2008 Jeep Wrangler: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2008 Jeep Wrangler: 7 recalls, 873 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.
Recalls
7 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #08V202000 · 2008 · 1,709 vehicles
What's wrong: Some vehicles May have insufficient clearance between the steering intermediate shaft and rear brake tubes.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #09V436000 · 2009 · 88,461 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles were not equipped with a transmission fluid temperature warning system.
Why it matters: Fluid could boil over and May come into contact with a hot engine or exhaust component and cause a fire.
The fix: 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.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #10V236000 · 2010 · 287,653 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A brake fluid leak can cause partial loss of service brakes at the affected wheel increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge.
Airbags Vehicle recall #11V528000 · 2011 · 5,437 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners and remedy the vehicles as necessary free of charge. Chrysler will mail to owners an interim notification during March 2012.
Airbags Vehicle recall #13V176000 · 2013 · 5,440 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected vehicles have airbag clockspring assemblies that could experience broken airbag circuits.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #16V290000 · 2016 · 388,532 vehicles
What's wrong: The clockspring assembly May become contaminated with dust and cause the air bag circuit to fail.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #16V352000 · 2016 · 4,648,270 vehicles
What's wrong: 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,…
Why it matters: 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…
The fix: 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…
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Equipment, Trailer hitch Equipment recall #09E044000 · 2009 · 308 vehicles
What's wrong:
Why it matters: The tow bar can fail under certain driving conditions. This can result in the towed vehicle separating from the towing vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash.
The fix: Chrysler will notify the owners of all 2007 and 2008 model year Jeep wrangler vehicles who could have purchased a recalled tow bar and will replace the tow bars free of charge. The safety recall began on November 23, 2009.
Equipment Equipment recall #13E010000 · 2013 · 15,836 vehicles
What's wrong: Quadratec, Inc. is recalling certain aftermarket accessory, driver-side, ultimate floor liners part numbers 14254.0301 07, 14254.0301 08, 14254.0301q, 14254.0302 07, 14254.0302 08, 14254.0302q, 14254.0303 07, 14254.0303 08, 14254.0303q, 14254.0309 07, 14254.0309 08, and 14254.0309q sold from May 1, 2012, through February 14, 2013. The liners are for use in 2007-2013 Jeep wranglers. The anchor point for the affected…
Why it matters: If the liner shifts forward it May impede the operation of the accelerator and possibly lead to unintended acceleration, which May increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Quadratec will notify owners and either exchange the liners or provide them with a hook guard kit to help secure the driver-side mat, free of charge. The recall began on April 4, 2013.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 25 mention a fire, 5 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (309): the most common themes are warning light on (132), fails to deploy (21).
- Electrical (178): the most common themes are electrical failure (61), warning light on (38), door / lock issues (32).
- Steering (156): the most common themes are steering problems (82), noise or vibration (16).
- Suspension (108): the most common themes are steering problems (45), noise or vibration (14).
The 2008 Jeep Wrangler has 873 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 37 Wrangler model years for complaints (2.0× the average Wrangler year). Complaints peaked in 2014 (130 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 62,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2007 (557 complaints, 8 recalls), 2009 (372 complaints, 6 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | Regular |
| 3.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
| 3.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 17 | Regular |
| 3.8 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 16 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2008 Jeep Wrangler.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2008 Jeep Wrangler have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 vehicle recalls for the 2008 Jeep Wrangler, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2008 Jeep Wrangler problems?
Owners have filed 873 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (309), electrical (178), steering (156).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Jeep Wrangler get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (3.8 L, Manual 6-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2008 Jeep Wrangler repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.