Most common 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems
Share of the 1,028 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Jeep Grand Cherokee complaints by model year
Best Grand Cherokee years: 2016, 2020, 2017. Years to avoid: 2014, 2012, 2011, 2024, 2023. Compare all years →
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls (4)
Structure
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles. The fuel tanks in these vehicles are at risk of failure and leakage in certain rear impacts.
Remedy: Owners may take their vehicles to dealers and the dealers will perform a free inspection of the rear structure. On vehicles in the recall that are not equipped with a tow hitch, Chrysler will install a Chrysler designed…
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
On certain sport utility vehicles, if a driver has not placed the shifter lever fully into the "park" position and leaves the vehicle running, the vehicle May unexpectedly move rearward after seeming to be stable.
Remedy: Dealers will install a secondary detent system to the floor shifter assembly. Daimlerchrysler sent interim notices to owners concerning this problem on March 22, 2002. Owner notification began September 23, 2002.
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.
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 7 possible defects involving the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee:
Crash Related Fuel Tank Fires
NHTSA has conducted extensive analysis of the data regarding fuel tank integrity for the model year (MY) 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee (JGC). As a result of that work, the agency has decided to upgrade its safety defect investigation to an Engineering Analysis and to expand the scope of vehicles included in the investigation.
HOOD LATCH
There is no summary currently available
Inadvertent rollaway in reverse park
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…
Hood latch failure
Odi opened ea02-029 to determine whether a safety-related defect trend existed in the my 1997 Jeep grand cherokee hood latch assemblies.during ea02-029, there was no specific failure mechanism identified that could differentiate the my 1997 vehicles from other vehicles containing this same hood latch assembly or could account for their higher complaint rate.as a result, odi expanded the scope of this investigation…
Roll-away in reverse when parked
Daimlerchrysler has recalled the zj models to incorporate a secondary detent spring into the shifter.even though the wj 6 cyl. Vehicles use the same manual detent lever that as the vehicles in the recall population, odi believes that the wj redesigned shifter, which improves floor shifter functionality and ergonomics, helps to provide feedback to the driver to indicate whether ?park? Has or has not been…
Fuel Storage System Crash Related Fires
In a letter dated October 2, 2009, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned NHTSA to open a defect investigation and recall model year 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees.CAS alleged that the subject vehicles have defective fuel tank storage systems that present a fire hazard in crashes.
What 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners say
Transmission & drivetrain all 426 →
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 was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 298,000.....updated 07/05/16
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 drive and I've nearly died on several occasions. Now, the Jeep is coding more codes than ever. Also, as of few days ago, I have no reverse in it. I nearly hit another car trying to back out of a space at the hospital when reverse decided to no longer work. I can't afford to keep fixing these issues and I shouldn't have to. Please look into this because I'm sure I'm not the only person that's had problems with the transmission in 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee models. Also, my back passenger doors have decided they won't open from outside of the vehicle. You can only open them from inside. …
Fuel & propulsion system all 166 →
On a trip from northern virginia I was south bound on hwy 15 when I began to smell smoke and applied my brakes. The pedal went to the floor as smoke rolled out from under the car. I tried to down shift into low as my car was in flames and smoke engulfed the hood. I entered the on ramp for hwy 460 bypass east bound when my transmission caught a lower gear, my car was still moving when I shifted into neutral and jammed the car into park and exited my Jeep. After I ran (approx. 50 yards) I looked back ans noticed there were droplets of flames coming from underneath the rear and the car blew up sending flames up 25 to 30 feet up into the air. The 911 dispatcher advised me to get away as the fire and safety people arrived on the scene. Earlier that day when filling up my car I noticed a strong smell of gasoline but since I was in a sheetz station I shrugged it off. …
Bought this vehicle for transportation to work and have not been able to drive it due to safety issues as the timing belt has apparent issues that make the main computer read it wrong from what I am understanding. The vehicle wants to shut off at a red light or stop sign, then kicks back into gear. It seems to drive better on a main stretch, yet falters at slowing to a stop. It is at the manufacture now and has recalls, yet this was not on the list of repairs. However, I believe it is an issue that should be addressed without me having to pay a service bill for the amount they are wanting to charge me for repairs. I feel this is a manufacture defect that should be fixed. They mentioned the timing belt and crank shaft. Im no mechanic, however, these issues could cause me to loose control of this vehicle and should be corrected. …
Brakes all 161 →
During normal driving down a mountain road, break pedal went to the floor. Attempts make to pump break with no effect. Emergency brake was pulled with no effect. Vehicle slammed into rock wall and then landed into a 10+ foot ravine. Was informed by mechanic the master cylinder failed which caused a near fatal accident with 5 people in the vehicle. I recently found out there was a recall on a replacement master cylinder for that make a model but cannot verify if this was a replacement part or not. I cannot not find any information with casting numbers of effected parts. Re: the recalled master cylinders it reports the part was affected in cold weather but this happened on a warm summer day. The recall I am referring to was initially reported in 2006. All that happened and the airbags did not deploy. …
1. Fuel injector failed causing the engine to misfire and operate on only 5 out of 6 cylinders. 2. In the same cylinder (#6) rod broke, causing engine to blow and need replacement at only 42,000 miles. 3. Power steering pump almost fell off the vehicle. (most likely due to improper installation after engine rebuild). 4. Brakes constantly squeak or make grinding noise when pressure is applied. When temperatures are below 50 degrees, a high pitched whinning noise is heard from underneath the vehicle. Can only be heard when traveling under 45 MPH - due to road noise masking the sound. (multiple dealers have not been able to determine what the problem is nor be able to fix it, so constantly whines). 5. Fuel gauge fluctuates when 3/4 full (drops to empty and fuel light turns on, then returns to normal reading. Will continue to do this until tank is 1/4 full). …
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 20 / 16 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 5.2L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 17 / 14 |
| 5.2L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 17 / 14 |
| 5.9L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 11 / 16 / 13 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee a good car?
Based on 1,028 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Grand Cherokee rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Grand 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 Grand Cherokee?
The transmission & drivetrain — 426 complaints, 41% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission › park/neutral start interlock switch. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (166) and brakes (161).
How many recalls does the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
There are 4 recalls for the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the most recent from June 19, 2013 (structure). 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 Grand Cherokee?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2016, 2020 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2014, 2012, 2011, 2024 and 2023. See the full Jeep Grand Cherokee years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 105,000 miles; 13% 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.