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NHTSA recalls, safety ratings, and consumer complaints for the 1998 Jeep Wrangler.
NHTSA has not published 5-star crash-test ratings for the 1998 Jeep Wrangler. New vehicles are often added to the NCAP rating program after initial release; check nhtsa.gov/ratings for the latest status.
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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.
Component: EQUIPMENT
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.
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
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.
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
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.
Frame started showing signs of rusted out frame in 2003 when the transmission skid weld nuts in the bottom of the frame rusted out as well as the body side step weld nuts in the frame. In 2010, 3 or the 4 rear axle control arms broke free from the frame causing brake lines to fail while driving. I was able to use parking brake and downshifting manual transmission to get home. I was lucky that the rear axle didn't completely separate or the failed brake cause a serious accident. The TJ frames are poorly designed with no drainage causing them to rust from the inside out.
AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON AND SPEEDO AND TACH STOPS WORKING. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND THIS IS OCCURING ON NUMEROUS JEEPS OF THIS YEAR. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL? IF SOMETHING ISN'T DONE ABOUT THIS I WILL BE GETTING A LOT OF JEEP OWNERS TOGETHER AND FILING A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT!! IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. I JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ITS HAPPENING TO THE MAJORITY ON THIS YEARS WRANGLERS
JEEP WRANGLER FRAMES RUST FROM INSIDE OUT DUE TO MOISTURE GETTING IN THROUGH UPPER PART OF FRAMES WHERE THEIR ARE HOLES AND SETTLING TO LOWER PART OF FRAME WHERE THEIR ARE NO DRAIN HOLES. THEIR MAY HAVE NOT BEEN AN ISSUE IF JEEP HAD JUST PUT IN DRAIN HOLES IN LOWER PART OF FRAME. IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN 1997 THROUGH 2006 JEEP WRANGLERS. I HAVE THIS ISSUE.
The 1998 Jeep Wrangler has 6 NHTSA recalls and 271 consumer complaints on file. The high number of complaints suggests potential reliability concerns — review the complaint details above before purchasing. For the most detailed information about a specific vehicle, decode its VIN using our free decoder above.
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JEEP TJ FRAME SEPARATED AT THE TORSION BAR ON PASSENGER REAR WHEEL MAKING VEHICLE UNSTABLE AND UN- USABLE.
MY FRAME IS ROTTING OUT FAST AND FURIOUS, I'VE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE SECTIONS, THE UPPER AND LOWER CONTROLS ARMS HAVE RIPPED OFF, THE BODY FELL THREW THE MOUNTS, PAID TO HAVE THAT FIXED
I HAVE A 1998 JEEP WRANGLER. I'VE OWNED MY JEEP FOR 15 YEARS. IT HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT. WE WERE CHANGING THE SHOCKS A FEW WEEKS AGO AND NOTICED SEVERE RUST DAMAGE. THE FRAME IS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. IT'S SEVERE. YEARS BEFORE I WAS TRAVELING DOWN A 2 LAND RD AND HAD TO PRESS MY BRAKES HARDER THAN I USUALLY WOULD DUE TO A CAR PULLING OUT IN FRONT OF ME. AT THAT MOMENT I BLEW A BRAKE LINE. I COULD NOT GET MY VEHICLE STOPPED. LUCKILY IT'S A 5 SPEED. I GEARED DOWN AS FAST AS I COULD AND MANAGED TO PULL IT OFF THE MAIN ROAD ONTO A HILL TO GET IT STOPPED. AFTER INSPECTING MY VEHICLE I FOUND SEVERE DAMAGE. THE MOTORS MOUNTS ARE BARELY THERE. THE PART WHERE THE FRAME MOUNTS TO THE BODY IS ACTUALLY MISSING ONE DUE TO RUSTING COMPLETELY OUT. EVERY SINGLE BOLT AND NUT IS RUSTED. EVERY SINGLE SQUARE INCH OF THE FRAME IS RUSTED. THE PROBLEM IS THAT JEEP POORLY DESIGNED THE FRAME WITH SIDE HOLES FOR WATER AND DIRT TO ENTER BUT DID NOT DESIGN IT WITH DRAINAGE HOLES ON THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME. WATER AND DIRT ENTER AND NEVER LEAVE. IT'S EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I'VE READ THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM.
HAD TO REPLACE THE FRAME DUE TO LEFT REAR RUSTED THROUGH THE WHOLE FRAME, JUST A SMALL AMOUNT OF THE FRAME WAS LEFT. OTHER AREAS HAD RUST EATING THREW THE FRAME, AND IN A MATTER OF TIME WOULD HAVE FAILED!!!.
