2008 Jeep Wrangler

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Air bags is the leading concern among 1,255 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 26 Wrangler model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 1,255

Of the 2008 reports, 18 involved a crash and 34 involved a fire. 7 people were injured.

Primary concernAir bags414 reports · 33% of complaints
Owner complaints1,255Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship9 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Air bags414
  2. Electrical system236
  3. Steering200
  4. Fuel system190
  5. Gasoline189
  6. Suspension139
  7. Power train100
  8. Fuel/propulsion system85

Recalls and investigations

  1. Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleDo not drive until repairedMay 24, 2016

    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.

    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.

    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.

    Campaign 16V352000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleMay 11, 2016

    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.

    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.

    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.

    Campaign 16V290000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Air bagsMay 7, 2013

    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.

    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.

    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.

    Campaign 13V176000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. EquipmentFeb 25, 2013

    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 floor liners may tear during use, particularly when exposed to high temperatures. The tearing may allow the floor liner to shift forward.

    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.

    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. Owners may contact Quadratec at 1-800-463-2998 or info@quadratec.com.

    Campaign 13E010000 on NHTSA.gov

  5. Air bags, frontalNov 2, 2011

    CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2012 RIGHT HAND DRIVE (RHD) JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 1, 2007, THROUGH OCTOBER 10, 2011. 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.

    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.

    CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REMEDY THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. CHRYSLER WILL MAIL TO OWNERS AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION DURING MARCH 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

    Campaign 11V528000 on NHTSA.gov

  6. Service brakes, hydraulicJun 3, 2010

    CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2010 JEEP WRANGLER LEFT AND RIGHT HAND DRIVE PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 15, 2006 THROUGH APRIL 22, 2010. 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.

    A BRAKE FLUID LEAK CAN CAUSE PARTIAL LOSS OF SERVICE BRAKES AT THE AFFECTED WHEEL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

    CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-853-1403.

    Campaign 10V236000 on NHTSA.gov

  7. Power train, automatic transmissionNov 5, 2009

    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.

    FLUID COULD BOIL OVER AND MAY COME INTO CONTACT WITH A HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST COMPONENT AND CAUSE A FIRE.

    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.

    Campaign 09V436000 on NHTSA.gov

  8. Trailer hitchesJul 9, 2009

    CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 308 AFTERMARKET MOPAR TOW BAR ASSEMBLIES, P/N 82209758, SOLD DURING 2007 AND 2008 CALENDAR YEAR WHICH ARE USED TO TOW MODEL YEAR 2007 AND 2008 JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES.

    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.

    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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

    Campaign 09E044000 on NHTSA.gov

  9. Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsMay 6, 2008

    CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 1,585 MY 2007-2008 JEEP WRANGLER, RIGHT HAND DRIVE ONLY, VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND REAR BRAKE TUBES.

    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.

    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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

    Campaign 08V202000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: air bags

414 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Air bags, Mar 30, 2011

    2008 JEEP WRANGLER X RIGHT HAND DRIVE- AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON, WHICH MEANS AIR BAG IS NOT FUNCTIONING. WARRANTY EXPIRED, SINCE I USE IT TO DELIVER THE MAIL. AND EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

  2. Air bags, Mar 25, 2011

    AIRBAG LIGHT GOING ON AND OFF, NOW MOSTLY STAYS ON. MY MECHANIC RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND HAS THREE OR FOUR VERY PRICEY POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS; HE IS REFERRING ME TO DEALER WHO CHARGES $89.99 JUST TO HOOK UP TO THEIR COMPUTER. FINDING A LOT OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS FROM 2008 JEEP WRANGLER RHD OWNERS. *TR

  3. Air bags, Electrical system, Mar 10, 2011

    THE HORN STOPPED WORKING AND THEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT APPEARED. IN MY CASE THE FAILURE OF HORN AND AIRBAG OCCURS ALWAYS AND I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD LEAD TO DEATH IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. AT THIS TIME I HAVE NOT HAD THE ISSUE FIXED BUT THE DEALER ESTIMATES $500 TO REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING WHICH SHOULD FIX THE ISSUE. THIS SEAMS SO BE A RECURRING ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL OF JEEP AS I HAVE SEEN THAT MANY OF THE RHD JEEPS FROM THIS YEAR ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. *TR

  4. Visibility, Air bags, Electrical system, Equipment, Feb 17, 2011

    AT FIRST THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY TURN ON, THEN THE HORN WOULD NOT WORK AND THEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD ONLY TURN OFF WITH THE KEY IN THE OFF POSITION. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE CLOCKSPRING WHICH IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY......ODOM READING APPROX 32,000. *TR

  5. Air bags, Nov 26, 2010

    AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD TURN ON AND OFF RANDOMLY. FINALLY IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF. *TR

