1998 Jeep Wrangler Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 33about this part
- Share
- 12%of 265 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 95,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 33 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Jeep Wrangler, 12% of the 265 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10563546, filed 2014-02, 145,000 miles“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”
NHTSA complaint #10003772, filed 2003-01, 56,000 miles“My wife was shifting from 1st to 2nd gear and the stick shift separated from the transmission. This vehicle has never been driven off road or hard. When we called jim marsh Jeep my wife told them the stick shift came off and the person said you must have a Wrangler . This has to be more than an isolated incedent. Had we been 4 wheeling some where it could have been a bad accident.”
NHTSA complaint #711370, filed 1999-09“The Jeep was in park when I got out to mail a letter. I left my drivers side door open. The Jeep slipped out of park and knocked me down. Next , the open door smashed our mailbox into me. The Jeep proceeded up the street, where I collected myself and ran after it. Fortunately, I was able to jump in and stop it, and no one was behind me. The door was completely wrapped around to the quarter panel because of hitting the mailbox.”
NHTSA complaint #752773, filed 2001-10“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 2003-03Related service bulletins
- 10013731Mar 2, 2005Powertrain control module initialization.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 8% |
| 2025 | 13 | 18% |
| 2024 | 179 | 24% |
| 2023 | 51 | 14% |
| 2022 | 68 | 17% |
| 2021 | 149 | 16% |
| 2020 | 47 | 8% |
| 2019 | 80 | 11% |
| 2018 | 177 | 10% |
| 2017 | 50 | 16% |
| 2016 | 74 | 16% |
| 2015 | 51 | 11% |
| 2014 | 88 | 13% |
| 2013 | 230 | 35% |
| 2012 | 282 | 34% |
| 2011 | 40 | 8% |
| 2010 | 68 | 10% |
| 2009 | 34 | 9% |
| 2008 | 67 | 8% |
| 2007 | 46 | 8% |
| 2006 | 57 | 8% |
| 2005 | 41 | 6% |
| 2004 | 26 | 14% |
| 2003 | 22 | 22% |
| 2002 | 14 | 13% |
| 2001 | 23 | 14% |
| 2000 | 70 | 28% |
| 1999 | 20 | 9% |
| 1998 | 33 | 12% |
| 1997 | 53 | 13% |
| 1995 | 32 | 16% |
| 1994 | 19 | 13% |
| 1993 | 13 | 12% |
| 1992 | 11 | 14% |
| 1991 | 8 | 11% |
| 1990 | 5 | 6% |
| 1989 | 7 | 11% |
| 1988 | 2 | 4% |
| 1987 | 2 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1998 Jeep Wrangler
58 complaintsEngine cooling
53 complaintsAir bags
46 complaintsSuspension
26 complaintsBody and structure
25 complaintsFuel system
20 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsSeat belts
17 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