10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
59,140 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Jeep Wrangler drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2008 Jeep Wrangler Owner Comments (Page 3 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #15

Jun 072012

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 75,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When trying to pull away in first gear the transmission will suddenly and violently slam out of first gear. The first occurrence was while pulling away from a light after it had turned from red to green, how ever subsequent occurrences have happened while attempting to make left turns and one such occurrence led to a near collision on October 16th 2012 while driving with my pregnant wife in the vehicle. This seems to be happening more frequently, once a week now. Chrysler is aware of the problem and has issued a service bulletin about it but no safety recall. This is a major safety issue for people with manual transmissions. The tsb number from Chrysler is 21-001-10 rev. A.

- Jamesport, NY, USA

problem #14

Jun 302012

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 27,000 miles
Hit bumps in the road and the front end starting shaking very badly. Had to come to a stop for the shaking to stop. The famous Jeep death wobble. At the dealership they acted like they never heard of the problem before. After seeing these complaints I realize its a common problem and Jeep should of fixed it. It cost me $400 to fix it. Also since I purchased this vehicle I complained to the dealership that the transmission shifts funny. They keep telling me there is no fix for this and it is a common problem with this transmission.

- Southampton, PA, USA

problem #13

Feb 222012

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 79,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated the air bag warning light illuminated and the clock spring failed. The contact mentioned that the failure may have been directly related to NHTSA campaign id number: 11V528000 (air bag: Frontal). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included on any recalls. The failure mileage was 79,000 and the current mileage was 89,000. Updated 10/10/12 the consumer also stated the 1st gear in the transmission was also defective, which caused the transmission to pop out of gear. Updated 10/17/12

- Ashboro, NC, USA

problem #12

Aug 102012

Wrangler

  • 90,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Wrangler. The contact was driving 70 mph when the vehicle stalled and could not be restarted. The contact heard a humming noise coming from the gear shift area. After some time, the wipers and the vehicle independently started. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis but the failure could not be replicated. The failure and the current mileages were 90,000.

- Bowling Green, KY, USA

problem #11

Oct 082008

Wrangler 4WD 6-cyl

  • 10,000 miles
During mild acceleration from a full stop, in first gear, the manual transmission jumped out of first gear into neutral. A very loud and jarring clang occurred simultaneously with the incident. During the next three years this was a rare and consistent occurrence. As of the summer of 2012 this has become a daily occurrence. This creates a dangerous situation where vehicle drivers behind me may assume that the forward motion of my vehicle will continue and accelerate where in reality the acceleration of my vehicle comes to an abrupt halt and the vehicle speed decreases until I am able to re-engage the transmission.

- East Stroudsburg, PA, USA

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problem #10

Jun 132012

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 72,200 miles
The total integrated power module failed while accelerating onto freeway. The Jeep got stuck in second gear while merging. Happened about three times. Took two weeks to repair because of back orders for the part.

- Olympia , WA, USA

problem #9

Aug 012010

Wrangler

  • 19,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When starting from a stop the transmission violently slams out of 1st gear into neutral leaving the car stalled in traffic. This is an extremely dangerous condition. When asking the Jeep dealership about the problem they acknowledge the issue, but said there probably will not be a recall until someone is injured.

- Greenville, SC, USA

problem #8

May 012012

Wrangler

  • 57,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while stopped and changing gears from neutral to drive, the vehicle made a loud noise and jolted as the contact attempted to accelerate. The failure recurred several times. In addition, the contact stated that the gear shifter was loose and able to be moved easily while the vehicle was in motion. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a mechanic or the dealer for inspection or repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure however, no assistance was provided. The current mileage was 58,199 and the approximate failure mileage was 57,000.

- New Milford, CT, USA

problem #7

Jan 012012

Wrangler

  • miles
2008 Jeep Wrangler unlimited the shifter pops out of first gear violently, with a very loud noise. This has occurred over 20 times. Especially dangerous when pulling out to oncoming traffic and it pops out of gear.

- Princeton, TX, USA

problem #6

Sep 012011

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 35,000 miles
Known to many who have Jeep, the "death wobble". when this first happened to my daughter's car, thankfully I was the one driving. It was on the interstate and I thought a tire had blown. The steering wheel vibrated uncontrollably and I pulled over. Nothing looked wrong but I called a tow truck regardless. They looked at it at the station and could not find anything wrong. I had no idea this was a problem Jeep created when they built the vehicle. It is a situation where the front axle begins oscillating with such violence that control of the Jeep is difficult until slowed down, and the entire vehicle shakes to the point you feel it will come apart.

- Colchester, VT, USA

problem #5

Feb 252011

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Manual transmission pops out of gear.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #4

Feb 012012

Wrangler 4WD 6-cyl

  • miles
2008 Jeep Wrangler. Consumer writes in regards to mechanical problems and brake line routing defect the consumer stated the first problem he had with the vehicle was the transmission. It began failing to engage and shifting out of gear. The dealer discovered that the transmission oil filter had not been installed and was lying on the bottom of the transmission oil pan. In January 2011, while driving at highway speeds, the consumer began to experience intermittent violent shaking of the entire vehicle, which seemed to be originating from the front end. The consumer stated it felt as though a wheel was loose. The consumer went to a repair shop, where the tie rod and pitman were replaced. Two weeks later, the shaking occurred again and soon it became increasingly violent, making it nearly impossible to control the vehicle and stay in his lane. The consumer returned to the repair shop where they replaced the steering damper, which seemed to correct the problem for awhile. In July, the consumer took the vehicle for a routine maintenance check. While checking the front end, the mechanic was able to get two full turns on a nut on the track bar. Since then, the shaking has not occurred. The consumer stated as he approached a line of vehicles stopped at a light, he attempted to apply the brake, but it went soft and to the floor. An inspection revealed a hole in the brake line above the right front wheel, where the line left the wheel well and went into the engine compartment. The hole was caused by rubbing on the line by the edge of the plastic wheel well lining.

- Missoula, MT, USA

problem #3

May 122008

Wrangler

  • 0 miles
Fuel overflows when refueling. Overflow occurs even without filling the tank. Parking brake doesn't work unless you pull it up very hard and still doesn't keep it from rolling. Air conditioner doesn't cool. It has been in the service department several times for repair. Blows "smoke" from vents. A loud "knock" sound when you turn the A/C on/off or when you crank the vehicle and the A/C control is on. Soft top leaks over both doors when it rains. Service department has confirmed proper top installation. Sharp edges on the roll bars. Roll bar covers have ripped as a result of putting the top up or down. Dangerous "wobble" when you hit a small pothole, change uneven lanes, etc. Hood lifts approx. 2 inches when a large truck or trailer passes or meets the Jeep. Manual transmission "grinds or catches" when shifting into 2nd gear, worse when cold.

- Spanish Fort, AL, USA

problem #2

Feb 192010

Wrangler

  • 29,000 miles
Tsb 21-001-10 was issued on 03/2/2010 "manual transmission may intermittently jump out of first gear" they know they have a problem with it and since my dealer cannot "duplicate" this situation they will not do anything about it even with my lifetime warranty. Pulling out into traffic and having your shifter popping out of gear while some body is barreling down on you is awesome. I feel so safe.

- Harper Woods, MI, USA

problem #1

May 152008

Wrangler

  • 60,000 miles
I have a 2008 Jeep Wrangler X, manual transmission. The vehicle keeps popping our of gear on its own which often results in a sudden and unpredictable stop in the middle of the road. This occurs when the vehicle is accelerated after a complete stop, the problem also displays anytime while driving on 1st, 2nd or 3rd gear. Sometimes, after having stop for a red light or a stop sign, I put the car on 1st gear to drive away but the car would move a few feet but then it pops out right back to neutral. As a result, my vehicle would stop completely and the driver behind me often almost hits my vehicle from the back. The same thing happens when I am turning a curve. I must add that the vehicle makes a loud noise when it pops out of gear causing me, as the driver, to loose some control and concentration. I believe, because of this problem, my car is an accident waiting to happen. I have reported the problems to the manufacturer and the dealer at least five times but they keep saying they do not know what the problem is and are not able to fix it. I am fearful for my safety and that of other drivers because of this problem with my car. I would strongly urge your organization to immediately investigate this matter.

- Hollywood, FL, USA

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