10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 1
Average Mileage:
15,402 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Jeep Wrangler seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1998 Jeep Wrangler:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

1998 Jeep Wrangler Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #28

Apr 102021

Wrangler

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Airbag light come on and speedo and tach stops working. Vehicle has not been in an accident and this is occuring on numerous Jeep of this year. Why has there not been a recall? if something isn't done about this I will be getting a lot of Jeep owners together and filing a class action lawsuit!! it is a serious safety problem. I just purchased the vehicle and after researching this its happening to the majority on this years Wrangler

- Frederick, MD, USA

problem #27

Mar 172012

Wrangler

  • miles
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?

- Three Rivers, TX, USA

problem #26

Aug 152009

Wrangler

  • 29,250 miles
Instrument cluster goes out - speedometer and tach, or all other gauges go out, airbag light comes on. Appears to be many documented cases of this same failure with the wiring harness/instrument cluster problem since 1998. Numerous service bulletins but no recalls! what can be done to prevent the problem and is there a recall for this?

- Murfreesboro, TN, USA

problem #25

Oct 102007

Wrangler 4WD 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 92,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Airbag light stays on while driving and the tachometer/ speedometer dropped to zero... all other gauges display properly and I had no power loss.....it was really tense because I did not know how fast I was going down the freeway.... I cannot get this repaired because there is not a code to check (check engine light does not come on) this has happen 5 times since October 2007.... after researching I found that I am not the only one having this problem.....

- Cottage Grove, OR, USA

problem #24

Jun 122007

Wrangler 4WD 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 53,000 miles
Several times the dash cluster quits working and air bag lights come on. Have heard of several other owners having same problem.

- Alvin, TX, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #23

Jun 012006

Wrangler 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 29,000 miles
Air bag warning light come on and all dash instruments and gauges fail to function.

- Palm Springs, CA, USA

problem #22

Mar 082006

Wrangler 4WD 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 90,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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!

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #21

Feb 012006

Wrangler 4WD 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 60,000 miles
: 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.

- Belmont, NC, USA

problem #20

Nov 222004

Wrangler 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #19

Feb 242004

Wrangler 4WD 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 78,000 miles
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. 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.

- Charleston, SC, USA

problem #18

Aug 012002

Wrangler

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Jersey City, NJ, USA

problem #17

Jun 202002

(reported on)

Wrangler 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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. Transmission and torque converter were repaired due to leaking transmission cooler lines.

- Edmonton-Alberta, CD, USA

problem #16

Sep 011998

Wrangler 4WD

  • miles
Problem 1: instrument panel shuts down and airbag light comes on. Problem 2: when turning the steering wheel it makes a sqeaking or grinding like noise.

- San Clemente, CA, USA

problem #15

Jun 011998

Wrangler 4WD

  • miles
Gauges drop off intermittently (sometimes when hit a bump, other times on it's own). Tach and speedometer drop to zero, airbag light comes on. Tapping on panel, lights will go off, then come back on. Very sporadic when it happens--every day for a week or two, then nothing for a couple of days, then for 3 days, etc., etc. Also lose mileage indicator (how many miles were really on it when I purchased it new"!?!"!) seen so many compliants now from consumers, would like a recall!!! will my airbag work? don't want to kill anyone to find out!!

- Edwardsville, IL, USA

problem #14

Sep 012001

Wrangler 4WD

  • miles
No gauges are working and air bag light comes on contacted dealer said they had the same problem with three other Jeep already!

- Big Lake, MN, USA

problem #13

Sep 102001

(reported on)

Wrangler 4WD

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Airbag light intermittently is illuminated on dash, causing all gauges to return to zero while driving. Dealer has been contacted. Dealer can not duplicate problem, they say the fix a ground wire, however the problem never is corrected, this usually happens when starting up and usually lasts about 10-45 seconds.

- N Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #12

Aug 012001

Wrangler

  • miles
Since date of purchase instrument panel becomes inoperable, and airbag light comes on intermittently. Dealer has been contacted.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #11

Dec 222000

Wrangler 4WD

  • miles
Control panel instrumentation system components sporadically shut down and air bag light comes on while driving.

- Amelia, OH, USA

problem #10

Oct 011999

Wrangler 4WD

  • miles
Airbag light comes on at random and all gauges drop to zero!

- Chatsworth, CA, USA

problem #9

Feb 102001

Wrangler 4WD

  • miles
Irbag light comes on and the gauges go to zero including the speedometer, tachometer and gas gauge. They sometimes come back on when the car goes over a bump.

- Vienna, VA, USA

Read the next 8 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?