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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2008 Jeep WranglerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 1,255 owner complaints for the 2008 Jeep Wrangler. Most complaints involve air bags (414) and electrical system (236). The EPA rates it 16–18 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
16–18mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
9campaigns
Latest May 2016
Owner complaints
1,255
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

9 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Park It: do not driveFree remedy

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.

Air bagsReported May 24, 2016NHTSA 16V352000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported May 11, 2016NHTSA 16V290000

Air bags

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported May 7, 2013NHTSA 13V176000
See all 9 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1,255 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2007 – Jul 2026
  1. Air bags414
  2. Electrical system236
  3. Steering200
  4. Fuel system, gasoline189
  5. Suspension139
  6. Power train100
  7. Fuel/propulsion system85
  8. Engine46
  9. Service brakes43

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Wrangler model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1997411
1998265
1999217
2000270
2001170
2002108
20071,059
20081,255
2009650
2010686
2011485
2012835
2013657
2014658
2015479
2016462
2017312
20181,827
2019747
2020618
2021958
2022412
2023374
2024970
202583
20260
Crashes reported
18
Fires reported
34
Injuries reported
7
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

414 reports5 crashes1 fire
“"On March 4, 2022, Customer Satisfaction Notification S33 (Airbag Clockspring Recall Remedy) was performed on my 2008 Jeep Wrangler by an authorized dealer at 123,314 miles. The vehicle now has 137, 347 miles. The replacement clockspring provided as the official safety remedy has completely failed after only roughly 15,000 miles of driving, illuminating the SRS airbag warning light and completely disabling the supplemental restraint system. The manufacturer's mandated remedy has failed to permanently correct the safety defect, creating a recurring hazard." Tom O'Brian dealership and Stellanis have both refused to repair clockspring which is either defective repair item. "Stellantis corporate directed me to speak with you directly regarding a safety component failure. Tom O’Brien Jeep performed the S33 clockspring campaign on my Wrangler at 123,314 miles. The vehicle only has about 138,000 miles on it now. This critical airbag safety component failed after just 15,000 miles of driving. Corporate told me that if you submit a Digital Goodwill Claim through the dealer portal for an internal part failure on a safety campaign, they can review it for approval. Because…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 14, 2026Air bagsODI 11750351

Electrical system

236 reports2 crashes9 fires
“While driving at speed, vehicle electrical went haywire. Headlights went on and off. Horn sounding on and off, Wipers and washers going on and off, HVAC blower on and off. Pulled over vehicle and turned off and removed key and it still remained running, all horn, lights, and wipers still going on and off. Opened hood, removed negative battery terminal, and with that, car still ran! Was several minutes and car finally shut itself off. Scary that the car went completely haywire and would not shut off, even with key out, and battery disconnected!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 13, 2025Electrical system, Exterior lighting, EngineODI 11704890

Steering

200 reports4 crashes
“The RHD Jeep Wranglers had a recall on all the clock springs. I had mine fixed, it lasted a year and then broke again. Every mail carrier I know has the same issue. I believe the recall needs to become a lifetime recall, not a singular recall. They are all failing again causing postal employees to be at risk for fatality with the airbag failing to deploy.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 10, 2024Steering, Air bagsODI 11600951
All 2008 Wrangler problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 6-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Wrangler 2WD
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162118$3,550494
Wrangler 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152017$3,800523
Wrangler 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
151917$3,800523
Wrangler 4WD
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
151916$4,000555
  • Wrangler 2WD
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    16 city · 21 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Wrangler 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    15 city · 20 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Wrangler 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    15 city · 19 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Wrangler 4WD
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    15 city · 19 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Jeep Wrangler as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 2659Vehicle 2658
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2008 Wrangler questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Jeep Wrangler have?

9 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2008 Jeep Wrangler problems?

Owners filed 1,255 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (414), electrical system (236), steering (200). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Jeep Wrangler get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Jeep Wrangler at 16–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026