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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

Structure complaints

25 reports
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107,000 miles · Apr 3, 2013
StructureSuspension

THE FRAME IS ROTTEN OUT, AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE JEEP TJ'S. I HAVE A HOLE ON MY TAIL SECTION OF FRAME AND ON THE REAR CONTROL ARM AREA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10507033

72,980 miles · Dec 19, 2012
Structure

WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC FRAME IS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT, AND THE FRAME WILL FAIL IN THE NEAR FUTURE. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A ON GOING PROBLEM WITH JEEP WRANGLERS OF MULTIPLE YEARS DUE TO THE FACT THERE WERE NEVER DRAIN HOLES PROVIDING DRAINAGE FOR THE WATER, ALSO LACK OF ANY RUST COATING TO THE INSIDE OF FRAME. IN PENN. YOU …

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WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC FRAME IS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT, AND THE FRAME WILL FAIL IN THE NEAR FUTURE. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A ON GOING PROBLEM WITH JEEP WRANGLERS OF MULTIPLE YEARS DUE TO THE FACT THERE WERE NEVER DRAIN HOLES PROVIDING DRAINAGE FOR THE WATER, ALSO LACK OF ANY RUST COATING TO THE INSIDE OF FRAME. IN PENN. YOU CAN NOT SELL A CAR WITH FRAME DAMAGE. I'M NOT SURE WHAT I'M GOING TO DO.I FEEL THAT JEEP SHOULD HELP WITH THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF THE FRAME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10489312

113,015 miles · Sep 13, 2011
Structure

I AM WRITING TODAY TO COMPLAIN ABOUT MY 1998 JEEP WRANGLER. AFTER MY LAST SERVICE WAS PERFORMED, THE MECHANIC ILLUSTRATED TO ME THAT THE FRAME ON MY JEEP WAS SEVERELY ROTTING AWAY ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THIS IS NOT AN UNKNOWN CONCERN FOR ME SINCE MY EMPLOYER HAS HAD THE SAME CONCERN REPAIRED ON ONE OF HIS FAMILY MEMBERS JEEP. T…

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I AM WRITING TODAY TO COMPLAIN ABOUT MY 1998 JEEP WRANGLER. AFTER MY LAST SERVICE WAS PERFORMED, THE MECHANIC ILLUSTRATED TO ME THAT THE FRAME ON MY JEEP WAS SEVERELY ROTTING AWAY ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THIS IS NOT AN UNKNOWN CONCERN FOR ME SINCE MY EMPLOYER HAS HAD THE SAME CONCERN REPAIRED ON ONE OF HIS FAMILY MEMBERS JEEP. THIS IS VERY DISHEARTENING TO ME SINCE I HAVE BEEN A JEEP OWNER FOR MANY YEARS. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR THEY ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM. I FIND THIS UNBELIEVABLE, CONSIDERING THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS CONCERN AND OTHER VEHICLE MANUFACTURES HAVE RECALLED THEIR VEHICLES FOR SIMILAR FRAME ROT PROBLEMS. IE TOYOTA PICKUP TRUCKS, FORD WINDSTAR MINIVANS, AND I AM SURE THERE ARE OTHERS. I AM HAVING THIS JEEP FIXED BUT IT IS GOING TO BE A COSTLY REPAIR, AND IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT AT THIS TIME I CAN'T AFFORD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE AFFECTED AREAS ON MY FRAME THAT I CAN FORWARD TO YOU IF YOU NEED TO SEE THESE FOR YOUR INVESTIGATION. THANKS A VERY CONCERNED JEEP OWNER *TR

NHTSA ODI #10425227

25,000 miles · Sep 26, 2007
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. WATER PUMP LEAKED - FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, GAS TANK SEAL LEAKED - FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, SEATS RIPPED - FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, SUCTION CUP MARKS ON WINDOW - FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, FRONT STABILIZER SHOCK LEAKED - FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, REAR WINDOW SEAL LEAKED - REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY TWO TIMES AND STI…