  6. Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Air bags, Sep 7, 2010

    ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS MY UNMODIFIED 2008 JEEP WRANGLER X HAS GIVEN ME AN AUDIBLE "DING" WARNING AND THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON WHILE STUCK IN VERY SLOW MOVING HIGHWAY TRAFFIC (APPROXIMATELY 0-10 MPH). BOTH TIMES IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 85-90 DEGREES F OUTSIDE AND THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS OFF. THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED THE "HOT OIL" WARNING RECALL FIX HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED BUT I DID NOT RECEIVE THAT WARNING NOR DID THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE RISE MORE THAN HALF THE WIDTH OF THE NEEDLE. ON THE SECOND OCCASION THE "DING" AND AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON REPEATEDLY OVER A PERIOD OF A HALF AN HOUR EACH TIME TRAFFIC SLOWED DOWN. *TR

  7. Air bags, Aug 28, 2010

    THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR A PERIOD OF APPRX. 10 DAYS THEN STAYED ON CONSTANTLY. WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON THE AIRBAGS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING. THE JEEP DEALER SAYS IT IS A PROBLEM WITH A CLOCK SPRING SENSOR IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE JEEP IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME IT IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT WOULD MOST LIKELY REOCCUR. I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO FIX THE JEEP AND PAY AGAIN WHEN THE PART WENT BAD AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH MANY OTHER 2008 JEEP WRANGLER OWNERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

  8. Electrical system, Air bags, Structure, Aug 20, 2010

    CORROSION TO CLOCK SPRING IN STEERING COLUMN RESULTING IN HORN FAILURE TO SOUND HARD TOP ROOF LEAKS LIKE A SIEVE IN RAIN RESULTING NECESSITATING MY REMOVING THE CARPET AND LEAVING DRAIN PLUGS OPEN-NOW THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS RUSTY FROM DAMP INTERIOR WON'T START IN PARK-ONLY STARTS IF SHIFTER SHOVED INTO NEUTRAL OR SHOVED FORWARD WHILE TURNING KEY DOOR HINGE PINS RUSTY FLAT TIRE LIGHT STAYS ON AIR BAG LIGHT PERIODICALLY ON, WHICH MEANS AIR BAG IS NOT FUNCTIONAL AT THOSE TIMES. *TR

  9. Steering, Power train, Air bags, Jul 7, 2010

    I HAVE A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER X RHD. IT HAS TWO ISSUES. 1. THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON BECAUSE THE CLOCKSPRING NEEDS REPLACED IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS COST 500.00 TO FIX. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND DEFINITELY SHOULD BE A RECALL. 2. THE JEEP WON'T START DUE TO A SAFETY MECHANISM IN THE SHIFTER. YOU HAVE TO START THE JEEP IN NEUTRAL. THESE ARE VERY COMMON PROBLEMS AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE COMPANY. I ALSO HAVE A RECALL ON THE STEERING DAMPER..IT HAS BEEN 4 MONTHS SINCE I RECEIVED THE J34 RECALL...THE DEALERSHIP STILL DOESN'T HAVE THE PART TO FIX IT. I HOPE THIS COMPLAINT HELPS IN GETTING THESE ISSUES FIXED. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP IN THIS MATTER. *TR

  10. Air bags, Jun 9, 2010

    CLOCK SPRING FAILURE AT 35,000 REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, FAILED AGAIN AT 45,000. THE DEALER WANTS $370 TO REPLACE IT AGAIN. THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT WORK NOW. I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX IT EVERY 10,000 MILES. *TR

  11. Air bags, Jun 7, 2010

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 31,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,000.

  12. Air bags, Mar 14, 2010

    MY RHD JEEP WRANGLER HAS EXPERIENCED A FAILURE IN THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON RANDOMLY. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. LOOKING INTO IT FURTHER ON VARIOUS ONLINE FORUMS, I HAVE FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR JEEPS. UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON, THE SYSTEM IS NON-FUNCTIONAL AND LEAVES THE PASSENGERS WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF THE AIR BAGS. *TR

  13. Air bags, Mar 11, 2010

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION ONE WEEK AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRENCE. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

  14. Steering, Air bags, Electrical system, Jan 22, 2010

    2008 JEEP WRANGLER RHD POSTAL VEHICLES USED BY RURAL CARRIERS FOR USPS. THOSE OF US WHO PURCHASED THE VEHICLES ARE HAVING ISSUES WITH AIRBAG MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT AND NO HORN USE OR INTERMITTENT USAGE. ONE ITEM OF INTEREST POSSIBLE CAUSE IS THE SPRINGCLOCK IN THE STEERING COLUMN AS COMPONENT THAT OPERATES BOTH HORN AND AIR BAG CIRCUITS. THIS ITEM HAS BEEN A PROBLEM IN YEARS PAST WITH JEEP. CONCERNED WITH A DEPLOYMENT OF FAULTY AIR BAG ISSUE MOSTLY, TRYING TO GET MY VEHICLE IN FOR A COMPLETE INVESTIGATION. TECHNICIANS ARE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY WHEN THEY ARE IN. FORUMS AT RURALINFO.NET CONFIRM OTHERS ARE HAVING THESE SAME ISSUES. MY VEHICLE HAS 50K MILES WHEN PROBLEM OCCURRED. *TR