VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE. THE FRONT SEAT BELT SHOULDER TURNING LOOP ANCHORS

Mar 12, 1998 — Recall Campaign #98V048000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE. THE FRONT SEAT BELT SHOULDER TURNING LOOP ANCHORS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND ARE NOT PROPERLY HARDENED.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 2,427 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

98V048000

Manufacturer:	Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Recall date:	March 12, 1998
NHTSA Campaign #:	98V048000
Units affected:	2,427

Description:: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE. THE FRONT SEAT BELT SHOULDER TURNING LOOP ANCHORS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND ARE NOT PROPERLY HARDENED.
Consequeces:: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY.
Corrective action:: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT SHOULDER BELT TURNING LOOP ON THESE VEHICLES.
Notes:: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 6, 1998. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Affects the following:

1998 JEEP CHEROKEE Complaints
The contact owns a 1998 Jeep Cherokee equipped with Goodyear Tires, Tire Line: Wrangler Radial A/S, Tire Size: 275/75/R15, DOT Number: 1PJHLFNWR. The contact stated that he had purchased two tires from Walmart that were installed in the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle started wobbling. The contact stated that the failure occurred increasingly as he continued driving, causing him to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to Walmart, where it was inspected, and the contact was informed that the rear tires were out of round and the tread had separated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that he needed to drive to the nearest Goodyear dealer for the tire replacements; however, the nearest Goodyear was 100 miles away. The tires were not replaced. The contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. The tire failure mileage was approximately 200. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 200,000.;
1998 JEEP WRANGLER Complaints
Frame started showing signs of rusted out frame in 2003 when the transmission skid weld nuts in the bottom of the frame rusted out as well as the body side step weld nuts in the frame. In 2010, 3 or the 4 rear axle control arms broke free from the frame causing brake lines to fail while driving. I was able to use parking brake and downshifting manual transmission to get home. I was lucky that the rear axle didn't completely separate or the failed brake cause a serious accident. The TJ frames are poorly designed with no drainage causing them to rust from the inside out.;