NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 265 owner complaints for the 1998 Jeep Wrangler. Most complaints involve electrical system (58) and engine and engine cooling (52). The EPA rates it 14–17 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Wrangler model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 411 |
| 1998 | 265 |
| 1999 | 217 |
| 2000 | 270 |
| 2001 | 170 |
| 2002 | 108 |
| 2007 | 1,059 |
| 2008 | 1,255 |
| 2009 | 650 |
| 2010 | 686 |
| 2011 | 486 |
| 2012 | 835 |
| 2013 | 657 |
| 2014 | 658 |
| 2015 | 479 |
| 2016 | 462 |
| 2017 | 312 |
| 2018 | 1,827 |
| 2019 | 747 |
| 2020 | 618 |
| 2021 | 958 |
| 2022 | 412 |
| 2023 | 374 |
| 2024 | 970 |
| 2025 | 83 |
| 2026 | 0 |
“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”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND FROM THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE, AS IF AIR WAS ESCAPING THROUGH THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS FRACTURED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.”
“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”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wrangler 4WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 18 | 17 | $3,650 | 523 |
| Wrangler 4WD Auto 3-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 17 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Wrangler 4WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Wrangler 4WD Auto 3-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 16 | 14 | $4,450 | 635 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
6 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 265 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (58), engine and engine cooling (52), air bags (45). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1998 Jeep Wrangler at 14–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).