1998 Jeep Wrangler Body & Structure Problems

Your Jeep's frame has severely rusted through, particularly on the left rear where only a small amount of metal remained. The rust has eaten through other areas of the frame as well, and these damaged sections would have eventually failed. You'll need to have the frame replaced to restore structural integrity.

Your Jeep's frame was found to be severely rusted and unsafe to drive, requiring a complete frame replacement that cost $2,700. The owner reports this appears to be a widespread issue affecting 1997-2004 Jeep models due to poor manufacturing practices or low-quality steel. A frame replacement involves removing the vehicle's entire structural foundation and installing a new one.

Your Jeep Wrangler's frame is rusting from the inside out because moisture enters through holes in the upper frame and gets trapped in the lower frame where there are no drain holes. This is a known issue affecting 1997-2006 Wranglers. Fixing this would typically involve adding drain holes to the lower frame and treating internal rust.

Your Jeep's frame has extensive rust despite having only about 126,000 miles, which you believe is a safety hazard. You've heard that other owners have experienced similar frame rust issues and are asking for help addressing this problem. The frame may need rust treatment, repair, or replacement sections depending on the severity of the corrosion.

Your 1998 Jeep Wrangler has developed significant rust on the frame, a problem you've noticed affects many other Wranglers from this model year. You're planning to have the frame patched for now since a full replacement is too expensive, but you're hoping NHTSA or Chrysler will issue a recall to address this widespread issue. Fixing frame rust typically involves removing rusted sections and welding in new metal or applying protective coatings and patches.

WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC FRAME IS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT, AND THE FRAME WILL FAIL IN THE NEAR FUTURE. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A ON GOING PROBLEM WITH JEEP WRANGLERS OF MULTIPLE YEARS DUE TO THE FACT THERE WERE NEVER DRAIN HOLES PROVIDING DRAINAGE FOR THE WATER, ALSO LACK OF ANY RUST COATING TO THE INSIDE OF FRAME. IN PENN. YOU CAN NOT SELL A CAR WITH FRAME DAMAGE. I'M NOT SURE WHAT I'M GOING TO DO.I FEEL THAT JEEP SHOULD HELP WITH THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF THE FRAME. *TR

I AM WRITING TODAY TO COMPLAIN ABOUT MY 1998 JEEP WRANGLER. AFTER MY LAST SERVICE WAS PERFORMED, THE MECHANIC ILLUSTRATED TO ME THAT THE FRAME ON MY JEEP WAS SEVERELY ROTTING AWAY ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THIS IS NOT AN UNKNOWN CONCERN FOR ME SINCE MY EMPLOYER HAS HAD THE SAME CONCERN REPAIRED ON ONE OF HIS FAMILY MEMBERS JEEP. THIS IS VERY DISHEARTENING TO ME SINCE I HAVE BEEN A JEEP OWNER FOR MANY YEARS. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR THEY ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM. I FIND THIS UNBELIEVABLE, CONSIDERING THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS CONCERN AND OTHER VEHICLE MANUFACTURES HAVE RECALLED THEIR VEHICLES FOR SIMILAR FRAME ROT PROBLEMS. IE TOYOTA PICKUP TRUCKS, FORD WINDSTAR MINIVANS, AND I AM SURE THERE ARE OTHERS. I AM HAVING THIS JEEP FIXED BUT IT IS GOING TO BE A COSTLY REPAIR, AND IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT AT THIS TIME I CAN'T AFFORD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE AFFECTED AREAS ON MY FRAME THAT I CAN FORWARD TO YOU IF YOU NEED TO SEE THESE FOR YOUR INVESTIGATION. THANKS A VERY CONCERNED JEEP OWNER *TR

I HAVE A 1998 JEEP WRANGLER. THE PAINT ON THE SIDE MIRRORS & THE BACK WINDOW HINGES ARE CHIPPING. NOT TO MENTION THE FENDERS FRONT & REAR ARE FADDED. THEY WERE ONCE BLACK & ARE NOW GREY. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE MANY JEEPS OUT ON THE ROAD ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I HOPE SOMEONE IS CHECKING INTO THIS MATTER. GM SHOULD DO A RECALL & FIX THE PROBLEM!*AK

WATER LEAK IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I FINALLY HAD TO REMOVE RIGHT SIDE FLOOR CARPETING AND GLOVE BOX COVER AND SHOW THE DEALER WHERE THE BODY WAS LEAKING. I HAD THE WRANGLER TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS FOR THIS PROBLEM. EACH DEALER CHARGED ME $100.00 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM ONE WAS A LOWER WINDSHIELD SEAL. PROBLEM 2 WAS TO RE-SEAL BEHIND THE HEATER WHICH IS BEING DONE AT THIS TIME. SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE WOULD TALK TO CHRYSLER ABOUT REPLACING CARPET ON RIGHT SIDE WHICH BY NOW WILL NOT MATCH LEFT SIDE AND THEY WILL PROBABLY NOT PAY FOR IT. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY TRANSPORTATION FOR SEVERAL DAYS ON AND OFF BECAUSE OF THE LEAK AND THEIR INABILITY TO FIND THIS LEAK. THERE POLICY ON RENTAL CARS IS IF THEY CAN'T FIX THE CAR IN THE FIRST 24 HOURS THEY WILL GIVE YOU A RENTAL CAR. THEY SEND YOU HOME CAR-LESS TO WAIT FOR THE CALL AS TO WHEN YOUR CAR WILL BE READY. THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR 3 DAYS NOW AND I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO CALLS THEM TO FIND OUT WHEN MY CAR WILL BE READY. IN THE PAST I HAVE PURCHASED A NUMBER OF CHRYSLER PRODUCTS. WHEN I SELL THE WRANGLER AND DURANGO, MY CHRYSLER DAYS ARE OVER. WHILE I BELIEVE THEIR CARS AND TRUCKS ARE ALMOST AS GOOD AS MOST AMERICAN PRODUCTS TODAY, TRYING TO WORK WITH THE DEALERS IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. I THINK THEY HAVE A TERRIBLE DEALER NETWORK.

UNDER BODY FIRE ON VEHICLE AFTER DRIVING UNIMPROVED ROAD IN BRUSH. DEBRIS PACKED INTO SKID PLATE UNDER TRANSFER CASE AND CAUGHT FIRE. REDESIGN OF SKID PLATE IS NECESSARY TO PREVENT THE FIRE SITUATION. *AK

THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH A WATER LEAKAGE. WATER LEAKS FROM THE DASHBOARD ON TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK *ML

VEHICLE IS LEANING BECAUSE THE FRAME IN BENT AND DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATONS.

ROLL BAR DOES NOT HAVE A PROTECTIVE PAD, RESULTING IN INJURY WHEN HEAD HIT ROLL BAR.

THE WELDING OF THE VEHICLE CAUSED WATER TO LEAK UNDER THE DASH, WHICH DAMAGED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. MAY HAVE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE AIR BAG SYSTEM ALSO. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. REPLCEMENT PART, PLASTIC WATER DESLECTOR MELTED, CAUSING A FIRE. *AK