1998 Jeep Wrangler
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 0 |
| 1985 | 0 |
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1987 | 38 |
| 1988 | 50 |
| 1989 | 62 |
| 1990 | 79 |
| 1991 | 76 |
| 1992 | 77 |
| 1993 | 108 |
| 1994 | 151 |
| 1995 | 202 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 1997 | 401 |
| 1998 | 265 |
| 1999 | 213 |
| 2000 | 251 |
| 2001 | 170 |
| 2002 | 108 |
| 2003 | 98 |
| 2004 | 192 |
| 2005 | 649 |
| 2006 | 730 |
| 2007 | 555 |
| 2008 | 872 |
| 2009 | 368 |
| 2010 | 684 |
| 2011 | 481 |
| 2012 | 829 |
| 2013 | 646 |
| 2014 | 647 |
| 2015 | 453 |
| 2016 | 451 |
| 2017 | 304 |
| 2018 | 1789 |
| 2019 | 721 |
| 2020 | 592 |
| 2021 | 884 |
| 2022 | 369 |
| 2023 | 330 |
| 2024 | 638 |
| 2025 | 56 |
| 2026 | 6 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
11% of complaints: air bags — 28 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
MY SON WAS KILLED WHEN THE 98 JEEP WRANGLER LOST CONTROL AND FLIPPED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE THIS VEHICLE WAS BUILT IN 1998. MANY COMPLAINTS SINCE THE YEAR OF 1998 AND NO RECALL OR FIX? *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20120405
9% of complaints: electrical system — 23 distinct reports on file.
FIRE8% of complaints: electrical system — 21 distinct reports on file.
FIRE INJURY7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 19 distinct reports on file.
INJURY6% of complaints: suspension — 16 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
"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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171227
RUST HAS EATEN COMPLETELY THROUGH JEEP FRAME IN REAR SUPPORT AREA THROUGH ABOUT MIDWAY OF THE DOOR SECTION. THIS IS NOT MINOR SURFACE RUST, BUT LARGE GAPING HOLES THAT I CAN PUT MY WHOLE HAND INSIDE OF.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120404
SAFETY TIMELINE
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM RESERVOIR DIAPHRAGM CAN SPLIT OR TEAR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE BOOSTER DATE CODE AND ANY BOOSTERS WITH THE SUSPECT MANUFACTURING DATE RANGE WILL BE REPLACED.
Campaign 98V023000 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE. THE FRONT SEAT BELT SHOULDER TURNING LOOP ANCHORS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND ARE NOT PROPERLY HARDENED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT SHOULDER BELT TURNING LOOP ON THESE VEHICLES.
Campaign 98V048000 — check if this car was fixed
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 COVE
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
Campaign 04E041000 — check if this car was fixed
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 DOD
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 1-800-880-305
Campaign 06E011000 — check if this car was fixed
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 BRAN
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 1-800-32
Campaign 06E022000 — check if this car was fixed
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 S
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.
Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1998 Jeep Wrangler — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (28 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (23 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (21 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 98V023000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V048000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04E041000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E011000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E022000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1998 Jeep Wrangler reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Jeep Wrangler is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Jeep Wrangler?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 11% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Jeep Wrangler have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.