1998 Jeep Cherokee Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1998 Jeep Cherokee, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes8917.7%
- Fuel system6112.1%
- Airbags5110.1%
- Transmission469.1%
- Interior & seats367.1%
- Engine346.7%
- Electrical295.8%
- Body & structure285.6%
- Powertrain (other)193.8%
- Suspension183.6%
- Seat belts173.4%
- Visibility163.2%
- Tires & wheels142.8%
- Steering122.4%
- Exterior lighting122.4%
- Driver assistance112.2%
- Heating & air conditioning71.4%
- Other / unspecified40.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I THINK MY JEEP IS REMOTELY BUGGED SOMEHOW, ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND MY BRAKES WORK, ABS LIGHT GOES OUT AND MY BRAKES MAKE NOISE AND PEDAL GOES DOWN FURTHER LIKE I HAVE NO BRAKES. ALSO, TEMPERATURE GAUGE IS STEADY THEN SUDDENLY IT GOES UP AND DOWN. I HAVE CHECKED FLUIDS, HAD BRAKES INSPECTED (REPLACED PADS AND FRONT ROTORS) I WENT TO POLICE SAID THEY HAD NO WAY OF TESTING FOR BUGS.
THE BUTTON AND SPRING POPPED OUT OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LEVER UPON APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE. IT APPEARS THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN MANY SIMILAR INCIDENTS AND POSSIBLE NHTSA INCIDENT NUMBER APPLIED FOR EARLIER MODEL YEARS. THAT NUMBER 95RV172000 WAS OBTAINED VIA INTERNET SEARCH OF JEEP OWNER WEBSITES AND COMMERCIAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE INFORMATION. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS INOPERABLE WITHOUT THE RELEASE BUTTON, HOWEVER, AT THIS TIME THE BRAKE IS IN THE RELEASED POSITION AND VEHICLE IS DRIVABLE. *TR
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS EXPOSED DUE TO THE TRAILER HITCH BEING REMOVED AND COULD NOT BE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V252000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STRUCTURE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON, WE FIND A RECALL THAT IS OPEN AND ACTIVE. BRIGHT VEHICLE TO YAKLIN FOR REPAIR AND THEY DECLINED THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE PART HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED.
JEEP DEVELOPED COMMUNICATION ISSUES, DASH DISPLAYED "NO BUS." ONE MORNING I STARTED THE JEEP AND WENT TO SHIFT TO GEAR AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. TOOK IT UP THE ROAD AND BACK THINKING I HAD A COMMUNICATION ISSUE TO DIAGNOSE, THE DRIVERS AIR BAG DEPLOYED TURNING ON MY ROAD. SEEMED TO HAPPEN WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKE.I LEARNED ABOUT THE RECALL CORROSION IN AIR BAG MODULE MAY LEAD TO INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT. I DROPPED MY VEHICLE OFF TO NYE DODGE JEEP RAM IN ONEIDA NY. REPAIR ORDER WAS MADE NOV 14TH 2019. I WAS GIVEN A 1-800 NUMBER TO CALL, PLACED 4 CALLS BEFORE MY CASE WAS ESCALATED CORRECTLY. MADE NUMEROUS CALLS TO THE 800 NUMBER AND EVENTUALLY ON 12/5 MAYBE 12/6 AN INSPECTOR CAME AND INSPECTED MY VEHICLE. WITH BASICALLY NO PROGRESS AFTER A MONTH AND A HALF I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE. WITH A COUPLE MORE CALLS TO THE 800 NUMBER AND BEING TOLD WERE "ON HOLD" WITH CHRYSLERS END MY VEHICLE IS STILL NOT FIXED AND THE 800 NUMBER CALLS ALL END WITH WELL LEAVE A MESSAGE FOR WHOEVER IS IN CHARGE WITH YOUR CASE TO CALL YOU, THEY HAVE YET TO CALL GOING ON 3 WEEKS. I WAS TOLD THE AIRBAGS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FROM CHRYSLER. LOOKING FOR A SOLUTION OR TO AT LEAST GET THE MODULE INSTALLED IN THE RIGHT LOCATION AND ILL SOURCE AIRBAGS. IT HAS BEEN AN ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF TIME TO NOT HAVE ANY ANSWERS AND MY RECALL NOT COMPLETED.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
