FaultScore

1998 Jeep Cherokee engine problems

35 of the 553 complaints about the 1998 Jeep Cherokee are about the engine — 6% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 103,000 miles.

A

35

Complaints

0

Crashes

1

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Gasoline 9 25.7%
Engine 8 22.9%
Exhaust System 4 11.4%
Engine AND Engine Cooling 4 11.4%
Engine 4 11.4%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 3 8.6%
Emission Control 1 2.9%
Belts AND Associated Pulleys 1 2.9%
Catalytic Convertor 1 2.9%

Engine & Cooling across every Jeep Cherokee year

1989 21 0.7%
1990 35 1.2%
1991 23 0.8%
1992 11 0.4%
1993 40 1.4%
1994 87 3.0%
1995 151 5.3%
1996 64 2.2%
1997 54 1.9%
1998 35 1.2%
1999 44 1.5%
2000 82 2.9%
2001 51 1.8%
2014 523 18.2%
2015 375 13.1%
2016 321 11.2%
2017 263 9.2%
2018 159 5.5%
2019 465 16.2%
2020 42 1.5%
2021 25 0.9%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Elmont, NY

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10956533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 13,000 miles Decatur, AL

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10705281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 300,000 miles Decatur, GA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN DECREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AND ALL OF THE GAUGES REGISTERED AT ZERO. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000. UPDATED 4/13/15*CN THE BCM WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. UPDATED 04/21/15

NHTSA complaint #10684141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 146,000 miles Clinton, NC

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED INDEPENDENTLY AS THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.

NHTSA complaint #10631070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 156,000 miles Seymour, TN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10455791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 94,000 miles Pittsburgh, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. AN AUTHORIZED TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE COIL WIRE AND THE PCM MODULE WHICH WERE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE IS BEING DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 94,000.

NHTSA complaint #10289146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Brooklyn, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MY 1998 JEEP CHEROKEE 4.0 LITER 6 CYLINDER ENGINE EXPERIENCES SUDDEN OIL PRESSURE DROPS. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR WARMS UP. I'VE HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED AND THE OIL PRESSURE SENDER UNIT REPLACED AS A PRECAUTION. MY MECHANICS ARE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. LOOKING TO THE INTERNET FOR HELP, I'VE FOUND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE AT HIGH SPEEDS COULD RESULT IN ENGINE FAILURE CAUSING A FIRE OR ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10239090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Wilmington, MA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE IS IN IDLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK AND THE RPM'S INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO BACKFIRE. THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WOULD LOSE POWER, BUT REMAINED RUNNING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL # 98V023000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM). THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 101,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA complaint #10193840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 121,000 miles Narvon, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

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 -

NHTSA complaint #10170945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 64,099 miles Fogelsville, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN EXHAUST MANIFOLDS INSTALLED IN THE LATE 90'S TO 4.0 LITER ENGINES ON JEEP PRODUCTS.*MR *CB THE CONSUMERS SECOND VEHICLE A JEEP WRANGLER HAD THE SAME EXHAUST MANIFOLD PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10037871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 106,000 miles Washington, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

INSTRUMENT PANEL DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY LIKE THE SPEEDOMETER. ALSO, GASOLINE/OIL PRESSURE GAUGE ARE NOT WORKING, AND AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. DEALER NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #10034412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Helena, MT Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE IN THE HOUSE FOR TEN MINUTES THE JEEP CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ENGINE. THE HEAT WAS SORT OF INTENSE WHICH MELTED THE PAINT TO THE HOOD, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE HOOD BY THE MECHANIC.

NHTSA complaint #10031476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 117,000 miles SAN Jose, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BECAUSE THE SERPENTINE BELT HAD TO BE CHANGED. UPON LEAVING WITH THE VEHICLE THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE PUT INTO ANY GEAR WITHOUT PRESSING ANY BUTTON ON SHIFTER. *NLM .

