1998 Jeep Wrangler electrical system problems
Owners reported electrical system problems in 60 complaints for the 1998 Jeep Wrangler, 15% of the complaints on file. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 60 15% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 64,000 miles 26 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 6
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When electrical system problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 3 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 5 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 4 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 7 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 3 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 0 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 4 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 26 electrical system complaints that report mileage, the median is about 64,000 miles, and 46% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 6 fires, 1 injury.
What owners wrote
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.
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.
Other problems reported for the 1998 Jeep Wrangler
- Engine 49 complaints
- Air bags 46 complaints
- Exhaust system 34 complaints
- Brakes 27 complaints
- Suspension 27 complaints
- Body & structure 25 complaints
- Transmission 23 complaints
- Fuel system 21 complaints