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EnginePart report

2008 Jeep Wrangler 2-DR 4X4 Engine Problems

Complaints
8about this part
Share
2%of 341 total for the year
Median mileage
57,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the engine of the 2008 Jeep Wrangler 2-DR 4X4, 2% of the 341 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I have been without my Jeep for 8 weeks now this car only had 25,245 miles when I purchased it in may 2014 and only a little over 37,500 miles and needs a new engine. I performed routine oil change as suggested by the manufacturer but the technician stated that the oil had burnt up. It appears as though this is a common complaint with this vehicle and excess oil consumption and I would think that this is a manufacturer defect.”

NHTSA complaint #10668137, filed 2014-12, 37,500 miles

“My Jeep wrangler x 2dr was sitting from 12:15p the day prior to (was a nice day took my motorcycle around town) and at 5:30a I heard a loud noise that woke me out of bed. Ran upstairs & outside the truck was pouring smoke out of my hood... Than taking action my boyfriend unlatched the hood of a possessed truck (blowing the horn constant radio on lights on) and proceeded to disconnect the battery to yield/stop the truck from continuing to burn. …”

NHTSA complaint #10494933, filed 2013-01, 21,000 miles

“For the past 2-3 years I keep hearing ticking from my engine. When I took it to the dealer, they said its nothing. I replaced the spark plugs and cables thinking that it was the cause of the ticking noise. I also changed the exhaust, but the ticking kept on going. For the past 3 months I started smelling fumes in the cabin and when I researched it, it seems like Jeep wranglers seem to have a lot of issues with cracked exhaust manifold. I plan on taking it to the same dealer, who told me for the past 3 years, that I have no issues to get it fixed under the life time warrenty”

NHTSA complaint #10838097, filed 2016-02, 64,000 miles

“Getting ready to go to work I open my driver side door and the horn starts blowing, wiper fluid squirting continuously, windshield wipers constantly going that have now scratched my hood, internal lights blinking, radiator/coolant fan going, all lights on the dash come on, the headlights flashing as they please, the airbag light stays on, and heat stops working. I had to get my boyfriend to disconnect my horn because at 7 a.m. It is very embarrassing to wake the neighbors! I had to disconnect the battery. Now I can sometimes get it to stop by slapping the fuse box cover. …”

NHTSA complaint #10654688, filed 2014-11, 98,164 miles

“The Jeep's horn, wiper blades, wiper fluid and headlights go off by themselves even when the key is not in the ignition. Then the Jeep began cutting off while driving in the middle of rush hour traffic.”

NHTSA complaint #11003225, filed 2017-07, 65,000 miles

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200922%
200882%
200741%

Other parts of the 2008 Jeep Wrangler 2-DR 4X4

Fuel system
128 complaints
Air bags
81 complaints
Electrical system
48 complaints
Steering
40 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
31 complaints
Suspension
29 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaints
Other or unknown
9 complaints
Body and structure
8 complaints
Exterior lighting
6 complaints
Brakes
5 complaints
Equipment
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 Jeep Wrangler 2-DR 4X4

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology