1998 Jeep Laredo 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 Laredo, 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
- Transmission1331.0%
- Engine49.5%
- Fuel system49.5%
- Interior & seats37.1%
- Brakes37.1%
- Electrical37.1%
- Exterior lighting37.1%
- Powertrain (other)24.8%
- Steering24.8%
- Suspension24.8%
- Airbags24.8%
- Driver assistance12.4%
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
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
YESTERDAY AFTERNOON MY WIFE WAS PREPARING TO RUN ERRANDS WHEN SHE BACKED OVER SOMETHING IN OUR GARAGE. SHE PULLED THE JEEP FORWARD, PUT IT IN PARK. SHE LEFT IT RUNNING AS SHE GOT OUT, AND TOOK A COUPLE OF STEPS TO THE BACK TO FIND WHAT SHE RAN OVER. SHE TOLD ME SHE HEARD THE CAR REV BRIEFLY, THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATE TOWARDS HER. SHE COULDN'T JUMP OUT OF THE WAY AND GRABBED THE DOOR. IN A FEW SECONDS, SHE WAS DRAGGED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, ACROSS THE STREET, ACROSS A NEIGHBOR'S DRIVEWAY AND INTO HIS LAWN. WHEN SHE REACHED GROUND SHE DROPPED AND THE JEEP CONTINUED UNTIL IT REVERSED INTO A TREE, SMASHING THE REAR. *TR
AFTER PARKING THE JEEP IN MY GARAGE, I LEFT IT RUNNING TO CHECK FOR CLEARANCE. AFTER ENSURING THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND IN PARK I EXITED THE CAR. THE CAR STARTED MOVING VERY QUICKLY AND THE DOOR WAS BENT BACKWARDS AND THEN PROCEEDED TO HIT ME AND TRAVEL ABOUT AN EIGHTH OF A MILE BEFORE CRASHING. *JB
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
IT FIRST STARTED OUT AS THIS.. THE A/C QUIT WORKING ,WINDOWS DON'T ROLL, CLUSTER QUIT WORKING, COMPUTER QUIT WORKING , NO POWER GOING DOWN THE ROAD, AND NOW THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE HOUSE AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE MY HUSBAND DID A COMPLETE TUNE UP, FIXED THE A/C, THE WINDOWS, CHANGED ALL FLUIDS, PUT A NEW A COMPUTER, BASICALLY FIXED EVERYTHING, THEN TODAY IT CAUGHT ON FIRE . *TR
WELDS BROKE ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
JEEP STALLS OUT AT ANY GIVEN TIME. HAVING TO REPLACE GAS TANK. INSIDE LINE FOR TANK HAS ERODED AWAY AND PLASTIC FLAKES CLOG THE LINE AND CAUSES VEHICLE TO DEAD STOP RUN.
FUEL INDICATOR GAUGE FLUCTUATES BETWEEN FUEL SUPPLY AND EMPTY, AND LOW FUEL ALARM ACTIVATES EVEN WHEN FUEL TANK IS FULL. ATTEMPTED TO TRACK ACTUAL FUEL SUPPLY BY OVERHEAD CONSOLE DISPLAY, BUT THAT DISPLAY FLUCTUATES WITH FUEL INDICATOR GAUGE ALSO. WHILE DRIVING, EVEN WITH FULL TANK, FUEL INDICATOR GAUGE AND LOW FUEL ALARM KEEPS ACTIVATING. THE ONLY TIME IT IS POSSIBLE TO BE SURE OF FUEL SUPPLY IS WHEN FUEL TANK IS REFUELED. TOLD DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF PROBLEM WHILE IN FOR SERVICE, BUT THEY STATED THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL INDICATOR GAUGE. FOLLOWING THIS, I WROTE DAIMLER CHRYSLER CORP. IN 2002 INFORMING THEM THAT I WAS HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH NOT ONLY MY PERSONAL JEEP CHEROKEE LAREDO, BUT ALSO WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S VEHICLE. I RECEIVED A TELEPHONE CALL FROM DAIMLER CHRYSLER CONCERNING MY LETTER, AND THEY ALSO SAID THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY PROBLEM. UPON SPEAKING TO OTHER OWNERS OF JEEP CHEROKEES, I HAVE LEARNED THAT THERE ARE OTHERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM, WHICH IS NOT ONLY A SOURCE OF AGGRAVATION, BUT ALSO A DISTRACTION WHEN THE ALARM ACTIVATES. ONE INDIVIDUAL I SPOKE TO INFORMED ME THAT WHEN SHE COMPLAINED OF THE PROBLEM AT HER DEALERSHIP, SHE WAS TOLD THAT WHEN SHE FUEL HER VEHICLE TO REPLACE THE GAS CAP AND TURN IT UNTIL IT CLICKED 3 TIMES, WHICH IS LUDICROUS. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JEEP LAREDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH FRACTURED AND ALLOWED THE DOOR TO OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE LATCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000.
