FaultScore

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee airbag problems

36 of the 1,349 complaints about the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee are about the airbag system — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 98,245 miles.

F

36

Complaints

22

Crashes

0

Fires

10

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Frontal 21 58.3%
AIR Bags 12 33.3%
Sensor/Control Module 3 8.3%

Airbags across every Jeep Grand Cherokee year

1993 25 1.1%
1994 38 1.7%
1995 30 1.3%
1996 34 1.5%
1997 36 1.6%
1998 36 1.6%
1999 84 3.7%
2000 60 2.7%
2001 26 1.2%
2002 488 21.7%
2003 257 11.4%
2004 328 14.6%
2005 95 4.2%
2006 61 2.7%
2007 29 1.3%
2008 40 1.8%
2009 12 0.5%
2010 10 0.4%
2011 60 2.7%
2012 43 1.9%
2013 33 1.5%
2014 209 9.3%
2015 103 4.6%
2016 11 0.5%
2017 15 0.7%
2018 23 1.0%
2019 19 0.8%
2020 17 0.8%
2021 18 0.8%
2023 10 0.4%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 200,000 miles Middletown, NY 5 injured

AIR BAGS

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

NHTSA complaint #10895469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 74,000 miles Richmond, KY

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V176000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. MA 10/2 THE VIN PROVIDED IS FOR A 1998 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. UPDATED 10/06/15

NHTSA complaint #10749182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 188,000 miles Miami, FL

AIR BAGS

I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND OUT OF NO WHERE THE CAR STICK SHIFT GOT STUCK AND I TRIED TO AVOID THE CARS AND HIT THE MERIDIA, THE CAR WAS TOTAL LOST, BUT THANK GOD I AM ALIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10535042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rockford, IL Crash

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT ONCE SHE CRASHED, THE FUEL TANK CRACKED AND GASOLINE SPILLED ALL OVER THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE BRAKE AND AIR BAG FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHICH SENT A REPRESENTATIVE TO EXAMINE THE WRECKED VEHICLE. LH..UPDATED 10/30/13 *BF UPDATED 10/31/2013

NHTSA complaint #10515191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Bowling Green, KY Crash 1 killed

AIR BAGS

TL* THE DRIVER OWNED A 1998 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED WHEN HE LOST CONSCIOUSNESS. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS KILLED DURING THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #10423973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Reno, NV

AIR BAGS

1998 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE WITH RECALL FOR THE FLOOR SHIFTER. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE DEALER NEVER INFORMED HIM OF A RECALL ON HIS VEHICLE FOR THE FLOOR SHIFTER SINCE IT WAS PUT IN PLACE IN 2002. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING AND THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THE CLOCK SPRING BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE CV JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A SECOND OPINION ABOUT THE CV JOINTS AND WAS TOLD IT WAS RELATED TO THE VISCOUS COUPLER BEING WORN WHICH WAS THE REAL PROBLEM. THE DEALER STATED MINOR DRIVER SIDE VALVE LEAK, REAR MAIN SEAL SEEPING, AND REAR VISCOUS COUPLER WAS WORN WITH NOTICEABLE HOPPING FELT IN THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10204984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,095 miles Bridgewater, MA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HIT A TREE AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK THE CONSUMER ALMOST WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD AS THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT CAME OFF OF ITS BASE.

NHTSA complaint #10103723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Rockford, IL Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER SIDE AT 45 MPH. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED YET THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *NM WHEN CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, IT WENT OFF ROAD AND HIT A TREE HEAD-ON. CONSUMER SUFFERED INJURIES ON THE NECK, SHOULDER, KNEE AND BACK.

NHTSA complaint #10057347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 63,000 miles Chicago, IL Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO HIS WRIST.*AK ALSO THE CONSUMER SUFFERED INJURIES TO HIS RIGHT KNEE AND SIDE. *CB

NHTSA complaint #10048217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 210,000 miles Jackson, CA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM DUE TO CHEST INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #10046187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hamilton, MS

AIR BAGS

CONSUMER WAS HAVING AIR BAG PROBLEMS. AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT CONTROL MODULE WAS BAD. SHE THEN CHECKED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS RECALL 00V10500 CONCERNING AIR BAGS; HOWEVER, NHTSA DID NOT HAVE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10044232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 98,245 miles Hamilton, MS

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

THE AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED COMING ON IN MY 1998 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE JEEP.THEY TOLD ME THAT THE AIRBAG MODULE HAS GONE BAD . HOW CAN THAT BE WHEN I NEVER HAD TO USE IT? TO GET THAT FIX IT COST $500. I BEGAN LOOKING UP ON THE INTERNET TO SEE THE COST OF IT.I LOOKED AT AUTOZONE WEBSITE TO SEE HOW MUCH THE PART COST UPON THAT I CAME ACROSS A RECALL FOR MY JEEP. IT'S FOR THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON/ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT. I CALLED DAIMLERCHRYSLER AS STATED ON THE RECALL .THEY HAVE GIVEN ME THE RUN AROUND ABOUT THE RECALL. I HOPE SOMEONE IN YOUR DEPARTMENT LOOK INTO THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE THIS IS NOT VERY SAFE. I KNOW IM NOT THE ONLY PERSON TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE AIRBAG LIGHT IN THIS TYPE OF JEEP. PLEASE HELP US BEFORE SOMEONE GET HURT OR DIE. WHEN IT'S TIME FOR THE AIRBAG TO REALLY WORK IT PROBABLY WANT. SO BEFORE IT HAPPEN PLEASE HELP EVERYBODY OUT WHO IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THANK YOU LMORGAN.

