Model year guide

2008 Jeep Wrangler

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2008 Jeep Wrangler is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 413 on record.

2008 Jeep Wrangler — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2008 Jeep Wrangler at a glance

Safety recalls9
Owner complaints1,255
Combined17 mpg
Typical price$16,339

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2008 Jeep Wrangler recalls 9

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #16V352000 · 24/05/2016

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, 200…

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…

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #16V290000 · 11/05/2016

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.

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. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S33.

Equipment NHTSA Campaign #13E010000 · 25/02/2013

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 affecte…

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

Air Bags:frontal NHTSA Campaign #11V528000 · 02/11/2011

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.

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

Air Bags NHTSA Campaign #13V176000 · 07/05/2013

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.

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. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. This recall supercedes NHTSA recall 11V-528. Chrysler's recall campaign number is M31.

Trailer Hitches NHTSA Campaign #09E044000 · 09/07/2009

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.

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

Power Train:automatic Transmission NHTSA Campaign #09V436000 · 05/11/2009

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.

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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-835-1403.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #08V202000 · 06/05/2008

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.

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic NHTSA Campaign #10V236000 · 03/06/2010

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.

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

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2008 Jeep Wrangler common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 1,255 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Forward Collision Avoidance
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2008 Jeep Wrangler safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2008 Jeep Wrangler MPG & running costs

Combined17 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway20 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,613

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2008 Jeep Wrangler worth?

Low
$12,600
Typical price
$16,339
High
$20,000

From 411 comparable 2008 Jeep Wrangler listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2008 Jeep Wrangler costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,065
Depreciation (5 yrs)$6,750
Total$24,815
Per mile$0.33

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($16,339) with the same model 5 model-years older ($9,591), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2008 Jeep Wrangler trims & engines on record

Trims
Unlimited X · Unlimited Sahara · X · Rubicon · Sahara · Sahara/Unlimited Sahara · Unlimited Rubicon · Rubicon/Unlimited Rubicon
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl

2008 Jeep Wrangler vehicles on record

Other Jeep Wrangler model years

2008 Jeep Wrangler — frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Jeep Wrangler have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls for the 2008 Jeep Wrangler. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Jeep Wrangler?

Based on 1,255 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are service brakes, electrical system, air bags.

What is the 2008 Jeep Wrangler safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2008 Jeep Wrangler crash-test ratings of frontal 5★, rollover 3★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2008 Jeep Wrangler get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2008 Jeep Wrangler at about 17 mpg combined (15 city / 20 highway).

How much is a 2008 Jeep Wrangler worth?

Comparable 2008 Jeep Wrangler listings run roughly $12,600–$20,000, typically around $16,339 (from 411 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.