I JUST FOUND OUT I HAVE A CRACKED MANIFOLD, MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR HAS BROKEN PUT A NEW PART IN IT AND NOW THAT IS BROKEN,I HAVE ALSO HAD TO PUT A NEW TRANSMISSION IN IT WITH ONLY 148,000.00 MILES. IN 2006 I HAD TO FIX THE GAS TANK BECAUSE IT WAS BROKEN TOO. IS THIS NOT A RECALL PROBLEM????? ANY OF THESE, I HAVE HAD THE JEEP SINCE 2000 AND I BOUGHT IT WHEN IT HAD 20,000 MILES ON IT. PLEASE HELP BECAUSE THIS IS 2012 AND I ONLY HAVE 156,000 MILES ON IT NOW. THANK YOU. *JS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, A RATTLING SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IN 04/06. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IN 05/06. A RECALL LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER WAS RECEIVED ON 09/09/06, WHICH PERTAINED TO THE POWER TRAIN: CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM) AND INSPECTION OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. ON 09/11/06, THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED REGARDING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIRS MADE PRIOR TO THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER DETERMINED THAT THE RECALL WAS NOT A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT, AND THE REIMBURSEMENT CLAIM WAS DENIED. UPDATED 10/31/2006 - *NM
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
A DRIVERS SEAT FRAME WELD HAS FAILED, CAUSING THE SEAT TO BECOME UNSTABLE. THIS PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE. *TR
I NOTICED MY SEAT LEANING TO THE SIDE. LOOKING UNDER THE SEAT, I SAW WHERE THE METAL RAILS ON THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT, WHERE IT ATTACHED TO THE FLOOR MOUNT, TO HAVE COMPLETELY BROKEN AWAY FROM THE BOLTS. I NOW HAVE A ROCKING DRIVERS CHAIR. IT IS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE LAYING ON YOUR BACK. *TR
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT AREA OF THE VEHICLE AND THE SUSPENSION WAS UNSTABLE, THE CHECK ENGINE, MULTIPLE GAUGES, AND VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED RANDOMLY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE TO DETERMINE IF THEY COULD INSPECT AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
MY JEEP IS LOSING SPEED AND STALLING .I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED SENORS AS WELL SPARK PLUGS WIRES AND ROTOR CAP BUTTON ETC IT IS STILLSTALLING OUT. *TR
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
JEEP DEVELOPED COMMUNICATION ISSUES, DASH DISPLAYED "NO BUS." ONE MORNING I STARTED THE JEEP AND WENT TO SHIFT TO GEAR AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. TOOK IT UP THE ROAD AND BACK THINKING I HAD A COMMUNICATION ISSUE TO DIAGNOSE, THE DRIVERS AIR BAG DEPLOYED TURNING ON MY ROAD. SEEMED TO HAPPEN WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKE.I LEARNED ABOUT THE RECALL CORROSION IN AIR BAG MODULE MAY LEAD TO INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT. I DROPPED MY VEHICLE OFF TO NYE DODGE JEEP RAM IN ONEIDA NY. REPAIR ORDER WAS MADE NOV 14TH 2019. I WAS GIVEN A 1-800 NUMBER TO CALL, PLACED 4 CALLS BEFORE MY CASE WAS ESCALATED CORRECTLY. MADE NUMEROUS CALLS TO THE 800 NUMBER AND EVENTUALLY ON 12/5 MAYBE 12/6 AN INSPECTOR CAME AND INSPECTED MY VEHICLE. WITH BASICALLY NO PROGRESS AFTER A MONTH AND A HALF I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE. WITH A COUPLE MORE CALLS TO THE 800 NUMBER AND BEING TOLD WERE "ON HOLD" WITH CHRYSLERS END MY VEHICLE IS STILL NOT FIXED AND THE 800 NUMBER CALLS ALL END WITH WELL LEAVE A MESSAGE FOR WHOEVER IS IN CHARGE WITH YOUR CASE TO CALL YOU, THEY HAVE YET TO CALL GOING ON 3 WEEKS. I WAS TOLD THE AIRBAGS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FROM CHRYSLER. LOOKING FOR A SOLUTION OR TO AT LEAST GET THE MODULE INSTALLED IN THE RIGHT LOCATION AND ILL SOURCE AIRBAGS. IT HAS BEEN AN ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF TIME TO NOT HAVE ANY ANSWERS AND MY RECALL NOT COMPLETED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT AREA OF THE VEHICLE AND THE SUSPENSION WAS UNSTABLE, THE CHECK ENGINE, MULTIPLE GAUGES, AND VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED RANDOMLY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE TO DETERMINE IF THEY COULD INSPECT AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS EXPOSED DUE TO THE TRAILER HITCH BEING REMOVED AND COULD NOT