1998 Jeep Wrangler complaints

SEVERAL TIMES THE DASH CLUSTER QUITS WORKING AND AIR BAG LIGHTS COME ON. HAVE HEARD OF SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS HAVING SAME PROBLEM. *TR

SINCE 1999 GAUGES DROPPED OFF INTERMITTENTLY , SOMETIMES WHEN HITTING A BUMP, OTHER TIMES ON ITS OWN. TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER DROPPED TO ZERO, AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. SOMETIMES STOPPING AND RESTARTING ENGINE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VERY SPORADIC WHEN IT HAPPENED. ALSO, LOSE MILEAGE INDICATOR. SEEN SO MANY COMPLAINTS NOW FROM CONSUMERS, NOT TO MENTION AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT COMPLAINTS. MULTIPLE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIPS KNEW THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT DIDN'T SEEM TO CARE. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL ISSUE?? WILL MY AIRBAG WORK? I DIDN'T WANT TO DIE TO FIND OUT!!*AK

I WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT AND APPROXIMATELY 3 CAR LENGTHS AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE ALREADY STOPPED AT THE LIGHT I BEGAN BRAKING AND HEARD A NOISE UNDER THE FLOOR BOARD AND WHILE PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM DID NOT SLOW OR STOP THE VEHICLE AT ALL. I LIFTED THE BRAKE PEDAL FROM THE FLOOR AND REAPPLIED IT AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP UNTIL IT RAN INTO THE BACK OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO IDLE UP REALLY HIGH AS IF IT WERE TRYING TO DRIVE ITSELF. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BREAK PEDAL AND AFTER I PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND PULLED THE EMERGENCY BREAK THE VEHICLE STOPPED IDLING UP HIGH. *NM

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COME ON AND ALL DASH INSTRUMENTS AND GAUGES FAIL TO FUNCTION. *NM

MY GAUGES ON THE DASHBOARD CONSISTENTLY GO TO "0" WHILE DRIVING MY 1998 JEEP WRANGLER. MY SPEEDOMETER,TACHOMETER, BATTERY STATUS, OIL, AND ENGINE TEMP ALL GO TO THE LEFT AND THE RED AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON. THIS ESPECIALLY OCCURS WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS. IT IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW HOW FAST I AM GOING, WHEN I NEED GAS, OR IF MY AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY IN MY FACE OR IF IT WILL DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY OTHER REPORTS CONCERNING THIS SAME ISSUE THAT IT IS INCUMBENT ON THE GOVERNMENT OR JEEP/CHRYSLER TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION! *NM

1998 JEEP WRANGLER EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED. CONTACTED DEALER TO CHECK ABOUT RECALL INFO AFTER REPAIR SHOP SAID THIS WAS COMMON IN 1997 AND 1998 WRANGLERS. NO SUCH LUCK. HAD IT WELDED AT MY EXPENSE AND HAVE SINCE SPOKEN TO MANY OTHER FOLKS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE TACHOMETER SHOWED NO READING. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE IN MOTION FOR THE PROBLEM TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THE PROBLEM MAY BE RELATED TO THE CLOCK SPRING, ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A LOCAL DEALER. THE TURN SIGANL WOULD NOT CNACEL, THE DEALER REPALCED THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. UYPDATED 03/28/06. *JB

WHEN COLD OR DAMP OR RAINING AND WITH LIGHT THROTTLE THE ENGINE STUMBLES/SHUTS OFF. THE TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER REGISTER NOTHING. THIS IS VERY FRIGHTENING WHEN AMIDST HEAVY TRAFFIC AT 55 OR 65 MPH. I SEARCHED THE WEB AND FOUND OTHER INSTANCES OF THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT NO RECALL??? AND NO CURE??? FOR THIS VERY UNSAFE CONDITION. *NM

WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH DRIVER FELT THE ENGINE RUNNING REAL ROUGH AND MAKING NOISE. DRIVER PULLED OVER, AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS.*AK THE FUEL PUMP HAD ONLY BEEN ON THE VEHICLE FOR 3 WEEK WHEN IT FAILED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES NAPA IS MANUFACTURING FAULTY FUEL PUMPS. *NM

