RoadVitals

1998 Jeep Wrangler Fuel system Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Fuel system reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
20
Latest Aug 8, 2011
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
8%
of 265 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1998 Jeep Wrangler submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 20 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming fuel system

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Fuel system
Filed Aug 8, 2011

LIQUID FUEL BLOWS OUT OF FUEL FILLER PIPE WHILE REFUELLING/CANNOT PROPERLY REFUEL VEHICLE. CONCERN HAPPENS EVERY TIME WHILE REFUELLING AND AT ANY REFUELLING STATION. I CANNOT REFUEL THIS VEHICLE WITHOUT GETTING FUEL SPRAYED ON ME OR MY CLOTHING; VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ID
10418827
Incident
Feb 2, 2011
Mileage
77,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 17, 2010

MY JEEP SPEWS OUT GASOLINE EVERY TIME I FILL UP AT THE PUMP. THE GAS COMES FROM THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK, AND IS A VERY DANGEROUS HAZARD. I AM STILL NOT ABLE TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING AFTER NUMEROUS TRIES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10336736
Incident
May 15, 2010
Mileage
135,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 21, 2010

MY 1998 JEEP WRANGLER OVERFLOWS WHENEVER I FILL IT UP WITH GASOLINE. EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENS I WASTE MY MONEY AND IS FORCED TO WIPE UP THE EXCESS GAS BY THE STATION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10326886
Incident
Apr 20, 2010
Mileage
119,173 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 14, 2010

FILL UP MY TANK AND THE PUMP STOPS. I PULL OUT THE PUMP HANDLE AND FUEL COMES BACK OUT OF THE GAS TANK. I HAVE TO PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO HOW FAR I DRIVE IN MILES AND WHEN I FILL UP LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF GALLONS GOING IN THE TANK. SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DO THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10325737
Incident
Aug 1, 2009
Body & structureElectricalEngine+4 more
Filed Sep 26, 2007

MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. WATER PUMP LEAKED - FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, GAS TANK SEAL LEAKED - FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, SEATS RIPPED - FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, SUCTION CUP MARKS ON WINDOW - FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, FRONT STABILIZER SHOCK LEAKED - FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, REAR WINDOW SEAL LEAKED - REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY TWO TIMES AND STILL LEAKS, INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILS - OUT OF WARRANTY NOT REPAIRED, RADIATOR FAILED - OUT OF WARRANTY FIXED AT MY COST, STABILIZER ARM FAILED BOTH SIDES TWICE - FIXED UNDER WARRANTY ONCE AND THE OUT OF WARRANTY FIXED AT MY COST, EXHAUST MANIFOLD FAILED - OUT OF WARRANTY - FIXED AT MY COST, CLUTCH FORK FAILED - OUT OF WARRANTY FIXED AT MY COST, LEAK UNDER THE DASH BOARD PASSENGER SIDE - FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. OF ALL THE PROBLEMS ABOVE... LOSS OF INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER REGARDLESS OF IN OR OUT OF WARRANTY. LOSS OF GAUGES IS A DRIVING DISTRACTION AND CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. JEEP NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT AS LONG AS THIS VEHICLE IS ON THE ROAD. *JB

NHTSA ID
10204168
Incident
Jan 15, 2000
Mileage
25,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 18, 2005

WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH DRIVER FELT THE ENGINE RUNNING REAL ROUGH AND MAKING NOISE. DRIVER PULLED OVER, AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS.*AK THE FUEL PUMP HAD ONLY BEEN ON THE VEHICLE FOR 3 WEEK WHEN IT FAILED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES NAPA IS MANUFACTURING FAULTY FUEL PUMPS. *NM

NHTSA ID
10113637
Incident
Feb 25, 2005
Fuel system
Filed Dec 23, 2004

CRACKED FUEL LINE. FUEL LEAK RESULTED IN POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE/EXPLOSION AND ENVIORMENTAL DAMAGE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10104395
Incident
Dec 21, 2004
Mileage
44,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 27, 2004