BE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V252000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STRUCTURE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND AS A RESULT THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE INSIDE PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT DUE TO TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED TRANSAXLE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT AREA OF THE VEHICLE AND THE SUSPENSION WAS UNSTABLE, THE CHECK ENGINE, MULTIPLE GAUGES, AND VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED RANDOMLY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE TO DETERMINE IF THEY COULD INSPECT AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
MY NAME IS [XXX]....BOUGHT A 1998 JEEP CHEROKEE LIMITED APPROX. 2001 FROM A PRIVATE OWNER...FROM NORTHBORO MA.....MINT CONDITION...ONLY 11,000 MI. ....OWNER TOLD ME HE BOUGHT IT FOR HIS WIFE SO SHE COULD PLOW THEIR QUARTER MILE LONG DRIVEWAY.....HE INSTALLED A SMALL PLOW ASSEMBLY ON JEEP....WHEN ASKED WHY HE WAS SELLING HE TOLD ME IT WASN'T ENOUGH TRUCK TO GET THE JOB DONE.....DRIVEWAY HAD MULTIPLE SHARP CURVES AND A SIGNIFICANT INCLINE....I BOUGHT THIS FOR MY WIFE TO RUN LOCAL....GROC, SCHOOL, ETC.....SHE LOVED IT.....NEVER ONCE HAD IT ON THE FREEWAY.....I TOOK IT ONE DAY ON THE I-495....HIT A DIP WHERE THERE WAS A BRIDGE...GOING ABOUT 65....THIS VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING SO VIOLENTLY I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO LITERALLY FALL APART AROUND ME.....VERY SCARY [XXX]....SUBSEQUENTLY HAD THE FRONT END LOOKED AT.....FOUND SOME LOOSE [XXX]....SOLID....WIFE NEVER HAD IT ON HWY....I TOOK IT AGAIN A YR LATER....SAME [XXX] THING....I THOUGHT MAYBE THE PREVIOUS OWNER DID SOME DAMAGE INSTALLING THE PLOW ASSEMBLY.....SOLD IT AS-IS WITH VERY SPECIFIC CONCERNS ABOUT THE FRONT END TO THE BUYER......WHAT DO I DO.....I BUY A 2001 CHEROKEE SPORT....MY WIFE LOVED HER JEEP...."I WANT ANOTHER ONE!"....OK HONEY...FIGURED WAS A ONE TIME PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE PLOW ASSEMBLY.....WRONG....3 MOS IN.....IM GOING DOWN HWY....SAME EXACT [XXX] THING....LIKE WHEN THE SECOND PLANE HIT THE OTHER TOWER ON 9/11....NOT A COINCIDENCE....NOT 2 JEEPS IN A ROW....THAT'S WHEN I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH..."DEATH WOBBLE"......IM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE....YOU'VE GOT TO DO A RECALL ON THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
INTERMITTENTLY IT WAS HARD TO UNLOCK THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT DRIVER'S SEAT VIBRATED FROM UNDER THE SEAT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SEAT BROKE OFF THE ASSEMBLY. *AK THE ANCHOR PULLED LOOSE. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *SC *JB
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASED THE 1998 JEEP BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALER (6/22/98). ON APPROXIMATELY 2/22/01 THE REGULATOR THAT OPERATES THE LEFT FRONT (DRIVER'S SIDE) POWER WINDOW FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER PERFORMED THIS AND SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, THERE WAS NO CHARGE. NOW ON 1/26/05 THE REGULATOR ON THE RIGHT FRONT POWER WINDOW ALSO FAILED. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THIS REGULATOR AND I WAS CHARGED $407.40 FOR THIS. IT IS MY CONTENTION THAT THIS REFLECTS AN OBVIOUS VEHICLE PART DEFECT. FOR BOTH TO FAIL COMPLETELY OUT OF THE BLUE SEEMS TO INDICATE A DEFECTIVE PART RATHER THAN NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I HAVE A 1989 OLDS THAT MY FATHER PURCHASED NEW, AND WE HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE ANY PARTS OF THE POWER WINDOW UNITS. I REQUEST THAT DAIMLER-CHRYSLER REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COST OF $407.40 FOR THE SECOND INCIDENT. *AK *SC *JB
WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON AND OFF ON THEIR OWN. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT ON RECALL. *AK
