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1998 Jeep Wrangler

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Jeep Wrangler do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 265.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

76 reports with mileage · 189 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 58 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

22 crash reports9 fire reports12 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

53 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 4, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

OUT OF TOWN BUSINESS TRIP. STRANDED.....DRIVING AT 65MPH, LOUD METAL TO METAL THUD UNDER HOOD. OIL GAUGE DROPPED TO 0, ENGINE DIED, WOULDN'T START. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR GAUGE ACTIVITY PRIOR. TOWED TO OUT OF TOWN DEALER. STATED OIL PUMP FAILURE, CAUSED ROD TO GO THROUGH BLOCK. HAD TOWED BACK TO PURCHASE POINT DEALERSHIP, CONFIRME…

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OUT OF TOWN BUSINESS TRIP. STRANDED.....DRIVING AT 65MPH, LOUD METAL TO METAL THUD UNDER HOOD. OIL GAUGE DROPPED TO 0, ENGINE DIED, WOULDN'T START. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR GAUGE ACTIVITY PRIOR. TOWED TO OUT OF TOWN DEALER. STATED OIL PUMP FAILURE, CAUSED ROD TO GO THROUGH BLOCK. HAD TOWED BACK TO PURCHASE POINT DEALERSHIP, CONFIRMED OIL PUMP FAILURE. OIL CHANGED 1 WEEK PRIOR AS PART OF USUAL MAINTENANCE. ATTEMPTED TO HAVE CHRYSLER WARRANTY AS ENGINE WAS MORE THAN PROPERLY MAINTAINED. PRIOR PROBLEMS, DASH CLUSTER, EXHAUST SYSTEM REPLACED DO TO FAILURE. (EXHAUST REPLACED WEEK PRIOR TO ENGINE FAILURE) DEALERSHIP BELIEVES DIAMLER-CHRYSLER SHOULD WARRANTY ENGINE. DIAMLER-CHRYSLER DECLINES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #747789

Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

CONSUMER STATES RADIATOR AND WATER PUMP FAILED.*JB

NHTSA ODI #561776

Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

SEE ATTACHED LETTER TO DAIMERCHRYSLER - WILL BE SENT VIA MAIL. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #747105

Mileage unknown · May 24, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

MECHANIC STATED THAT THE OIL PUMP CAME LOOSE BECAUSE IT WASN'T CORRECTLY TIGHTENED AT THE FACTOEY. THIS CAUSED THE CRANKSHAFT AND BEARINGS TO BURN UP. THE OIL PUMP SHOULD NOT HAVE COME LOOSE @ 26000 MILES, IT IS A WEEKEND VEHICLE IT IS ALSO OUT OF WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI #745825

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70MPH AND HEARD LOUD NOISE, AND BACK IN LIFTED UP. FRONT HAD DROPPED, AND DRIVESHAFT WAS DEFECTIVE. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC TOLD HIM THAT CRANKSHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AKI CONSUMER STATES DRIVE SHAFT BOUNCED OFF OF STREET AND HIT FLOOR BOARD RIPPING HOLE IN FLOOR NEXT TO…

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CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70MPH AND HEARD LOUD NOISE, AND BACK IN LIFTED UP. FRONT HAD DROPPED, AND DRIVESHAFT WAS DEFECTIVE. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC TOLD HIM THAT CRANKSHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AKI CONSUMER STATES DRIVE SHAFT BOUNCED OFF OF STREET AND HIT FLOOR BOARD RIPPING HOLE IN FLOOR NEXT TO DRIVER'S FOOT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #888914

Mileage unknown · May 15, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

EXHAUST SYSTEM BROKE TWICE. THIS COULD ALLOW EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #888248

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

AN EXHAUST LEAKAGE DUE TO A CRACK IN MANIFOL.; DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND UNWILLING TO ASSIST IN THIS MATTER. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #883533

Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension

DUE TO THE DESIGN OF SUSPENSION IT IS RUBBING AGAINST RADIATOR HOSE, PUNCTURING THE HOSE WHICH CAUSED A LEAK. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #869368

Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

CAR DIED SUDDENLY IN BUSY HWY RUSH-HOUR TRAFFIC,GAGE SHOWED OVER1/4 TANK GAS,ALMOST GOT REAR-ENDED W/SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER,GAS PEDAL NOT RESPONDING,LIGHTS STILL WORKED..TOW-TRUCK DRIVER SAID HE HAD SEEN LOTS OF G.JEEPCHEKEES DIED SUDDENLY W/GAS-GAUGE SHOWING GAS IN TANK&WHEN A BIT OF GAS WAS ADDED,THEY STARTED.WE ADDED QT.GAS AND…

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CAR DIED SUDDENLY IN BUSY HWY RUSH-HOUR TRAFFIC,GAGE SHOWED OVER1/4 TANK GAS,ALMOST GOT REAR-ENDED W/SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER,GAS PEDAL NOT RESPONDING,LIGHTS STILL WORKED..TOW-TRUCK DRIVER SAID HE HAD SEEN LOTS OF G.JEEPCHEKEES DIED SUDDENLY W/GAS-GAUGE SHOWING GAS IN TANK&WHEN A BIT OF GAS WAS ADDED,THEY STARTED.WE ADDED QT.GAS AND OUR CAR STARTED,STILL SHOWING +1/4TANK.THIS SUDDEN DEATH COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS ACCIDENT PLUS WE HAD TO LEAVE CAR AND EXIT IN MIDDLE OF VERY BUSY ROAD..MAYBE WRANGLERS HAVE SAME PROBLEM AS GR.CHEROKEE?THIS IS VERY SCARY AND WORRISOME..CAR WAS FINE AND NO WARNING BEFORE IT DIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #723729

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSeats

BRAKE ROTORS HAD TO BE RE-FINISHED AFTER ONLY 8000 MILES. I QUESTION THE QUALITY OF MATERIALS CHRYSLER IS USING. STEERING WHEEL RUBBING: STEERING COLUMN WOULD MAKE A RUBBING NOISE EVERY TIME IT WAS TURNED. DID THIS EVEN ON THE INITIAL TEST DRIVE NEW OFF THE LOT. THEY SAID IT WAS A SIMPLE LUBRICATION ISSUE. 2 WEEKS LATER, T…

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BRAKE ROTORS HAD TO BE RE-FINISHED AFTER ONLY 8000 MILES. I QUESTION THE QUALITY OF MATERIALS CHRYSLER IS USING. STEERING WHEEL RUBBING: STEERING COLUMN WOULD MAKE A RUBBING NOISE EVERY TIME IT WAS TURNED. DID THIS EVEN ON THE INITIAL TEST DRIVE NEW OFF THE LOT. THEY SAID IT WAS A SIMPLE LUBRICATION ISSUE. 2 WEEKS LATER, THE NOISE WAS BACK. I BROUGHT IT IN A TOTAL OF 6 TIMES BEFORE THE PROBLEM WAS FINALLY RESOLVED, APPARENTLY WITH SOME NEW SUPER SLICK POLYMER AND ONLY AFTER I PERSONALLY CALLED THE FACTORY TO GET ADVICE. OTHER ISSUES: DRIVER'S SEAT CREAKS LIKE AN OLD TRACTOR. THEY COULDN'T FIX IT. I HAD THE PROBLEM WITH THE GAUGES ON MY DASH GOING OFF. THEY KNEW WHAT THAT WAS AND DIXED IT. EXHAUST MANIFOLD WENT AFTER ONLY 12,000 MILES (MORE SUBSTANDARD PARTS USED BY CHRYSLER). THIS IS WHY I HESITATE TO BUY AMERICAN.

NHTSA ODI #722404

Official recalls

2

98V048000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

Mar 12, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE. THE FRONT SEAT BELT SHOULDER TURNING LOOP ANCHORS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND ARE NOT PROPERLY HARDENED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT SHOULDER BELT TURNING LOOP ON THESE VEHICLES.

98V023000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

Feb 10, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM RESERVOIR DIAPHRAGM CAN SPLIT OR TEAR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE AN INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED AND A LOSS OF POWER ASSIST DURING BRAKE APPLICATION WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE BOOSTER DATE CODE AND ANY BOOSTERS WITH THE SUSPECT MANUFACTURING DATE RANGE WILL BE REPLACED.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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