Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Jeep Wrangler owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I own a 1998 Jeep Wrangler VIN number [redacted] I purchased new on apr 10, 1998 since feb. 1, 2003 the instrument panel has off and on not been working properly . This included all the gauges and air bag indicator. I have take my vehicle to a authorized dealer service shop for repair on 2-6-2003, 10-16-2003 and 5-19-2004. The first two times they said the the instrument panel had corrosion and they sprayed it. The last time they said it was to much corrosion and that I had to pay for replaceing it about $900.00 this vehicle as of this date has only 16076 miles on it. This is very dangerous because I have driven this vehicle when instructment and air bag indicator has stop working. Updated 07/25/2012 * js
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.
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!
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.....
Dt*: 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.
Airbag light come on and speedo and tach stops working. Vehicle has not been in an accident and this is occuring on numerous jeeps 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 wranglers
On 03/26/99 I was involved in an auto-auto collision, impacting front right side. Other auto was going 35+ MPH. Neither pass. Nor driver airbags deployed. I am concerned that my airbags May be defective. Dealer contacted but has yet to investigate. Manufacturer (Chrysler corp.) contacted but will not do anything because guam is not within continental us. I just want to know if in fact they should have deployed or not.
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?
Driver hit a berm of rock/sand at approx. 30 MPH, right front of Jeep, the seat belt around the driver's waist held, but the belt over the driver's shoulder did not hold, the driver's face hit the middle of the dashboard and broke three teeth that had to be removed.also, airbag's did not deploy.
Vehicle has been in for repair three occassions for air bag repair and waiting for parts on last repair, however during accident during waiting period vehicle experienced no deployment of air bag and seat belt failure resulting in head injury to driver.
Airbag complaints in other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1998 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Jeep Wrangler, 17% of the model year's 265 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Jeep Wrangler airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1998 Jeep Wrangler, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Jeep Wrangler airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 13 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries and 1 death to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.