2008 Jeep Wrangler 4-DR 4X4 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 5%of 614 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the engine of the 2008 Jeep Wrangler 4-DR 4X4, 5% of the 614 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 9 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When the engine is running there is a clicking sound coming from the engine. I took it to the dealership, as they do all of my service and oil changes, and the technician said it was a known issue with this engine, and there have been several people complaining about it. They said it was the lifters in the engine that are making the noise.”
NHTSA complaint #10837323, filed 2016-02, 85,000 miles“Purchased the car brand new in 2008. Approximately two years later , I began having problems with the car starting. Put the key in the ignition, turn it and you hear a click. Initially, it seemed to occur sporadically normally after it rained . Now, the problem occurs more frequently (daily) absent any rain. I've replaced the battery, alternator and starter to no avail. I also took the car to a Jeep dealer to no avail .”
NHTSA complaint #10881376, filed 2016-06, 20,000 miles“As I was stopping at local arby's restaurant for lunch, my 2008 Jeep wrangler sahara unlimited started smoking from under the hood. It smelled like electrical wires burning. It ignited before I could exit the vehicle and within a couple of minutes it was totally engulfed in flames. There were several witnesses who saw the fire. I immediately called 911 and within minutes the fire department arrived and put out the fire. The Jeep is a total loss.”
NHTSA complaint #10703999, filed 2015-04, 67,000 miles“My 2008 Jeep wrangler unlimited rubicon caught fire in the engine after driving about 20 minutes and parking. It appeared to originate near the bottom of the engine. Chrysler was out to inspect to determine cause only to tell me it was not a manufacturing defect. They refuse to give me a copy of the report. The repair shop where it was inspected overheard the inspector say something about oil leaking out of the engine onto the hot exhaust. The insurance company has now totaled my Jeep.”
NHTSA complaint #10916840, filed 2016-10, 150,000 miles“I had a lifetime warranty package on my 2008 Jeep wrangler. I also keep great records of my maintained and did most of it at the dealership. I was driving 65mph on the highway and the transmission / engine area started smoking. When I pulled over group llc and lames were dripping from the transmission / engine area. Smoke quickly filled the vehicle and with-in 2 minutes the Jeep wrangler was up in flames. I contact chrysler group llc and they sent an inspector out. …”
NHTSA complaint #10615834, filed 2014-07, 116,000 milesEngine: other model years
Other parts of the 2008 Jeep Wrangler 4-DR 4X4
198 complaintsAir bags
140 complaintsElectrical system
101 complaintsSteering
84 complaintsSuspension
68 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
42 complaintsOther or unknown
26 complaintsBody and structure
21 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsElectronic stability control
17 complaintsWheels
14 complaintsEngine cooling
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Jeep Wrangler 4-DR 4X4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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