JeepWrangler20083.8L/jeep/wrangler/2008/3-8l/
JK platform

2008 Jeep Wrangler — 3.8L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Wrangler 3.8L.

Body SUVEngine 3.8LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2008 Jeep Wrangler JK marks the debut of the third-generation platform, wrapping its rugged SUV body around a 3.8L V6 mated to a four-speed automatic transmission and requiring a 6-quart oil fill of 5W-20 or 5W-30 API-spec lubricant. With EPA ratings of 15 city, 20 highway, and a combined 17 mpg, this model year became a flashpoint in the Wrangler’s reliability narrative, racking up 1,255 owner complaints—nearly a quarter of them tied to air-bag systems—and nine official recalls. While its complaint tally falls below the 2018 peak of 1,793, it remains well above the 1996 low of just five, signaling a period where build quality and component durability were under heightened scrutiny. For researchers, the 2008 Wrangler serves as a critical data point in the JK’s evolution, illustrating both the platform’s growing pains and the baseline from which later refinements were measured.

Model year20112010200920082007

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque95 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/20/17 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 34 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 04105409AE. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 34 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeLT32OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04105409AE
Engine air filter68257791AB
Spark plugSP303917AC
Battery04609365AE
Front wiper blades68002390AA
Thermostat68273161AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length155.9 in
Overall width73.6 in
Overall height72.4 in
Wheelbase95.3 in
Curb weight4087 lb
Track (front / rear)62.6 / 62.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)50/50

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 20 / 17 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent published road-test results.

9.8–11.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.80 sec — 2008 Rubicon 2-door
202 hpHorsepower (as tested)
237 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2008Rubicon 2-door 3.8L V69.80 sec17.10 sec202 hp4x4
2008Unlimited Rubicon 4-door 3.8L V611.50 sec18.30 sec202 hp4x4
2007Unlimited Rubicon 4-door 3.8L V610.00 sec17.30 sec202 hp4x4
2007Unlimited Rubicon 4-door 3.8L V611.20 sec18.10 sec202 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 95 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4
Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity5.3
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2 Pints,
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts40 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts129 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts65 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts95 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub100 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.13 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief18-21 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature195 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)56-60 psi
Injector Primary Resistance11.4-12.6 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure30-80 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle120 ft-lbs / 77 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.040 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.040 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.00035 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0008 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.049 in / 0.409 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.048 in / 0.408 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 21 ft. lbs., Step 3: 905 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs at 102,000 mi; coolant at 102,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 102,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 12,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 12,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 18,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level)
Every 24,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 60,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
At 102,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plug Wires (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2008 Jeep Wrangler sits at the peak of an escalating complaint curve that began in 2005 (649 complaints) and climbed sharply through 2006 (730) and 2007 (1,056) to reach 1,255 complaints in 2008, the highest single-year total in the JK's first half and well above the post-2009 norm of 455–684. Recall and investigation activity corroborates the surge, with 9 recalls and 8 investigations in 2008, second only to 2007's 10/10 and clearly elevated versus the 2005–2006 baseline of 2–3 recalls and 0–1 investigations. The complaint mix is safety-heavy rather than cosmetic: air bags (286), fuel system/gasoline (181), electrical system (85), and fuel/propulsion (74) lead the categories, and 34 fire-related complaints alongside 18 crash-related complaints reinforce that this is a substantive-defect year, not a nuisance-issue year. The data does not specify root causes for any of these categories, so I cannot attribute them to particular components, but the concentration of fuel and air bag filings, combined with the elevated fire count, makes pre-purchase verification of recall completion in those areas essential. Bottom line: because 2008 represents the worst year of the early JK's federal record before complaints recede in 2009, a 2008 Wrangler is a viable buy only for a buyer willing to confirm open recalls, especially on the air bag and fuel systems, and budget for follow-up inspections.

9
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
95
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
8
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1,255
Owner complaints
18 involved a crash · 34 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,255 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags286
Fuel System, Gasoline181
Electrical System85
Fuel/Propulsion System74
Power Train70
Steering59
Steering,Suspension50
Suspension38

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 9 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V352000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 24/05/2016

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be…

16V290000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 11/05/2016

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Jeep Wrangler JK vehicles manufactured March 2, 2006, to August 13, 2010. The clockspring assembly may become contaminated with dust and cause the air bag… Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clockspring, wheel back cover, and column shroud, free of charge. The recall began on December 14, 2016. Owners may…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 95 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
1074182025-09-18Service BrakesSWITCH - CLUTCH STARTER INTERLOCK & MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY - CLUTCH
91006452025-08-15Unknown Or OtherVerify Reman part number availability. Order the "R" part number for all orders…
91006532025-08-15Unknown Or OtherVerify Reman part number availability. Order the "R" part number for all orders…
1039542025-04-02Unknown Or OtherACTUATOR - A/C AND HEATER
1040872025-04-02Unknown Or OtherACTUATOR - A/C AND HEATER

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Wrangler. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 Wrangler 3.8L take?

6 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 OR 5W-30 API MEETING CHRYSLER SPECIFICATION MS-6395, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 Wrangler have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.8L get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined mpg.