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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

Tires complaints

4 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2002
SuspensionTires

WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE ALL PRETAINING TO THE FRONT END, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL START SHAKING REALLY BAD AT BETWEEN 40-50 MPH AND WE HAVE HAD LOUD BANKING NOICE COME FROM THE FRONT END AND WHEN SHIFTING. THE TIRES HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED 4 TIMES BEFORE THEY EVEN HAD 9,000 MILES ON THEM. THE VEHICLE I…

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WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE ALL PRETAINING TO THE FRONT END, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL START SHAKING REALLY BAD AT BETWEEN 40-50 MPH AND WE HAVE HAD LOUD BANKING NOICE COME FROM THE FRONT END AND WHEN SHIFTING. THE TIRES HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED 4 TIMES BEFORE THEY EVEN HAD 9,000 MILES ON THEM. THE VEHICLE IS A REAL LEMON. THERE HAS BEEN MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE PAINT PEELING AS WELL AS PROBLEMS WITH THE BALL JOINTS. THEY ARE NOW REFUSING TO FIX THE FRONT END AGAIN THAT WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH SINCE WE BOUGHT IT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #761175

Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2000
Tires

TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT HAS CAUSED RE-CALL BY MANUFACTURER OF THIS TIRE IN DIFFERENT SIZE. THIS TIRE ONLY HAD APPROXIMATELY 25,000 MILES WHEN IT SEPARATED. *AK( DOT NUMBER: YD66A12247 TIRE SIZE: 30X9.50R15 )

NHTSA ODI #727458

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Tires

POSSIBLE TIRES FAILURE CAUSED VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HYDROPLANING RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. YH

NHTSA ODI #608897

Mileage unknown · Nov 11, 1998
Tires

TIRE RUBS ON LOWER CONTROL ARM ON FRONT PASSENAGER'S SIDE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 30X9.5 )( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 30X9.5 )( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 30X9.5 )( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 30X9.5 )

NHTSA ODI #700509

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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