DT: NO REAR BRAKES AND THE FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP. THE TROUBLE TAKES PLACE MOSTLY WHEN IT SNOWS OR WHEN IT IS SLIPPERY. THE BACK BRAKES HAVE NEVER WORKED. DEALER CHANGED EVERYTHING IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM, EXCEPT THE MASTER CYLINDER. INSPECTOR FROM JEEP CAME ,. AND WORKED ON IT. THEN, THEY SAID THE NATURE OF THE BEAST WAS NOT TO HAVE ANY REAR BRAKES. PARTS THAT WERE CHANGED INCLUDED THREE SETS OF BRAKE SHOES/TWO REAR BRAKE DRUMS/TWO SETS OF REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS, PROPORTIONAL VALVE/ABS COMPUTER FOR BRAKE SYSTEM, AND TWO BRAKE LINES.*AK

JEEP SAHARA 2002, CORROSION IN WHEEL LUG NUT HOLES. *BF THE CLEAR COAT ON THE WHEELT SEPARATED CAUSING MOISTURE TO SETTLE BETWEEN THE ALLUMINUM AND CLEAR COAT. *NM

CRACKED FUEL LINE. FUEL LEAK RESULTED IN POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE/EXPLOSION AND ENVIORMENTAL DAMAGE.*AK

THE AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE INTERIOR GAUGES FOR THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS APPEARED ON AND REMAINED ON AS WELL. THE GASOLINE GAUGE AND THE SPEEDOMETER WERE INOPERABLE. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY TO THE DRIVER. THE CONSUMER DROVE TO THE DEALER AND AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE DASHBOARD PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE CLOCK SPRING FOR THE AIR BAG. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

IN NOVEMBER OF 2003 MY HUSBAND BOUGHT ME A 1998 JEEP WRANGLER AND ABOUT 2 WEEKS AFTER DRIVING IT I DISCOVERED THAT THE GAS GAUGE ONLY WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO. SO I STARTED DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH ON LINE AND FOUND OUT THAT 98 WRANGLERS HAD BEEN RECALLED IN THE UK FOR BAD GAS GAUGES BUT NOT IN THE US . I WAS WONDERING WHY THAT IS. AND APPARENTLY THERE ARE MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE 98S. A BAD SENDING UNIT MIGHT NOT BE A PROBLEM TO OTHER PEOPLE BUT I WORK CONSTRUCTION AND SPENT MANY NIGHTS DRIVING TO WORK IN SNOW STORMS. WHEN THEY CALL YOU IN TO SHOVEL SNOW AT 2 AM THERES NOT MANY GAS STATIONS OPEN. *AK

AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ON WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE WIRING HARNESS BEING TOO SHORT. *AK

ON MY JEEP WRANGLER, THE HVAC EVAPORATOR DRAIN TUBE HAS REPEATLY CLOGGED UP, CAUSING CONDENSED WATER TO OVERFLOW THE HVAC HOUSING, AND DRAIN ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR.*AK

I OWN A 1998 JEEP WRANGLER VIN NUMBER [XXX] I PURCHASED NEW ON APR 10, 1998 SINCE FEB. 1, 2003 THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS OFF AND ON NOT BEEN WORKING PROPERLY . THIS INCLUDED ALL THE GAUGES AND AIR BAG INDICATOR. I HAVE TAKE MY VEHICLE TO A AUTHORIZED DEALER SERVICE SHOP FOR REPAIR ON 2-6-2003, 10-16-2003 AND 5-19-2004. THE FIRST TWO TIMES THEY SAID THE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAD CORROSION AND THEY SPRAYED IT. THE LAST TIME THEY SAID IT WAS TO MUCH CORROSION AND THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR REPLACEING IT ABOUT $900.00 THIS VEHICLE AS OF THIS DATE HAS ONLY 16076 MILES ON IT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I HAVE DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE WHEN INSTRUCTMENT AND AIR BAG INDICATOR HAS STOP WORKING.*AK UPDATED 07/25/2012 * JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON. ALL THE OTHER DASHBOARD INDICATORS DO NOT WORK WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY.