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 1998 Jeep Cherokee equipped with Goodyear Tires, Tire Line: Wrangler Radial A/S, Tire Size: 275/75/R15, DOT Number: 1PJHLFNWR. The contact stated that he had purchased two tires from Walmart that were installed in the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle started wobbling. The contact stated that the failure occurred increasingly as he continued driving, causing him to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to Walmart, where it was inspected, and the contact was informed that the rear tires were out of round and the tread had separated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that he needed to drive to the nearest Goodyear dealer for the tire replacements; however, the nearest Goodyear was 100 miles away. The tires were not replaced. The contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. The tire failure mileage was approximately 200. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
I NOTICED MY TIRE KEPT GOING FLAT AND WHEN I LOOKED AT IT THE TREAD WAS SPLIT ALL AROUND THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE TIRE, THE TIRE IS A UNIROYAL LIBERATOR A/T 225 75 R15. *TR
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY NAME IS [XXX]....BOUGHT A 1998 JEEP CHEROKEE LIMITED APPROX. 2001 FROM A PRIVATE OWNER...FROM NORTHBORO MA.....MINT CONDITION...ONLY 11,000 MI. ....OWNER TOLD ME HE BOUGHT IT FOR HIS WIFE SO SHE COULD PLOW THEIR QUARTER MILE LONG DRIVEWAY.....HE INSTALLED A SMALL PLOW ASSEMBLY ON JEEP....WHEN ASKED WHY HE WAS SELLING HE TOLD ME IT WASN'T ENOUGH TRUCK TO GET THE JOB DONE.....DRIVEWAY HAD MULTIPLE SHARP CURVES AND A SIGNIFICANT INCLINE....I BOUGHT THIS FOR MY WIFE TO RUN LOCAL....GROC, SCHOOL, ETC.....SHE LOVED IT.....NEVER ONCE HAD IT ON THE FREEWAY.....I TOOK IT ONE DAY ON THE I-495....HIT A DIP WHERE THERE WAS A BRIDGE...GOING ABOUT 65....THIS VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING SO VIOLENTLY I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO LITERALLY FALL APART AROUND ME.....VERY SCARY [XXX]....SUBSEQUENTLY HAD THE FRONT END LOOKED AT.....FOUND SOME LOOSE [XXX]....SOLID....WIFE NEVER HAD IT ON HWY....I TOOK IT AGAIN A YR LATER....SAME [XXX] THING....I THOUGHT MAYBE THE PREVIOUS OWNER DID SOME DAMAGE INSTALLING THE PLOW ASSEMBLY.....SOLD IT AS-IS WITH VERY SPECIFIC CONCERNS ABOUT THE FRONT END TO THE BUYER......WHAT DO I DO.....I BUY A 2001 CHEROKEE SPORT....MY WIFE LOVED HER JEEP...."I WANT ANOTHER ONE!"....OK HONEY...FIGURED WAS A ONE TIME PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE PLOW ASSEMBLY.....WRONG....3 MOS IN.....IM GOING DOWN HWY....SAME EXACT [XXX] THING....LIKE WHEN THE SECOND PLANE HIT THE OTHER TOWER ON 9/11....NOT A COINCIDENCE....NOT 2 JEEPS IN A ROW....THAT'S WHEN I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH..."DEATH WOBBLE"......IM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE....YOU'VE GOT TO DO A RECALL ON THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL LOCKED IN APRIL 2004. HAD TO REPLACED THE CALIPERS ON 6-22-04. ON 9-15-04 HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS, THE CALIPERS, THE SEALS AND THE BRA BECAUSE THEY WERE BURNED OUT. ON 9-15-05 THE CONTACT WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY TOLD HER THE SPINDLE WAS BAD. THE SERVICE DEALERSHIP TOLD HER IF SHE DID NOT HAVE THE SPINDLE REPLACED SHE WOULD HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS AS BEFORE. THIS REPAIR WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY.*AK UPDATED 11/4/2005. *NM
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
