1998 Jeep Wrangler Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 6%of 265 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the seat belts of the 1998 Jeep Wrangler, 6% of the 265 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Gen3 seatbelts in my 1998 Jeep Wrangler do not retract properly. Either they don't retract enough, causing them to be caught in the door (thus fraying the belt), or they retract too much and won't release, preventing me from using the belt. This is an ongoing problem which I have noticed from the day I bought the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10000757, filed 2003-01, 27,500 miles“Seat belts do not grab when pulled rapidly, most of the time. The centrifugal pawls seem to not be freely moving outward and holding the belt from freely playing out, when they should. I made the test while parked with engine running and off, and also while in motion.”
NHTSA complaint #10897011, filed 2016-08, 88,900 miles“Passenger seat belt fails to retract, also gets caught in door jam.. Exhaust manifold cracked. Water leaks inside onto passenger floor board. Gauges fail/airbag light comes on. Catylist converter failed. Throtle postioning sensor failed. These incidents have appeared over the past 6-12 months.”
NHTSA complaint #10058808, filed 2004-02, 75,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10013662, filed 2003-03“The contact owns a 1998 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that the seat belt was secured and upon taking the seat belt off it did not retract at random. The front drivers seat shoulder belt turning loop became stuck between the door frame and the seat on multiple occasions making it difficult for the door to close properly. The contact had to manually retract the seat belt in order to close the drivers side door. The seat and metal framing was also worn. …”
NHTSA complaint #10577949, filed 2014-04, 200 milesRelated recalls
- 98V048000Mar 12, 1998Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicle. The front seat belt shoulder turning loop anchors were not properly heat treated and are not properly…Covers: Jeep Wrangler 1998, Cherokee 1998
Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 0% |
| 2023 | 1 | 0% |
| 2022 | 2 | 0% |
| 2021 | 4 | 0% |
| 2020 | 2 | 0% |
| 2019 | 6 | 1% |
| 2018 | 9 | 0% |
| 2017 | 8 | 3% |
| 2016 | 10 | 2% |
| 2015 | 9 | 2% |
| 2014 | 6 | 1% |
| 2013 | 5 | 1% |
| 2012 | 10 | 1% |
| 2011 | 11 | 2% |
| 2010 | 3 | 0% |
| 2009 | 1 | 0% |
| 2008 | 5 | 1% |
| 2007 | 7 | 1% |
| 2006 | 3 | 0% |
| 2005 | 4 | 1% |
| 2004 | 10 | 5% |
| 2003 | 6 | 6% |
| 2002 | 5 | 5% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 15 | 6% |
| 1999 | 7 | 3% |
| 1998 | 17 | 6% |
| 1997 | 35 | 9% |
| 1995 | 15 | 7% |
| 1994 | 16 | 11% |
| 1993 | 13 | 12% |
| 1992 | 9 | 12% |
| 1991 | 11 | 14% |
| 1990 | 6 | 8% |
| 1989 | 4 | 6% |
| 1988 | 4 | 8% |
| 1987 | 7 | 18% |
Other parts of the 1998 Jeep Wrangler
58 complaintsEngine cooling
53 complaintsAir bags
46 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
33 complaintsSuspension
26 complaintsBody and structure
25 complaintsFuel system
20 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaintsVehicle 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 31, 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