1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee

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 requesting that Chrysler recall the Grand Cherokee and Liberty vehicles due to the rate of fatal, non-fatal fire, and fuel leak incidents when compared to peer vehicles (compact and medium SUVs) built during the same time period.In the RRL, ODI described how the location of the aft-mounted fuel tank made the SVs vulnerable to rear impact crash fuel tank failures.During the analysis, besides the high speed/high severity crashes present in both the SV and peer vehicles, ODI observed a significant number of low and moderate speed rear impact crash related fires and leaks, particularly in the Liberty.The data also demonstrated that SVs originally equipped with towing hitch receivers (trailer hitches) appeared to be under-represented in rear-impact related fuel tank failures.In the RRL, ODI requested that Chrysler provide its response by June 18, 2013, otherwise NHTSA might proceed to an Initial Decision that the SVs contain a safety-related defect.Chrysler responded to the RRL on June 4, 2013 and vigorously disputed the tentative findings of the RRL.Among other things, Chrysler argued that the SVs had an overall safety record superior to their peers, met or exceeded all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) and only experienced fires in severe high energy rear impacts.Nonetheless, while continuing to maintain that the SVs did not contain a safety-related defect, Chrysler proposed a recall (13V-252) of approximately 2.5M (1.6M currently registered) model year (MY) 1993 - 1998 Grand Cherokee (ZJ) and MY 2002-2007 Liberty (KJ) vehicles on June 18, 2013.The recall remedy submitted by Chrysler would employ a hitch receiver assembly consisting of a steel cross-member behind the fuel tank with forward-projecting arms bolted to the frame rails on either side of the fuel tank.For the MY 1999 - 2004 Grand Cherokee, Chrysler indicated it would conduct a customer satisfaction campaign and inspect vehicles equipped with aftermarket tow hitch receivers, and if necessary, replace any such hitch receivers whose conditionmay increase the risk of fuel system failure in rear crashes.Examination of the available data established that the MY 1999 - 2004 Grand Cherokee did not pose the same magnitude of safety risk as the MY 1993 - 1998 Grand Cherokee and MY 2002-2007 Liberty, particularly in low and moderate speed rear impacts.Because the agency has concluded that the vehicles do not present an unreasonable risk to safety, ODI is closing its investigation of the MY 1999 - 2004 Grand Cherokee.Although it was not within the scope of the Petition initiating this investigation or the Preliminary Evaluation preceding this EA, ODI also examined the performance of the MY 1993 - 2001 Cherokee as part of this investigation.NHTSA's assessment of the available data for the Cherokee did not establish an unreasonable risk in comparison to peer vehicles.ODI does not approve proposed defect remedies.While offering to install hitch receiver assemblies on the MY 1993-1998 Grand Cherokees and 2002-2007 Liberty, Chrysler did not, in ODI's view, provide enough evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed remedy in rear impacts.The Complete Summary for this Closing Resume (EA12-005) can be seen by

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. NHTSA's assessment of the data collected during this investigation indicates that rear-impact-related tank failures and vehicle fires are more prevalent in the JGC than in the non-Jeep peer vehicles. In addition, the agency's analysis of its FARS data for the peer vehicles and three Jeep models shows a higher incidence of rear-impact, fatal fire crashes for the Jeep products.PE10-031 had focused on the fuel tank system integrity of the JGC vehicles during rear-end collisions and impacts.The fuel tank is located at the rear of the vehicle, between the bumper and axle, and is manufactured from a plastic material (HDPE).Three peer vehicles (across the same MY range as the JGC) were identified for comparative assessment: the Chevrolet Blazer, Ford Explorer, and Toyota 4Runner.ODI has collected and assessed a significant volume of data for the JGC and three peer vehicles under the Defect Petition (DP) 09-005 and PE10-031, much of which was either provided by the petitioner or by the subject and peer manufacturers in response to ODI's information request letters.NHTSA has also utilized its FARS database.Fatal crash data was collected for the JGC and its three peers, along with data for two other Jeep vehicles, the Cherokee and Liberty, which were also manufactured with rear mounted fuel tanks and assessed by ODI as Jeep peer vehicles.Based on the agency's current analysis, ODI is upgrading its investigation to determine whether the subject vehicles contain a defect that presents an unreasonable risk to safety.The subject vehicles for EA12-005 will be MY 1993-2004 JGC, MY 1993-2001 Cherokee, and MY 2002-2007 Liberty; the estimated production volumes for these vehicles is approximately 5.1 million, although attrition is a factor for the older vehicles.Please note that the counts shown in the above failure report summary are for the JGC only (values shown in the total column are unique).Data for the other Jeep models and possibly other peer models will be collected during the investigation.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:506249, 549376, 734783, 869217, 10009553, 10335943, 10351589, 10351980, 10357528.

