Model Year Problem Record

Jeep Wrangler 1998 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1998 Jeep Wrangler: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

265Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

2Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

0Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

37Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Engine57

Brakes27

Fuel and Propulsion System21

Vehicle Speed Control11

Latches, Locks and Linkages2

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Electrical System60 complaints

60 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine57 complaints

57 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags46 complaints

46 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train35 complaints

35 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension27 complaints

27 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes27 complaints

27 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 98V023000.

Vehicle Structure25 complaints

25 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System21 complaints

21 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts17 complaints

17 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 98V048000.

Unknown Or Other16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

98V023000Reported February 10, 1998 - 8,900 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on February 10, 1998. The campaign covers an estimated 8,900 vehicles across all affected models.

98V048000Reported March 12, 1998 - 2,427 vehicles potentially affected

Seat Belts. Recall covering the seat belts system, reported to NHTSA on March 12, 1998. The campaign covers an estimated 2,427 vehicles across all affected models.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

199831

199957

200020

200134

200225

200319

200418

20054

20064

20075

20083

20092

20104

20115

20128

20131

20144

20158

20162

20174

20181

20193

20201

20211

20231

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.