Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 13 complaints on file for the 1998 Jayco Eagle — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 6 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
13
NHTSA complaints
6
Recalls
1
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other | 3 | 23% | ▲ up |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 15% | new |
| Visibility & Wipers | 2 | 15% | new |
| Body & Structure | 2 | 15% | ▲ up |
| Climate Control (A/C & Heat) | 1 | 8% | new |
| Suspension | 1 | 8% | new |
| Tires & Wheels | 1 | 8% | — flat |
| Seats | 1 | 8% | new |
6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON FORD CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
Consequence
OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURNING, AND IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy
FORD IS CONDUCTING THIS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 06V286) AND WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332 OR JAYCO AT 1-800-283-8267.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FOLDING CAMPERS. A FLEXIBLE BRAKE HOSE IS NOT CLAMPED IN A POSITION AWAY FROM THE TIRE, WHICH CAN LEAD TO CHAFFING OF THE HOSE CAUSING A LEAK OF HYDRAULIC FLUID.
Consequence
THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF TRAILER BRAKES, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL ADD A CLAMP TO THE BRAKE HOSE.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FOLD DOWN TRAILERS WHICH USE GAS/ELECTRIC ABSORPTION REFRIGERATORS SUPPLIED BY NORCOLD. THE SWIVEL NUT WHICH IS AN INTEGRAL CONNECTION COMPONENT OF A PRESSURE TAP DEVICE HAS "STRESS CORROSION CRACKING."
Consequence
THIS CRACKING CAN LEAD TO AN OPEN FRACTURE IN THE BRASS NUT, POTENTIALLY ALLOWING PROPANE GAS TO LEAK.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE SWIVEL NUT/PRESSURE TAP COMPONENT AND REPLACE WITH A REMEDY KIT.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI MOTOR HOMES. THE ROUTING OF THE WIRE LOOM IN THE ENGINE IS TOO CLOSE TO THE ENGINE BLOCK.
Consequence
CONTACT BETWEEN THE WIRE LOOM AND THE ENGINE BLOCK CAN CAUSE SMOKE AND/OR FIRE IN THE ENGINE BLOCK AREA.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE WIRE AWAY FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRAVEL TRAILERS. A SPACER TUBE ON THE FRAME WAS OMITTED. THIS SPACER TUBE ALLOWS ADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TIRE AND WHEEL WELL.
Consequence
THE TIRE COULD BE DAMAGED AND/OR BLOW OUT FROM CONTACT WITH THE WHEEL WELL INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A DEXTER AXLE KIT WHICH WILL REVERSE THE SPRING ORIENTATION TO GAIN THE CLEARANCE NEEDED.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRAVEL AND FOLDING TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH DEXTER AXLES. THE WHEEL BEARINGS USED IN SOME OF THESE AXLES HAVE A METALLURGICAL DEFECT CAUSING EARLY FAILURE.
Consequence
A WHEEL BEARING FAILURE COULD RESULT IN THE LOSS OF THE WHEEL END FROM THE AXLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
DEXTER AXLE IS CONDUCTING THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS RECALL. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE AXLES AND REPLACE THE WHEEL BEARINGS IF NECESSARY.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“DT: THE CONSUMER OWNED A 1998 JAYCO 5TH WHEEL EAGLE SERIES. HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE SECOND HAND. THE FRONT PANEL SEPARATED. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE ENTIRE DRIVER'S SIDE PANEL PEELED BACK. THERE WAS A SEPARATION FROM THE FIBERGLASSAND THE WOOD. THE CONSUMER CALLED JAYCO, AND THEY TOLD HIM IT HAD…”
“THE RIGHT REAR AND LEFT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 MPH. GOOD YEAR WRANGLER XT SIZE LT25575/R16E. *JB PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, BOTH TIRES WERE MOUNTED ON THE REAR OF THE DUAL AXLE. (ONE ON LEFT AND ONE ALSO ON THE RIGHT) (MOTORHOME) *SCC *JB”
The record is thin — 13 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 6 recalls should be verified as completed.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are other (3 complaints), visibility & wipers (2 complaints), seat belts (2 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Jayco Eagle. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.