1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1989 | 5 |
| 1990 | 5 |
| 1991 | 6 |
| 1992 | 3 |
| 1993 | 562 |
| 1994 | 609 |
| 1995 | 723 |
| 1996 | 893 |
| 1997 | 991 |
| 1998 | 1028 |
| 1999 | 1638 |
| 2000 | 1447 |
| 2001 | 883 |
| 2002 | 1476 |
| 2003 | 762 |
| 2004 | 1294 |
| 2005 | 2051 |
| 2006 | 1280 |
| 2007 | 1108 |
| 2008 | 733 |
| 2009 | 138 |
| 2010 | 117 |
| 2011 | 1639 |
| 2012 | 1638 |
| 2013 | 802 |
| 2014 | 2373 |
| 2015 | 1355 |
| 2016 | 308 |
| 2017 | 364 |
| 2018 | 850 |
| 2019 | 362 |
| 2020 | 232 |
| 2021 | 401 |
| 2022 | 257 |
| 2023 | 380 |
| 2024 | 239 |
| 2025 | 69 |
| 2026 | 14 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
43% of complaints: power train — 440 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing park/neutral start interlock switch and automatic transmission.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
VEHICLE WAS IN IDLE WHEN IT STARTED TO MOVE BACKWARD. *MR CONSUMER ADDED VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION, BUT WAS DRAGGED 40 FEET WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *TT *JB
NHTSA ODI report, 20021007
RECEIVED RECALL #02V053000. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP, AND INFORMED CONSUMER NO PARTSVAILABLE. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, AND INFORMED CONSUMER NO RECALL ISSUED TO CONSUMER. WAS ALSO INFORMED PARTS NOT MANUFACTERED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20020912
PULLED INTO PARKING AREA & PUT VEHICLE IN PARK. REACHED IN REAR FOR BAG & EXITED VEHICLE. HEARD A CRASH. NOTICED VEHICLE HAD HIT COMPRESSOR SHIELD. TRIED TO GET VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. BUTTON WOULD NOT DEPRESS TO RELEASE DRIVE/REVERSE.
NHTSA ODI report, 19971112
18% of complaints: service brakes — 181 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.
CRASH INJURY10% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 100 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tank assembly and fuel pump.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
S10 DIRECT REPLY-LETTER TO THE WHITE HOUSE FROM CONSTITUENT REQUESTING HELP TO SAVE FAMILIES OTHERWISE DESTINED TO BURN TO DEATH IN A JEEP BECAUSE OF AN ACCIDENT. WH CONTACT GALEN MAIN (202) 456-2176- CASE: WH 02072013-296.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130219
7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 73 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.
FIRE INJURY7% of complaints: structure — 69 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and door.
CRASH FIRE DEATHSAFETY TIMELINE
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM RESERVOIR DIAPHRAGM CAN SPLIT OR TEAR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE BOOSTER DATE CODE AND ANY BOOSTERS WITH THE SUSPECT MANUFACTURING DATE RANGE WILL BE REPLACED.
Campaign 98V023000 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMP
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE ROTORS WITH ROTORS THAT ARE COATED WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION.
Campaign 00V136000 — check if this car was fixed
INADVERTENT ROLLAWAY IN REVERSE PARK
ROLL-AWAY IN REVERSE WHEN PARKED
HOOD LATCH
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
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 SEP
Campaign 02V053000 — check if this car was fixed
HOOD LATCH FAILURE
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET AIRTEX ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN 1997-2004 JEEP WRANGLER; 1997-2001 JEEP CHEROKEE; 1997-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE; AND 2000-2003 DOD
Remedy: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRTEX CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-880-305
Campaign 06E011000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAN
Remedy: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-32
Campaign 06E022000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER S
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN
Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIM
Campaign 07E104000 — check if this car was fixed
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
Fuel Storage System Crash Related Fires
Crash Related Fuel Tank Fires
Crash Related Fuel Tank Fires
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
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
Campaign 13V252000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for power train issues (440 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (181 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (100 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 98V023000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V136000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 02V053000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E011000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E022000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E104000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V252000 (fuel system, gasoline, structure) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 43% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
10 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.