JeepWrangler20093.8L/jeep/wrangler/2009/3-8l/
JK platform

2009 Jeep Wrangler — 3.8L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 Wrangler 3.8L.

Body SUVEngine 3.8LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2009 Jeep Wrangler is a JK-platform SUV powered by a 3.8L engine and a 4-speed automatic transmission. It carries an EPA rating of 15/20/17 mpg and utilizes 6 quarts of 5W-20 or 5W-30 API oil when changed with a filter. In the context of the model's 1990-2023 history, this year saw seven recalls and 455 owner complaints—centered on air bags—placing its reliability between the 1996 low of five complaints and the 2018 high of 1,793.

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 sizeLT255-75R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04105409AE
Engine air filter68257791AB
Spark plugSPZFR6F11G
BatteryBB34F101AA
Front wiper blades68002390AA
Thermostat68273161AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length152.8 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.

No 2009 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

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
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17 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)
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 2009 Jeep Wrangler represents a sharp correction within a troubled generation: complaints dropped from a peak of 1,255 in 2008 to 455 in 2009, while investigations fell from 8 to 4 and recalls decreased from 9 to 7. However, TSBs remained high at 90, indicating that dealers were still addressing substantial service issues. This decline likely reflects either mid-cycle updates or reduced reporting rather than a fundamental improvement, as 2010 saw complaints rebound to 684 with recalls increasing to 11. The top complaint areas—air bags (97), fuel/propulsion systems (70), and power train (36)—reveal persistent safety-critical issues, and the 15 fire complaints are particularly concerning for a used vehicle. The 2009 model falls in a relative valley between two peak complaint years, suggesting it may benefit from fixes implemented after 2008 but still carries the same generational vulnerabilities. A buyer should weigh the lower complaint volume against the fact that 2009 sits in a transitional arc within a generation that saw some of the worst reliability data in the entire dataset.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
90
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
455
Owner complaints
9 involved a crash · 15 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 455 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags97
Fuel/Propulsion System70
Power Train36
Steering,Suspension31
Fuel System, Gasoline29
Suspension25
Steering16
Electrical System14

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V021000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 09/01/2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator…

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 90 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 2009 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 2009 Wrangler have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 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.