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MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. WATER PUMP LEAKED - FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, GAS TANK SEAL LEAKED - FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, SEATS RIPPED - FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, SUCTION CUP MARKS ON WINDOW - FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, FRONT STABILIZER SHOCK LEAKED - FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, REAR WINDOW SEAL LEAKED - REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY TWO TIMES AND STILL LEAKS, INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILS - OUT OF WARRANTY NOT REPAIRED, RADIATOR FAILED - OUT OF WARRANTY FIXED AT MY COST, STABILIZER ARM FAILED BOTH SIDES TWICE - FIXED UNDER WARRANTY ONCE AND THE OUT OF WARRANTY FIXED AT MY COST, EXHAUST MANIFOLD FAILED - OUT OF WARRANTY - FIXED AT MY COST, CLUTCH FORK FAILED - OUT OF WARRANTY FIXED AT MY COST, LEAK UNDER THE DASH BOARD PASSENGER SIDE - FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. OF ALL THE PROBLEMS ABOVE... LOSS OF INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER REGARDLESS OF IN OR OUT OF WARRANTY. LOSS OF GAUGES IS A DRIVING DISTRACTION AND CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. JEEP NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT AS LONG AS THIS VEHICLE IS ON THE ROAD. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10204168

Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2004
Structure

I HAVE A 1998 JEEP WRANGLER. THE PAINT ON THE SIDE MIRRORS & THE BACK WINDOW HINGES ARE CHIPPING. NOT TO MENTION THE FENDERS FRONT & REAR ARE FADDED. THEY WERE ONCE BLACK & ARE NOW GREY. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE MANY JEEPS OUT ON THE ROAD ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I HOPE SOMEONE IS CHECKING INTO THIS MATTER. GM SHOULD DO A REC…

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I HAVE A 1998 JEEP WRANGLER. THE PAINT ON THE SIDE MIRRORS & THE BACK WINDOW HINGES ARE CHIPPING. NOT TO MENTION THE FENDERS FRONT & REAR ARE FADDED. THEY WERE ONCE BLACK & ARE NOW GREY. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE MANY JEEPS OUT ON THE ROAD ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I HOPE SOMEONE IS CHECKING INTO THIS MATTER. GM SHOULD DO A RECALL & FIX THE PROBLEM!*AK

NHTSA ODI #10074955

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Structure

WATER LEAK IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I FINALLY HAD TO REMOVE RIGHT SIDE FLOOR CARPETING AND GLOVE BOX COVER AND SHOW THE DEALER WHERE THE BODY WAS LEAKING. I HAD THE WRANGLER TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS FOR THIS PROBLEM. EACH DEALER CHARGED ME $100.00 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM ONE WAS A LOWER WINDSHIELD SEAL. PROBLEM 2 WAS TO RE-…

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WATER LEAK IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I FINALLY HAD TO REMOVE RIGHT SIDE FLOOR CARPETING AND GLOVE BOX COVER AND SHOW THE DEALER WHERE THE BODY WAS LEAKING. I HAD THE WRANGLER TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS FOR THIS PROBLEM. EACH DEALER CHARGED ME $100.00 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM ONE WAS A LOWER WINDSHIELD SEAL. PROBLEM 2 WAS TO RE-SEAL BEHIND THE HEATER WHICH IS BEING DONE AT THIS TIME. SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE WOULD TALK TO CHRYSLER ABOUT REPLACING CARPET ON RIGHT SIDE WHICH BY NOW WILL NOT MATCH LEFT SIDE AND THEY WILL PROBABLY NOT PAY FOR IT. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY TRANSPORTATION FOR SEVERAL DAYS ON AND OFF BECAUSE OF THE LEAK AND THEIR INABILITY TO FIND THIS LEAK. THERE POLICY ON RENTAL CARS IS IF THEY CAN'T FIX THE CAR IN THE FIRST 24 HOURS THEY WILL GIVE YOU A RENTAL CAR. THEY SEND YOU HOME CAR-LESS TO WAIT FOR THE CALL AS TO WHEN YOUR CAR WILL BE READY. THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR 3 DAYS NOW AND I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO CALLS THEM TO FIND OUT WHEN MY CAR WILL BE READY. IN THE PAST I HAVE PURCHASED A NUMBER OF CHRYSLER PRODUCTS. WHEN I SELL THE WRANGLER AND DURANGO, MY CHRYSLER DAYS ARE OVER. WHILE I BELIEVE THEIR CARS AND TRUCKS ARE ALMOST AS GOOD AS MOST AMERICAN PRODUCTS TODAY, TRYING TO WORK WITH THE DEALERS IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. I THINK THEY HAVE A TERRIBLE DEALER NETWORK.