I HAVE A 1998 JEEP WRANGLER. THE PAINT ON THE SIDE MIRRORS & THE BACK WINDOW HINGES ARE CHIPPING. NOT TO MENTION THE FENDERS FRONT & REAR ARE FADDED. THEY WERE ONCE BLACK & ARE NOW GREY. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE MANY JEEPS OUT ON THE ROAD ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I HOPE SOMEONE IS CHECKING INTO THIS MATTER. GM SHOULD DO A RECALL & FIX THE PROBLEM!*AK

MY 1998 JEEP TJ WAS PURCHASED USED IN 2004 WITH ONLY 47,000 MILES. RAN GREAT FOR ABOUT 5 MONTHS AND THEN WOULD DIE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY GIVEN TIME. THEN AFTER SITTING FOR 30MINS WOULD START BACK UP AND COULD BE DRIVEN ABOUT 40 MILES BEFORE IT SHUT DOWN AGAIN. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON. SO DISTCAP. PLUGS, WIRES, ROTOR AND IGNITION COIL WERE CHANGED AND THE PROBLEM PERSISITED WITH INTERMITTEN PROBLEMS. SO A OBII HANDHELD SCANNER BY INNOVA WAS PURCHASED TO SCAN THE SYSTEM WHICH FINALLY CAUGHT A CODE IN THE JEEP. THE CODE WAS P0352 WHICH WAS A RESULT OF THE PICK UP COIL INSIDE THE DISTRIBUTOR GOING OUT. WAS PURCHASE FROM THE DEALER. PART# 56041030. COST IN CA IS $57.85. WAS CHANGED AND RUNS GREAT HOWEVER THE JEEP IS NOW HAVING NEW PROBLEMS WHICH HAVE TO BE ADDRESSED AND TROUBLE SHOT. HOPE THIS HELPS WITH THE ERRACTIC ITERMITTEN IGNITION PROBLEMS. OH AND TO TEST THE COIL TO SEE IF IT IS BAD YOU NEED A VOLT METER AND SET IT TO CHECK RESISTANCE. THE RESISTANCE FROM PRIMARY TERMINALS TO THE HIGH TENSION TERMINAL SHOULD BE 11.3 TO 15.3 OHMS ON A DIAMOND BRAND AND 11.3 TO 13.3 ON A TOYODENSO BRAND. AND WHEN CHECKING FROM PRIMARY TO THE OTHER PRIMARY IT SHOULD BE 0.97 TO 1.18 OHMS ON DIAMOND AND 0.95 TO 1.20 OHMS ON A TOYODENSO BRAND. THE PRIMARY IS WHERE THE TWO WIRE CONNECTOR FROM THE HARNESS PLUGS INTO.

I HAVE A 98 TJ JEEP 2.5LT WITH ON IT 57,000 NOW. WHAT I EXPERIENCED WAS A MAJOR POWER LOSS IN THE WHILE GETTING ON THE FREEWAY. THE SYMPTOMS WERE AS FOLLOWS. THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP BUT THE RPMS & SPEED WOULD RISE SLOWLY. I THOUGH MAYBE THE CLUTCH WAS SLIPPING AND PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY AND DROVE IT BACK HOME . I NOTICED IT GOT WORSE AND THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING POORLY AT IDLE AND IF YOU GAVE IT GAS IT WOULD BOG DOWN AND DIE. I ALSO NOTICED STRONG EXHAUST FUMES AND VERY LITTLE PRESSURE FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. SO I TOOK IT TO THE MUFFLER SHOP FOR A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT I SHOULD TAKE IT TO THE JEEP DEALER. BECAUSE IN CA THERE'S A FEDERAL RECALL LAW THAT STATES THAT THE DEALER MUST REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AT NO COST TO THE OWNER IF IT FAILS BEFORE 80,000 MILES REGARDLESS IF YOU BOUGHT IT NEW OR NOT AND MINE HAD 56,000. SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY INSTALLED A BRAND NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER FREE OF CHARGE AND LABOR. THE JEEPS RUNS GREAT AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS VERY NICE .THEY SAID THEY HAVE HAD PROBLEMS ON THIS WITH CERTAIN MODELS. HOPE THIS HELPS. OH IF YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW IF THAT'S THE PROBLEM JUST DISCONNECT THE EXHAUST PIPE GOING UP TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD REAL QUICK AND FIRE IT UP IF IT STARTS RIGHT UP AND HAS POWER THEN YOU KNOW THAT'S IT. BUT HOOK IT BACK UP DON'T DRIVE IT LIKE THAT. YOU MIGHT DAMAGE THE ENGINE. YOU'LL NEED A 14MM DEEP SOCKET AND SOME WD40 TO REMOVED THE 2 NUTS ON THE STUDS. THAT'S IT. *NM

VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING AN ERRATIC INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, AND AIR BAG LIGHT OPERATION. INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER ROLLED BACK TO ZERO, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. ALSO, AT 82,000 MILES LEFT TURN SIGNAL ENGAGED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, AND AT 78,000 MILES WHEN DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS OPENED WHILE THE TRUCK WAS STILL RUNNING THE DEFROSTER LIGHT CAME ON. DEALERSHIP HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO TWO JEEP DEALERS AND SAID THAT THEY'RE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND MANY CUSTOMERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO, THEY SAID THAT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. *LA

1998 4.0 JEEP WRANGLER (49K MI) WITH CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD. HAVE REPLACED MANIFOLD TWICE, ONCE WITH OEM AND THE LAST TIME WITH BANKS HEADER W/LIFETIME GUARANTY. MOST 4.0 I KNOW HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEADER WITHIN THE FIRST 100K MI. DESIGN SUCKS...*AK

THIS IS NOW THE 3RD SWAY BAR END-LINK I'VE REPLACED ON MY JEEP, AND THE 2ND I'VE REPLACED ON MY FRIEND'S 97 JEEP WRANGLER. I ASKED MY MECHANIC ABOUT THIS AND HE TOLD ME HE GETS THIS PROBLEM ALL THE TIME. HOW CAN SUCH WIDE SPREAD FAILURE OF AN IMPORTANT SAFTEY ITEM LIKE THE SWAYBAR END LINK ESCAPE BEING PART OF A RECALL. MY JEEP HAS FAILED THE PENNSYLVANIA SAFETY INSPECTION FOR TWO YEARS NOW BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. IN THE FALL OF 2002 WHILE MAKING AN SUDDEN EVASIVE MANUVER, MY JEEP HANDLED THE SITUATION SO POORLY THAT I ENDED UP CRASHING THE VEHICLE. I FOUND, DURING REPAIR, THAT THE SWAYBAR END-LINK WAS NOT IN WORKING ORDER.*AK

INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED. *AK

PASSENGER SEAT BELT FAILS TO RETRACT, ALSO GETS CAUGHT IN DOOR JAM.. EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED. WATER LEAKS INSIDE ONTO PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD. GAUGES FAIL/AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON. CATYLIST CONVERTER FAILED. THROTLE POSTIONING SENSOR FAILED. THESE INCIDENTS HAVE APPEARED OVER THE PAST 6-12 MONTHS.*AK

EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS ARE SNAPPING OFF IN THE BLOCK OF JEEP 2.5 4 CYL ENGINE. THIS PROBLEM IS DOCUMENTED BY CHRYSLER AS A DESIGN FAULT PROBLEM BUT THEY WILL NOT COVER IT. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED YET BECAUSE CHRYSLER WILL NOT COVER IT AND IT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX THAT CAN'T BE AFFORDED AT THIS TIME. THE PROBLEM IS ALSO A SAFETY PROBLEM DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE EXHAUST IS LEAKING FROM BETWEEN THE MANIFOLD AND HEAD AND COULD GET INTO THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST NOTICED IN ABOUT JAN 02. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 54000 MILES ON IT. THIS VEHICLE ALSO HAD A TOTAL CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE THAT WAS COVERED UNDER THE EMISSIONS WARRANTY. I FEEL THAT THIS PROBLEM WITH THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER, THE SAME WARRANTY, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT IT WAS A FAULTY PART DESIGN AND NOT WEAR AN TEAR. CATALYTIC CONVERTER "IMPLODED" ALL THE INTERIOR COMPONENTS CAME LOOSE AND BEGAN TO RATTLE. IT WAS REPLACED UNDER THE 8 YEAR 80,000 EMISSIONS WARRANTY. SUPPOSEDLY A COMMON PROBLEM

