1998 Jeep WRANGLER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
177 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
73,990 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 76 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 22 of 177 complaints (12.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 21 | 11.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 16 | 9.0% |
| Steering behavior | 10 | 5.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 4.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 4.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 22 |
| Electrical System | 18 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 18 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 18 |
| Structure:Body | 13 |
| Suspension | 13 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 10 |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 |
Air Bags: 22; Electrical System: 18; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 18; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 18; Structure:Body: 13; Suspension: 13; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 10; Unknown Or Other: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 15 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 18 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 16 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 17 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 15; 50,000 to 74,999: 18; 75,000 to 99,999: 16; 100,000 to 149,999: 17; 150,000 and above: 5
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (18). 101 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 20 |
| 2001 | 34 |
| 2002 | 25 |
| 2003 | 19 |
| 2004 | 18 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2000: 20; 2001: 34; 2002: 25; 2003: 19; 2004: 18; 2005: 4; 2006: 4; 2007: 5; 2008: 3; 2009: 2; 2010: 4; 2011: 5; 2012: 8; 2013: 1; 2014: 4; 2015: 8; 2016: 2; 2017: 4; 2018: 1; 2019: 3; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 16 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000168 · 2002-12-17 (December 17, 2002)
WIRING HARNESS FOR DASH, BOTH HAZARD-BLINKER-HEADLIGHTS, BURNING PLASTIC SMELL, COULD NOT LOCATE, ENDED WITH SMOKE ROLLING OUT OF STEERING COLUMN WHEN WHEN WE STARTED THE ENGINE, LUCKILY, WE PULLED THE FUSE THAT POWERED IT OUT OF FUSE BOX TO ENABLE US TO RETURN HOME--70 MILES AWAY, WITH NO LIGHTS, BLINKERS, ETC. CALLED DEALER, WANTED $400.00+ TO LOOK AT IT, AND ASKED ABOUT THE ERRATIC DASH ODOMETER ACTIVITY. WE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD HAVE DAMAGED THE COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN DASH HAD WE NOT REMOVED THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000168 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006374 · 2003-02-04 (February 4, 2003)
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE, VEHICLE WILL LOSE CONTROL DUE TO A FAULTY SWAY BAR HOLDER OR THE TIE ROD. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006374 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018850 · 2003-05-17 (May 17, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 72,046 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018850 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10013662 · 2003-03-29 (March 29, 2003)
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 BLINK…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10013662 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003772 · 2003-01-28 (January 28, 2003)
THE CONSUMER STATE THE HIS SON HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION STAYING IN GEAR. THE CONSUMER(S) ARE REQUESTING TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. SCC
Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003772 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11505258 · 2023-02-02 (February 2, 2023)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11505258 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10031245 · 2003-09-02 (September 2, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL TANK HAD A CRACKED WHICH CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK OUT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE FUEL TANK HAD LEAKED SINCE THE OWNER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AT 39K MILES. THE FUEL TANK OVERFLOWED WHEN FILLED IN HOT WEATHER. BOTH THE FUEL TANK NUT REPLACEMENT TANK WERE DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN DUE TO SHORTAGE. THE TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE. THE SERVICE DEALER FOUND A POOR CONNECTION BEHIND THE CLUSTER. THE THROTTLE SENSOR DID NOT HAVE A GOOD SEAL IN WHICH MOISTURE HAD GOTTEN INTO IT. THE FUEL TANK CORRODE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10031245 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10104395 · 2004-12-23 (December 23, 2004)
CRACKED FUEL LINE. FUEL LEAK RESULTED IN POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE/EXPLOSION AND ENVIORMENTAL DAMAGE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 44,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10104395 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029193 · 2003-07-25 (July 25, 2003)
1998 JEEP WRANGLER 4.0L, EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACK AT 30,000 MILES. JEEP/CHRYSLER REFUSED TO FIX, STATING ONLY CATALYTIC CONVERTER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. CRACK OCCURRED IN A WELD JOINING THE TWO PIPE, ALMOST 3/4 OF THE WAY AROUND THE PIPE, CAUSING COSIDERABLE NOISE, AND LOSS OF POWER. GUAGES FAIL PERIODICALLY, BUT COME BACK ON THERE OWN, AFTER A FEW MINUTES. AIR CONDITIONER DRAINS ONTO FLOOR INSIDE VEHICLE ON LONG DRIVES AND CAN EVEN SHORT OUT THE RADIO. THE STEERING COLUMN ALSO SQEALS LIKE AN OLD DOOR WHEN ITS COLD OUTSIDE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10029193 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 723729 · 2000-06-08 (June 8, 2000)
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 SC…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 723729 at NHTSA ↗