1998 Jeep Wrangler brakes problems

Filed Jan 5, 2019 · Body, Brakes · 69,000 miles · GA

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. Years before I was traveling down a 2 land rd and had to press my brakes harder than I usually would due to a car pulling out in front of me. At that moment I blew a brake line. I could not get my vehicle stopped. Luckily it's a 5 speed. I geared down as fast as I could and managed to pull it off the main road onto a hill to get it stopped. After inspecting my vehicle I found severe damage. The motors mounts are barely there. The part where the frame mounts to the body is actually missing one due to rusting completely out. Every single bolt and nut is rusted. Every single square inch of the frame is rusted. The problem is that jeep poorly designed the frame with side holes for water and dirt to enter but did not design it with drainage holes on the bottom of the frame. Water and dirt enter and never leave. It's extremely unsafe to drive. I've read thousands of complaints online and this is a very common problem.

Filed Jan 1, 2007 · Acceleration, Brakes · 97,061 miles · GA · crash

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.

Filed May 26, 2005 · Brakes · 1,800 miles · NY

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.

Filed Sep 6, 2002 · Brakes · UT · 1 injury

On several occasions emergency brake would disengage while parked. Consumer rolled over on one occasion. *ak

Filed Apr 16, 2002 · Brakes · AZ

Brakes had fallen out, consumer was unable to stop.

Filed Jun 5, 2001 · Brakes · MI

While parking and pulling emergency parking brakeup, it broke.

Filed Feb 2, 2001 · Brakes · MA

While going in reverse rear brakes din't lock up. Dealer said brakes were out of adjustment. Brand new hubs & brake shoes, and it changed nothing.

Filed Jan 26, 2001 · Brakes · CT

When vehicle is placed on an incline with emergency parking brake engaged, emergency parking brake will not hold vehicle. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer has tightened cable, problem still occurs.

Filed May 8, 2000 · Brakes, Electrical · IN

Brake rotors had to be re-finished after only 8000 miles. I question the quality of materials chrysler is using. Steering wheel rubbing: steering column would make a rubbing noise every time it was turned. Did this even on the initial test drive new off the lot. They said it was a simple lubrication issue. 2 weeks later, the noise was back. I brought it in a total of 6 times before the problem was finally resolved, apparently with some new super slick polymer and only after I personally called the factory to get advice. Other issues: driver's seat creaks like an old tractor. They couldn't fix it. I had the problem with the gauges on my dash going off. They knew what that was and dixed it. Exhaust manifold went after only 12,000 miles (more substandard parts used by chrysler). This is why I hesitate to buy american.

Filed Jan 18, 2000 · Airbags, Body · TX

The vehicle has developed an odor associated with leaking anitfreeze. 3 different trips to make repairs, no action on first trip, second trip, dealer replaced thermostat housing, third trip, dealer replaced radiator. Vehicle still has odor at different times. Seat belts have been replaced 3 times on right hand side and once on left hand side due to belts getting pinched in hardtop doors and damaging belts. Belt on right hand has had failure of seat belt inertia lock during hard stop. Electrical system: airbag light illuminated at various times, and at the same time the speedometer and tachometer failed momentarily. Fix was to clean and grease connectors. System is starting to repeat same problem, and dealer cannot find a problem. Steering column lower bushing has developed noise, after rain or onset of cold weather. Dealer states fix is to lube bushing, but problem persists after 4 dealer visits. Rear axle seals on left hand and right hand were leaking, resulting in rear wheel lockup with moderate brake application on damp pavement or sandy road surfaces. Dealer replaced both seals, but nothing was said about possible brake lining contamination or cleaning. Vehicle has had repeated water leakage from around windshield on left and right hand sides, right hand hardtop door hinge attach bolts, thru seals on cowl and around doors. Dealer has replaced all seals, rtv'd gaps, and installed updated door seals, but vehicle still leaks. Also, carpets were water damaged in front passenger area due to water leakage from vehicle body and airconditioning system. Vehicle has been kept for up to two days on two different occasions for water leaks and multiple repair complaints.