IT STARTED WITH THE LIGHTS TURNING OFF WHEN I HIT A BUMP. THE WHOLE JEEP WOULD GO DARK. INSTRUMENT PANEL, OVERHEAD LIGHTS, DRIVING LIGHTS, ALL OF THEM! THEN AFTER PARKING THE JEEP, DAY OR NIGHT, THE ALARM SYSTEM WOULD GO OFF ALL BY ITSELF. THE DOOR SWITCHES LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THEN THERE WAS THE RADIO THAT WOULD TURN ON AND OFF BY ITSELF. THEN THE WINDOWS DECIDED TO STOP GOING UP AND DOWN. WHEN I WOULD START THE JEEP THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES WOULDN'T MOVE, TURN ON. SO, I WOULD TURN OFF THE JEEP AND RESTART IT. SOME OF THE GAUGES, WOULD TURN ON BUT OTHERS, WOULD NOT, LIKE THE FUEL TANK GAGE, SPEEDOMETER GAGE. DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, THERE WOULD BE A PUDDLE OF WATER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD. I STILL TO THIS DAY DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED IT TO HAPPEN EVERY DAY AND EACH TIME IT WAS TURNED ON. THEN THERE IS THE TRANSMISSION AND REAR END THAT STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS. IT STARTED TO SLIP OUT OF GEAR AND THE REAR END MADE A NOISE. I HAD ALL THE OIL LEVELS CHECKED OUT, BUT STILL IT WOULD HAPPEN. I DO RECALL GETTING A FLYER IN THE MAIL, REGARDING A RECALL, BUT IT ALSO SAID THAT THE DEALER, DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. WHY WOULD YOU SEND OUT A FLYER THAT YOU HAVE NO WAY OF FIXING BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GET THE PART'S? ! AND ARE YOU EVEN CONCERNED ABOUT THE WORRY YOU PUT ME THROUGH? IT BECAME ANOTHER REASON TO PARK THE JEEP. HOW COULD YOU DO.THIS, TO SO MANY PEOPLE? WITH ALL THESE STRANGE THINGS HAPPENING TO THE JEEP, I HAD TO DO WHAT WAS BEST FOR MY SAFETY, AS WELL AS, THOSE WHO WERE ON THE ROAD DRIVING AROUND ME. I JUST COULDN'T LIVE WITH MYSELF, KNOWING THAT I COULD HAVE COST SOMEONE OR MYSELF INJURY OR DEATH, BY HAVING THE JEEP ON THE ROAD KNOWING IT WAS HAVING SO MANY PROBLEMS. IT HAS NOW BEEN CLOSE TO THREE-YEARS SINCE THE LAST TIME I DROVE IT.
I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK HEADED SOUTH ON I-69 IN FORT WAYNE, INDIANA. I HAD JUST PASSED THE INDIANA STATE ROAD 14 UNDERPASS WHEN A SEMI TRUCK TIRE AND RIM (THE WHOLE THING) CAME OFF A SEMI TRUCK AND ROLLED ACROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC WHERE MY JEEP HIT IT. IT HIT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF MY JEEP. DIRECTLY IN THE FRONT BUT THE RIGHT HALF OF THE BUMPER/FRONT END. THE TIRE THEN WENT UNDER MY CAR WHERE IT FORCED ME TO SLIDE IN TO THE CEMENT MEDIAN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY HITTING MY DRIVER SIDE FRONT BUMPER AT ABOUT 35 MILES AN HOUR OR SO. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND AS A RESULT THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WENT INTO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND CRASHED INTO TWO VEHICLES, WENT OVER A CURVE, CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL AND THEN INTO A FENCE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,400.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR CONDITIONING EVAPORATORS FAILING IN JEEP VEHICLES FROM 96 ON UP, CHEROKEES IN PARTICULAR. IT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT THAT SHOULD NEVER FAIL THROUGH NORMAL USE. THE EVAPORATOR IS INSTALLED IN THE HEATER BOX BEHIND THE DASHBOARD AND TAKES 8 HOURS OF LABOR TO REPLACE. THIS IS A COMMON ITEM TO FAIL BUT I THOUGHT I'D ACTUALLY FILE A COMPLAINT AND SEE IF SOMETHING COULD BE DONE. THIS ALSO RESULTS IN VERY POOR DEFROSTING OF THE WINDSHIELD. *NM
AIR CONDITIONING EVAPORATOR FAILURE, WILL NOT HOLD CHARGE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THERE IS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM FRONT WHEEL OF VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH 1998 JEEP CHEROKEE SPORT. DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNING THE VEHICLE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER 12 TIMES FOR RUST MARKS ON THE VEHICLE WHICH THE DEALER DESCRIBED AS FALL OUT AND THEY INSISTED IT WAS SOMETHING THE CONSUMER HAD DONE TO CAUSE IT TO HAPPEN SO SOON, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED, AS THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ALL THE GAUGES WENT OUT AND THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED, THE AIR CONDITION AND RADIO WERE INOPERATIVE AND STILL IS, THERE WAS A THUMPING NOISE WHICH WAS ATTRIBUTED TO THE ROTORS WHICH WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED. THE MOST RECENT PROBLEM WAS WITH THE POWER WINDOWS. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .