Jeep Wrangler Complaints (1998)

265 consumer complaints on file.

#10690129February 23, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER GO DEAD, AND THE AIRBAG AND ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. SEEMS TO HAPPEN DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS. I HAVE TO HIT THE DASH A COUPLE OF TIMES AND EVERYTHING STARTS WORKING AGAIN. DOESN'T HAPPEN IN THE WINTER WHEN IT'S COLD. IT'S A LITTLE UNNERVING WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER STOPS WORKING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10663274December 9, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING AND RUNNING THE HEATER AND NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN THE HVAC UNIT AND SMELL SUBSIDED. I PULLED THE HVAC HEAD UNIT OUT AND HAD A VACUUM LINE AND IT'S INSULATION MELTED. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. THE HEAT AND AC NOW ONLY WORK ON THE HIGHEST SETTING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10577949April 7, 2014
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS SECURED AND UPON TAKING THE SEAT BELT OFF IT DID NOT RETRACT AT RANDOM. THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT SHOULDER BELT TURNING LOOP BECAME STUCK BETWEEN THE DOOR FRAME AND THE SEAT ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DOOR TO CLOSE PROPERLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY RETRACT THE SEAT BELT IN ORDER TO CLOSE THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THE SEAT AND METAL FRAMING WAS ALSO WORN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:98V048000 (SEAT BELTS) DUE TO THE STATUTE OF THE TIME FRAME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THERE WAS ALSO A LEAK BEHIND THE DASHBOARD THAT HAD LEAKED INTO THE FLOOR MATS ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10573095March 18, 2014
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:BODY
NOTICED A NOISE WHILE DRIVING HOME THE OTHER DAY THOUGHT IT MAY HAVE BEEN MY EXHAUST RATTLING AROUND, SO I GOT UNDER VEHICLE TO INSPECT THE NOISE, AND WHAT I FOUND WAS THAT THE REAR PART OF THE FRAME HAS RUSTED AWAY AND THE BRACKETS FOR THE REAR TRAILING ARMS HAD DETACHED FROM THE FRAME ALLOWING THE ARMS TO DROP, AND ON THIS PARTICULAR SIDE THE BRAKE LINES ARE ATTACHED TO THIS CONTROL ARM. I KNOW THAT TOYOTA HAD A SIMILAR RECALL ON THE TRUCK FRAMES FOR RUST PERFORATION, AND THAT JEEP HAD ONE ON THE LIBERTY FOR THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS RUSTING AND BREAKING. I AM AN AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN AND MY PERSONAL JEEP IS NOT THE FIRST ONE I HAVE SEEN WITH THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITION. I ALSO GOOGLED THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT ITS VERY COMMON IN THESE VEHICLES AS WELL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10563546February 9, 2014
POWER TRAIN, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
REAR DRIVE SHAFT SHEARED IN TWO AT A WELD JOINT LOCATED BETWEEN THE SHAFT MAIN TUBE BODY AND UNIVERSAL JOINT PART. THE FAILURE APPEARS TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH AN IMPROPER WELD SEAM (WELD ON APPARENTLY A THIRD OF THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE SHAFT TUBE APPEARS NOT TO HAVE BEEN COMPLETED). I DON'T KNOW IF THE WELDING PROCESS WAS DONE MANUALLY OR BY MACHINE AND IF BY MACHINE HOW MANY OTHER SHAFTS ARE SIMILARLY AFFECTED. I WILL MAIL A MORE COMPLETE COPY OF A WRITE-UP OF THE INCIDENT AS WELL AS PHOTOGRAPHS (I SENT CHRYSLER. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND THEY HAVE NOT FOLLOWED UP ON THE INCIDENT (OTHER THAN A VOICE MAIL ACKNOWLEDGING RECEIPT OF A LETTER FROM ME AND THEY WOULD LOOK INTO THE MATTER. THAT HAS BEEN CLOSE TO 5 MONTHS OF NO RESPONSE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10507033April 3, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION
THE FRAME IS ROTTEN OUT, AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE JEEP TJ'S. I HAVE A HOLE ON MY TAIL SECTION OF FRAME AND ON THE REAR CONTROL ARM AREA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10489312December 19, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY
WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC FRAME IS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT, AND THE FRAME WILL FAIL IN THE NEAR FUTURE. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A ON GOING PROBLEM WITH JEEP WRANGLERS OF MULTIPLE YEARS DUE TO THE FACT THERE WERE NEVER DRAIN HOLES PROVIDING DRAINAGE FOR THE WATER, ALSO LACK OF ANY RUST COATING TO THE INSIDE OF FRAME. IN PENN. YOU CAN NOT SELL A CAR WITH FRAME DAMAGE. I'M NOT SURE WHAT I'M GOING TO DO.I FEEL THAT JEEP SHOULD HELP WITH THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF THE FRAME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10487420December 5, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS TIMES THAT MY GAUGES JUST STOP WORKING AND THEN ONE DAY I WENT TO DRIVE IT AND I HAD NO TURN SIGNALS OR BRAKE LIGHTS. IT IS IN THE MECHANIC SHOP AS WE SPEAK. THEY HAVE FOUND THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR UNDER THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH HAS COMPLETELY MELTED AND ALL THE WIRES HAVE FUSED TOGETHER. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT IT DIDN'T CATCH ON FIRE. NOW THE OTHER PROBLEM IS FINDING THE PART MY MECHANIC HAS TRIED EVERYWHERE TO FIN IT. SO NOW MY JEEP IS JUST SITTING IN THE SHOP GOING ON THREE DAYS NOW UNTIL A PART CAN BE FOUND. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL ON THIS AS I SEE ON HERE AND OTHER SITES THAT IT IS DANGEROUS AND MANY HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES?? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10482490October 28, 2012
STEERING, SUSPENSION
DEATH WOBBLE, FRONT END SHAKES VIOLENTLY AT HIGHER FREEWAY SPEEDS. VERY FEARFUL TO DRIVE ON OTHER THAN STREETS. HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES THE LAST 2 YEARS. PURCHASED JEEP USED 5 YEARS AGO BUT ONLY STARTED TO HAVE WOBBLE LAST 2 YEARS SINCE IM RETIRED AND DON'T DRIVE LONG DISTANCES VERY OFTEN AND NOT DON'T WANT TO DRIVE ANYWHERE THAT REQUIRES ME TO USE FREEWAYS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10465611July 13, 2012
STEERING, SUSPENSION
JEEP DEATH WOBBLE. SCARY! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454229April 5, 2012
AIR BAGS
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
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
1
#10454042April 4, 2012
SUSPENSION
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. THE JEEP WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 1998 AND HAS NEVER BEEN OFFROAD. IT HAS VERY LOW HIGHWAY MILEAGE AND IS IN AN AREA WHERE THE WINTERS ARE MILD, SO THERE'S NOT A LOT OF ROAD SALT USED DURING THE WINTERS HERE. IT HAS BEEN MAINTAINED AND HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF. I HAD RECENTLY TAKEN IT TO A FABRICATION SHOP TO SEE IF IT COULD BE REPAIRED, AND AFTER EXAMINATION THE SHOP OWNER SAID THERE IS NO SOLID METAL LEFT IN THE FRAME FOR A REPAIR TO BE POSSIBLE. HE SAID THERE ARE NO DRAIN HOLES ON BOTTOM OF THE JEEP FRAME, BUT ONLY HOLES THAT THE MANUFACTURER PUT ON THE SIDE OF THE FRAME. HE SAID, AS A RESULT ROAD GRIME ENTERED THE FRAME FROM THESE MANUFACTURED SIDE HOLES, GOT TRAPPED INSIDE THE FRAME AND CAUSED IT TO RUST FROM THE INSIDE OUT. HE SAID THAT IS WHY I HAD NOT DETECTED THE SEVERITY OF THE RUST PROBLEM BEFORE NOW. THE SHOP OWNER PUT HIS HAND INSIDE THE FRAME AND PULLED OUT A HANDFUL OF MOIST ROAD GRIME AND LOOSE RUST FLAKES TO FURTHER ILLUSTRATE THE PROBLEM. THE SHOP OWNER WENT ON TO INFORM ME THAT MY JEEP IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. IN STARK CONTRAST, THE UNDERSIDE OF THE BODY OF THE JEEP HAS ABSOLUTELY NO RUST AT ALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10448812February 21, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10445912January 30, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD RATTLING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED. RECENTLY, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A VOLUNTARY RECALL ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER PERTAINING TO THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE. THE CONTACT WAS DISPLEASED TO KNOW THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND INELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PRIOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10437309November 26, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PURCHASED MY JEEP NEW IN 1998 AND I ONLY DROVE IT ABOUT 5000 MILES PER YEAR..IN ABOUT 2009 I BEGAN TO HAVE SOME TROUBLE WITH THE GAUGES/SPEEDOMETER..THEY WOULD STOP FUNCTIONING FOR PERIODS OF TIME...IN ABOUT 2010 I THERE WAS AN ODOR COMING FROM THE VENTS WHEN I USED MY HEATER OR AC..EACH TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THE LAST TIME I HAD IT CHECKED WAS THE END OF SEPTEMBER 2011. ON NOVEMBER 21, 2011 I WAS DRIVING TO THE GROCERY STORE WITH THE HEATER ON AND SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE VENTS..I TURNED OFF THE HEATER & BLOWER & THEN SAW FIRE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I STOPPED & TRIED TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES WITH MY JACKET. A LADY STOPPED TO HELP & CALLED 911. WHILE WAITING FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT (JUST A FEW MINUTES) AND I WAS SITTING IN THE LADY'S CAR...I WATCHED MY JEEP START MOVING TO THE RIGHT (EVEN THOUGH THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF & THE JEEP WAS IN GEAR)...IT WENT INTO A GRASS FIELD, BURST INTO FLAMES AND WAS A TOTAL LOSS. I ONLY HAD MINOR BURNS ON MY FINGERS & HANDS (FROM TRYING TO PUT OUT THE FIRE). I AM EXTREMELY UPSET! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10425227September 13, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY
I AM WRITING TODAY TO COMPLAIN ABOUT MY 1998 JEEP WRANGLER. AFTER MY LAST SERVICE WAS PERFORMED, THE MECHANIC ILLUSTRATED TO ME THAT THE FRAME ON MY JEEP WAS SEVERELY ROTTING AWAY ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THIS IS NOT AN UNKNOWN CONCERN FOR ME SINCE MY EMPLOYER HAS HAD THE SAME CONCERN REPAIRED ON ONE OF HIS FAMILY MEMBERS JEEP. THIS IS VERY DISHEARTENING TO ME SINCE I HAVE BEEN A JEEP OWNER FOR MANY YEARS. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR THEY ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM. I FIND THIS UNBELIEVABLE, CONSIDERING THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS CONCERN AND OTHER VEHICLE MANUFACTURES HAVE RECALLED THEIR VEHICLES FOR SIMILAR FRAME ROT PROBLEMS. IE TOYOTA PICKUP TRUCKS, FORD WINDSTAR MINIVANS, AND I AM SURE THERE ARE OTHERS. I AM HAVING THIS JEEP FIXED BUT IT IS GOING TO BE A COSTLY REPAIR, AND IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT AT THIS TIME I CAN'T AFFORD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE AFFECTED AREAS ON MY FRAME THAT I CAN FORWARD TO YOU IF YOU NEED TO SEE THESE FOR YOUR INVESTIGATION. THANKS A VERY CONCERNED JEEP OWNER *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10418827August 8, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
LIQUID FUEL BLOWS OUT OF FUEL FILLER PIPE WHILE REFUELLING/CANNOT PROPERLY REFUEL VEHICLE. CONCERN HAPPENS EVERY TIME WHILE REFUELLING AND AT ANY REFUELLING STATION. I CANNOT REFUEL THIS VEHICLE WITHOUT GETTING FUEL SPRAYED ON ME OR MY CLOTHING; VERY DANGEROUS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10412354July 14, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AC CONTROLS AND RESISTOR WIRING HARNESS HAS MELTED CANT GET REPLACEMENT PARTS FROM A DEALER OR SALVAGE YARDS WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO . I THINK THE JEEP WRANGLER NEEDS TO ATLEAST MAKE A REPLACEMENT PART OR FIX IT ON A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10389864March 11, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
INTERMITTENTLY AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON RPM AND SPEEDOMETER GAUGES FAIL SOMETIMES ALL GAUGES FAIL.... SOMETIMES WHEN I HONK MY HORN THEY "COME BACK UP"... THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS... VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I DO NOT KNOW HOW FAST I AM GOING... TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC REPLACED MY IGNITION SWITCH...2 DAYS AGO AND LAST NIGHT THE PROBLEM APPEARED AGAIN.. DOESN'T MATTER WHAT SPEED I AM GOING GAUGES WILL FAIL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10356571September 20, 2010
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT IN COLDER WEATHER. HE WOULD HAVE TO MANUALLY PUSH THE BELT BACK INTO THE RETRACTOR TO GET IT TO OPERATE CORRECTLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS AND THE VEHICLE REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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