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1998 Jeep Grand CherokeeProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 1,028 owner complaints about the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee, most often about the power train. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 13V-252 the manufacturer reports only 35% of affected cars repaired.

42
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.4× the Grand Cherokee median · #10 of 32 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Lowest repair rate 35%Owner complaints1,028287 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage77kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 1, 2024. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee has problems

1,028 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train426162
Service brakes, hydraulic1529
Fuel system, gasoline995
Engine and engine cooling693
Structure683
Electrical system604
Fuel/propulsion system422
Steering402
Vehicle speed control3914
19 other systems25242

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

35%repaired · 2015 Q4

Storage: tank assembly

Recall 13V-252 · Jun 19, 2013 · 1,560,000 vehicles · 553,137 repaired

Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Disc: rotor

Recall 00V-136 · May 10, 2000 · 589,000 vehicles

Risk. THE REDUCED STRENGTH CAN ALLOW THE CAST IRON WEAR SURFACE TO SEPARATE FROM THE HUB, REDUCING THE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VEHICLE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Power assist: vacuum

Recall 98V-023 · Feb 10, 1998 · 8,900 vehicles

Risk. THIS CAN CAUSE AN INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED AND A LOSS OF POWER ASSIST DURING BRAKE APPLICATION WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Jeep.

Mileage at failure

When do power train problems start?

77kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 33 power train complaints. 76% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 19% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
1under 30k miles25under 100k miles8100k miles or more
Best & worst years

1998 vs. every other Grand Cherokee year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Grand Cherokee median. How we score

'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee safety ratings

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4-DR. 4x4 in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
7 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Fuel Storage System Crash Related FiresDP09005 · closed Aug 23, 2010
    No recall
  2. ROLL-AWAY IN REVERSE WHEN PARKEDEA01017 · closed Dec 18, 2002
    Led to recall 02V-053
  3. HOOD LATCH FAILUREEA02029 · closed Feb 10, 2004
    No recall
  4. Crash Related Fuel Tank FiresEA12005 · closed Nov 14, 2014
    Led to recall 13V-252
  5. INADVERTENT ROLLAWAY IN REVERSE PARKPE01021 · closed Nov 1, 2001
    No recall
  6. HOOD LATCHPE02045 · closed Oct 16, 2002
    No recall
  7. Crash Related Fuel Tank FiresPE10031 · closed Jun 14, 2012
    No recall
In owners' words

What Grand Cherokee owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TAKATA RECALL. SINCE OWNING MY 1998 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 4.0, I'VE REPLACED NEARLY EVERY SINGLE PART ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ON THIS VEHICLE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED JUST TRYING TO DRIVE IT. THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE FINE 1 MINUTE, THE NEXT IT IS PUTTING ITSELF IN NEUTRAL OR…
Complaint 11091735 · May 4, 2018 · 260,778 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V053000 (POWER TRAIN) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE…
Complaint 10746811 · Aug 6, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED DOWNHILL, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER…
Complaint 10714639 · May 5, 2015 · 298,000 miles

Own a 1998 Grand Cherokee?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.