NHTSA complaint #10021652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Olathe, KS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN CAUSING LOST OF POWER STEERING. TS

NHTSA complaint #8023062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Austin, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AN AVERAGE OF 100 MILES AT 70-75 MPH, THE VEHICLE WILL MISS AND THEN STALL, AFTER LETTING IT SIT FOR APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MINUTES IT WILL RESTART, THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE CRUISE CONTROL SENSOR AND CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #786425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glendale Heights, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THERE IS AN OIL LEAK AT HTE OIL FILTER ADAPTOR SEALS. ALSO, THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET LEAKS OIL. THEY WERE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #566602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Montclair, NJ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

PLEASE NOTE AT THE PRESENT TIME TEMPERATURE GAUGE IS NOT WORKING AFTER APPROX 6 .GASKET CHANGE WATER HOSE ETC

NHTSA complaint #733684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Montclair, NJ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

PLEASE NOTE AT THE PRESENT TIME TEMPERATURE GAUGE IS NOT WORKING AFTER APPROX 6 .GASKET CHANGE WATER HOSE ETC

NHTSA complaint #733684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lake Ronkonkoma, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

CONSUMER HAD RECALL 00V10500 PERFORMED ON 6-15-00 FOR AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE. THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH AIRBAG BEFORE THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. ON SEPT.6 2000, CONSUMER NOTICED AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY, CONTACTED DEALER, AND WAS TOLD ONLY AVAILABLE APPOINTMENT WAS FOR SEPT 19,2000. ON SEPT 18,2000, CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN SUDDENLY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF RPM'S/SPEEDOMETER, AND AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON.

NHTSA complaint #870810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

BEL AIR, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

OIL PRESSURE GAUGE DROPPED DUE TO FAILURE OF THE OIL PRESSURE SENDING UNIT. *MJS

NHTSA complaint #553325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LOS Angeles, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

OIL DRIPS FROM BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE. YH

NHTSA complaint #551041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LAS Vegas, NV

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE EXPERIENCING SHUTDOWN ON A HIGHWAY WITH SPEED OF 70MPH AND HEAVY TRAFFIC. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALES.; DEALER ONE INFORMD CONSUMER THAT ENGINE, PRIMARILY CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED. BUT PROBLEM REOCCURRED AND ALMOST COMMENCED IN A VEHICLE COLLISION WITH WHOLE FAMILY IN VEHICLE. DEALER TWO CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #854431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Centereach, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THERE IS A TAPPING NOSE NEAR THE REAR OF THE ENGINE. MAY POSSIBLY WEAR OUT THE CAMSHAFT. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE, AND SAID IT WAS NORMAL.

NHTSA complaint #852862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Redlands, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

EXHAUST SYSTEM PROBLEM DUE TO BAD MUFLER SEAL. YH

NHTSA complaint #607371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Hollywood, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. EMISSIONS SYSTEM--VACUUM LINES AND CANISTER.

NHTSA complaint #609607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ST Louis, MO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

SUPPORT BOLTS THAT HOLD THE ENGINE HAVE SHEARED OFF. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #841819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

MT. Airy, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

AT 11,029 FRONT PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED, SWAY-BAR BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED, EXHAUST HANGER WAS REPLACED, DRIVERS SEAT SQUEEKED (FIXED UNDER RECALL), AND EXTERIOR DOOR BUTTON BROKE. NOW, AT 27,098 ROTORS AND PADS NEED REPLACED AGAIN, TRANSFER CASE AND FRONT DIFFERENTAL INPUT SHAFT LEAKED AND REPAIRED.

NHTSA complaint #705664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ventura, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

EXHAUST SYSTEM FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #607634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mahawah, NJ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHEN TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING, ETC. ALSO WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS, THE RADIO IS STILL ON. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE ENTIRE COMPUTER SYSTEM, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #827142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Northeast, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHENEVER DRIVING VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THE ENGINE WOULD STALL OUT. THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WOULD COME ON. WAS RUNNING ROUGH. ITS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AT LEAST 4-5 DIFFERENT TIMES, BUT PROBLEM NOT SOLVED.

NHTSA complaint #832949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1998 Jeep Cherokee problems

← Full 1998 Jeep Cherokee report