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. CAS alleged that the plastic fuel tank's placement behind the rear axle and below the rear bumper, and the lack of adequate shielding, make it more vulnerable to rupture or leakage from a rear-impact by another vehicle (including damage from other components located on the Grand Cherokee), or in the case of rollover crashes, from other external objects.CAS also alleged that the fuel filler neck tears off in crashes.In its petition, CAS cites data from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) showing 172 fatal fire crashes with 254 fatalities involving the subject vehicles from calendar years 1992 through 2008.CAS stated that there have been at least 44 crashes with 64 total fatalities (subject and non-subject vehicles) where fire was entered as the Most Harmful Event (MHE) in the FARS database.In response to the CAS petition, ODI made a preliminary examination of available data.FARS data showed 2,988 occupants of the subject vehicles have died in crashes since 1992.Of those, 55 died in 44 crashes where fire was listed as the Most Harmful Event.Identifying crashes most likely associated with the alleged defect as described by CAS (defined as the subject vehicle being struck at the 5, 6 or 7 o'clock positions) isolated 10 crashes with 13 occupant fatalities.ODI also reviewed the Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) database and identified 12 reports alleging A) a post-crash fuel tank leak and/or B) a post-crash fire potentially related to a fuel tank leak.Of the 12 reports, 10 involved fires (two involved fuel leaks only) with 9 alleged injuries and 1 alleged fatality.The existence of these post-crash fires does not, by itself, establish a defect trend.Further review and investigation into these incidents is needed to determine the existence of any relationship between the alleged defect and each fire or leak.It should be noted that ODI also conducted a preliminary review of the Early Warning Reporting (EWR) data that did not find the subject vehicles to be over-represented for post-crash fires.ODI's initial review neither supports nor excludes the possibility that a defect exists in the subject vehicles.However, ODI has always taken the position that vehicle fires pose a significant safety risk.Accordingly, ODI has granted the petition to further investigate the conditions associated with post-crash fires in these vehicles.

ODI OPENED EA02-029 TO DETERMINE WHETHER A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND EXISTED IN THE MY 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLIES.DURING EA02-029, THERE WAS NO SPECIFIC FAILURE MECHANISM IDENTIFIED THAT COULD DIFFERENTIATE THE MY 1997 VEHICLES FROM OTHER VEHICLES CONTAINING THIS SAME HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY OR COULD ACCOUNT FOR THEIR HIGHER COMPLAINT RATE.AS A RESULT, ODI EXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THIS INVESTIGATION TO INCLUDE ALL GRAND CHEROKEE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLIES.IN PERFORMING EA02-029, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT SOME OF THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCHES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT INCREASED OPERATING FRICTIONAL RESISTANCE; HOWEVER, SINCE NONE OF THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCHES SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL OR OPERATIONAL DEFICIENCY AND THE COMPLAINT RATE OF HOOD FLY-UPS MEASURED OVER AN EXTENDED EXPOSURE TIME WAS LOW, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.

Car stalls sometimes at a light. Also stops when driving in traffic and everything goes dead. Then starts up again. Diagnostic check shows everything ok. Mechanic put different sensors in but did not solve problem. It did not stall when mechanic drove it. Has been happening off and on for a couple of months.

NHTSA ID

11574963

Incident

Dec 1, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID

11476350

Incident

Jan 29, 2022

Mileage

150,000 mi

WITHIN THREE WEEKS OF INSTALLING A SET (4) OF THE HANKOOK OPTIMO 724 TIRES, I HAD EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WHILE TRAVELING AT ~ 60 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. I AM CERTAIN I AM EXPERIENCED NO HAZARD FOR IT WAS MY DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE THAT FAILED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS NOT DAMAGED. THE LEFT, REAR TIRE FAILURE ESSENTIALLY FELL APART, HAVING SEPARATED FROM THE OUTER/INNER WALLS. NO PLAUSIBLE REASON OTHER THAN EXTREMELY POOR QUALITY. HANKOOK REPRESENTATIVE COULD ONLY OFFER 50% CREDIT TOWARDS MY NEXT PURCHASE, BUT IT REQUIRED AN HANKOOK AUTHORIZED DEALER WHICH WAS INCONVENIENTLY LOCATED. I UTILIZED WALMART'S 100% GUARANTEE, RETURNED THEM, AND REPLACED THEM WITH GOODYEAR WRANGLER RADIAL P235/75R15 105S OWL HIGHWAY TIRES WHICH HAVE PERFORMED SUPERBLY THUS FAR.

NHTSA ID

11210683

Incident

Jan 27, 2019

Mileage

160,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11204239

Incident

Apr 25, 2019

Mileage

150,000 mi

STALLING WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS. NOTICED IT STALLS AFTER ENGINE WARMS UP. SOMETIMES IT STARTS BACK UP, BUT SOMETIMES IT HAS TO SIT A WHILE.

NHTSA ID

11102578

Incident

May 29, 2018

Mileage

10,145 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11102239

Incident

Jun 17, 2018

Mileage

146,200 mi

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. WHAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENED AND I WAS TRAPPED, NOBODY COULD GET IN THROUGH THE PASSENGER BACK 2 DOORS BECAUSE THEY WON'T OPEN. AS FAR AS TRANSMISSION, MAYBE I'LL LIVE THROUGH ANOTHER INCIDENT WITH TRANSMISSION CHANGING GEARS ON IT'S OWN, BUT MAYBE I WON'T EITHER. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID

11091735

Incident

May 3, 2018

Mileage

260,778 mi

1998 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECEIVER TRAILER HITCH SAFETY RECALL. *LD *JS

NHTSA ID

11056454

Incident

Nov 19, 2014

KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty.

KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty.

Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.

Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.

Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.

Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.