1998 Jeep Wrangler Problems, Recalls & Reliability
401 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 1998 Jeep Wrangler, alongside 6 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 19/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Electrical leads the reports, typically around 65,000 miles.
One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 1998 Jeep Wrangler has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.
Better year
Where 1998 sits among all Wrangler years
What owners report
“Will need to return to dealer for the second time regarding instruments/airbag light problem, and 3rd time for steering column problem”— owner report to NHTSA, 1998 Wrangler
“The mannifold has cracked twice. The first time, jeep fixed it, stating there was a "design flaw". Now, approx. Two years later, and another 32,000 miles(roughly) the same thing happened again. This time, they would not fix it, due to mileage. However, i feel as if there is a design flaw, and this…”— owner report to NHTSA, 1998 Wrangler
“The air bag light comes on. All the other dashboard indicators do not work when this happens. This problem occurs intermittently.”— owner report to NHTSA, 1998 Wrangler
“Problems with the transmission staying in gear---finally the jeep just stopped---replaced transmission”— owner report to NHTSA, 1998 Wrangler
“Design flaw which allows water in but not out causes water and dirt to collect inside of chassis frame, causing it to rust from the inside out.”— owner report to NHTSA, 1998 Wrangler
“When brakes are applied, the front brakes lock up, but the rear wheels continue to turn, which is extremely hazardous during slippery conditions. Dealer has tried to correct problem by replacing drums and valve, but that did not cure the problem. They have now ordered a new master cylinder. We are…”— owner report to NHTSA, 1998 Wrangler
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 125 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 72,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 30,000 and 99,945 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (6)
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…
Fix: 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.
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,…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE. THE FRONT SEAT BELT SHOULDER TURNING LOOP ANCHORS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND ARE NOT PROPERLY HARDENED.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT SHOULDER BELT TURNING LOOP ON THESE VEHICLES.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM RESERVOIR DIAPHRAGM CAN SPLIT OR TEAR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE BOOSTER DATE CODE AND ANY BOOSTERS WITH THE SUSPECT MANUFACTURING DATE RANGE WILL BE REPLACED.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 1998 Jeep Wrangler reliable?
The 1998 Jeep Wrangler drew 401 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 19/100, scored against the model's worst year (2008).
What are the most common 1998 Jeep Wrangler problems?
The top reported problems for the 1998 Jeep Wrangler are electrical (66 complaints), engine (58), and airbags (46).
At what mileage do 1998 Jeep Wrangler problems show up?
Owners most often report 1998 Jeep Wrangler problems around 72,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 30,000 and 99,945 miles.
Does the 1998 Jeep Wrangler have recalls?
6 recall campaigns apply to the 1998 Jeep Wrangler. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.