JeepWrangler19982.5L/jeep/wrangler/1998/2-5l/
TJ platform

1998 Jeep Wrangler — 2.5L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Wrangler 2.5L.

Engine 2.5LTransmission Automatic 3-spd

The 1998 Jeep Wrangler rides on the TJ platform and pairs a 2.5L engine with a three-speed automatic transmission, returning EPA fuel-economy ratings of 15 city, 17 highway, and 16 combined mpg. Lubrication specs call for 4 quarts of 10W-30 or 5W-30 API oil with filter, and the model year carries a reliability record of 271 owner complaints and six recalls, with engine and engine cooling standing out as the dominant trouble area. Plotted against the Wrangler's 1990–2023 complaint history—bookended by a low of 5 in 1996 and a high of 1,793 in 2018—the 1998 lands as a comparatively quiet year, offering researchers a useful reference point well before the platform's later, more complaint-heavy production cycles.

Model year200120001999199819971995

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-110 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/17/16 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 34 · 500 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 34 · 500 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter04797777AC
Fuel filter04798301 discontinued
Spark plug68304020AA
Battery1BPB5800AA
Front wiper blades55154762AF discontinued
Serpentine belt53011035 alt 53010254AB
Thermostat52028186AC alt 53020547AC

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 17 / 16 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent published road-test results.

10.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 10.90 sec — 1998 SE 2-door
120 hpHorsepower (as tested)
140 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1998SE 2-door 2.5L I-410.90 sec17.80 sec120 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4 qt w/ filter of 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 · 80W-140 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-110 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5 · 80W-140
Differential Gear Oil Capacity4.9 Pints,
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769
Engine Oil10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt w/ filter
Power Steering FluidMS-5931

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings33 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts105 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs17 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-110 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug35.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug35.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub175 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.95-1.20 Toyodenso ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance11,300-13,300 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.035 in
Spark Plug Torque30 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.25 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeSP-20
Oil Capacity8.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance500 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief12-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature195 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)47-51 psi
Engine Compression120-150 PSI. 30 Maximum variation PSI.

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle7-15 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.030 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.030
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.005 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.944 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.944 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.894 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Coat threads of bolt 7 with sealant

122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
245 ft. lbs.45 ft. lbs
3bolts 1-6110 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBody Fasteners (torque) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 15,000 miBattery (inspect electrolyte level)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 37,500 miBands (adjust) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 51,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1998 model sits near the peak of a sharp rise in reported problems for the Wrangler generation, with 271 complaints—well above the mid‑1990s low‑single‑digit levels and only modestly lower than the 1997 spike of 455. Recall activity in 1998 (6 recalls) also exceeds the early‑1990s average of 4–7 and is comparable to the surrounding years (1997 = 7, 1999 = 5), indicating a relatively stable but elevated recall environment. Technical Service Bulletins peaked at 75 in 1998, mirroring the high complaint volume and suggesting many issues were being addressed through service advisories rather than formal investigations (none recorded). The dominant complaint categories—engine cooling (38), electrical system (26), power‑train (20) and airbags (16)—show that the most frequent problems are mechanical and electrical rather than safety‑critical, with only 24 crash‑related and 9 fire‑related complaints. **Takeaway:** 1998 is a high‑complaint year within an overall upward trend, so buyers should budget for potential engine, cooling or electrical repairs, but the lack of crash or fire spikes keeps it from being a red‑flag year; proceed with caution and a thorough pre‑purchase inspection.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
75
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
271
Owner complaints
24 involved a crash · 9 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 271 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling38
Electrical System26
Power Train20
Air Bags16
Structure14
Suspension12
Electrical System,Air Bags11
Seat Belts11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E022000Service Brakes, HydraulicReported 13/03/2006

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA… Remedy: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER…

06E026000Exterior LightingReported 23/03/2006

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL… Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 75 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
08-049-202020-04-22Electrical SystemCharging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…
D-20-02 Rev. A2020-03-04EquipmentDIPAP Requirements - Addition of Jeep Wrangler (JL/JK) and Jeep Gladiator (JT) Hard Top…
31005192019-11-20StructureUse of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Wrangler. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1998 Wrangler 2.5L take?

4 qt w/ filter of ABOVE 0 degrees F: 10W-30 API, BELOW 60 degrees F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1998 Wrangler have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.5L get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 17 highway / 16 combined mpg.