2008 Jeep Wrangler

midsize SUV / 4-door SUV

2008 Jeep Wrangler 4-door SUV

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria Rating
Small overlap front: driver-side
G
Moderate overlap front: original test
G
Side: original test
M
Head restraints & seats
M

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2007-17 models

Tested vehicle: 2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport 4-door 4wd

The Jeep Wrangler was redesigned for the 2007 model year, and a larger, heavier 4-door model was added for the first time. For the 2018 model year only, the Wrangler was renamed the Wrangler JK, because the JK was built concurrently through much of the same model year as the redesigned 2018 Wrangler. These ratings apply only to the 2007-17 Wrangler and 2018 Wrangler JK.

Evaluation criteria Rating
G
Structure and safety cage
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Hip/thigh
G
Lower leg/foot
A
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
The dummy’s movement was well controlled. The dummy’s head loaded the frontal airbag, which stayed in front of the dummy until rebound. However, the Wrangler is one of a handful of passenger vehicles still sold without standard side airbags to protect the head and chest from contact with side structure and outside objects.
A

Action shot taken during the small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained well.

The dummy’s movement was well controlled. The dummy’s head loaded the frontal airbag, which stayed in front of the dummy until rebound. However, the vehicle lacks standard side airbags to protect the head and chest from contact with side structure and outside objects.

Forces on the both the left and right lower legs were just high enough to indicate a moderate risk of injuries.

Technical measurements for this test

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2007-17 models

Tested vehicle: 2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4-door 4wd

The Jeep Wrangler was redesigned for the 2007 model year, and a larger, heavier 4-door model was added for the first time. For the 2018 model year only, the Wrangler was renamed the Wrangler JK, because the JK was built concurrently through much of the same model year as the redesigned 2018 Wrangler. These ratings apply only to the 2007-17 Wrangler and 2018 Wrangler JK.

Evaluation criteria Rating
Overall evaluation
G
Structure and safety cage
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Leg/foot, left
G
Leg/foot, right
A
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
G

Action shot taken during the moderate overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained well.

Dummy movement was well controlled. During rebound, the dummy's head hit only the head restraint, as indicated by smeared greasepaint.

Forces on the lower right leg were just high enough to indicate the possibility of injury.

Technical measurements for this test

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2007-17 models

Tested vehicle: 2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4-door 4wd without optional side airbags

The Jeep Wrangler was redesigned for the 2007 model year, and a larger, heavier 4-door model was added for the first time. For the 2018 model year only, the Wrangler was renamed the Wrangler JK, because the JK was built concurrently through much of the same model year as the redesigned 2018 Wrangler. These ratings apply only to the 2007-17 Wrangler and 2018 Wrangler JK.

During the crash, the driver door opened. This opening didn't significantly affect dummy movement during the test but shouldn't happen because, in some crashes, it could allow partial or complete occupant ejection, especially if the occupant is unbelted. This door opening resulted in a structure rating downgrade from good to acceptable.

Evaluation criteria Rating
Overall evaluation
M
Structure and safety cage
A
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Torso
P
Pelvis/leg
G
Driver head protection
Although the intruding barrier did not hit the dummy's head in this test, the head was not protected from contacts outside the vehicle. This indicates that only slightly different crash circumstances could produce a direct hit to a person's head.
M
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
G
Torso
G
Pelvis/leg
G
Rear passenger head protection
The dummy's head was hit primarily by the window frame of the rear passenger door. This impact did not produce high head injury measures, but the head protection is inadequate.
M

View of the vehicle and barrier just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash showing the open driver door after the barrier was moved away.

Action shot taken during the side impact crash test showing the driver dummy's head leaning well outward and approaching the window sill. The broken glass is from the window of the driver door.

Smeared red greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy's head was hit by the rear door window frame.

Technical measurements for this test

About the original side crash test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Manual cloth seats

Overall evaluation
M
Dynamic rating
M
Seat/head restraint geometry
A
Technical measurements for this test

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.