IN NOVEMBER OF 2003 MY HUSBAND BOUGHT ME A 1998 JEEP WRANGLER AND ABOUT 2 WEEKS AFTER DRIVING IT I DISCOVERED THAT THE GAS GAUGE ONLY WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO. SO I STARTED DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH ON LINE AND FOUND OUT THAT 98 WRANGLERS HAD BEEN RECALLED IN THE UK FOR BAD GAS GAUGES BUT NOT IN THE US . I WAS WONDERING WHY THAT IS. AND APPARENTLY THERE ARE MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE 98S. A BAD SENDING UNIT MIGHT NOT BE A PROBLEM TO OTHER PEOPLE BUT I WORK CONSTRUCTION AND SPENT MANY NIGHTS DRIVING TO WORK IN SNOW STORMS. WHEN THEY CALL YOU IN TO SHOVEL SNOW AT 2 AM THERES NOT MANY GAS STATIONS OPEN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10088703
Incident
Dec 8, 2003
AirbagsElectricalFuel system
Filed Jul 9, 2004

I OWN A 1998 JEEP WRANGLER VIN NUMBER [XXX] 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.*AK UPDATED 07/25/2012 * JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
10080720
Incident
May 15, 2004
Mileage
15,745 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Sep 2, 2003

CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL TANK HAD A CRACKED WHICH CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK OUT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE FUEL TANK HAD LEAKED SINCE THE OWNER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AT 39K MILES. THE FUEL TANK OVERFLOWED WHEN FILLED IN HOT WEATHER. BOTH THE FUEL TANK NUT REPLACEMENT TANK WERE DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN DUE TO SHORTAGE. THE TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE. THE SERVICE DEALER FOUND A POOR CONNECTION BEHIND THE CLUSTER. THE THROTTLE SENSOR DID NOT HAVE A GOOD SEAL IN WHICH MOISTURE HAD GOTTEN INTO IT. THE FUEL TANK CORRODED BADLY AND THE NEW TANK NUT WAS USELESS. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, FUEL FILTER, AND THE GAS TANK. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SCC ALSO THE WATER PUMP SERPENTINE BELT, AND BATTERY WERE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10031245
Incident
Jul 22, 2003
Heating & air conditioningElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Jul 25, 2003

1998 JEEP WRANGLER 4.0L, EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACK AT 30,000 MILES. JEEP/CHRYSLER REFUSED TO FIX, STATING ONLY CATALYTIC CONVERTER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. CRACK OCCURRED IN A WELD JOINING THE TWO PIPE, ALMOST 3/4 OF THE WAY AROUND THE PIPE, CAUSING COSIDERABLE NOISE, AND LOSS OF POWER. GUAGES FAIL PERIODICALLY, BUT COME BACK ON THERE OWN, AFTER A FEW MINUTES. AIR CONDITIONER DRAINS ONTO FLOOR INSIDE VEHICLE ON LONG DRIVES AND CAN EVEN SHORT OUT THE RADIO. THE STEERING COLUMN ALSO SQEALS LIKE AN OLD DOOR WHEN ITS COLD OUTSIDE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10029193
Incident
Mar 1, 2001
Mileage
30,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 1, 2003

FAULTY FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR. I SUSPECT A BAD FUEL SENDING UNIT. FUEL GAUGE SHOWS APPROXIMATELY 1/4 TANK OF GAS LEFT, HOWEVER THE CAR WILL ACTUALLY BE COMPLETELY OUT OF GAS.*AK

NHTSA ID
10025245
Incident
Jul 1, 2003
Body & structureElectricalEngine+4 more
Filed Mar 29, 2003

