1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 1,028 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train › automatic transmission › park/neutral start interlock switch. It has been recalled 10 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

193 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 150,000200,000 miles; the median is 105,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch267
104070
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor70
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission51
1009
Fuel System, Gasoline36
110
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip31
301
Fuel/Propulsion System30
000
Electrical System27
110
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly26
111
Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit23
000
Engine and Engine Cooling22
011

10 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Structure13V252000
Filed Jun 19, 20131,560,000 vehiclesChrysler Group Llc

Defect. 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 certain rear impacts.

Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

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 a Chrysler designed tow hitch free of charge, provided the condition of the vehicle can support proper installation. On vehicles in the recall that are equipped with an aftermarket tow hitch, Chrysler will assess whether the hitch and surrounding areas show evidence of sharp edges or other puncture risks. If so, Chrysler will replace the tow hitch with a Chrysler designed tow hitch free of charge, provided the condition of the vehicle can support proper installation. On vehicles already equipped with a Chrysler designed tow hitch, Chrysler will inspect the area around the tow hitch installation, and if any installation issues are identified, they will be repaired free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign numbers are N45 (for the Grand Cherokee vehicles) and N46 (for the Liberty vehicles).

Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.

Defect. 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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. 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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear07E104000
Filed Dec 11, 20071,657 vehiclesSafelite Fulfillment, Inc.

Defect. 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 VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.

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 REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.

Exterior Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.

Defect. 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 SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic06E022000
Filed Mar 13, 20067,440 vehiclesBrake Parts, Inc.

Defect. 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 BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.

Risk. LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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 1-800-323-0354.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump06E011000
Filed Feb 1, 20067,291 vehiclesAirtex Products

Defect. 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 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES. THE PLASTIC ELECTRICAL GROMMET CONNECTORS AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUELS AND MAY DEGRADE CAUSING A POTENTIAL LEAK PATH FOR FUEL.

Risk. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

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 1-800-880-3056.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor Shift02V053000
Filed Feb 15, 20021,620,000 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. 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.

Risk. INADVERTENT MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

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. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor00V136000
Filed May 10, 2000589,000 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, OR WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS CAN EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED FOR AN EXTENSIVE PERIOD IN THE "SALT BELT." IF THE ROTORS ARE NOT REPLACED, THE CORROSION CAN EVENTUALLY COMPROMISE THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER HUB SECTION OF THE ROTOR.

Risk. THE REDUCED STRENGTH CAN ALLOW THE CAST IRON WEAR SURFACE TO SEPARATE FROM THE HUB, REDUCING THE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE ROTORS WITH ROTORS THAT ARE COATED WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum98V023000
Filed Feb 10, 19988,900 vehiclesChrysler Corporation

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM RESERVOIR DIAPHRAGM CAN SPLIT OR TEAR.

Risk. THIS CAN CAUSE AN INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED AND A LOSS OF POWER ASSIST DURING BRAKE APPLICATION WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE BOOSTER DATE CODE AND ANY BOOSTERS WITH THE SUSPECT MANUFACTURING DATE RANGE WILL BE REPLACED.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 1, 2024NM

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.

Steering
Filed Jul 28, 2022150,000 milesCO

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.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 29, 2019160,000 milesVA

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.

Steering
Filed Apr 28, 2019150,000 milesRI

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

Electrical System
Filed Jun 19, 201810,145 milesTX

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.

Engine
Filed Jun 17, 2018146,200 milesWI

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.

Structure › Body
Filed May 4, 2018260,778 milesTN

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.

Trailer Hitches
Filed Jan 3, 2018AK

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

Electrical System
Filed Sep 17, 2017114,000 milesTX

VEHICLE WILL STALL AND LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING. CAN OCCUR AT SLOW AND HIGH SPEEDS. ONLINE FORUMS HAVE MENTIONED A POSSIBILITY OF FAULTY PCMS.

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jul 24, 2017113,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE EQUIPPED WITH ANTARES COMFORT A5 TIRES, SIZE: 235/70/R16 (NA). THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED ON JUNE 10, 2016 FROM WALMART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE ALREADY COMPLETELY BALD AND THE WEAR BAR WAS SLIGHTLY EXPOSED. THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE TIRES HAD A GUARANTEE OF 60,000 MILES. WALMART STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TIRES. THE TIRES HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

Suspension
Filed May 29, 2017140,000 milesUT

IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS. I GO OVER A SMALL BUMP AND IT BEGINS TO SHAKE VERY VIOLENTLY. I LET OFF THE GAS AND IT SETTLES DOWN. THIS IS VERY VIOLENT SHAKING.LIKE THE VEHICLE IS COMING APART.

Engine
Filed May 17, 2017197,843 milesMN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OR WHILE STOPPED, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE TO REGAIN NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND DEALER WHO WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT DUE TO THE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 197,843.

