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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

Fuel System, Other complaints

6 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2004
Fuel System, Other

IN NOVEMBER OF 2003 MY HUSBAND BOUGHT ME A 1998 JEEP WRANGLER AND ABOUT 2 WEEKS AFTER DRIVING IT I DISCOVERED THAT THE GAS GAUGE ONLY WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO. SO I STARTED DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH ON LINE AND FOUND OUT THAT 98 WRANGLERS HAD BEEN RECALLED IN THE UK FOR BAD GAS GAUGES BUT NOT IN THE US . I WAS WONDERING WHY THAT IS.…

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IN NOVEMBER OF 2003 MY HUSBAND BOUGHT ME A 1998 JEEP WRANGLER AND ABOUT 2 WEEKS AFTER DRIVING IT I DISCOVERED THAT THE GAS GAUGE ONLY WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO. SO I STARTED DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH ON LINE AND FOUND OUT THAT 98 WRANGLERS HAD BEEN RECALLED IN THE UK FOR BAD GAS GAUGES BUT NOT IN THE US . I WAS WONDERING WHY THAT IS. AND APPARENTLY THERE ARE MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE 98S. A BAD SENDING UNIT MIGHT NOT BE A PROBLEM TO OTHER PEOPLE BUT I WORK CONSTRUCTION AND SPENT MANY NIGHTS DRIVING TO WORK IN SNOW STORMS. WHEN THEY CALL YOU IN TO SHOVEL SNOW AT 2 AM THERES NOT MANY GAS STATIONS OPEN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10088703

15,745 miles · Jul 9, 2004
Air BagsElectrical SystemFuel System, Other

I OWN A 1998 JEEP WRANGLER VIN NUMBER [XXX] I PURCHASED NEW ON APR 10, 1998 SINCE FEB. 1, 2003 THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS OFF AND ON NOT BEEN WORKING PROPERLY . THIS INCLUDED ALL THE GAUGES AND AIR BAG INDICATOR. I HAVE TAKE MY VEHICLE TO A AUTHORIZED DEALER SERVICE SHOP FOR REPAIR ON 2-6-2003, 10-16-2003 AND 5-19-2004. THE FIRS…

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I OWN A 1998 JEEP WRANGLER VIN NUMBER [XXX] I PURCHASED NEW ON APR 10, 1998 SINCE FEB. 1, 2003 THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS OFF AND ON NOT BEEN WORKING PROPERLY . THIS INCLUDED ALL THE GAUGES AND AIR BAG INDICATOR. I HAVE TAKE MY VEHICLE TO A AUTHORIZED DEALER SERVICE SHOP FOR REPAIR ON 2-6-2003, 10-16-2003 AND 5-19-2004. THE FIRST TWO TIMES THEY SAID THE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAD CORROSION AND THEY SPRAYED IT. THE LAST TIME THEY SAID IT WAS TO MUCH CORROSION AND THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR REPLACEING IT ABOUT $900.00 THIS VEHICLE AS OF THIS DATE HAS ONLY 16076 MILES ON IT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I HAVE DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE WHEN INSTRUCTMENT AND AIR BAG INDICATOR HAS STOP WORKING.*AK UPDATED 07/25/2012 * JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #10080720

30,000 miles · Jul 25, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

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 …

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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

NHTSA ODI #10029193

Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2003
Fuel System, Other

FAULTY FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR. I SUSPECT A BAD FUEL SENDING UNIT. FUEL GAUGE SHOWS APPROXIMATELY 1/4 TANK OF GAS LEFT, HOWEVER THE CAR WILL ACTUALLY BE COMPLETELY OUT OF GAS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10025245

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1999
Fuel System, Other

FUEL VAPOR CONNECTOR.

NHTSA ODI #609555

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Fuel System, Other

FUEL VAPOR CONNECTOR FAILED. YH

NHTSA ODI #608984

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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