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Engine coolingPart report

1998 Jeep Wrangler Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
53about this part
Share
20%of 265 total for the year
Median mileage
53,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 53 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1998 Jeep Wrangler, 20% of the 265 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 53,000 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10073203, filed 2004-05, 56,000 miles

“Many problems with this vehicle. Water pump leaked - fixed under warranty, gas tank seal leaked - fixed under warranty, seats ripped - fixed under warranty, suction cup marks on window - fixed under warranty, front stabilizer shock leaked - fixed under warranty, rear window seal leaked - repaired under warranty two times and still leaks, instrument panel fails - out of warranty not repaired, radiator failed - out of warranty fixed at my cost, stabilizer arm failed both sides twice - fixed under warranty once and the out of warranty fixed at my cost, exhaust manifold failed - out of warranty…”

NHTSA complaint #10204168, filed 2007-09, 25,000 miles

“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...”

NHTSA complaint #10064338, filed 2004-04, 43,000 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #10052342, filed 2004-01, 50,000 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #10029193, filed 2003-07, 30,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202511%
202321%
202220%
202140%
202061%
201951%
201840%
201710%
201661%
201541%
201491%
201341%
201271%
201161%
2010152%
200951%
2008111%
2007285%
2006203%
2005223%
200495%
200366%
200244%
20012112%
2000156%
19995023%
19985320%
199710927%
19953216%
19942517%
19931817%
199279%
19911216%
199079%
19891016%
1988714%
1987513%

Other parts of the 1998 Jeep Wrangler

Electrical system
58 complaints
Air bags
46 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
33 complaints
Suspension
26 complaints
Body and structure
25 complaints
Fuel system
20 complaints
Brakes
19 complaints
Seat belts
17 complaints
Other or unknown
16 complaints
Steering
16 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaints
Vehicle speed control
11 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1998 Jeep Wrangler

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology