Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Jeep Wrangler 2-DR 4X4 RHD owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On the 2008 Jeep Wrangler (lhd) dashboard, the airbag warning light flashes on every other minute with a chime, an indication that there is something malfunctioning or interfering with the vehicle's airbags.this has been a recurring issue and concern for many 2008 Jeep Wrangler (lhd) owners, including myself, and has been shown time and time again to be caused by a faulty clockspring within the vehicle's steering wheel. This faulty clockspring is the culprit for potential airbag failure in the 2008 Jeep Wrangler (lhd) during an accident or premature deployment when simply driving around. Daimler Chrysler has refused to address the safety concern of their faulty clockspring that can cause failure of the vehicle's airbags from properly deploying.
Clockspring went out on this Jeep at about 38,000 miles and 69,000 miles, causing the airbag light to come on, rendering the airbags inoperable. Had clockspring replaced both times to fix the problem. Jeep now has about 97,000 miles on it and the airbag light is on again. We have another bad clockspring. Jeep has had a recall on the clockspring for previous models. Since Jeep has recalled previous models for this same problem, and judging by the amount of complaints about the clockspring I have read on other web sites, you would think Jeep would do the right thing and recall it and fix it properly. I have had several other cars with well over 100,000 miles on them and never had a clockspring go out before. I presently have two subarus each with almost 300,000 miles on them with no clockspring problem. …
2008 RHD Jeep Wrangler air bag light is on meaning airbag will not deploy if an accident occurs. Clock spring/corrosion issue causing horn not to work which is a safety hazard. Many mail carriers are having the exact same problems with these vehicles. Vehicle will not always start. This whole vehicle should be recalled as it has major electrical issues. The motor went out on mine at 52,000 miles. The warranty is only for 36,000 miles. The motor was rebuilt by a Jeep dealer and I was told it had a spun bearing. The air blower controller also does not work half of the time. These RHD jeeps are all lemons and pose safety hazards to mail carriers who spend most of their day out on the road. The horn issue is a threat to the public as you cannot warn an unsuspecting driver or pedestrian of your process. The airbag issue is a threat to the driver. …
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.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Jeep Wrangler 2-DR 4x4rhd. While the contact was driving approximately 40 MPH, the air bag warning indicator illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the air bag clock spring was replaced. Nine months later, the failure recurred and the contact notified the dealer who ordered the part and upon availability the vehicle would be repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated there was no related recalls. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. Updated 09/28/11 updated 2/28/12
The air bag light comes on intermittently while driving. Had it checked last year 1/14/11, the dealersship inspected and found code for clock spring, replaced clock spring and cleared codes and system was operating properly at the time. The dearlership charged 364.48. Now it is one year later and the airbag light is back on. It goes on and off the whole time whlie you are diving. I think this should me looked into because if the airbags goes off while your diving, it could cause you to have a crash or injury or death to you or someone else in another vehicle.
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.
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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Airbag Clockspring Failure
In its July 29, 2011 response to ODI's May 27, 2011 information request letter, Chrysler provided 153 MY 2007-2008 owner reports, additional to the 28 ODI Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs), which related to the illumination of the air bag light (ABL) due to a faulty clockspring (CS) wiring circuit.The right hand drive (RHD) vehicles, which were first produced in MY 2008 and account for only 1% of vehicle…
Airbag complaints in other Wrangler 2-DR 4X4 RHD years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Jeep Wrangler 2-DR 4X4 RHD?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Jeep Wrangler 2-DR 4X4 RHD, 59% of the model year's 41 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Jeep Wrangler 2-DR 4X4 RHD airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2008 Jeep Wrangler 2-DR 4X4 RHD. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Jeep Wrangler 2-DR 4X4 RHD airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.