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 Grand Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Vehicle parked for the night at 11 pm 5/20/06. This morning at 6 am while leaving for work an engine fire was noticed. Contacted 911 and they sent fire fighters to put the fire out. Currently unable to open to hood because the latch is melted. Had no recent signs of vehicle problems. Fire looked to be mainly on drivers side. Replaced parts in past such as tires, lights, brakes (6 times), transmission (jan 2006), differential, rotors, calipers, battery (3 times) and accessories. Don't know if the engine is repairable at this time.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the alarm activated randomly, the headlights flashed and the computer displayed that all doors were open when they were closed. In addition, the contact mentioned that the brand new battery that had been installed became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but the failure was unable to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 230,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic where the ignition coils were replaced. The failure recurred the same day the vehicle was serviced. The vehicle was in the process of being towed back to the mechanic for the second time. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 mark III Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly shut off. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the main PCM located on the firewall was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 191,000.
My 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee laredo has been stalling intermittently for a while this particular instance I was driving on an interstate I was slowing down with traffic behind me to turn right. As I was entering my turn the Jeep lost all power I did not have the ability to control steering and my vehicle ran off the roadway crashing into a ditch.
My 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee stalls unexpectedly and sporadically. It seems to happen more often after it's been sitting and not being driven for 3 or more hours, but has occurred at any time or temperature. I've taken it to 3 different mechanics, one who specializes in jeeps and spent hundreds of dollars trying to fix the problem to no avail. No one seems to know why or how this problem is occurring. The following parts have been replaced: idle air control valve, plugs, wires, distributor cap, asd relay, crank sensor, cam shaft position sensor. I've even had the mechanic try the "magic fix" that I've read on many forums about the screws on the ECM being too long. Nothing. I'm getting so frustrated because it's really dangerous when it just shuts off. …
While driving the Jeep the engine would just stop running. It would usually start again by turning the key but not always. Took to local Jeep dealer & was told it was the PCM po351 which I paid to replace. At 76800 miles 02/17/2010 the same problem happened & the same dealer said sometimes they get a bad PCM & it was replaced under warranty. The Jeep is towed behind a motor home & at 78558 miles 08/30/10 the exact same problem happened while in the state of wa. The Jeep dealer there said "found coil primary stored in PCM" so I paid for a coil/ignition 8035004 replacement. While still in wa & approximately 200 miles later the engine stopped running again just as it did before. I decided to tow it back to phoenix & not drive it until someone else attempted to fix the problem. …
Jeep first stalled while traveling through town, then progressed to stalling/shutting down while traveling at any speed, slowing down for a traffic light, or stopping at a traffic light or stop sign. There is no rhyme or reason as to when it chooses to go erratic. Instrument panel lights blink off and on, sometimes remaining off for several minutes. I have replaced all the sensors on the vehicle, fuel pump, alternator, etc. Before replacing the fuel pump I took it to the local Jeep dealership where I was eventual told, on my third visit that it was a problem with the wiring harness and that the wiring harness could not be replaced as they were no longer available. The problem is becoming a daily problem now, along with the skipping, missing, completely stalling, it back fires. …
All of my dash gauges go out at any given time. There will be a beep and then the speedometer and all the rest do not register. The ck engine light will be on and the fuel light. The power windows will not go down, the ac will not work, radio, and now head lights are being affected and nearly caused me to crash. I have been terrified !! I worked and saved to get a new ignition switch installed hoping since it powers so many places at once that it would work, but after $174.40 and a week without transportation I picked my car up today and after driving it about 15 miles it started doing the same thing. Now I am reading that many people are having similar problems with this make and model and finding your site gives me hope that maybe I will get some much needed help. Thanks for any help you can give to me it is greatly appreciated.
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2wd, 4.0 liter inline 6, automatic transmission. User has replaced many engine electrical and ignition parts, as well as fuel pump assembly, some relays, and the Jeep continues to stall in traffic, when turning corners, when backing up, has intermittent stalling when driving, and is posting various computer codes. I have already spent $700 on diagnostic and parts replacement, yet the problem persists. When driving the engine periodically cuts out and RPM's drop to zero. If this happens in heavy traffic or during an evasive maneuver someone could be killed. This is an ongoing and dangerous problem that my mechanic can not fix, and based on my research on the internet it is a widespread and perplexing design-related problem with this era Jeep cherokees and grands.
Electrical complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 60 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 6% of the model year's 1,028 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › front underhood (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 116,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 3 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.