NHTSA ODI #10070681

72,046 miles · May 17, 2003
Electrical SystemEquipmentStructure

INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES AND LIGHTS GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHEN USING TURN SIGNAL. BLOWER POWER FAILED ALTOGETHER (MECHANIC FOUND BURNED OUT WIRING HARNESS UNDER DASHBOARD.) AIR CONDITIONER FAILED --EVAPORATOR AND COMPRESSOR. WATER LEAKS ON PASSENGER SIDE FROM FRONT WINDSHIELD (WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED TWICE AT DEALER BUT FAILED …

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INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES AND LIGHTS GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHEN USING TURN SIGNAL. BLOWER POWER FAILED ALTOGETHER (MECHANIC FOUND BURNED OUT WIRING HARNESS UNDER DASHBOARD.) AIR CONDITIONER FAILED --EVAPORATOR AND COMPRESSOR. WATER LEAKS ON PASSENGER SIDE FROM FRONT WINDSHIELD (WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED TWICE AT DEALER BUT FAILED TO FIX PROBLEM.) REAR CENTER BREAK LIGHT WIRE FAILED. HOOD LATCH BROKE OFF. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10018850

Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY JEEP WRANGLER 1998. THIS IS A PARTIAL LIST I SENT TO CHRYSLER: I BOUGHT MY JEEP WITH JUST 3600 MILES ON IT FROM A DEALER IN 1999. FROM DAY ONE I STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS. MANY OF THEM I RETURNED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. SOME THEY WERE ABLE TO FIX, OTHERS, AFTER MANY RETURN TRIPS, THE…

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I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY JEEP WRANGLER 1998. THIS IS A PARTIAL LIST I SENT TO CHRYSLER: I BOUGHT MY JEEP WITH JUST 3600 MILES ON IT FROM A DEALER IN 1999. FROM DAY ONE I STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS. MANY OF THEM I RETURNED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. SOME THEY WERE ABLE TO FIX, OTHERS, AFTER MANY RETURN TRIPS, THEY WERE 'UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM'. 1. GAUGES WOULD STOP WORKING WHILE DRIVING - I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN 5 TIMES BEFORE THEY WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE AND FINALLY FIX THE PROBLEM. 2. THIS WAS ALSO TRUE OF THE BLINKERS THAT NOT ALWAYS WORKED - OR WORKED ALL AT THE SAME TIME. 3. MY HAZARDS STILL DO NOT WORK EVERY TIME. 4. THE AIR CONDITIONER GOES OUT WHEN DRIVING,VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WHEN IT IS HOT AND RAINING. 5. THE SOUND BAR HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY - FIRST IT WOULD ONLY COME IN SOME TIMES - NOW NEVER. 6. HEADERS ARE CRACKED - BAD. THEY HAVE BEEN WELDED SEVERAL TIMES. WHEN I WENT TO HAVE THEM WELDED IT WAS FOUND THEY WERE WELDED BEFORE MY PURCHASE - AT 3600 MIL! THEY ARE STILL CRACKED, WELDING DOES NOT HOLD. I CAN NOT GET ANYONE TO REPLACE THEM BECAUSE EVEN EXHAUST SPECIALISTS SAY IT IS TOO CUMBERSOME. THE DEALER CHARGES WAY MORE THAN I HAVE CONSIDERING THE NUMBER OF REPAIRS AND THE PRICE OF GAS - AT 12 MPG. 7. DRIVERS SEAT BELT LOCKS TIGHTLY WITH ANY AMOUNT OF PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES - IT HAS NOW GOTTEN TO THE POINT IT LOCKS JUST WHILE DRIVING. 8. WINDOWS - THE ZIPPERS BROKE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY - I PAID ALOT TO HAVE THESE REPLACED. THE BACK WINDOW NOW HAS A CUT IN IT AND IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE THROUGH. 9. THE TOP HAS NEVER QUITE FIT RIGHT; IT HAS ALWAYS LEAKED AND BEEN EXTREMELY NOISY - MORE SO THAN ANYONE ELSE'S THAT I KNOW. IT HAS ALSO COME APART AT THE SEAMS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN OF ANY HELP. THEY WANTED TO CHARGE OUTRAGEOUS AMOUNTS JUST FOR DIAGNOSTICS, EVEN WHEN I HAD THE BEST WARRANTY. I'VE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR MOLDING COMING OUT IMMEDIATELY, GRINDING IN THE STEERING WHEEL, GRINDING WHILE TRYING TO PUT IT IN REVERSE AND MORE. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10013662

