Problems · NHTSA complaints
2008 Jeep Wrangler problems
Owners filed 1,255 complaints about the 2008 Jeep Wrangler with NHTSA between Nov 2007 and Jul 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (414).
Complaints
1,255
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
18
Reported by owners
Fires
34
Reported by owners
Injuries
7
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
3
11
24
113
166
170
151
158
141
110
50
32
37
33
15
11
3
13
11
3
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 11 |
| 2009 | 24 |
| 2010 | 113 |
| 2011 | 166 |
| 2012 | 170 |
| 2013 | 151 |
| 2014 | 158 |
| 2015 | 141 |
| 2016 | 110 |
| 2017 | 50 |
| 2018 | 32 |
| 2019 | 37 |
| 2020 | 33 |
| 2021 | 15 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
414 reports5 crashes1 fire4 related recalls
“"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…”
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!”
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.”
Fuel system, gasoline
189 reports3 fires
“ON MAY 29TH OF 2014 I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 JEEP WRANGLER DOWN A 4 LANE CITY STREET AT ABOUT 3000 RPM. I HAD JUST TAKEN OFF FROM A RED LIGHT WHEN I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION THAT RESULTED IN A FIRE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE GAS TANK EXPLODED AND THE FIRE COVERED THE BOTTOM OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THERE WAS DAMAGE UNDER THE HOOD ON THE ENGINE SIDE OF THE FIREWALL ON WHAT APPEARED TO BE FUEL LINES. LUCKILY THERE WAS A QUICK RESPONSE BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, BUT MY JEEP HAS BEEN RENDERED UN-DRIVABLE. I HAVE CONTACTED BOTH CHRYSLER AND THE DEALERSHIP BUT NOT ASSISTANCE THERE. THE CHRYSLER INVESTIGATION TEAM WOULD NOT EVEN TAKE A LOOK AT THE FUEL LINES THE MARSHAL DETERMINED STARTED THE FIRE. I WILL NEVER FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE OR ANY OTHER VEHICLE PRODUCED BY CHRYSLER EVER AGAIN. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY TO ME, BUT ONLY BECAUSE I HAD ALL THE DOORS AND TOP OFF WHICH ENABLED A RAPID ESCAPE. PLEASE TAKE A SERIOUS LOOK A THESE WRANGLERS AND FORCE CHRYSLER TO TAKE ACTION BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR EVEN KILLED. *TR”
Suspension
139 reports1 crash
“When I go above 45 mph on a bumpy road, the Jeep starts wobble uncontrollably until I almost completely stop the vehicle. Replaced, all tires complete brake system. Still happening!”
Power train
100 reports2 crashes8 fires1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or local dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,250.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.