The Lemon Index2008 Jeep Wrangler.
The 2008 Jeep Wrangler is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 610 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 684, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about fuel system, gasoline, it has 9 recalls, and it gets 16 to 18 mpg combined. The best Jeep Wrangler year is 2015.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2007–2018 Jeep Wrangler (JK), 30.1M views. The 2008 is the same Jeep.
What owners say it costs
- Other repairs (parts or shop quote)$3008 videos · most $50–$1,000Hear it ▶
- Transmission$1,4004 videos · most $280–$2,000Hear it ▶
- Tires$3,0002 videos · most $2,000–$4,000Hear it ▶
Dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos (median, so one wild number can't swing it). Not verified sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Most-watched topics
- Death wobble & steering4.3M views
JK 2.5 Ton Steering Kit Install (07-18) — Core 4x4CORE 4X4 · 2.7M views · 10 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door1.2M views
Jeep NO HEAT Fast Pinpoint / Fix Wrangler JK Temperature Blend door actuatorNoNonsenseKnowHow · 592K views · 4 videos - Oil leaks & gaskets935K views
Jeep Wrangler JK JKU - Oil Cooler Filter Housing Replacement 3.6L Pentastar Doorman 926-876ATEM OFFROAD · 231K views · 7 videos - Cooling system594K views
How to change the coolant in your JK. DIY Jeep Coolant FlushJK Jeep · 154K views · 5 videos
Show 4 more
- Intake, EGR & engine sensors508K views
Jeep JK First 5 Mods | Top 5 Mods For Your Wrangler JK - Throttle OutExtremeTerrain Jeep · 508K views - Driveshaft, axles & 4x4433K views
How To Run 40" Tires on Stock JK Axles; Ultimate JK Axle BuildBig Tire Garage · 175K views · 3 videos - Brakes & ABS420K views
How to fix ABS & Traction Control Light Jeep Wrangler JK | Wrangler ABS & Traction Control Light OnThe Odyssey · 223K views · 2 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors420K views
DIY DOOR HANGER for Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator Trucks - Works for JL / JT and JK too!Wayalife · 205K views · 3 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Jeep Wrangler JK SUV 3rd Generation 2007-20181A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 1.3M views
How Reliable Is a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon After 50,000 miles? Long-Term 2018 Wrangler ReviewEdmunds Cars · 820K views
2007-2017 Jeep Wrangler JK Comprehensive Buyer's GuideThe Fast Lane Car · 685K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 1,904 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Jeep Wrangler year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 32K to 83K miles on the car (1,654 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 52K–94K miles
- fuel system, gasoline complaints mostly came at 22K–43K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 50K–101K miles
Recalls 9
- airbags 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St.
- airbags 2016
The clockspring assembly may become contaminated with dust and cause the air bag circuit to fail.
- airbags 2013
The affected vehicles have airbag clockspring assemblies that could experience broken airbag circuits.
Show all 9 recalls
- equipment 2013
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.
- airbags 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.
- brakes 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.
- transmission & drivetrain 2009
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2008 JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2006 THROUGH JULY 2008, EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.
- trailer hitches 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.
- brakes 2008
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 1,585 MY 2007-2008 JEEP WRANGLER, RIGHT HAND DRIVE ONLY, VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Jeep told dealers about
Jeep sent dealers 95 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Replacement of the steering damper and steering damper bracket
- New Safety Recall Advanced Communication ?
- Customer Satisfaction Notification S80 Aftermarket Dana 60 Front Axle The aftermarket front…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedAir bag clockspring wiring failure2015–2016
- ClosedAir bag clockspring wiring failure2015
- ClosedTotally integrated power module failure2014–2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side — · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3550–4000 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.8L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
At 50,000 miles the vehicle began to have the death wobble. Problem was found to be caused by badly worn stock ball joints.
2008 Jeep Wrangler owner · NHTSA complaint 10406001
More owner reports
When gassing up vehicle- fuel will regurgitate out fuel neck onto person fueling and all over vehicle and ground. Happens every time I fuel regardless of how slow I fuel vehicle. Extremely dangerous!
NHTSA complaint 10298885
When putting gas in the tank as the tank gets near full gas backs up and spits out of fill neck. Sometimes about a half gallon on the Jeep and ground. Has been doing this about a year now. Last time is the date below on the form.
NHTSA complaint 10320506
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Jeep Wrangler reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 6.8× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 684; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Jeep Wrangler year by this measure is 2015.
What are the most common 2008 Jeep Wrangler problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are fuel system, gasoline (50%), steering (11%) and suspension (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Jeep Wrangler have?
9 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Jeep Wrangler get?
16 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Jeep Wrangler problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 32,200 and 83,200 miles. The middle report was at 52,000 miles, from 1,654 complaints.
Does the 2008 Jeep Wrangler have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 9% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Jeep Wrangler cost in fuel a year?
About $3550 to $4000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Jeep Wrangler have?
3.8L 6-cyl.
What Jeep Wrangler year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2015, 2017 and 2011.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works