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2000
StructureFire

UNDER BODY FIRE ON VEHICLE AFTER DRIVING UNIMPROVED ROAD IN BRUSH. DEBRIS PACKED INTO SKID PLATE UNDER TRANSFER CASE AND CAUGHT FIRE. REDESIGN OF SKID PLATE IS NECESSARY TO PREVENT THE FIRE SITUATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #723053

Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2000
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

THE VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED AN ODOR ASSOCIATED WITH LEAKING ANITFREEZE. 3 DIFFERENT TRIPS TO MAKE REPAIRS, NO ACTION ON FIRST TRIP, SECOND TRIP, DEALER REPLACED THERMOSTAT HOUSING, THIRD TRIP, DEALER REPLACED RADIATOR. VEHICLE STILL HAS ODOR AT DIFFERENT TIMES. SEAT BELTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES ON RIGHT HAND SIDE AND ONCE O…

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THE VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED AN ODOR ASSOCIATED WITH LEAKING ANITFREEZE. 3 DIFFERENT TRIPS TO MAKE REPAIRS, NO ACTION ON FIRST TRIP, SECOND TRIP, DEALER REPLACED THERMOSTAT HOUSING, THIRD TRIP, DEALER REPLACED RADIATOR. VEHICLE STILL HAS ODOR AT DIFFERENT TIMES. SEAT BELTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES ON RIGHT HAND SIDE AND ONCE ON LEFT HAND SIDE DUE TO BELTS GETTING PINCHED IN HARDTOP DOORS AND DAMAGING BELTS. BELT ON RIGHT HAND HAS HAD FAILURE OF SEAT BELT INERTIA LOCK DURING HARD STOP. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT VARIOUS TIMES, AND AT THE SAME TIME THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER FAILED MOMENTARILY. FIX WAS TO CLEAN AND GREASE CONNECTORS. SYSTEM IS STARTING TO REPEAT SAME PROBLEM, AND DEALER CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM. STEERING COLUMN LOWER BUSHING HAS DEVELOPED NOISE, AFTER RAIN OR ONSET OF COLD WEATHER. DEALER STATES FIX IS TO LUBE BUSHING, BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS AFTER 4 DEALER VISITS. REAR AXLE SEALS ON LEFT HAND AND RIGHT HAND WERE LEAKING, RESULTING IN REAR WHEEL LOCKUP WITH MODERATE BRAKE APPLICATION ON DAMP PAVEMENT OR SANDY ROAD SURFACES. DEALER REPLACED BOTH SEALS, BUT NOTHING WAS SAID ABOUT POSSIBLE BRAKE LINING CONTAMINATION OR CLEANING. VEHICLE HAS HAD REPEATED WATER LEAKAGE FROM AROUND WINDSHIELD ON LEFT AND RIGHT HAND SIDES, RIGHT HAND HARDTOP DOOR HINGE ATTACH BOLTS, THRU SEALS ON COWL AND AROUND DOORS. DEALER HAS REPLACED ALL SEALS, RTV'D GAPS, AND INSTALLED UPDATED DOOR SEALS, BUT VEHICLE STILL LEAKS. ALSO, CARPETS WERE WATER DAMAGED IN FRONT PASSENGER AREA DUE TO WATER LEAKAGE FROM VEHICLE BODY AND AIRCONDITIONING SYSTEM. VEHICLE HAS BEEN KEPT FOR UP TO TWO DAYS ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FOR WATER LEAKS AND MULTIPLE REPAIR COMPLAINTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #717525

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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