2008 Jeep Wrangler Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 67about this part
- Share
- 8%of 873 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 59,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 67 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Jeep Wrangler, 8% of the 873 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 59,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 6 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Vehicle stationary and in motion a single ding will go off every couple of minutes, more often at slower speeds. No dash light on no indication as to why it is dinging. Also parked on hill when I put it in reverse to begin going into motion the vehicle shakes at an unsettling feeling until I get to flat ground and put it into drive.”
NHTSA complaint #10983612, filed 2017-05, 138,060 miles“The vehicle jumps out of first gear when starting from a full stop. The stick shift violently jumps back into neutral and occurs unpredictably. It is extremely dangerous when this happens when I'm turning into traffic (risk of being t-boned) or else from dead stops when somebody is behind me (risk of being rear-ended).”
NHTSA complaint #10497826, filed 2013-02, 72,000 miles“I was driving on the interstate, enroute home, and my 2008 Jeep Wrangler unlimited just lost power which I steered it onto the shoulder. No warning lights, nor equipment failure indicator was on my dashboard. My vehicle started smoking heavily underneath the engine compartment. I had to tow my vehicle to a Jeep dealership, for further investigation on the cause. I'm awaiting for their findings on the cause.”
NHTSA complaint #10628605, filed 2014-08, 111,012 miles“In december, my manual transmission 2008 Jeep Wrangler began jumping out of first gear when accelerating from a stop. The chances of this happening increase with higher rpms, so a quick acceleration or accelerating up a hill make it worse. It's incredibly dangerous as it usually puts me close to a stop as I'm trying to accelerate from a stop sign or when a traffic light turns green. Potential for rear-ending is high.”
NHTSA complaint #10562482, filed 2014-02, 79,500 miles“The Jeep jumps out of first gear when starting from a full stop. The stick shift violently jumps back into neutral and occurs unpredictably. It is extremely dangerous when this happens when I'm turning into traffic (risk of being t-boned) or else from dead stops when somebody is behind me (risk of being rear-ended). I have even helt the stickshift in first gear when starting from a dead stop and it has jumped out hurting my wrist.”
NHTSA complaint #10651371, filed 2014-10, 60,000 milesRelated recalls
- 09V436000Nov 5, 2009Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2008 jeep wrangler vehicles manufactured from june 2006 through july 2008, equipped with automatic…Covers: Jeep Wrangler 2007–2008
Related service bulletins
- 11010205Oct 30, 2024Plate - Planetary
- 10221097Apr 7, 2021Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during…
- 10221831Aug 19, 2020(Revision A) No Start No Crank ? Starter Will Not Engage And There Are No Related Codes Or Concerns
- 10180221Aug 19, 2020(Revision A) No Start No Crank ? Starter Will Not Engage And There Are No Related Codes Or Concerns
- 10138874Jun 1, 2018Customer Satisfaction Notification S80 Aftermarket Dana 60 Front Axle The aftermarket front axle steering knuckles have been machined with an incorrect taper during the…
- 10219849Jun 1, 2017Customer Satisfaction Notification S80 Aftermarket Dana 60 Front Axle The aftermarket front axle steering knuckles have been machined with an incorrect taper during the…
- 10045081Apr 18, 2012Jeep: see document search button for owner letter. Information regarding the extension warranty for diagnosis and replacement of transmission oil cooler lines.
- 10041077Jun 15, 2011Chrysler: 2008-2010 jeep wrangler. Weeping transmission oil cooler lines. Information on installing new transmission oil cooler supply and return line assembly.
- 10041264May 1, 2011Chrysler service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. The transmission cooler lines may leak transmission fluid at the hose to tube joints.
- 10026168Jul 12, 2008Chrysler/dodge/jeep: flash:diagnostic trouble code, dtc p0740 or p1798 and automatic transmission shift improvements 1-2 or 2-3 cold shift improvements.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 8% |
| 2025 | 13 | 18% |
| 2024 | 179 | 24% |
| 2023 | 51 | 14% |
| 2022 | 68 | 17% |
| 2021 | 149 | 16% |
| 2020 | 47 | 8% |
| 2019 | 80 | 11% |
| 2018 | 177 | 10% |
| 2017 | 50 | 16% |
| 2016 | 74 | 16% |
| 2015 | 51 | 11% |
| 2014 | 88 | 13% |
| 2013 | 230 | 35% |
| 2012 | 282 | 34% |
| 2011 | 40 | 8% |
| 2010 | 68 | 10% |
| 2009 | 34 | 9% |
| 2008 | 67 | 8% |
| 2007 | 46 | 8% |
| 2006 | 57 | 8% |
| 2005 | 41 | 6% |
| 2004 | 26 | 14% |
| 2003 | 22 | 22% |
| 2002 | 14 | 13% |
| 2001 | 23 | 14% |
| 2000 | 70 | 28% |
| 1999 | 20 | 9% |
| 1998 | 33 | 12% |
| 1997 | 53 | 13% |
| 1995 | 32 | 16% |
| 1994 | 19 | 13% |
| 1993 | 13 | 12% |
| 1992 | 11 | 14% |
| 1991 | 8 | 11% |
| 1990 | 5 | 6% |
| 1989 | 7 | 11% |
| 1988 | 2 | 4% |
| 1987 | 2 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2008 Jeep Wrangler
309 complaintsElectrical system
178 complaintsSteering
156 complaintsFuel system
140 complaintsSuspension
108 complaintsBrakes
52 complaintsOther or unknown
39 complaintsEngine
37 complaintsWheels
29 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
24 complaintsElectronic stability control
22 complaintsVehicle speed control
21 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Jeep Wrangler
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