1998 JEEP WRANGLER — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
401
Owner Complaints
6
Recalls
10
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1998 JEEP WRANGLER
The 1998 JEEP WRANGLER has received a total of 401 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 6 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. 10 technical service bulletins have been issued by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (28 complaints), Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash (23 complaints), and Electrical System (21 complaints).
Recalls for the 1998 JEEP WRANGLER
NHTSA has recorded 6 recalls for the 1998 JEEP WRANGLER, potentially affecting up to 88,082 vehicles.
Recall 06E026000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 61,944 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
View full details →Recall 06E022000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
| 7,440 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS...
Consequence: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.
View full details →Recall 06E011000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
| 7,291 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN AFTERMARKET AIRTEX ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN 1997-2004 JEEP WRANGLER; 1997-2001 JEEP CHEROKEE; 1997-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE; AND 2000-2003 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES. THE PLASTIC ELECTRICAL GROMMET CONNECTORS AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUELS AND MAY DEGRADE CAUSING A POTENTIAL LEAK PATH FOR FUEL.
Consequence: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRTEX CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-880-3056.
View full details →Recall 04E041000 — EQUIPMENT
| 80 vehicles affected
Defect: BESTOP AFTERMARKET REAR SHELL ROOF RACKS,MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 27 AND MAY 20, 2004, DESIGNED FOR USE WITH THE BESTOP HARDTOP MADE FOR THE 1986-1995 AND 1997-2003 JEEP WRANGLER. THE COCKPIT COVER MAY NOT STAY LATCHED TO THE ROOF RACK BECAUSE THE LATCH BRACKET MISPOSITIONS THE ROTARY LATCH TO THE COCKPIT COVER. AS A RESULT, THE COCKPIT COVER MAY NOT STAY...
Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE COCKPIT COULD CAUSE INJURY BY STRIKING PERSONS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE OR COULD BECOME A DISTRACTION OR AN OBSTACLE TO OTHER DRIVERS, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: BESTOP WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A REPAIR KIT AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 16, 2004. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BESTOP CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT...
View full details →Recall 98V048000 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
| 2,427 vehicles affected
Defect: 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: 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.
View full details →Recall 98V023000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
| 8,900 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM RESERVOIR DIAPHRAGM CAN SPLIT OR TEAR.
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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1998 JEEP WRANGLER
401 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 JEEP WRANGLER. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
Frame started showing signs of rusted out frame in 2003 when the transmission skid weld nuts in the bottom of the frame rusted out as well as the body side step weld nuts in the frame. In 2010, 3 or the 4 rear axle control arms broke free from the frame causing brake lines to fail while driving. I was able to use parking brake and downshifting manual transmission to get home. I was lucky that the rear axle didn't completely separate or the failed brake cause a serious accident. The TJ frames are poorly designed with no drainage causing them to rust from the inside out.
AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON AND SPEEDO AND TACH STOPS WORKING. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND THIS IS OCCURING ON NUMEROUS JEEPS OF THIS YEAR. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL? IF SOMETHING ISN'T DONE ABOUT THIS I WILL BE GETTING A LOT OF JEEP OWNERS TOGETHER AND FILING A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT!! IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. I JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ITS HAPPENING TO THE MAJORITY ON THIS YEARS WRANGLERS
AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON AND SPEEDO AND TACH STOPS WORKING. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND THIS IS OCCURING ON NUMEROUS JEEPS OF THIS YEAR. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL? IF SOMETHING ISN'T DONE ABOUT THIS I WILL BE GETTING A LOT OF JEEP OWNERS TOGETHER AND FILING A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT!! IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. I JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ITS HAPPENING TO THE MAJORITY ON THIS YEARS WRANGLERS
JEEP WRANGLER FRAMES RUST FROM INSIDE OUT DUE TO MOISTURE GETTING IN THROUGH UPPER PART OF FRAMES WHERE THEIR ARE HOLES AND SETTLING TO LOWER PART OF FRAME WHERE THEIR ARE NO DRAIN HOLES. THEIR MAY HAVE NOT BEEN AN ISSUE IF JEEP HAD JUST PUT IN DRAIN HOLES IN LOWER PART OF FRAME. IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN 1997 THROUGH 2006 JEEP WRANGLERS. I HAVE THIS ISSUE.
JEEP TJ FRAME SEPARATED AT THE TORSION BAR ON PASSENGER REAR WHEEL MAKING VEHICLE UNSTABLE AND UN- USABLE.
Safety Rating for the 1998 JEEP WRANGLER
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1998 JEEP WRANGLER in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1998 JEEP WRANGLER
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) has issued 10 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1998 JEEP WRANGLER. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
2400703 — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
HVAC DRIVE WATER LEAKS UNDER PASSENGER SIDE FRONT CARPET. *TT
080799 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
INFORMATION REGARDING POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER (PDC) SERVICE. *TT
182898 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
ERRONEOUS MIL WITH DTC $71(PO441) -EVAP PURGE FLOW MONITOR FAILURE DUE TO INAPPROPRIATE FUEL LEVEL READINGS DURING THE TEST SEQUENCE. *AK
233198 — STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
A SQUEAK OR BUZZ COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. *YC
083398 — AIR BAGS:ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY
INFORMATION ON PASSENGER'S AIR BAG ON/OFF SWITCH WHICH IS LOCATED ON FORWARD END OF FLOOR CONSOLE, AND ALLOWS PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG ON/OFF SWITCH TO BE DISABLED WHEN CERTAIN CHILD RESTRAINT DEVICES ARE USED IN THE PASSENGER'S SEATING POSITION. *AK
980320240398 — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
A SQUEAKING NOISE MAY BE HEARD WHEN THE SYSTEM MODE IS CHANGED FROM FLOOR TO PANEL OR DEFROST. *YC
182198 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
SERVICE CAUTION ON POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE ( PCM ). *YC
08298 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
ERRATIC INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER OPERATION / INTERMITTENT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT. *YC
230998 — SUSPENSION:REAR
A RATTLING OR KNOCKING NOISE MAY BE PRESENT WHEN DRIVING OVER ROUGH ROADS, NOISE WAS COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. *AK
241397 — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
INFORMATION ON A/C REFRIGERANT LEAKS. *NLM
NHTSA Investigations for the 1998 JEEP WRANGLER
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the JEEP WRANGLER
- 1993 JEEP WRANGLER — 134 complaints
- 1994 JEEP WRANGLER — 184 complaints
- 1995 JEEP WRANGLER — 259 complaints
- 1996 JEEP WRANGLER — 2 complaints
- 1997 JEEP WRANGLER — 548 complaints
- 1998 JEEP WRANGLER (current)
- 1999 JEEP WRANGLER — 262 complaints
- 2000 JEEP WRANGLER — 310 complaints
- 2001 JEEP WRANGLER — 235 complaints
- 2002 JEEP WRANGLER — 139 complaints
- 2003 JEEP WRANGLER — 129 complaints
Other JEEP Models
- JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE — 39,293 total complaints
- JEEP CHEROKEE — 20,448 total complaints
- JEEP LIBERTY — 11,694 total complaints
- JEEP COMPASS — 5,865 total complaints
- JEEP PATRIOT — 4,351 total complaints
- JEEP COMMANDER — 3,920 total complaints
- JEEP RENEGADE — 3,408 total complaints
- JEEP WRANGLER 4-DR 4X4 — 1,812 total complaints