Electrical System
Filed May 15, 2017191,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MARK III JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAIN PCM LOCATED ON THE FIREWALL WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 191,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Apr 25, 2017NJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V252000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STRUCTURE). THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO COMPLETE THE PROCESS FOR CHRYSLER'S BUY BACK PROGRAM DUE TO THE MANUFACTURER'S REFUSAL. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT COMPLETE THE BUY BACK PROGRAM DUE TO THE CAMPAIGN'S EXPIRATION. THE CONTACT WAS NOT PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER FROM THE VARIOUS REPRESENTATIVES WITH WHICH HE SPOKE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jan 10, 2017200,000 milesFL

BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FOR TRANSPORTATION TO WORK AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT DUE TO SAFETY ISSUES AS THE TIMING BELT HAS APPARENT ISSUES THAT MAKE THE MAIN COMPUTER READ IT WRONG FROM WHAT I AM UNDERSTANDING. THE VEHICLE WANTS TO SHUT OFF AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, THEN KICKS BACK INTO GEAR. IT SEEMS TO DRIVE BETTER ON A MAIN STRETCH, YET FALTERS AT SLOWING TO A STOP. IT IS AT THE MANUFACTURE NOW AND HAS RECALLS, YET THIS WAS NOT ON THE LIST OF REPAIRS. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE IT IS AN ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED WITHOUT ME HAVING TO PAY A SERVICE BILL FOR THE AMOUNT THEY ARE WANTING TO CHARGE ME FOR REPAIRS. I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE FIXED. THEY MENTIONED THE TIMING BELT AND CRANK SHAFT. IM NO MECHANIC, HOWEVER, THESE ISSUES COULD CAUSE ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THIS VEHICLE AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED. I FEEL IT IS THE MANUFACTURERS OBLIGATION TO SAFETY TO HELP ME TO HAVE THE ISSUES CORRECTED. I HAD TO HAVE SOMEONE ELSE DRIVE IT TO THE SHOP FOR ME WITH ME AS PASSENGER. VERY SCARY RIDE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 1, 20161 milesWA

ALARM GOES OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHEN PARKED IF ALARM SET , LIGHTS GO OUT OR FLASH WHEN DRIVING. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 26, 2016230,000 milesOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ALARM ACTIVATED RANDOMLY, THE HEADLIGHTS FLASHED AND THE COMPUTER DISPLAYED THAT ALL DOORS WERE OPEN WHEN THEY WERE CLOSED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAND NEW BATTERY THAT HAD BEEN INSTALLED BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000.

Air Bags5 injured
Filed Aug 12, 2016200,000 milesNY

DURING NORMAL DRIVING DOWN A MOUNTAIN ROAD, BREAK PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. ATTEMPTS MAKE TO PUMP BREAK WITH NO EFFECT. EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS PULLED WITH NO EFFECT. VEHICLE SLAMMED INTO ROCK WALL AND THEN LANDED INTO A 10+ FOOT RAVINE. WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED WHICH CAUSED A NEAR FATAL ACCIDENT WITH 5 PEOPLE IN THE VEHICLE. I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL ON A REPLACEMENT MASTER CYLINDER FOR THAT MAKE A MODEL BUT CANNOT VERIFY IF THIS WAS A REPLACEMENT PART OR NOT. I CANNOT NOT FIND ANY INFORMATION WITH CASTING NUMBERS OF EFFECTED PARTS. RE: THE RECALLED MASTER CYLINDERS IT REPORTS THE PART WAS AFFECTED IN COLD WEATHER BUT THIS HAPPENED ON A WARM SUMMER DAY. THE RECALL I AM REFERRING TO WAS INITIALLY REPORTED IN 2006. ALL THAT HAPPENED AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I DO HAVE PICTURES OF THE ACCIDENT AND THE MASTER CYLINDER AS WELL AS DOCUMENTATION RE THE ACCIDENT REPORTS, I AM HAVING A HARD TIME UPLOADING THEM

Engine
Filed Jul 11, 2016182,012 milesMA

ENGINE STALLS/CUTS OUT WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ON CITY STREETS AND SOMETIMES WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR ALMOST A YEAR. MECHANIC CANNOT FIND OR DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ONLINE FORUMS SEEM TO INDICATE THIS IS AN INHERENT PROBLEM IN THIS PRODUCT LINE THE INCIDENT DATE BELOW IS THE LATEST OCCURENCE.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jun 9, 2016185,000 milesNE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE, THE REVERSE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V252000 (FUEL SYSTEM; GASOLINE, STRUCTURE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000. UPDATED 07/13/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE BACK UP LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING, AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. UPDATED 07/20/16

20 of 1,028 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2014
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202618600Routine
202574400Routine
20242411601Fatalities reported
20233842131Fatalities reported
20222591310Above average
20214031280Above average
2020237350Above average
2019367740Above average
201885311100Above average
2017364630Above average
2016308970Above average
20151,35610210High concern
20142,37519400High concern
201380210271Fatalities reported
20121,641111040High concern
20111,6396612Fatalities reported
2010117540Routine
2009138300Routine
2008733550Above average
20071,1087110Above average
20061,280672Fatalities reported
20052,0515240High concern
20041,29414253Fatalities reported
200376210141Fatalities reported
20021,47616204Fatalities reported
200188310151Fatalities reported
20001,44712182Fatalities reported
19991,63810151Fatalities reported
1998 — this page1,02810137Fatalities reported
199799111175Fatalities reported
199689312226Fatalities reported
199571911294Fatalities reported
19945888332Fatalities reported
199355512351Fatalities reported
19923000Routine
19916010Routine
19905010Routine

Compare every Grand Cherokee year →

Reading this record

7 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jun 19, 2013. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.