Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 271 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Jeep Wrangler, and it carries 6 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 38 | 14% |
| Electrical system | 26 | 10% |
| Power train | 20 | 7% |
| Air bags | 16 | 6% |
| Structure | 14 | 5% |
| Suspension | 12 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 11 | 4% |
| Seat belts | 11 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 11 | 4% |
| Visibility | 10 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 contr
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
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
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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 ISSU
NHTSA complaint: Structure
JEEP TJ FRAME SEPARATED AT THE TORSION BAR ON PASSENGER REAR WHEEL MAKING VEHICLE UNSTABLE AND UN- USABLE.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
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. YE
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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!!!.
NHTSA complaint: Structure
"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
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 1998 Jeep Wrangler. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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
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 D
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: 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.
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 AR
Risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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
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 T
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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
| Reliability raw | 76 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 70 | good |
| Depreciation | 66 | good |
| Performance | 71 | good |
| Efficiency | 27 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 271 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 38 of them (14%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 76/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1998 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.