Complaints
553
Crashes
42
Fires
5
Injuries
45
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Jeep Cherokee Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#142 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
Avg mileage:74,250 mi
Crash-related:2
#226 complaints
Airbags
Avg mileage:161,069 mi
Crash-related:4
#325 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:116,333 mi
Crash-related:2
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Jeep Cherokee.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 42 | 2 | — | 74,250 mi | |
| Airbags | 26 | 4 | — | 161,069 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 25 | 2 | — | 116,333 mi | |
| Fuel System, Other | 18 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 17 | — | 1 | 87,333 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 16 | — | — | 166,621 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 15 | 11 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 14 | 2 | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch | 13 | 6 | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 12 | — | — | 46,000 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 12 | 3 | — | 80,700 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 11 | — | — | 40,032 mi | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 11 | — | — | 102,875 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 11 | 1 | — | 156,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 9 | — | — | 106,000 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 9 | 1 | — | 150,000 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 9 | 1 | — | 130,200 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 8 | — | 1 | 80,000 mi | |
| Body Structure | 8 | 1 | — | 162,000 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 8 | — | — | 121,592 mi | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 8 | — | — | 54,003 mi | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 7 | — | — | 50,000 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 7 | — | — | 67,000 mi | |
| Fuel System | 7 | — | — | 60,000 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 6 | — | — | 167,000 mi | |
| Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System | 6 | — | — | 84,000 mi | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 6 | — | — | 65,908 mi |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
42
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
74,250
Airbags
26
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
161,069
Automatic Transmission
25
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
116,333
Fuel System, Other
18
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
17
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
87,333
Electrical Faults
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
166,621
Air Bags:Frontal
15
complaints
Crashes
11
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
14
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
13
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
46,000
Unintended Acceleration
12
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
80,700
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
40,032
Seat-Related Issues
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
102,875
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
156,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
106,000
Transmission / Drivetrain
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
150,000
Suspension Failures
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
130,200
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
80,000
Body Structure
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
162,000
Tire Defects
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
121,592
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
54,003
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
50,000
Gasoline Fuel System
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
67,000
Fuel System
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
60,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel Pump
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
167,000
Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
84,000
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
65,908
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Jeep Cherokee. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Jeep Cherokee Years
1998 Jeep Cherokee — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Jeep Cherokee reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1998 Jeep Cherokee has 553 NHTSA complaints, 42 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor with 42 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Jeep Cherokee?
Top reported problems: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor (42 complaints, avg 74,250 mi); Airbags (26 complaints, avg 161,069 mi); Automatic Transmission (25 complaints, avg 116,333 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 Jeep Cherokee?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 103,668 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Jeep Cherokee include 42 crash-related reports, 5 fire reports, 45 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 Jeep Cherokee have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 Jeep Cherokee as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1998 Jeep Cherokee?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Jeep Cherokee reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 Jeep Cherokee
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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