Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Jeep Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Jeep developed communication issues, dash displayed "no bus." one morning I started the Jeep and went to shift to gear and the passenger air bag deployed. Took it up the road and back thinking I had a communication issue to diagnose, the drivers air bag deployed turning on my road. Seemed to happen when pressing the brake.I learned about the recall corrosion in air bag module May lead to inadvertent deployment. I dropped my vehicle off to nye Dodge Jeep Ram in oneida ny. Repair order was made nov 14th 2019. I was given a 1-800 number to call, placed 4 calls before my case was escalated correctly. Made numerous calls to the 800 number and eventually on 12/5 maybe 12/6 an inspector came and inspected my vehicle. With basically no progress after a month and a half I picked up my vehicle. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated for an extended period of time and the instrument cluster failed to work due to the gauges not functioning properly. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 00V105000 (air bags). The contact was unable to pass a vehicle inspection due to the failure. The vehicle was to be taken to a dealer for further inspection. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle's computer software had a defect that caused the vehicle to stall without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 198,000.
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. …
I own a 1998 Jeep Cherokee sport. I noticed recently a wiring problem to both the front door speakers. I called the dealer and they told me it was common for there to be shorts in the wires that go from the body into the door. They said they usually see the failures in the door lock wiring or the power window wiring. The speaker wiring travels the same route into the door. I realize that the power in a speaker wire wont probably cause a fire, but the power window motor is 25 amps and it could cause a major fire in the wiring if shorted. I was told by the dealer that the cost to replace just the speaker wiring would be $140 per door in labor alone. If there were ever something that recalls were meant for, this is it. I am having the speaker wiring replaced at an audio store, but I have no idea what to expect from the power windows or door locks at this point. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that there was a loud noise coming from the front area of the vehicle and the suspension was unstable, the check engine, multiple gauges, and various warning indicators illuminated randomly. The dealer was notified of the failures and the contact was waiting for a response to determine if they could inspect and diagnose the failures. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was not available.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the instrument panel would only operate sporadically. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but not repaired. There were no recalls for the failure and the manufacturer advised taking the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostics and/or repairs. The manufacturer offered no further assistance. The failure mileage was 150,000. Updated 05/03/11 updated 05/16/11
Air bag light comes on and all gauges stop working-- pressing hard on the face of the gauge cluster or smacking the top of the dash restores everything.. Owned it for 4 years and previous owner said they experienced it before me.. Now it has started a new additional problem, "check gauges" light comes on and volt meter pegs to the right at 19 volts. Smacking doesn't help this, it just goes away in a few miles...
Dt*: the contact stated the air bag light continued to illuminate in the vehicle. As a result the other gauges would not illuminate. When the vehicle went over a bump in the road, the air bag light would go off and the other gauges worked properly. The dealership determined there was a wiring problem with the vehicle and offered to repair the vehicle at the owner's expense. Updated 9/13/2006 -
Had driven vehicle home and parked. Did not smell anything and had no warning. Got out of vehicle. Around 9:00 pm smelled smoke and checked vehicle. Noticed vehicle was in flames. Tried to put flames out after contacting fire department. Fire department put flames out, and gave a possible indication of an electrical short on driver's side, behind the headlights.
Related recalls
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.
Electrical complaints in other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1998 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Jeep Cherokee, 12% of the model year's 399 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › interior/under dash (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Jeep Cherokee electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 08V-056 (instrument cluster/panel, Feb 6, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Jeep Cherokee electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 130,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.