VehicleVerdict

1998 Jeep Wrangler problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1998 Jeep Wrangler sits mid-pack among Wrangler years: 401 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 401, with 6 recalls and no defect investigations. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 19 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (62), engine (58), and airbags (46), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

401

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

28

Crash-involved

9

Fires reported

19

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Wrangler years?

Wrangler NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted2,613 complaints1984: 0 complaints1985: 0 complaints1986: 1 complaints1987: 51 complaints1988: 55 complaints1989: 86 complaints1990: 105 complaints1991: 100 complaints1992: 100 complaints1993: 134 complaints1994: 184 complaints1995: 259 complaints1996: 2 complaints1997: 548 complaints1998: 401 complaints1999: 262 complaints2000: 311 complaints2001: 235 complaints2002: 139 complaints2003: 130 complaints2004: 281 complaints2005: 756 complaints2006: 852 complaints2007: 792 complaints2008: 1,253 complaints2009: 495 complaints2010: 899 complaints2011: 677 complaints2012: 1,282 complaints2013: 1,042 complaints2014: 847 complaints2015: 660 complaints2016: 633 complaints2017: 413 complaints2018: 2,613 complaints2019: 1,064 complaints2020: 773 complaints2021: 1,481 complaints2022: 622 complaints2023: 571 complaints2024: 1,362 complaints2025: 104 complaints2026: 12 complaints
Wrangler NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Wrangler years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Jeep Wrangler problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System6215%
Engine5814%
Airbags4611%
Transmission359%
Brakes277%
Suspension277%
Body & Structure256%
Fuel System215%
Other184%
Seat Belts174%
Visibility & Wipers164%
Steering164%
Speed Control113%
Tires & Wheels72%
Lighting61%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)51%
Latches & Locks20%
Seats20%

Does the 1998 Jeep Wrangler have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

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 SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

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.

06E022000BrakesMarch 13, 2006 · 7,440 units

Defect

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, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.

Consequence

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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 1-800-323-0354.

06E011000Fuel SystemFebruary 1, 2006 · 7,291 units

Defect

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 CONNECTORS AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUELS AND MAY DEGRADE CAUSING A POTENTIAL LEAK PATH FOR FUEL.

Consequence

IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

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 1-800-880-3056.

04E041000OtherJune 7, 2004 · 80 units

Defect

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 BRACKET MISPOSITIONS THE ROTARY LATCH TO THE COCKPIT COVER. AS A RESULT, THE COCKPIT COVER MAY NOT STAY LATCHED TO THE ROOF RACK AND COULD SEPARATE FROM THE ROOF RACK. THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REAR SHELL ROOF RACKS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER.

Consequence

SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE COCKPIT COULD CAUSE INJURY BY STRIKING PERSONS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE OR COULD BECOME A DISTRACTION OR AN OBSTACLE TO OTHER DRIVERS, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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 REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BESTOP CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT (800) 845-3567.

98V048000Seat BeltsMarch 12, 1998 · 2,427 units

Defect

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

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.

98V023000BrakesFebruary 10, 1998 · 8,900 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM RESERVOIR DIAPHRAGM CAN SPLIT OR TEAR.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE JEEP WAS BROUGHT INTO TWO DIFFERENT JEEP DEALERS ON THREE OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME ELECTRICALPROBLEMS. ON MAY 2, 1999 AFTER BEING PARKED ON THE STREET FOR OVER 10 HOURS, THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED. THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE ACCORDING TOT HE”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 2, 1999 · fire

“DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ENGINE TOTALLY SHUT DOWN/INOPERATIVE WITHOUT ANY WARNING,CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL.THE CONSUMER HAD TO PULL EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON EVERY 2-3 MONTHS, BUT DEALER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine

“DRIVER HIT A BERM OF ROCK/SAND AT APPROX. 30 MPH, RIGHT FRONT OF JEEP, THE SEAT BELT AROUND THE DRIVER'S WAIST HELD, BUT THE BELT OVER THE DRIVER'S SHOULDER DID NOT HOLD, THE DRIVER'S FACE HIT THE MIDDLE OF THE DASHBOARD AND BROKE THREE TEETH THAT HAD TO BE REMOVED.ALSO, AIRBAG'S DID NOT DEPLOY.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 9, 1998 · crash

“THE JEEP WAS IN PARK WHEN I GOT OUT TO MAIL A LETTER. I LEFT MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR OPEN. THE JEEP SLIPPED OUT OF PARK AND KNOCKED ME DOWN. NEXT , THE OPEN DOOR SMASHED OUR MAILBOX INTO ME. THE JEEP PROCEEDED UP THE STREET, WHERE I COLLECTED MYSELF AND RAN AFTER IT. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO JUMP IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 15, 1998 · crash

“CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 60MPH ON HIGHWAY AND THERE WAS A LOUD BANG. THEN, VEHICLE VEERED TO LEFT. A CLICKING NOISE CAME ABOUT AFTER INCIDENT. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · November 10, 2000 · crash

1998 Jeep Wrangler — common questions

Is the 1998 Jeep Wrangler reliable?

It is close to typical for the Wrangler: 401 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 1998 Wrangler problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (62 complaints), engine (58 complaints), airbags (46 complaints).

Does the 1998 Jeep Wrangler have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Jeep Wrangler. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Jeep Wrangler years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Wrangler years to avoid are 2018, 2021, 2024, 2012, 2008, 2019, 2013, 2010, 2006, 2014, 2007, 2020, 2005, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2022, 2023, 2009, 2017. The cleanest record among Wrangler years belongs to 1985.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.