NHTSA complaint #10042923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 89,900 miles Holliston, MA

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

AIRBAG DASH INDICATOR LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED AFTER START. DEALER SERVICE THINKS THIS IS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG SYSTEM CONTROL MODULE. THE COST TO REPLACE IS $600 BUT THEY CAN'T BE SURE IF IT IS NOT FIXED WHETHER OR NOT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WILL DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10041167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EL Centro, CA

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS DUE TO A FAULTY MODULE.

NHTSA complaint #10020238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Hopatcong, NJ

AIR BAGS

THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ON THEREFORE THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FOR THE LIGHT COMING ON. *NLM PH

NHTSA complaint #10020064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Athens, IL

AIR BAGS

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND NO WARNING THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND THE AIR BAG COULD BE INOPERATIVE IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

NHTSA complaint #8021845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clinton, NC

AIR BAGS

WHILE DRIVING AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON CONSOLE. DRIVER IMMEDIATELY TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP WHILE BEING OUT. SHE WAS TOLD THAT AIR BAG MODULE HAD FAILED COMPLETELY WHICH MADE AIR BAGS INOPERATIVE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #8016590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sylavania, GA Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE TRAVELING AT 55 MPH CONSUMER RAN INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE CRUSHING WHOLE BUMPER IN. NONE OF AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONTACTED DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #8002124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Manchester, GA Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE WAS INVOLVED IN A VIRTUAL HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. OTHER VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35-45 MILES PER HOUR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, NOR DID THE SEAT BELTS LOCK UPON IMPACT. CRASH RESULTED IN MINOR INJURIES TO DRIVER AND PASSENGER.

NHTSA complaint #752410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

E. Brunswick, NJ Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT CURVE, CONSUMER TURNED ENGINE ON, AND VEHICLE WAS STILL IN PARK. VEHICLE TOOK OFF BACKWARDS, THEN DASHED FORWARD. VEHICLE HIT A TREE ,AND ALMOST A PEDESTRIAN. CONSUMERS LEG WAS INJURED.DEALER WAS CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK UPON IMPACTING THE TREE BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG EXPLODED FROM THE FORCE OF THE DRIVER'S IMPACT, THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SERIOUS RIGHT HIP AND RIGHT FEMUR FRACTURES. NLM

NHTSA complaint #892701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Crown City, OH Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES.*AK

NHTSA complaint #886377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Raleigh, NC

AIR BAGS

THE AIR BAG READINESS INDICATOR COMES ON WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO TO DEALER TO HAVE IT INVESTIGATED. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. THE INDICATOR LIGHT WILL GO OFF USUALLY AFTER DRIVING FOR 30-45 MINUTES. I TESTED THE CRUISE AND HORN WHEN THE INDICATOR LAMP IS ON. BOTH WORK WHENEVER I CHECKED.

NHTSA complaint #742759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Collngsville, OK Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHEN VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A COW WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S SIDE OR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS. ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE CHEROKEE WAS SMASHED BACK TO THE ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #871572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clarksville, AR Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY IN FRONT END COLLISION, THEN JEEP FLIPPED ON ITS SIDE THEN OVER.

NHTSA complaint #719383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lima, NY Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE 50-60MPH ON A BACK ROAD WHEN A DEER JUMPED IN FRONT OF VEHICLE. DEER WAS HIT BY CENTER OF VEHICLE & NEITHER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT.

NHTSA complaint #853068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Milton, PA Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 50MPH . UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY . MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #846820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Coral Spgs, FL Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING AT 35-40 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE RAN INTO THE OTHER VEHICLE HEAD-ON, AND AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint #846236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Miami Beach, FL Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH HAD A COLLISION, BUT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #842376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lead Hill, AR Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

THE VEHICLE HIT A TREE HEAD-ON AT 40MPH AND THE AIRBAGS, BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE, DID NOT DEPLOY. CURRENTLY, VEHICLE IS IN BODYSHOP.

NHTSA complaint #831589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fenton, MO Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

LEASED COMPANY VEHICLE. WHILE PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY APPLIED BRAKES AND VEHICLE ACCELLERATED AND WENT THROUGH A CONCRETE BLOCK WALL AND WINDOW. WET PAVEMENT, 5MPH. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHEN INCIDENT OCCURRED. DEALER AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH $6, 900. 00 DAMAGE AND INVESTIGATION PENDING. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #833236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems

← Full 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee report