep Wrangler has the most transmission complaints (282), compared with 67 for the 2008.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2008 Jeep Wrangler?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2008 Jeep Wrangler concerns the transmission: 09V436000.

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.