Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
Tl contact owns a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated without warning when he shifted into reverse. As a result, the vehicle crashed into his neighbor's house. The contact was ejected from the vehicle and sustained scratches on his arm. As of October 12, 2007, the dealer had not inspected the vehicle. The failure speed was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 124,000. Updated 11/16/07
Vehicle will stall out without warning while moving at any speed. Pulling over and restarting the car fixes the issue temporarily. This has been a problem for several years. No error codes are being generated . Replaced o2 sensors and this remains an issue. Looking online, many people have had this same issue.
Patricia nadel was driving alone at the time of the incident. Our neighbors have a gate on our 1/4 mile long driveway. We have to open it to proceed through. Patty put the Jeep in "park" and then got out to open the gate. When she reached the gate, all of a sudden the Jeep lurched into "reverse" and sped backwards approximately 200 feet until it hit the neighbor's flatbed trailer and came to rest. A 6 inch deep gauge from the corner of the trailer dug into the rear door of the Jeep, along the driver's side, through the back driver's side door and also through the driver's door. Thus causing $6,000 worth of damage . This happened to her once before, a few months back, when she was getting out of the car, and at that time she was able to jump back in and stop the car. …
I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Model year 1998. My problem occurs mostly when first pressing the gas but does also occur after I have already started moving from a stop. My problem is when stepping on the gas pedal, nothing happens or it shutters violently for about 3-5 seconds at least and then it finally starts going. There have been times when it was very close to stalling. I have almost been in a couple accidents because of this problem where under normal operation of the vehicle I would have had more than plenty of time to pull into traffic but with the stalling was almost struck by a couple vehicles. Have replaced numerous parts but has not fixed the problem after taking it to three different mechanics. Have read that this is a widespread problem on Grand cherokees. This happens to me on a daily basis numerous times. …
I was headed out of work , drove about 1/2 mile .suddenly the Jeep started accelerating .I pressed the brakes, and it seemed like I was stepping on the gas . I thought it ,might of been that the cruise control got activated , but that was not it . Then I though maybe the car mat was on the pedal , but that wasn't it either. There was red lights, car waiting for the green light, and my Jeep seemed to accelerate more.luckily the light turned green, but the car seemed to go faster . I was able to speed into a super market with an empty parking lot, decided to switch the ignition to off. I opened the hood to check if maybe something was stuck , I moved the throttle, turned the Jeep back on , seemed like nothing had happened . It was a very scary experience. I was looking into what May had caused the problem, and came across an article where jeeps where being recalled for this problem.
Engine never stalls but power steering cuts out and vehicle looses ability to steer and negotiate a intersection turn all the time. Engine never stalls but engine speed surges and vehicle accelerates suddenly at low speeds after car first starts and for first 2 minutes of running. On safety recall for gas tank defect and hitch install. (n45) dealer did not attempt to fix bolts or install hitch or offer cost estimate for repair, only took unauthorized pictures of vehicle rear undercarriage and stated bolts were elongated and looked rusty.
Car stalls without warning while driving. Happens at any speed, from 70 on the highway to 5 MPH on our road. No warning. Internet search indicated many Jeep owners with same safety issue and no permanent fixes. Have taken to independent auto mechanic and have replaced ignition components (ignition coil, plugs, wiring, distributor cap and rotor and crank sensors) with no results to correct issue. This is very serious and dangerous condition that needs to be addressed by manufacturer.
Pe 01 021/ inadvertent rollaway: on three occasions vehicle had jumped out of park into reverse while parked, first, it backed up on a concrete curb. Secondly, driver was still in vehicle, and thirdly backed into another vehicle and hit a fence. Dealer was notified, and was unwilling to assist in this matter. Consumer will not drive vehicle because of the faulty interlock system, Chrysler will not assist consumer.
We have this roaring noise in the rear end which is so loud you can't hear the radio if it's on all the way. Also have trouble with the surging at high speeds or going up a hill. Almost didn't make it home the last time we drove it 40 miles away. Since my husband has a heart condition we have not driven it any more. After reading the letters that have had this rear end noise fixed and it comes back not sure what to do.
Acceleration complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 4% of the model year's 1,028 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 139,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 12 crashes, 0 fires and 7 injuries to speed control & acceleration 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.