Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
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.
While driving at 65mph my vehicle began to violently shake, and I had to come to a complete stop. This violent shaking happened four times in a 25 mile stretch of bumpy highway, all four times I had to come to a complete stop in fast moving traffic, that traffic was going at speeds of 65 to 70mph.
Steering wheel shaking at about 50 mph. Then warning lights on dash came on ABS- ESP and BAS. I slowed down drove home and parked it. Can't get into shop until next week. Jeep has less than 48,000 miles.Not safe to drive!
Driving home from work on a moderately hot day (91 deg at start of drive, 80 deg at time of incident about 55 minutes after start), some stop-n-go traffic first 40 minutes, then a steady normal climb into foothills (from about 5400' to 8200') on paved roads, as vehicle was turning right at a y-intersection at top of a hill, a large bang was heard in the engine compartment followed by excessive amounts of grey smoke emanating from same. Engine temperature was normal at the time (fan had engaged a few times along the way to keep within range) and no warning lights were present before or after incident. Immediately pulled over and opened hood. Within about a minute of stopping a small fire broke out above the drivers side manifold/cat. I was able to extinguish using a towel, but not before the fire had melted some wire bundles. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Jeep Wrangler. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel suddenly and erroneously turned to the left. As a result, the contact drove into the opposite lane facing oncoming traffic. A second vehicle crashed into the passenger side door of the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The front seat passenger sustained a fractured right leg, and injuries to the ribs, head, and right hip. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 150,000.
I was traveling on a busy highway at a speed of 65 miles per hour when out of the blue the Jeep started to shake uncontrollably. To make matters worse, I had a semi right behind me hauling a gas tanker. Fortunately for me I was traveling in the speed lane which is adjacent to the emergency run off the lane. I let my foot of the gas and rolled/trembling off the highway into the emg lane till I came to a complete stop. After catching my breath and my heart. I proceeded to get out of the car to check and see if there was something wrong with the front end axle. I did not see anything problem so got back in the Jeep and drove off. I drove about another 50 miles that night and was not able to duplicate the problem at any speed. So a couple of days later I took the Jeep in to see my service advisor at planet Dodge in doral, fl. …
I was traveling on a busy highway at a speed of 65 miles per hour when out of the blue the Jeep started to shake uncontrollably. To make matters worse, I had a semi right behind me hauling a gas tanker. Fortunately for me I was traveling in the speed lane which is adjacent to the emergency run off the lane. I let my foot of the gas and rolled/trembling off the highway into the emg lane till I came to a complete stop. After catching my breath and my heart. I proceeded to get out of the car to check and see if there was something wrong with the front end axle. I did not see anything problem so got back in the Jeep and drove off. I drove about another 50 miles that night and was not able to duplicate the problem at any speed. So a couple of days later I took the Jeep in to see my service advisor at planet Dodge in doral, fl. …
Alright I have a 2008 Jeep Wrangler sahara jk. Automatic transmission 2door soft top. And I have noticed on several occasions when there is wet conditions on any curvy road that when slowing down to take a curve to the right with the traction control on the transmission will down shift and cause the back tires to spin and lose traction which inturn sends the [redacted] end sideways. And it does it both up and down hill and pretty much only on right turns the passenger side which puts the driver side rear end into the oncoming traffic lane a little. And I truly believe if it was a young driver or anyone that hasn't drove anything wildly before in there life it could cause a bad accident. But if you turn the traction control off it don't do it is bad if at all. Which makes me think it's wiring or the computer an electrical problem. …
Hit a small bump in the road while driving 70 MPH, this caused violent vibrations in the front end that wouldn't stop until I almost stopped. If I hadn't had a good grip on the wheel I would have lost control of the vehicle. This has happened 4 times since and at speeds as low as 55mph. Checked with dealer and they said it would require replacing one part at a time till the problem is corrected. This would be very expensive and you would never know if it was fixed. This is very dangerous as you never know when it is going to happen. Twice I was going 70 with a tractor trailer close behind. Yesterday I was in heavy traffic in the middle lane going 70 with a tractor trailer behind me when the front end started to vibrate and bounce. I couldn't get over so I had to almost stop in the middle lane in rush hour on I-10. This problemis referred to as the death wobble. …
I bought a used Jeep from newark Jeep Eagle in delaware which had a 30 day warranty. The same night that I drove it home on the highway, I hit uneven pavement and the Jeep started shaking violently. Took the Jeep back to the dealer, they replaced the steering stabilizer, track bar, and switched my tires and this continued to happen after every repair. Since I only had a 30 day warranty I could not continue to take it back for additional repair due to costs, however nothing seemed to work and now this happens at higher speeds and very often. This wobble happens every time I drive the Jeep and it is unsafe. I see several other complaints regarding this wobble on several forums and on jeeps that have not been altered like mine. This needs to be addressed in a recall as people who spend $25,000 for a vehicle should not have to go broke to fix an obvious manufacturer error. …
Steering complaints in other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2008 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has 293 complaints about the steering of the 2008 Jeep Wrangler, 16% of the model year's 1,863 complaints. The component named most often is steering wheel/handle bar (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Jeep Wrangler steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 46,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.