Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
The contact owns a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the front tires started shaking violently to the right and left while the steering wheel followed the rapid jerking movements from right to left. The contact slowed the vehicle to 40 MPH and was able to proceed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local independent mechanic who determined that burned lower track arm bearings on the steering arms left and right needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure still occurred intermittently. The vehicle was towed to a second independent mechanic but had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
My Jeep has the "death wobble". When hitting a bump (bridge, pothole, etc.) going down the road, the front end starts to bounce around and becomes unstable. This usually occurs at highway speeds and seems to be worse when towing a trailer. I have to come to an almost complete stop the get it to quit shaking. Steering and braking are affected. Tires chirp when trying to stop because one or both front tires leave the ground. New tires, brakes (both pads and rotors), and sway bar links and the problem still persists. Just had a state inspection done and had them check very carefully the front end components such as ball joints. All seemed to be OK.
Was driving on freeway at 70 MPH, hit a big bump in road and vehicle started to shake violently, at first thought it was a flat tire but after slowing down, the vehicle stopped shaking and could drive normally. That was first incident, since then I've had 8 incidents where the same thing happens between 55 and 70 MPH. It always happens when I hit a bump in road. I looked on line to see if any one else had experienced this death wobble on the Jeep Grand Cherokee larado and found a lot of people have experienced this extremely dangerous and mind numbing experience. Updated 11/12/15
I was on the highway with my 3 year old grandchild in the back when my car started shaking so violently I thought we were going to die! It literally felt like the wheels and the steering wheel as well were going to all fall off! I've never been more scared in my life. It was very difficult to slow it down and pull over to a breakdown lane so I could stop . I was even going under the speed limit when this happened
The problems that are being recalled on the Dodge durango are the exact same problems that I experienced with my 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee with only 55,770 miles on it. The steering was so sloppy and the vehicle leaned very hard and easily that on a turn, it felt very very dangerous. I got quotes at the dealership which were astronomical, so I decided to look elsewhere. Fearing roll over dangers on this vehicle, I decided to get some front and rear addco sway bars, which at the time were the strongest sway bars. After getting the sway bars via courier, I priced around and took them to four wheel parts located at 2500 marine ave. #1, redondo beach, ca 90278. I explained the problems to them. I explained that I wanted safer shocks and I didn't want the vehicle to roll-over, so they took things apart and found that the tie rods were junk. …
While driving at different speeds and making slight turns the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee will vibrate and bounce. The steering wheel will begin to pull and the front right tire feels like it is coming off or bouncing. I have taken it to the dealer and three independent shops for this problem over a 2 year period. All of have felt the problem and have no idea where it is coming from. I have so far replaced the entire front brake system, all front bushings, shocks, tires, front u bolts, and had the whole system inspected by at least 10 different mechanics. Also the brakes feel like they are riding on a warped rotor. When breaking the pedal pushes back at the driver and makes it very difficult to control the breaking. This problem has also been looked at by the dealer and the aforementioned shops. To date no solution has been found and the problem keeps getting worse. …
I bought the car from a private seller who cautioned me about a supposed 'death wobble' as I now know it when the car goes over a bump at highway speeds. On my first take on the highway, I hit a small bump going 65 and the car began to shake so violently I thought it was going to break up into pieces. Traffic swerved around me as I veered my car to my left into the grassy median. Luckily there was no accident. I have had several experts observe the front end and replace parts and suggest other parts to replace in order to remedy the situation but no fix has resolved the 'death wobble.' many of these experts have seen this problem before and even told me not to bother spending any more money trying to fix it because I would be, 'throwing money into a bottomless pit.' people have been complaining about this for almost 20 years now and not a thing has been done about it! …
I hit a small bump and the front end started to shake very intensely. I could feel it in the steering wheel. To stop I had to step hard on the brake, and I was in a center lane of traffic. It was a very dangerous maneuver. Since the first time it happened it has gotten progressively more frequent, even though I have tried a variety of strategies to repair this problem: new tires, multiple alignments, new shocks (twice), replaced track bar, replace sway bar bushings, replaced steering gear box and pitman arm. I have had several mechanics look at it. It is very frustrating. The car is old, I understand that, but there is no logical reason it can not be made safe. Yet it is not safe, despite my ongoing efforts to make it so. I have not yet given up, because of course I can't sell it. If I can't fix it, I might as well junk it, even though the motor runs great.
In 2007 had what is known as the Jeep death wobble. I had know idea what this was until I let the Jeep set for 4 years and then had the steering box and steering stabilizer replaced. Everything was fine for a while until I hit a small bump in the road in 2012 driving down I-40. I was coming around a curve and the Jeep began to shake out of control. I was doing the speed limit which is 70. Had to slam on brakes and pull over for this to stop. Took it back to the shop and was basically told all jeeps do this and nothing could be done. This is so dangerous and there needs to be a recall to fix the problem. From what I've read online it can be fixed, but why should Jeep owners have to foot the bill to be safe on the road????
Vehicle steering locked up almost causing an accident. The consumer was making a left turn while driving in heavy traffic. Suddenly the steering locked up which almost caused an accident. The consumer pulled to the side of the road and checked the belts and power steering fluid, which were alright. The driver resumed driving but when he made another left turn the steering locked up again. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the gear box failed. The repairs were not covered under warranty because it expired, therefore the consumer replaced the gear box himself. The consumer has the original gear box in his possession.
Steering complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 4% of the model year's 1,028 complaints. The component named most often is gear box (other than rack and pinion) (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 126,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to steering 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.