Most common 1998 Jeep Cherokee problems
Share of the 399 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Jeep Cherokee complaints by model year
Best Cherokee years: 2022, 2021, 2020. Years to avoid: 2014, 2015, 2019, 2017, 2016. Compare all years →
1998 Jeep Cherokee recalls (5)
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
U.S. Drive right is recalling 107 my 1994-1998 right hand drive, 4-wheel drive Jeep cherokee vehicles. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 101, 'controls and displays;' no. 108, 'lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment;' no. 111, 'rearview mirror;' no. 114, 'theft protection;' no.
Remedy: U.S. Drive right will make all the required modifications. A representative will travel to the customer's location and make the modifications on site.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
Vehicle description: passenger and multi-purpose vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, or wisconsin, and the district of columbia.
Remedy: Dealers will replace these rotors with rotors that are coated with a corrosion protection.
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Water and/or road salt in the proximity of the air bag control module could lead to corrosion.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag control module and locate the new module on the top of the transmission tunnel.
Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicle. The front seat belt shoulder turning loop anchors were not properly heat treated and are not properly hardened.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front seat shoulder belt turning loop on these vehicles.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles. The power brake booster vacuum reservoir diaphragm can split or tear.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the brake booster date code and any boosters with the suspect manufacturing date range will be replaced.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1998 Jeep Cherokee:
Crash Related Fuel Tank Fires
ODI has completed an extensive analysis of rear crash fuel tank system integrity data for the subject Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Liberty vehicles (SVs).As of June 2013, ODI knew of 56 post-collision fatal fires, 28 non-fatal fires, and 6 fuel leak incidents (totaling 90 incidents, 75 fatalities and 58 injuries) involving the SVs.Based on this analysis, ODI issued a Recall Request Letter (RRL) on June 3, 2013…
What 1998 Jeep Cherokee owners say
Brakes all 88 →
Dt: consumer was driving on two lane road at about 20 MPH. Vehicle in front of consumer stopped, when consumer attempted to stop vehicle brakes did not respond, consumer 's vehicle hit other vehicle in the rear. After accident consumer drove home but still had no brakes, had to use emergency brake to stop. Consumer had mechanic come to her house to examine vehicle. Mechanic found that brake rotors where separated. Consumer done research on internet to find that there was recall 00V136000 on make/ model and year, but manufacture told consumer this vehicle was not included in recall .. Consumer was having problem fixed by replacing rotors. Vehicle was serviced regularly. Consumer believed rotors were original equipment.
Brakes failed at 20 MPH. Rear-ended Volvo station wagon. Was told by mechanic that I needed brakes and rotors replaced. Cherokee had less than 14,000 miles on it. Five months later Jeep recalled rotors. Because I did not have original OEM parts (ie. Rotors) they would not assist me in disputing insurance rate increase or cost of rotor/brake replacements. ***note*** Jeep is on third set of rotors and is in need of yet another as these are warped. And Jeep is not at the 100,000 mile mark yet!
Transmission & drivetrain all 65 →
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, there was a sudden acceleration and the brake pedal failed to respond as a result the contact crashed into a tree. A police report was filed and the contact sustained no injuries. The vehicle was towed and had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Car amost ran over me, struck another vehicle. Was placed in park and jumped out. Did a moderate amt of damage to the other vehicle. I drove immediately to the dealership. They told me nothing was wrong and it was not the car it was me the driver. Told me the Jeep passed inspection and that I just thought I put it in park. This also happened on 7/1/01 again, however the Jeep was stopped before striking another vehicle. All of this infromation can be verified by a police report and insurance information. This caused a moderate amt of damage. If someone was behind the car, it could have crushed them. I had minor scrapes from trying to get back in vehicle and stop it to avoid a collision. This has cost me an increase in insurance premiums and also a wreck on my record. I have never had any type of accident. This was a very scary incident. …
Fuel & propulsion system all 61 →
It started with the lights turning off when I hit a bump. The whole Jeep would go dark. Instrument panel, overhead lights, driving lights, all of them! Then after parking the Jeep, day or night, the alarm system would go off all by itself. The door switches locking and unlocking while I was driving down the road. Then there was the radio that would turn on and off by itself. Then the windows decided to stop going up and down. When I would start the Jeep the instrument panel gauges wouldn't move, turn on. So, I would turn off the Jeep and restart it. Some of the gauges, would turn on but others, would not, like the fuel tank gage, speedometer gage. During the summer months, there would be a puddle of water on the passenger side floor board. I still to this day don't know what caused it to happen every day and each time it was turned on. …
While driving fuel gage fluctuates leaving the consumer with no knowledge of how much gas is in the gas tank. Also, the electrical locking mechanism for the doors malfunctioned. Upon using the automatic lock button, it will not lock unless consumer gets out of the vehicle, and uses the key. Also, consumer has to use the key to lock the tailgate. The consumer sited the recall for the fuelgage needed to fix the vehicle. The vehicle was not covered under the recall for the consumers vehicle.
1998 Jeep Cherokee engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 18 / 23 / 20 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 20 / 18 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 16 / 21 / 18 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 18 / 17 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 19 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Jeep Cherokee a good car?
Based on 399 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Cherokee rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Cherokee at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Jeep Cherokee?
The brakes — 88 complaints, 22% of all complaints for this model year, most often about foundation components › disc › rotor. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (65) and fuel & propulsion system (61).
How many recalls does the 1998 Jeep Cherokee have?
There are 5 recalls for the 1998 Jeep Cherokee, the most recent from February 6, 2008 (instrument cluster/panel). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Jeep Cherokee?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2022, 2021 and 2020. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2014, 2015, 2019, 2017 and 2016. See the full Jeep Cherokee years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Jeep Cherokee problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 98,000 miles; 19% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.