Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (electronic stability control and traction control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Jeep Wrangler owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
TIPM- door locks shorted out, fuel pump quits stranding the vehicle on the street, will not restart without pulling and resetting the iod fuse, causes airbag light to flash fault, rear wiper quits. This makes the vehicle unsafe or unable to be used. Vehicle was bought new and wouldn't think much about this if through research I had not found how many failures experienced by many have been related to this parts failure rate. Parked the vehicle and when went to restart it it would not resart, then the doors started locking and unlocking repeatedly locking me out of the vehicle with the keys in it. I reset the iod fuse and it started. Then going down the highway the warning lights in the dash started flashing, airbag, TCS, anti theft, tire pressure, ABS, stability control all came on then vehicle shut off. It would start then run for a few seconds and die. …
Jeep recall-major electrical issues: horn, alarm, windshield wipers and fluid, lights, locks and windows all these things will just start working on their own-sometimes just by pushing the unlock button. The key doesn't have to be in the ignition and if it is running and all these things start going off like the car is possessed, when removing the key everything stays and and won't turn off-even the car will continue to run-literally run until it runs out of gas. Very serious and dangerous issues-this is going to cause a serious accident or death. Many other Jeep owners have complained about these same issues via the web and nothing has been done. Dealerships are acting like it isn't a major ordeal and it needs to be addressed. This should obviously be a recall and it has been continued to be overlooked. …
This problem started in mid auust 2016 and is still going on ....wipers going off n on by themselves, horn blaring, lights blinking on n off, signm=al lights not working at times, Jeep wont move forward at times, steering gets hard to manage, check engine light goes of and on all the time..... This happens at anytime or anywhere....can go on for about 2-3 minutes...people start staring as if I am crazy blowing the horn at them and my lights flashing through out. This should definitely be a recalled issue based on the 2007 Jeep Wrangler having the same issue...for all I know the 2008 jeeps were probably intalled parts from the line from the 2007 Jeep wranglers which had problems with the ticm......I am trying to get estimates right now but the tcim part alone costs $425 or mre plus labor and additional for programming......this is ridiculous!!!!! …
Totally integrated power module (TIPM) item has failed , causing me to replace other parts diagnosed by PCM as being faulty, but replacing those parts resulted in same error codes. Actual fault found to be a failing TIPM. I have constant error codes, random horn, or lack of horn, random actuating of stability control causing one corner of Jeep to brake suddenly and giving the stability control warning light. Random power and fuel economy problems. Spent +$600 in parts that did not fix what Jeep said was problem, when problem is TIPM giving the problem. Just waiting to see if bursts into flames, as have smelled hot wires coming from it recently. This has occurred while stationary and in while motion.
Traveling down road, noticed air bag light staying on, ESP wouldn't work, horn inoperative. Called Jeep dealer and they said to come in for diagnosis as the air bag light indicated a fault in air bag system. Took to dealers and they had to replace clock-spring wiring harness to cure problem. Not in warrenty period and when Chrysler was contacted they would not accept cost as it was not under recall. I therefore had to pay for repair. The dealer said to keep invoice as it May later be a safety recall. It should be as I was told the problem could cause the air bag system to malfunction. Being in the Jeep community I know of thousands of Jeep wranglers having the same problem. Copy of invoice attached.
Last year (2016) I had a piece of plastic (looks like tape) coming out between the steering wheel and steering column while driving on our local street. I didn't realize it was wires at first. This wire 'tape' eventually broke which means you don't have a working airbag, horn, etc. Brought it to a local garage last fall (2016) and was told the clock spring caused this and there was a recall on it. Put the Jeep in the garage for the winter and today (3/2/2017) called the dealer to make an appointment. After giving them the VIN # I was told that the recall didn't apply to my Jeep Wrangler. Btw it only had 40,920 miles on it!
Issues started with vehicle not able to start and inability to shift out of park. Battery would test good. After disconnecting battery, vehicle would start as usually. Issue began to escalate with oil light and ESP light randomly lighting up on the dash. Finally, electronic throttle control and ESP light would come on while driving and accelerator was unresponsive while driving on highway. I have replaced the throttle body and the entire wiring harness with no resolution. I am now replacing the computer in hopes that it will resolve the issues. I have had the Jeep in for auto service 5 times since January.
While driving about 50 MPH violent shaking of entire vehicle. This has happened twice. It is brake or stability control related. Have to come to a complete stop and start again for shaking to stop. Also have had to change both front calipers due to overheat damage. The overheat is a result of brakes applied by stability control or traction control when there is no need for either.
Jeep has major electrical issues. Jeeps TIPM module has caused the Jeep to die while driving, experience lacking power, check engine light to go off and seems to brake itself. I replaced itnless than a year ago and now the dealership is saying it is going out again. Also having problems with PCM and part is on national backorder.
I have a faulty clockspring. There is a recall associated with this: s33. NHTSA campaign #: 16V290000. The faulty clockspring is effecting the airbags, stability control system and windshield wipers. For some reason my vehicle is not being covered by the recall.
Traction Control complaints in other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2008 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2% of the model year's 1,863 complaints. The component named most often is automatic (asc) (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Jeep Wrangler traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control recall for the 2008 Jeep Wrangler, though it has 7 recalls for other components. 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 traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 13% 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.