WATER LEAK IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I FINALLY HAD TO REMOVE RIGHT SIDE FLOOR CARPETING AND GLOVE BOX COVER AND SHOW THE DEALER WHERE THE BODY WAS LEAKING. I HAD THE WRANGLER TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS FOR THIS PROBLEM. EACH DEALER CHARGED ME $100.00 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM ONE WAS A LOWER WINDSHIELD SEAL. PROBLEM 2 WAS TO RE-SEAL BEHIND THE HEATER WHICH IS BEING DONE AT THIS TIME. SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE WOULD TALK TO CHRYSLER ABOUT REPLACING CARPET ON RIGHT SIDE WHICH BY NOW WILL NOT MATCH LEFT SIDE AND THEY WILL PROBABLY NOT PAY FOR IT. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY TRANSPORTATION FOR SEVERAL DAYS ON AND OFF BECAUSE OF THE LEAK AND THEIR INABILITY TO FIND THIS LEAK. THERE POLICY ON RENTAL CARS IS IF THEY CAN'T FIX THE CAR IN THE FIRST 24 HOURS THEY WILL GIVE YOU A RENTAL CAR. THEY SEND YOU HOME CAR-LESS TO WAIT FOR THE CALL AS TO WHEN YOUR CAR WILL BE READY. THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR 3 DAYS NOW AND I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO CALLS THEM TO FIND OUT WHEN MY CAR WILL BE READY. IN THE PAST I HAVE PURCHASED A NUMBER OF CHRYSLER PRODUCTS. WHEN I SELL THE WRANGLER AND DURANGO, MY CHRYSLER DAYS ARE OVER. WHILE I BELIEVE THEIR CARS AND TRUCKS ARE ALMOST AS GOOD AS MOST AMERICAN PRODUCTS TODAY, TRYING TO WORK WITH THE DEALERS IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. I THINK THEY HAVE A TERRIBLE DEALER NETWORK.

EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED IN 3 PLACES. THE FIRST MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED BY DEALER AT APPROXIMATELY 35,000 MILES. SECOND MANIFOLD IS CRACKED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON DEFECT WITH JEEP WRANGLER 4.0L YEARS 1997-1998. *LA

THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM THE DEALERSHIP WITHOUT A BACK SEAT. THE DEALER PROMISED TO PLACE THE SEAT IN THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE CONSUMER SIGNED THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT, BUT THE CONSUMER PLEADED FOR TEN MONTHS, THEN THE BACK SEAT WAS INSTALLED, BUT WITHOUT SEAT BELTS. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT INSTALL THE SEAT BELTS. THE DEALER ASKED THE VEHICLE OWNER TO GO TO THE SALVAGE YARD AND CUT OFF THE SEAT BELTS FROM ANY VEHICLE AND INSTALL THEM HIMSELF. *AK *SCC *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OPERATING INSTRUMENTS ON THE DASHBOARD DO NOT WORK. ALSO, AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME, AND SPEEDOMETER IS INOPERABLE. MANUFACTURER AND DEALER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM.*AK WHILE THIS CONDITION PERSIST THE ODOMETER DOES NOT RECORD MILEAGE AND THE AIR BAGS MAY BE INOPERATIVE IN A CRASH. *NLM

EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAK. *LA

1998 JEEP WRANGLER, 4.0L. THESE TWO ISSUES ARE ON SERVICE BULLETINS, BUT SHOULD BE RECALLS. THE FIRST ISSUE OCCURRED AS MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WHEN THE VALVE SPRINGS SNAPPED, STOPPING THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE. DISCUSSED IN DETAIL ON SERVICE BULLETIN 182298, INITIALLY ISSUED BEFORE I EVEN PURCHASED MY CAR. IT WAS VERY FRUSTRATING TO FIND OUT THAT JEEP WAS AWARE OF SUCH A DANGEROUS ISSUE AND DID NOTHING TO PREVENT SUCH FAILURES FROM OCCURRING. THE SECOND IS A VERY WIDESPREAD AND DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WHEN THE MAIN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SPONTANEOUSLY STOPS WORKING, INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, AIR BAG INDICATOR, FUEL GAGE, OIL GAGE, ETC... DISCUSSED ON SERVICE BULLETINS, 081599 I BELIEVE. YOU CANNOT TELL YOUR SPEED, HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE, ETC... ANOTHER IMPLICATION IS THAT THE ODOMETER IS INCORRECT ON MANY JEEPS. *LA

AIR-CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR FAILURE AIR-CONDITIONING EVAPORATOR COIL FAILURE AIR-CONDITIONING REFRIGERANT LEAKS AND ODORS

CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL TANK HAD A CRACKED WHICH CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK OUT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE FUEL TANK HAD LEAKED SINCE THE OWNER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AT 39K MILES. THE FUEL TANK OVERFLOWED WHEN FILLED IN HOT WEATHER. BOTH THE FUEL TANK NUT REPLACEMENT TANK WERE DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN DUE TO SHORTAGE. THE TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE. THE SERVICE DEALER FOUND A POOR CONNECTION BEHIND THE CLUSTER. THE THROTTLE SENSOR DID NOT HAVE A GOOD SEAL IN WHICH MOISTURE HAD GOTTEN INTO IT. THE FUEL TANK CORRODED BADLY AND THE NEW TANK NUT WAS USELESS. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, FUEL FILTER, AND THE GAS TANK. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SCC ALSO THE WATER PUMP SERPENTINE BELT, AND BATTERY WERE REPLACED. *JB

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. *AK

PERIODICALLY THE DASHBOARD GAUGES CUT OUT AND DO NOT FUNCTION. AT THE SAME TIME THE AIR BAG LIGHT GOES ON. PER DISCUSSION WITH A DEALER, IF THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON THE AIRBAG WILL NOT PROPERLY FUNCTION.*AK

DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILURE. *AK

1998 JEEP WRANGLER 4.0L, EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACK AT 30,000 MILES. JEEP/CHRYSLER REFUSED TO FIX, STATING ONLY CATALYTIC CONVERTER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. CRACK OCCURRED IN A WELD JOINING THE TWO PIPE, ALMOST 3/4 OF THE WAY AROUND THE PIPE, CAUSING COSIDERABLE NOISE, AND LOSS OF POWER. GUAGES FAIL PERIODICALLY, BUT COME BACK ON THERE OWN, AFTER A FEW MINUTES. AIR CONDITIONER DRAINS ONTO FLOOR INSIDE VEHICLE ON LONG DRIVES AND CAN EVEN SHORT OUT THE RADIO. THE STEERING COLUMN ALSO SQEALS LIKE AN OLD DOOR WHEN ITS COLD OUTSIDE.*AK

FAULTY FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR. I SUSPECT A BAD FUEL SENDING UNIT. FUEL GAUGE SHOWS APPROXIMATELY 1/4 TANK OF GAS LEFT, HOWEVER THE CAR WILL ACTUALLY BE COMPLETELY OUT OF GAS.*AK

AFTER PARKING OUR 1998 WRANGLER AT THE HOSPITAL TO VISIT MY MOTHER MY CAR WAS REPORTED ON FIRE. THE FIREMEN STATED AND WROTE A REPORT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE WRANGLER IS TOTALED AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY WILL NOT PAY THE VEHICLE OFF. WE ARE SHORT $3,000 OF THE PAY OFF. MY IMMEDIATE CONCERN IS I WAS GLAD I WAS NOT DRIVING AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE AND DID THIS HAPPEN TO OTHER OWNERS OF A WRANGLER. THIS CAR IS ONLY GOING INTO 5 YEARS OLD AND HAS HAD THE REAR END REPLACED AT OUR EXPENSE AND THE GAUGES GO ON AND OFF AND THIS WAS FIXED ONCE. WHAT CAUSED THIS ELECTRICAL FIRE? I WANT JEEP TO RESPOND TO WHY THIS HAPPENED. *TT

INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES AND LIGHTS GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHEN USING TURN SIGNAL. BLOWER POWER FAILED ALTOGETHER (MECHANIC FOUND BURNED OUT WIRING HARNESS UNDER DASHBOARD.) AIR CONDITIONER FAILED --EVAPORATOR AND COMPRESSOR. WATER LEAKS ON PASSENGER SIDE FROM FRONT WINDSHIELD (WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED TWICE AT DEALER BUT FAILED TO FIX PROBLEM.) REAR CENTER BREAK LIGHT WIRE FAILED. HOOD LATCH BROKE OFF. *JB

A CRACKED EXHAUST HEADER CAUSED EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. *NLM

