1998 JEEP WRANGLER Power Train Problems

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.

Mileage: 145,000

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.

Mileage: 145,000

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.

Mileage: 95,000

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. *NLM

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

Mileage: 56,000

PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION STAYING IN GEAR---FINALLY THE JEEP JUST STOPPED---REPLACED TRANSMISSION

THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT ROLLED BACKWARDS AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *MR *JB

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. *SLC

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.

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.*AK

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.*AK

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!!*AK

WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK IT JUMPED OUT OF GEAR, DURING IDLING AND STARTED ACCELERATING IN REVERSE, VEHICLE MOVED 20 FEET BEFORE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP ALL MOVEMENT. NO DETERMINATION HAS BEEN MADE AS TO THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AND SHE STEPPED OUT BRIEFLY WITH DOOR OPENED, THERE WAS A POPPING SOUND AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED INTO REVERSE AT HIGH IDLE.*SLC

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.*AK

DEALER BUILT TRANSMISSION 2 TIMES AND IT'S GOING IN FORE THE 3RD TIME ON9/11/01 WHATS THE PROBLEM ( CHRYSLER ?). *AK

THE TRANSFER CASE IS BROKEN. NLM

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED, CONSUMER STATES A REBUILT TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED.*JB

SEE ATTACHED LETTER TO DAIMERCHRYSLER - WILL BE SENT VIA MAIL. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70MPH AND HEARD LOUD NOISE, AND BACK IN LIFTED UP. FRONT HAD DROPPED, AND DRIVESHAFT WAS DEFECTIVE. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC TOLD HIM THAT CRANKSHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AKI CONSUMER STATES DRIVE SHAFT BOUNCED OFF OF STREET AND HIT FLOOR BOARD RIPPING HOLE IN FLOOR NEXT TO DRIVER'S FOOT. *JB

1. THE TRANSMISSION HAS STARTED JUMPING IN AND OUT OF 3RD GEAR IN THE 32 TO 50 MPH RANGE. BUBBLES ARE PRESENT IN THE FLUID INDICATING A SEAL IS FAILING. REPAIR ESTIMATE AT THIS TIME IS OVER $1000. THIS FAILURE IN SNOWY DRIVING CONDITIONS CAUSES VEHICLE CONTROL PROBLEMS.2. PASSENGER SEAT BELT RETRACTS INTERMITTENTLY. THE PASSENGER WILL LEAN FORWARD AND BACK MAY NOT NOTICE THE SEATBELT HAS NOT RETRACTED. THIS CAN CERTAINLY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. 3. SUDDEN ACCELERATION AT IDLE. VEHICLE IDLE WILL JUMP FROM 1.5K TO 3K WITHOUT WARNING. OBVIOUSLY A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. 4. ANTI-SWAY BAR LINK FAILURE. THIS IS PERHAPS THE MOST INSIDIOUS FAILURE. THE STABILIZER BAR LINK BALL WILL CORRODE IN THE SOCKET AND CAUSE IT TO SEPARATE. THE RUBBER BOOT AROUND IT COVERS THE FAILURE. WHEN AN EMERGENCY TURN IS REQUIRED, THE JEEP WILL SWAY VIOLENTLY. I TALKED TO THE CHRYSLER PARTS ATTENDANT AND HE SAID HE SELLS ABOUT 12 A WEEK TO THOSE LUCKY ENOUGH TO NOTICE THE FAILURE. FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT NOTICE THIS, IT IS A TIME BOMB. THE PARTS ATTENDANT TOLD ME I WOULD BE BACK SOON TO REPLACE MORE. WHAT HE SAID IS TRUE.

AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON, INDICTATING A DEFECT IN THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. ALSO SPEEDOMETER FAILED. . DEALER HAS NOT FIXED THE DEFECTS. *AK THE TACHOMETER FAILS WHEN THE SPEDOMETER STARTS TO WORK. *YH

THE VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED AN ODOR ASSOCIATED WITH LEAKING ANITFREEZE. 3 DIFFERENT TRIPS TO MAKE REPAIRS, NO ACTION ON FIRST TRIP, SECOND TRIP, DEALER REPLACED THERMOSTAT HOUSING, THIRD TRIP, DEALER REPLACED RADIATOR. VEHICLE STILL HAS ODOR AT DIFFERENT TIMES. SEAT BELTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES ON RIGHT HAND SIDE AND ONCE ON LEFT HAND SIDE DUE TO BELTS GETTING PINCHED IN HARDTOP DOORS AND DAMAGING BELTS. BELT ON RIGHT HAND HAS HAD FAILURE OF SEAT BELT INERTIA LOCK DURING HARD STOP. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT VARIOUS TIMES, AND AT THE SAME TIME THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER FAILED MOMENTARILY. FIX WAS TO CLEAN AND GREASE CONNECTORS. SYSTEM IS STARTING TO REPEAT SAME PROBLEM, AND DEALER CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM. STEERING COLUMN LOWER BUSHING HAS DEVELOPED NOISE, AFTER RAIN OR ONSET OF COLD WEATHER. DEALER STATES FIX IS TO LUBE BUSHING, BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS AFTER 4 DEALER VISITS. REAR AXLE SEALS ON LEFT HAND AND RIGHT HAND WERE LEAKING, RESULTING IN REAR WHEEL LOCKUP WITH MODERATE BRAKE APPLICATION ON DAMP PAVEMENT OR SANDY ROAD SURFACES. DEALER REPLACED BOTH SEALS, BUT NOTHING WAS SAID ABOUT POSSIBLE BRAKE LINING CONTAMINATION OR CLEANING. VEHICLE HAS HAD REPEATED WATER LEAKAGE FROM AROUND WINDSHIELD ON LEFT AND RIGHT HAND SIDES, RIGHT HAND HARDTOP DOOR HINGE ATTACH BOLTS, THRU SEALS ON COWL AND AROUND DOORS. DEALER HAS REPLACED ALL SEALS, RTV'D GAPS, AND INSTALLED UPDATED DOOR SEALS, BUT VEHICLE STILL LEAKS. ALSO, CARPETS WERE WATER DAMAGED IN FRONT PASSENGER AREA DUE TO WATER LEAKAGE FROM VEHICLE BODY AND AIRCONDITIONING SYSTEM. VEHICLE HAS BEEN KEPT FOR UP TO TWO DAYS ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FOR WATER LEAKS AND MULTIPLE REPAIR COMPLAINTS.*AK

WATERLEAKS ON PASSENGER SIDE, DEALER CAN NOT FIX.....GEARS GRIND GOING FROM 1ST TO 2ND...AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON, INTSRUMENT PANEL FAILS, DEALER HAS FIXED ONCE

FIRST OFF, MY AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THEN THE GAUGES WOULD SHUT DOWN. I TOOK THE JEEP IN ONCE, THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T SEE ANY PROBLEMS AND COULDN'T FIX IT IF THEY DIDN'T SEE IT. NEXT, I WAS DRIVING THE JEEP, HAD STOPPED TO GET GAS, THEN STARTED TO DRIVE AND SUDDENLY, THE JEEP NO LONGER WOULD MOVE. THERE WAS A HORRIBLE SMELL, AND I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED AT 9 P.M, 6 HOURS FROM HOME. THE VEHICLE IS STILL IN THE SHOP, AND I DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY'LL BE THROUGH WITH IT!!

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.

WHILE DRIVING 65MPH, HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A BOMB HAD BLOWN UP UNDER VEHICLE. HEARD METAL AGAINST METAL RATTLING & THEN A LOUD BANG. VEHICLE STOPPED COMPLETELY ON HIGHWAY. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT THE DRIVETRAIN HAD EXPLODED. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPAIR DUE TO NOT BEING UNDER WARRANTY. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

WHEELS LOCKED UP WHILE IN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE IN ICE CONDITIONS, RESULTING IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

WHEN AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES THE SPEEDOMETER FAILS ALSO, REPAIRS ON THREE OCCASIONS.

EXPERIENCING SPEEDOMETER FAILURE. *YC

TRANSMISSION PAN FAILED CAUSING LEAK ON TWO OCCASIONS. *YC

ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS CAUSED THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO COME ON. ALSO,PROBLEMS WITH SPEEDOMETER, AND ANTENNA WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A CPV THAT BURNT OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SHIFTED INTO GEAR IT WILL NOT GO ALL THE WAY INTO GEAR. ALSO, THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE, THE GEARS MESH TOGETHER IMPROPERLY. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. OWNER HAS NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. *AK

WHEN SIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION EITHER GRINDS THE GEARS OR IS DIFFICULT TO GET INTO GEAR. THIS IS ESPECIALLY A PROBLEM WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, AND CANNOT BECAUSE OF DIFFICULTY SHIFTING GEARS.

TRANSMISSION GRINDS GEARS WHEN ENGAGING SECOND GEAR ON ACCELERATION.