Complaints
401
Crashes
28
Fires
9
Injuries
19
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Jeep Wrangler Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#128 complaints
Airbags
Avg mileage:61,607 mi
Crash-related:3
#223 complaints
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
Avg mileage:43,250 mi
Fires:3
#321 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:78,271 mi
Fires:3
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Jeep Wrangler.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags | 28 | 3 | — | 61,607 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 23 | — | 3 | 43,250 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 21 | — | 3 | 78,271 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 19 | — | — | 48,571 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 16 | 1 | — | 109,017 mi | |
| Body Structure | 15 | — | — | 108,722 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 13 | 10 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 12 | — | — | 70,000 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 8 | 2 | — | 89,992 mi | |
| Instrument Cluster | 6 | — | — | 35,958 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 6 | — | — | 45,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 6 | — | — | 145,000 mi | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 6 | — | — | 74,167 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 6 | — | — | 48,523 mi | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 5 | — | — | 51,023 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 5 | — | — | 110,391 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 5 | — | — | 25,000 mi | |
| Manual Transmission | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 | 1 | — | 49,430 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 5 | 1 | — | 127,126 mi | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 5 | — | — | 55,000 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 4 | — | — | — |
Airbags
28
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
61,607
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
23
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
43,250
Electrical Faults
21
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
78,271
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
19
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
48,571
Suspension Failures
16
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
109,017
Body Structure
15
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
108,722
Air Bags:Frontal
13
complaints
Crashes
10
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
70,000
Automatic Transmission
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
8
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
89,992
Instrument Cluster
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
35,958
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
45,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
145,000
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
74,167
Visibility:Windshield
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
48,523
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
51,023
Gasoline Fuel System
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
110,391
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
25,000
Manual Transmission
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
49,430
Steering Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
127,126
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
55,000
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Jeep Wrangler. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Jeep Wrangler Years
1998 Jeep Wrangler — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Jeep Wrangler reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1998 Jeep Wrangler has 401 NHTSA complaints, 28 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 28 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Jeep Wrangler?
Top reported problems: Airbags (28 complaints, avg 61,607 mi); Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash (23 complaints, avg 43,250 mi); Electrical Faults (21 complaints, avg 78,271 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 Jeep Wrangler?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 71,302 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Jeep Wrangler include 28 crash-related reports, 9 fire reports, 19 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 Jeep Wrangler have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 Jeep Wrangler as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1998 Jeep Wrangler?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Jeep Wrangler reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 Jeep Wrangler
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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