Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
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. …
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 owned a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving approximately 45 MPH up an incline, the vehicle began to roll backwards and then flipped over. The driver and front seat passenger were able to exit the vehicle without any injuries. The vehicle engulfed into flames. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V252000 (fuel system, gasoline, structure). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
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. While driving at 5 MPH, the fuel tank was leaking. The contact stated that the fuel tank leaked only when the fuel tank was filled halfway or full. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.
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.
This is a complaint regarding Chrysler recall campaign n45 in connection with a safety issue related to the fuel tank in Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. Chrysler has communicated with me twice since July 2013 indicating that my 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee is subject to a safety recall. The most recent communication is an official safety recall notice. The Chrysler dealer has no information about this recall and therefore will not schedule any remedial action to comply with the recall notice. The Chrysler group recall assistance center places the blame on NHTSA holding up approval on a problem mitigation plan. No date for resolution could be provided. My complaint is that Chrysler has taken an inordinate and unreasonable amount of time to provide a mitigation plan for a problem that they characterize as "sincerely concerned about your safety". …
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). …
I own a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee. I just read about an investigation regarding a possible safety issue with the gas tank on these cars in the event of a rear end collision. This might be a factor and if not should be addressed. There is a heat shield that is about a square foot in size mounted in front of the fuel tank that is bolted to the floor board of the car. It is held on with two steel screws with washers. Since steel and aluminum will react when place together the holes through the aluminum become oversized and the shields drop off. It is there for a reason and thusly should be replaced. Jeep no longer has a replacement part because I guess the problem is so prevalent that they have run out of stock and elect not to make more of them. There has to be very large number of these cars still on the road missing this shield. …
NHTSA investigations
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.
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…
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.
Fuel System complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 166 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 16% of the model year's 1,028 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly (30 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion 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 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 105,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 5 fires and 1 injury and 3 deaths to fuel & propulsion 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.