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

NHTSA ID
10013662
Incident
Mar 29, 2003
Fuel system
Filed Oct 18, 2001

FUEL LEAKED FROM TOP OF TANK WHEN FULL OR NEAR FULL. *AK

NHTSA ID
753404
Incident
Oct 15, 2001
Fuel system
Filed Jun 13, 2000

IN TANK ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP GASKET FAILURE. I FILLED THE FUEL TANK ON A 1998 JEEP WRANGLER ON A SUNDAY NIGHT, THE VEHICLE SAT IN MY DRIVEWAY OVER NIGHT AND INTO THE FOLLOWING AFTERNOON. UPON RETURNING HOME FROM WORK I NOTICED A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE, UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I FOUND THE FUEL RUNNING AT A STEAY STREAM ONTO MY DRIVEWAY FROM THE JEEP I HAD FILLED UP THE PREVIOUS EVENING. I ATTEMPTED TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK AND STOP IT, HOWEVER I WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK. I REMOVED THE FUEL TANK FROM THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THE FUEL TO BE LEAKING AROUND THE RETAINING RING FOR THE FUEL PUMP THAT IS INSTALLED IN THE FUEL TANK. I CHECKED THE SCREW ON RETAINING RING FOR TIGHTNESS AND FOUND IT TO BE SECURE AND SNUG ON THE TANK. THE RING IS A SCREW ON TYPE COLLAR MADE OF HARDENED PLASTIC, WHICH HOLDS THE FUEL PUMP IN THE TANK, THE FUEL PUMP SITS ON A FLAT RUBBER GASKET WHICH SITS ON THE LIP OF THE PLASTIC GAS TANK. UPON REMOVING THE RETAINING RING AND LIFTING THE FUEL PUMP OUT OF THE TANK I NOTICED THE GASKET WAS CRIMPED AND TORN ON THE TOP FLAT PORTION OF THE GASKET. I CONTACTED THE OWNER TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE CAUSES FOR THE GASKET TEAR, THE OWNER CLAIMED TO HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR A FAULTY FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR A COUPLE MONTHS EARLIER. WHICH WAS INLINE WITH WHAT I HAD ASSUMED SEEING AS THE FUEL TANK HAD GREASE PENCIL WRITING ON TOP OF THE TANK INDICATING A TECHNICIANS INITIALS, DATE AND MILEAGE. THIS PROBABLY EXPLAINS THE TORN GASKET, HOWEVER UPON OBTAINING A NEW GASKET AND ATTEMPTING TO REINSTALL THE NEW GASKET IN THE TANK WITH THE FUEL PUMP I NOTICED THE REASON THE GASKET PROBABLY TORE, THE RETAINING RING HAS A TENDENCY TO GRAB THE GASKET AND TURN IT AS THE RING SEATS ITSELF. I WAS VERY CAREFUL AND CAUTIOUS WHILE INSTALLING THIS RING AND GASKET CONSIDERING I DID NOT HAVE ANOTHER GASKET AND I DID NOT WANT TO TEAR THIS REPLACEMENT PART. I NEED MORE ROOM TO FINISH. PLEASE EMAIL ME AT [email protected] THANKS. IM OUT OF ROOM.

NHTSA ID
723995
Incident
Jun 11, 2000
Fuel system
Filed Sep 8, 1999

FUEL VAPOR CONNECTOR.

NHTSA ID
609555
Incident
Apr 21, 1998
EngineFuel systemInterior & seats+1 more
Filed May 5, 1999

CONSUMER EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH VAROUS PARTS: 1. CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD; 2. MUFFLER FAILED/ REPLACED;, 3. WATER LEAKING THROUGH FRONT WINDSHIELD MOULDING; 4. INSTRUMENT LIGHTS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY GO OUT, AND 5. FUEL GAUGE/SENDER WOULD NOT REGISTER PROPERLY. *AK

NHTSA ID
837513
Incident
Nov 15, 1998
Fuel system
Filed Feb 1, 1999

FUEL VAPOR CONNECTOR FAILED. YH

NHTSA ID
608984
Fuel system
Filed Nov 23, 1998

WHENEVER THE FUEL TANK IS FILLED IT LEAKS DOWN OFF THE TOP OF THE TANK ONTO THE SKID PLATE. WITH THE MUFFLER NEXT TO THE GAS TANK THIS POSES A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD. THE GAUGES WORK INTERMITTENTLY, INCLUDES: TACH, SPEEDOMETER, TEMP, OIL PRESSURE, FUEL, AND AMP METER. WHEN THEY STOP WORKING THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON. ALSO THE CRUISE CONTROL WILLN'T WORK. THE ODOMETER LIGHTS UP BUT NO MILEAGE IS REGISTERED.

NHTSA ID
700849
Incident
Aug 1, 1998
Fuel system
Filed Oct 27, 1998
Fire reported

AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE FOR SEVERAL HOURS THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DUE TO FAULTY FUEL LINES. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
829576

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data on this page last refreshed .