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY JEEP WRANGLER 1998. THIS IS A PARTIAL LIST I SENT TO CHRYSLER: I BOUGHT MY JEEP WITH JUST 3600 MILES ON IT FROM A DEALER IN 1999. FROM DAY ONE I STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS. MANY OF THEM I RETURNED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. SOME THEY WERE ABLE TO FIX, OTHERS, AFTER MANY RETURN TRIPS, THEY WERE 'UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM'. 1. GAUGES WOULD STOP WORKING WHILE DRIVING - I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN 5 TIMES BEFORE THEY WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE AND FINALLY FIX THE PROBLEM. 2. THIS WAS ALSO TRUE OF THE BLINKERS THAT NOT ALWAYS WORKED - OR WORKED ALL AT THE SAME TIME. 3. MY HAZARDS STILL DO NOT WORK EVERY TIME. 4. THE AIR CONDITIONER GOES OUT WHEN DRIVING,VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WHEN IT IS HOT AND RAINING. 5. THE SOUND BAR HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY - FIRST IT WOULD ONLY COME IN SOME TIMES - NOW NEVER. 6. HEADERS ARE CRACKED - BAD. THEY HAVE BEEN WELDED SEVERAL TIMES. WHEN I WENT TO HAVE THEM WELDED IT WAS FOUND THEY WERE WELDED BEFORE MY PURCHASE - AT 3600 MIL! THEY ARE STILL CRACKED, WELDING DOES NOT HOLD. I CAN NOT GET ANYONE TO REPLACE THEM BECAUSE EVEN EXHAUST SPECIALISTS SAY IT IS TOO CUMBERSOME. THE DEALER CHARGES WAY MORE THAN I HAVE CONSIDERING THE NUMBER OF REPAIRS AND THE PRICE OF GAS - AT 12 MPG. 7. DRIVERS SEAT BELT LOCKS TIGHTLY WITH ANY AMOUNT OF PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES - IT HAS NOW GOTTEN TO THE POINT IT LOCKS JUST WHILE DRIVING. 8. WINDOWS - THE ZIPPERS BROKE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY - I PAID ALOT TO HAVE THESE REPLACED. THE BACK WINDOW NOW

EXHAUST HEADER CRACKED & BROKE IN TWO WILL NOT PASS STATE SAFETY INSPECTION OR EMISSION

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE, VEHICLE WILL LOSE CONTROL DUE TO A FAULTY SWAY BAR HOLDER OR THE TIE ROD. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH

THE CONSUMER STATE THE HIS SON HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION STAYING IN GEAR. THE CONSUMER(S) ARE REQUESTING TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. SCC

GEN3 SEATBELTS IN MY 1998 JEEP WRANGLER DO NOT RETRACT PROPERLY. EITHER THEY DON'T RETRACT ENOUGH, CAUSING THEM TO BE CAUGHT IN THE DOOR (THUS FRAYING THE BELT), OR THEY RETRACT TOO MUCH AND WON'T RELEASE, PREVENTING ME FROM USING THE BELT. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WHICH I HAVE NOTICED FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE.

WIRING HARNESS FOR DASH, BOTH HAZARD-BLINKER-HEADLIGHTS, BURNING PLASTIC SMELL, COULD NOT LOCATE, ENDED WITH SMOKE ROLLING OUT OF STEERING COLUMN WHEN WHEN WE STARTED THE ENGINE, LUCKILY, WE PULLED THE FUSE THAT POWERED IT OUT OF FUSE BOX TO ENABLE US TO RETURN HOME--70 MILES AWAY, WITH NO LIGHTS, BLINKERS, ETC. CALLED DEALER, WANTED $400.00+ TO LOOK AT IT, AND ASKED ABOUT THE ERRATIC DASH ODOMETER ACTIVITY. WE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD HAVE DAMAGED THE COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN DASH HAD WE NOT REMOVED THE POWER TO THE HARNESS. MELTED HARNESS NEARLY COMPLETELY. ERRATIC GAUGE OPERATION STILL A PROBLEM, IF YOU HIT A BUMP THEY COME BACK ON. THEY STILL WANT 400+ DOLLARS TO LOOK AT IT AT THE DEALER. THIS IS ONLY ONE OF MANY PROBLEMS (CONVERTER REPLACED BY DEALER 2 TIMES ALREADY IN 1 AND HALF YEAR, BRAKES DON'T ENGAGE PROPERLY-HAD BRAKE LINES CHECKED REPEATEDLY, ETC). TS

CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE CRACK COULD HAVE RESULTED IN CARBON MONOXIDE ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. REPAIR FACILITY REPORTED THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE IN 1997 AND 1998 JEEP WRANGLERS. MANUFACURER PAID FOR PARTS. DT