2008 Jeep Wrangler engine problems

Filed Dec 13, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · CA

While driving at speed, vehicle electrical went haywire. Headlights went on and off. Horn sounding on and off, Wipers and washers going on and off, HVAC blower on and off. Pulled over vehicle and turned off and removed key and it still remained running, all horn, lights, and wipers still going on and off. Opened hood, removed negative battery terminal, and with that, car still ran! Was several minutes and car finally shut itself off. Scary that the car went completely haywire and would not shut off, even with key out, and battery disconnected!

Filed Jul 6, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · MI · fire

I was driving down the road in my 2008 wrangler and all of the sudden every light flashed on my dash board then it felt like I could not shift gears then smoke came pouring out of my air vents. I pulled over and got out realizing it was on fire. Climbed in to save my dog just before the fire got huge. My entire Jeep is gone.

Filed Jun 25, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · IL

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.

Filed Jul 2, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · MO

Vehicle while driving, wipers start, horn blows, washer fluid sprays, abs light goes on, engine dies making braking and steering impossible.

Filed Nov 13, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · OH

This has happened on more than 1 occasion. Driving on the highway and I lose power, the Jeep slows way down, the accelerator pedal is dead, and the Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) light comes on. It does the same thing driving in town. Sometimes you can turn the vehicle off, wait a couple minutes, start it back up and it will be ok for a little bit. Sometimes it won’t. I have replaced some parts, read forums, communicated with a dealer service department and it doesn’t sound like there is a “fix” for this. This is very dangerous and someone could get seriously injured or killed.

Filed Jul 16, 2021 · Engine · SC · fire

On 07/16/2021 at approximately 1600 hundred the smoke detectors in the house began alarming. I immediately noticed smoke coming from the garage. After getting my 6 year old son safely out of the house I immediately called 911. The fire department arrived and took care of the situation. The entire engine compartment was burnt. Before all of this we arrived at the house and parked in the garage. Only 5 minutes went by between parking the Jeep and calling 911. During operation of the vehicle that day there was no indication of any issues. The Fire Inspector preformed his investigation. As of now I have not received the incident report. Once I do I will supply it. I am waiting to hear from the insurance company regarding when an adjuster will view the Jeep. Thank you.

Filed Nov 22, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 76,000 miles · TX

The dashblights started acting possessed while driving and winshield whipera came on without being activated by switch. Now the guages are stuck straight up and it wont shift out of park..the radio and windows still work and the lights cone on without being turned on.

Filed Jul 1, 2020 · Engine · 120,000 miles · CT

Hot oil warning started flashing and dinging. Was diagnosed with a transmission issue. Some online searches indicated that sometimes its just a bad sensor but looks like there may be a transmission problem. I was driving on the highway when it occurred but the temperature gauge never went above half way.

Filed Dec 17, 2019 · Engine · 123,000 miles · MA · crash

With no warning while driving the jeep it just shut off. No steering, no brakes. Wouldn't start back up after. We brought it to the repair shop and the motor is totally ceased and needs a new motor.

Filed Sep 21, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 50,000 miles · TX

It happens randomly but the wipers, washer fluid, lights including reverse lights and horn came on and would not turn off. Engine would not shut off. After doing a little bit of research it seems like there are lots of people affected by this and they all concluded that it was the tipm. It usually happens when the vehicle is in motion and I would say it happens every other week.