"TJ WRANGLER FRAME RUST" - SEVERE RUST OCCURRED IN THE FRAME OF MY 1998 JEEP WRANGLER. VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER PASS PA STATE INSPECTION. RUST WAS DUE TO NO DRAINAGE HOLE AND FRAME RUSTED FROM INSIDE OUT. RUST OCCURRED ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES JUST IN FRONT OF THE REAR CONTROL ARMS AND EXTENDED FRONT TO THE TRANSFER CASE MOUNTING POINTS. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND IT IS VERY COMMON AND MANY POOR JEEP OWNERS ARE PARTING OUT PERFECTLY GOOD JEEPS DUE TO THEM NOT BEING ABLE TO PASS STATE INSPECTIONS - LUCKILY NO ONE HAS BEEN HARMED DUE TO THIS FRAME DAMAGE THAT I AM AWARE OF - SOME VIDEOS ON THE INTERNET SHOW THE ENTIRE FRAME RUSTED AWAY! THIS NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF JEEP AS THIS IS OBVIOUS A DESIGN FLAW AND OWNERS SHOULD BE COMPENSATED. IF THERE IS ANY DOUBT OF HOW SEVERE THIS IS SIMPLE DO A GOOGLE SEARCH! TOYOTA TOOK CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS!!!
I HAVE AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FRAME RUST AND MY VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 150XXX MILES AND THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE READ THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS AND I AM WANTING TO KNOW WHAT YOU GUYS COULD DO TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE AND I DO NOT WANT TO RESALE BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT TO SELL IT IN THIS CONDITION AND I WANT TO KEEP IT BUT I ALSO DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF THIS. THERE'S A LOT OF LIFE LEFT IN THIS VEHICLE AND IT ONLY HAS 126XXX MILES SO I NEED HELP
ON MY 1998 JEEP WRANGLER SPORT, CHRYSLER PUT A HOLE IN THE FRAME TO ACCESS THE REAR SWAY ARM BOLT AND WHEN THEY DID THAT IT LET WATER , DIRT, SALT ETC INTO THE FRAME AND CAUSE THE FRAME TO ROT FROM THE INSIDE OUT. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND MANY PEOPLE SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME ONE I WANT TO PUT THE WORD OUT TO HAVE IT FIX BECAUSE IF IT WAS TO BREAK WHILE DRIVING YOUR JEEP IT CAN COST SOMEONE THERE LIFE. MINE HAS YET TO DO SO BECAUSE I SEEN IT IN TIME AND WANT SOMETHING DONE ABOUT IT A RECALL IS NEEDED TO FIX THE PROBLEM
TAKATA RECALL REPORTING THIS IN HOPES OF HAVING THE ISSUE RESOLVED BY NHTSA OR CHRYSLER... I HAVE A 1998 JEEP WRANGLER AND LIKE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS, MINE HAS DEVELOPED MAJOR FRAME RUST. I KNOW THIS ISNT GOING TO BE RESOLVED ANYTIME SOON, BUT I NEED TO GET MINE FIXED NOW. HOPEFULLY IF THERE IS EVER A RECALL I CAN STILL BE APART OF IT EVEN AFTER MINE IS REPAIRED. IM GOING TO BE HAVING IT PATCHED FOR NOW AS A FRAME REPLACEMENT WILL COST WAY TOO MUCH FOR ME AT THE MOMENT. MYSELF, ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS WOULD GREATLY BENIFIT FROM THIS BEING RECALLED. THERE ARE A LOT OF JEEPS OUT THERE DRIVING ON REPAIRED FRAMES. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE RESOLVED BEING AS THERE ARE SO MANY WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM.
SEAT BELTS DO NOT GRAB WHEN PULLED RAPIDLY, MOST OF THE TIME. THE CENTRIFUGAL PAWLS SEEM TO NOT BE FREELY MOVING OUTWARD AND HOLDING THE BELT FROM FREELY PLAYING OUT, WHEN THEY SHOULD. I MADE THE TEST WHILE PARKED WITH ENGINE RUNNING AND OFF, AND ALSO WHILE IN MOTION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO DISPLAY THE SPEED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
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.
WHILE USING CRUISE CONTROL SPEED INCREASED AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO SHUTTING OFF SPEED CONTROL OR BY HITTING THE BRAKES CAR COULD NOT BE STOPPED ONLY PUSHING IN CLUTCH WHILE THE ENGINE RACED UNCONTROLLABLY AND PULLING OFF THE INTERSTATE ONTO SIDE OF ROAD TURNING OFF KEY STOPPED THIS . WHEN STARTED BACK UP ENGINE STILL RACING. SAME THING HAPPENED ABOUT SEVEN YEARS AGO NEVER USED SPEED CONTROL AGAIN UNTIL THIS
Showing 15 of 271 complaints