DT CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC SHOP, THEY STATED THE COMPUTER'S DASHBOARD CLUSTER FAILED, A SHORT WAS FOUND IN THE WIRING TO THE SPEEDOMETER, BUT THE CLUSTER HAS TO BE REPLACED. THE DASHBOARD CLUSTER CONTROLLED THE SPEEDOMETER, AMP GAUGE, FUEL GAUGE, AND OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHTS. THERE WAS NO FOREWARNING. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
EMERGENCY BRAKE SHOE LINING COME OFF DO TO CORROSION CAUSING THE REAR WHEEL TO LOCK UP AT ANY SPEED ANY CONDTION. WHERE IS YOUR WISTLE BLOWER SITE FOR MECHANIC'S TO REPORT THESE ISSUES WITH OUT JUMPING THREW HOOPS
VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING IT SUDDENLY TOOK OFF. LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW IN THE PROCESS.*AK THERE IS A RECALL CAMPAIGN 02V053000 REGARDING THIS CONDITION. PHOTOS ATTACHED. FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS WERE REPLACED. VEHICLE WON'T GO OVER 20 MPH AFTER ENGINE IS WARMED. FUEL PUMP REPLACED. SERPENTINE BELT HAD TO BE REPLACED. FRONT AND REAR PADS WERE REPLACED AND FRONT AND REAR ROTORS RESURFACED. *TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
IT FIRST STARTED OUT AS THIS.. THE A/C QUIT WORKING ,WINDOWS DON'T ROLL, CLUSTER QUIT WORKING, COMPUTER QUIT WORKING , NO POWER GOING DOWN THE ROAD, AND NOW THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE HOUSE AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE MY HUSBAND DID A COMPLETE TUNE UP, FIXED THE A/C, THE WINDOWS, CHANGED ALL FLUIDS, PUT A NEW A COMPUTER, BASICALLY FIXED EVERYTHING, THEN TODAY IT CAUGHT ON FIRE . *TR
I HAD JUST PURCHASED A LIFTED 1998 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO FROM A PRIVATE PARTY. WHEN I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS. HOWEVER, ON MY WAY HOME WITH MY NEW PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING STEERING AND BRAKE FAILURE. I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS A FLUKE BUT THEN IT HAPPENED REPEATEDLY OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. I BEGAN SWITCHING PARTS HOPING TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AS MY CHILDREN SOMETIME RIDE IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER HEARING OF SIMILAR INSTANCES HAPPENING I BELIEVE THAT CHRYSLER HAS A BIG PROBLEM ON THEIR HANDS. THE PRODUCT HAS FAULTS AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER BEFORE A COSTLY/ LAWSUIT/DEATH OCCURS. I LOVE MY JEEP, AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT A SOLUTION IS TO FIX AN INFERIOR PRODUCT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JEEP LAREDO. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN ON THE VEHICLE, HE HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. WHEN PARKED ON A HILL, THE VEHICLE ROLLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 206,000.
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH AT NIGHT HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF, LEAVING CONSUMER BLIND IN DARK. DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE STILL ON. CONSUMER DROVE OFF ROAD, AND MOVED HEADLIGHT SWITCH, THEN STARTED WORKING AGAIN.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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 LAREDO. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN ON THE VEHICLE, HE HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. WHEN PARKED ON A HILL, THE VEHICLE ROLLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 206,000.
DIFFERENTIAL.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL AT 70 MPH. *TR
STEERING BOX FAILED. *YC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING IT SUDDENLY TOOK OFF. LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW IN THE PROCESS.*AK THERE IS A RECALL CAMPAIGN 02V053000 REGARDING THIS CONDITION. PHOTOS ATTACHED. FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS WERE REPLACED. VEHICLE WON'T GO OVER 20 MPH AFTER ENGINE IS WARMED. FUEL PUMP REPLACED. SERPENTINE BELT HAD TO BE REPLACED. FRONT AND REAR PADS WERE REPLACED AND FRONT AND REAR ROTORS RESURFACED. *TT
SUSPENSION FAILED. YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 45 MPH CONSUMER HIT A WOODEN BOX HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER OF THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH FRONT END COLLISION OCCURRED AND DRIVER'S AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. SRS LIGHT STAYED, ILLUMINATED BEFORE INCIDENT OCCURRED. REPAIRWORK WAS DONE. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC SHOP, THEY STATED THE COMPUTER'S DASHBOARD CLUSTER FAILED, A SHORT WAS FOUND IN THE WIRING TO THE SPEEDOMETER, BUT THE CLUSTER HAS TO BE REPLACED. THE DASHBOARD CLUSTER CONTROLLED THE SPEEDOMETER, AMP GAUGE, FUEL GAUGE, AND OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHTS. THERE WAS NO FOREWARNING. *AK
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 .