Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
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* the contact owns a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While attempting to reverse the vehicle, the reverse lights failed to illuminate. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was previously repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 13V252000 (fuel system; gasoline, structure). The failure mileage was 185,000. Updated 07/13/16 the consumer stated the back up lights stopped working, after the recall was performed. Updated 07/20/16
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 13V252000 (fuel system, gasoline, structure). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the vehicle could not be repaired because the condition of the vehicle would not support proper installation due to corrosion around the attachment area. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 186,128.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 13V252000 (fuel system, gasoline, structure); however, after the repair was performed the rear bumper slightly detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 132,000.
On the evening of December 1, 1998, I had my 1998 Grand Cherokee in park with the door open while I was getting my mail from a bank of mailboxes. While I was out of the car, it started to roll backwards, even though it was sitting on level ground. The open door hit the bank of mailboxes and I was able to get into the car to stop it. I reported this to the insurance company since I needed to have the drivers door replaced. The car was in park, and after I got in to stop it from rolling backwards, it was still in park. I never reported this to Jeep because no one believed me and it has not happened since then. The Jeep was leased, and I turned it in on June 27, 2001 to gene's Chrysler in fairbanks, alaska. However, after reading about this happening to other jeeps in the la times, I wanted to file my complaint also.
My nephew died in a fire after he was impacted from the rear while avoiding debris/people in the highway. Www.wggb.com/2013/11/11/state-police-say-they-have-truck-linked-to-I-91-deadly-crash-investigation/ ..updated 02-04-14 the Jeep was traveling slightly faster when it swerved suddenly into the path of the tractor trailer to avoid debris in the road. The Jeep's left rear impacted the tractor trailer's front (right front?); the Jeep spun 180 degrees, impacted the opened lift gate of a pick-up truck stopped on the breakdown lane, bounced off and impacted the guardrail. It appears all three impacts were to the rear or left rear of the Jeep. It appears the Jeep's driver was on fire before he was ejected from the Jeep. Updated 2/12/14
Monroe Dodge Chrysler monroe michigan refused to perform related recall repair on my vehicle last year, said it was too rusty and would do nothing. I called same dealer last week and spoke with female service mananger 9(gloria?) at [phone] who advised she is unaware of any consent agreement. My info indicates on 7/26/2015 enforcement action document requires the vehicle be actually rated as to the amount of rust, and in most situations the hitch can be installed after proper welding, rust removal, etc. Is done. Please contaact me , preferably by phone and in writing, about what can be done. The dealer will not acknowledge any further actions they will take, nor acknowledges the 7/26/2015 enforcement action.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 13V252000 (fuel system, gasoline, structure). The contact was not able to complete the process for Chrysler's buy back program due to the manufacturer's refusal. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact was notified that the manufacturer would not complete the buy back program due to the campaign's expiration. The contact was not provided a case number from the various representatives with which he spoke. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the front driver side door popped open while the vehicle was in motion. The contact stated that the latch failed to close the door. The contact stated that it did not look like the latch was fractured, but it would not hold. In addition, the contact stated that the heat would only blow through the vents on the top of the dashboard and not the floor or other vents. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN and failure mileage were unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact mentioned that while being inspected for NHTSA campaign number: 13V252000 (fuel system, gasoline, structure), the technician stated that the bolts on the rear bumper were covered with rust and confirmed that the bolts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The failure mileage was 140,000.
Related recalls
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…
NHTSA investigations
HOOD LATCH
There is no summary currently available
Body complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 68 complaints about the body & structure of the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 7% of the model year's 1,028 complaints. The component named most often is body (23 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee body problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-252 (structure, Jun 19, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 140,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries and 18 deaths to body & structure 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.