Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 contact owns a 2008 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or local dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,250.
I have a 2008 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon that has a lifetime powertrain warranty. Since I purchased the vehicle in 2008 I have maintained it exactly as required to keep the warranty valid. This includes the 5 year lifetime warranty powertrain inspections which are performed every 5 years. I have documented proof of the inspections. In January 2024 my ABS brakes failed and I went to my local dealership where I purchased the vehicle. The dealership service department told me that my ABS module failed with a code of C2200 ABS Module Internal Failure. the part number is 68030936-AB. The dealership said they ordered the part from the manufacturer. Since January 09, 2024 I have called the dealership about the ABS module. They told me I could drive the vehicle and that it would brake, but the antilock brakes would not work. …
Transmission pops out of first gear randomly. Was making a left turn across a 4 lane highway when transmission popped out this time. Thankfully this time oncoming traffic had enough time to slow down and not t-bone me. When this happens it feels as though I've been hit from behind and makes a very loud popping noise. Dealer aware of tbs 21-001-10 but vehicle is out of warranty period so have to pay out of pocket to have this well know safety issue fixed.
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission overheated, and the oil warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
At 35 MPH in city traffic, the vehicle slowed down and the tach rose as if I were in neutral, I let off accelerator and vehicle jumped forward as if it went back into gear. As vehicle started gaining speed I stepped on accelerator and it seemed to go into neutral again and the tach once again rose. I pulled over to curb in city and turned on my emergency flashers and exited vehicle. I noticed smoke coming out from under vehicle and reached back in and turned vehicle off. I opened hood and flames came up from the center of vehicle behind engine, I went to rear of vehicle and grabbed fire extinguisher and tried to put fire out but couldn't. No warning lights or gauges gave advance notice that there was a problem. There was a trail of fluid that started at least 300' down the middle of my lane behind my vehicle and ended under my transmission. …
My vehicle was parked and I had turned the ignition off, removed my keys, and walked away from the vehicle. The vehicle was parked on a flat surface at the time of the incident. Upon walking away from the vehicle the vehicle started rolling forward by itself. My vehicle rolled into the back of another vehicle causing 4,000 dollars in damages to the other vehicle. No major damages occurred to my vehicle.
The manual transmission/stick shift constantly violently pops out of 1st and 3rd gear into neutral while accelerating causing a sudden, unexpected loss of power and control over the vehicle. The driver must come to a complete stop in traffic or have the vehicle continue to roll forward (or backward if on an upslope) while trying to re-engage the transmission. Unless and until the driver is able to re-engage the transmission, there is no active control over the forward movement of the vehicle to maintain vehicle speed or avoid a potential collision. This can lead to serious damage and/or injury to the vehicle, driver, drivers of other vehicles and pedestrians. This has been a continuing problem since the vehicle was new. Manufacture issued a TSB (#21-001-10 rev. A) regarding this issue caused by bad a synchronizer assembly. …
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. …
On May 29th of 2014 I was driving my 2008 Jeep Wrangler down a 4 lane city street at about 3000 RPM. I had just taken off from a red light when I heard a loud explosion that resulted in a fire underneath the vehicle. The gas tank exploded and the fire covered the bottom of the entire vehicle. There was damage under the hood on the engine side of the firewall on what appeared to be fuel lines. Luckily there was a quick response by the fire department who quickly extinguished the fire, but my Jeep has been rendered un-drivable. I have contacted both Chrysler and the dealership but not assistance there. The Chrysler investigation team would not even take a look at the fuel lines the marshal determined started the fire. I will never feel safe in this vehicle or any other vehicle produced by Chrysler ever again. …
My Jeep has been jumping out of gear. In traffic, driving in 1st gear, at about 5-10 MPH, flat terrain in a straight direction, it jumps out of gear. My Jeep has jumped out of gear in intersections when I am starting from a stop, flat terrain, going straight or turning, it will jump out of first as I am accelerating, I have had several instances where I was almost rear ended. When stopping at a sign or red light, as I start in 1st gear it will aggressively jump out of gear causing me to roll back when on a hill, where I have almost run into the vehicle behind me. There is a service bulletin issued by mopar " number: 21-001-10 rev. A group: transmission date: April 20, 2010" I took my Jeep to have the gear fixed on 04/16/2018 the parts were on back order, not arriving to the dealership until 05/10/2018 and it was finished on 05/18/2018. …
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA investigations
Transmission overheating / fire
In a letter dated November 3, 2009, Chrysler group llc (Chrysler), notified NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall of approximately 161,000 model year (my) 2007 and 2008 Jeep wrangler vehicles built with automatic transmissions.Chrysler stated that these vehicles were not equipped with a transmission fluid temperature warning system and the operation of these vehicles beyond the limits of reasonable usage over a…
Transmission complaints in other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2008 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has 141 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2008 Jeep Wrangler, 8% of the model year's 1,863 complaints. The component named most often is manual transmission (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Jeep Wrangler transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 09V-436 (automatic transmission, Nov 5, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Jeep Wrangler transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 41,000 miles, and 26% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 16 fires and 4 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.