Jeep Cherokee / 1998
1998 Jeep Cherokee problems
Owners have filed 553 complaints about the 1998 Jeep Cherokee with NHTSA. Service brakes, hydraulic account for 16.5% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of power train at 13.4%.
Complaints553
Crashes42
Fires5
Injuries45
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Service brakes, hydraulic 16.5% · 91
Power train 13.4% · 74
Air bags 9.4% · 52
Electrical system 8.7% · 48
Fuel system, gasoline 6.0% · 33
Engine and engine cooling 5.6% · 31
Structure 5.2% · 29
Fuel system, other 4.3% · 24
Severity
Of those complaints, 42 describe a crash, 5 describe a fire, 45 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 20 model years of the Jeep Cherokee in this data, 1998 sits 11th by complaint volume. 2014 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 4 in the last three years against 31 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 117,000 miles.
In owners' own words
While driving consumer applied the brakes and pedal went to the floor. Consumer swirled in order to avoid a pedestrian and animal. Consumer was unable to maintain control of the vehicle and hit a ditch. Upon impact, both frontal air bags did not deploy. A medical technician was on duty from the ambulance, and examined the driver, who was okay. The vehicle was towed, and totaled by the insurance company. Service brakes, hydraulic
Rear brakes lock-up when wet or cold out. Vehicle returned to dealership total of 5 times for repair. Manufacturer contacted, and a case number issued. Returned vehicle to dealership again. Could not duplicate problem, and dealership would not install any replacement parts under warranty. Condition still exists. Unable to receive satisfaction from dealership and/or manufacturer. Service brakes, hydraulic
A clunking sound is coming from both rear drums when applying brakes. Vehicle has been to the dealer on three occasions, and problem reoccurs. *Ak the consumer states that the clunking noise in the rear brake drums started at 23542 miles (both rear drums had been replaced). At 30889 on july 10, 2002 the drums found to be out of round. Two weeks later the noise returned. *Scc Service brakes, hydraulic
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other Jeep Cherokee years
1995 732 complaints · 21.0% structure 1996 584 complaints · 17.8% service brakes, hydraulic 1997 496 complaints · 17.9% fuel system, gasoline 1999 516 complaints · 21.3% service brakes, hydraulic 2000 508 complaints · 24.2% service brakes, hydraulic 2001 329 complaints · 18.5% service brakes, hydraulic