Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While the vehicle was parked downhill, the contact discovered transmission fluid leaking. Also, while driving 70 MPH, the engine stalled and caught fire. The contact extinguished the fire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 298,000.....updated 07/05/16
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. …
I own a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee laredo. It was in park when it suddenly went into reverse on its own. It knocked myself over and dragged me with my hand slammed in the door. It finally came to a stop when it hit a traffic signal causing massive damage to the vehicle. I found out after the crash that there was a recall that I was never informed of for the faulty shifter. I also learned that there have been many incidents like mine. I called the dealership where I purchased it and they said that they couldn't do anything and that I should call daimler-Chrysler. I called daimler and they refused to get me a rent-a-car and only said that a person would be out to look at my vehicle. I want my medical bills paid and my Jeep fixed. I don't believe that is too much to ask. Help me get some justice and stop these incidents before more people are injured and killed.
While the key was in the ignition and the motor running driver got out of the vehicle with a passenger still inside. Vehicle started to back up, hitting a bench and a building. Vehicle was repaired. The next month the consumer received a recall notice regarding the problem she experienced. Consumer went to another dealership due to lack of cooperation. Also, consumer contacted manufacturer, and was dissatisfied with the response she received from them. She then sought legal help in her state. The consumer requested reimbursement from the manufacturer but she was denied.
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.
While car was in neutral for approx 2 minutes car lunged forward causing an accident.car has also had several, incidences of "shutting down when turning corners, while driving, occasionally, while pressing on accelerator car will idle then "clunk" and pull forward. At under 68,000 miles has needed a new alternator, water pump and now has major engine problems. I have only ownd the car since 09/2002.
Recall 02V053000 concerning inadvertent vehicle movement. After putting the vehicle in park consumer left the vehicle for a minute. Upon returning to the vehicle it put itself in reverse. Vehicle rolled back one hundred fifty feet and collided with a wall. There were no injuries, nor did the police arrive on the scene. This vehicle had recall repairs done in 2002, problem recurred.
After safely placing the gear lever into the park position and leaving the vehicle with the engine running, the car suddenly went backwards, knocking me down, hitting another car and crashing into a house. Updated 10/24/07.
I had rented a 1998 Jeep Cherokee from the hertz car rental at newark, nj airport on 11/06/99. On 11/26/99 I pulled up to the closed gate of a warehouse complex in new jersey. I stopped, put the vehicle in "park" got out and opened the gate. I re-entered the vehicle and drove through the gate stopping on the opposite side. I once again placed the vehicle in "park" and stepped from the driver's seat to close the gate I had just driven through. I was standing at about the left rear tail light walking towards the gate to close it when I noticed the Jeep moving past me towards the gate I had just driven through. I turned to my left, towards the Jeep to see what was happening. I saw it moving in reverse just as the open driver's door struck me knocking me to the ground. I rolled away under the open door as fast as I could so I wouldn"t be run over by the front tire. …
Vehicle was left running and in park. 45 seconds to one minute after being parked, it rolled backwards out of the parking spot, across a narrow roadway and hit a wall. The reverse lights did not come on. I witnessed the event (fortunately nobody was injured - although very, very close). However, I pursued the issue without success. I was able to recreate the problem with the transmission. The dealership said there was nothing wrong with the shifter even though they agreed that it was visibly showing "park" but was in fact, engaged in reverse. I suspected that they were familiar with the problem before I brought the car to them. I sold the car shortly thereafter as a result of the incident. I am submitting this complain just in case my incident can help with the current investigation. There was obviously a defect in the shifter. …
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
On certain sport utility vehicles, if a driver has not placed the shifter lever fully into the "park" position and leaves the vehicle running, the vehicle May unexpectedly move rearward after seeming to be stable.
Remedy: Dealers will install a secondary detent system to the floor shifter assembly. Daimlerchrysler sent interim notices to owners concerning this problem on March 22, 2002. Owner notification began September 23, 2002.
NHTSA investigations
Inadvertent rollaway in reverse park
Roll-away in reverse when parked
Daimlerchrysler has recalled the zj models to incorporate a secondary detent spring into the shifter.even though the wj 6 cyl. Vehicles use the same manual detent lever that as the vehicles in the recall population, odi believes that the wj redesigned shifter, which improves floor shifter functionality and ergonomics, helps to provide feedback to the driver to indicate whether ?park? Has or has not been…
Transmission complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 426 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 41% of the model year's 1,028 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › park/neutral start interlock switch (286 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-053 (floor shift, Feb 15, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 123 crashes, 2 fires and 80 injuries and 3 deaths to transmission & drivetrain 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.