Check a VIN

1998 Jeep Wrangler transmission problems

33 complaints (12% of all complaints for this car). 5 crashes reported.

owner complaints
33
of this car's complaints
12%
crashes
5
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    9
  • Manual transmission
    5
  • Driveline: driveshaft
    3
  • Automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch
    3
  • Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
    1
  • Manual transmission: floor shift assembly
    1
  • Clutch assembly
    1
  • Axle assembly: axle shaft: seal
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Jeep Wrangler transmission problems in other years

19901995200020052010201520202026

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 1998 Jeep Wrangler owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 9, 2014 · Transmission · 145,000 miles · TX

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.

Filed Jan 30, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 95,000 miles · NC

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.

Filed Mar 29, 2003 · Body, Electrical · AR

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 has a cut in it and is very difficult to see through. 9. The top has never quite fit right; it has always leaked and been extremely noisy - more so than anyone else's that I know. It has also come apart at the seams. The dealership has not been of any help. They wanted to charge outrageous amounts just for diagnostics, even when I had the best warranty. I've also had problems with the door molding coming out immediately, grinding in the steering wheel, grinding while trying to put it in reverse and more.

Filed Jan 28, 2003 · Transmission · 56,000 miles · NE

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

Filed Oct 21, 2002 · Transmission · NE

Problems with the transmission staying in gear---finally the jeep just stopped---replaced transmission

Filed Oct 15, 2002 · Transmission · AR · crash

The vehicle was in park, when all of a sudden it rolled backwards and caused an accident. *mr

Filed Jun 20, 2002 · Airbags, Locks · CD

Air bag sensor light illuminated and knocked out digital console readings. Both doors bulked in half due to cold weather, failing to latch shut. Steering box is leaking due to a crack. Last item was replaced three weeks prior to recurring failure. *ak transmission and torque converter were repaired due to leaking transmission cooler lines.

Filed Feb 13, 2002 · Transmission · CA · crash

Car was in park with emergency brake partially on. Engine was running. Passenger got out and car rolled backwards crashing into a buidling smashing the walls and windows.

Filed Feb 9, 2002 · Transmission · FL

The clutch stopped working while the vehicle was in motion. There are numerous technical bulletins that describe this as a continous problem for this vehicle. Please look into it before there is a serious accident.

Filed Jan 13, 2002 · Engine, Transmission · AR

I took the jeep last year to get the rattle fixed. They fixed it, but on the 1/12/02 I took it back for the same rattle. I don't believe they fixed it, just tightened the linkage up. My wife and I spent 7 hours at landers without anyone contacting us about what the problem was. They also broke a bolt off in the block that holds the exhaust manifold on, again we weren't informed. Our warrenty covered the exhaust problem, but landers said that the linkage wasn't covered even though they had worked on the linkage less than a year ago. They are supposed to cover any repairs they make for a year, but they didn't honor this. We spent 7 hours waiting for the jeep to be repaired. They offered us a rental to get us home, but didn't offer any gas money or anything for our incovience about driving 150 miles (one way). I'm a gunsmith and make $30 a hour and I was away from my work for 20 hours because of landers not informing me of how long the repairs would take. Now I'm behind with my work and having to work16 hours a day to catch up. I would like some comp. For my time lost. Also my wife went with me to landers and sat through their lies, and she lost work time also. Landers is supposed to have a five star rating toward their customers. We were treated like unwanted step-children. Landers didn't offer to supply us with transport to go get something to eat, inform us of the problems with our jeep, and charged us 69.97 for labor and 24.97 for parts, that shouldn't have worn out after 27,100 miles unless they damaged when they 'fixed' the linkages the first time. I know I'm not improtant to them, but I believe they destroyed the bushings the first time they worked on them, and broke the manifold bolt trying to tighten it down causing them to have to pull the head off the motor head off the engine to get to.

Questions about the 1998 Jeep Wrangler transmission

Does the 1998 Jeep Wrangler have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 33 complaints about the transmission of the 1998 Jeep Wrangler, 12% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1998 Jeep Wrangler transmission problems start?

Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.

Was there a recall on the 1998 Jeep Wrangler transmission?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Jeep Wrangler have bad transmission?

The Jeep Wrangler model years with the most transmission complaints are 2012 (282 complaints), 2013 (230 complaints) and 2024 (182 complaints).

Other 1998 Jeep Wrangler problems

Electrical 58Engine 53Airbags 46Suspension 26Body 25Fuel system 20Brakes 19Seat belts 17Steering 17Visibility 16Acceleration 11Lights 6Tires 4Wheels 3Locks 2Seats 2

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 1998 Jeep Wrangler?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history