CarModelProblems.com

1998 Jeep Cherokee Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

Elevated complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor — runs 1.9× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
399Complaints
11Recalls
34Crashes
5Fires
31Injured
1Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor (10.5% of complaints) — is covered by 3 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor complaints here are 1.9× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor42 · 10.5%RecalledRecall 06E022000 · Recall 00V136000 · Recall 98V023000
Air Bags26 · 6.5%RecalledRecall 00V105000
Power Train:automatic Transmission25 · 6.3%not available
Fuel System, Other18 · 4.5%RecalledRecall 08V056000 · Recall 06E011000
Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash17 · 4.3%not available
Electrical System16 · 4%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS26 · 6.5%
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER18 · 4.5%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH17 · 4.3%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM16 · 4%
Unspecified / other15 · 3.8%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL15 · 3.8%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP14 · 3.5%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH13 · 3.3%

Percentages are the share of the 399 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 11 campaigns

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

NHTSA campaign 08V056000 · 2008 · reported 02/06/2008

THESE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET THE REQUIRED STANDARDS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 09E025000 · 2009 · reported 05/11/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 06E065000 · 2006 · reported 07/17/2006

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

NHTSA campaign 06E022000 · 2006 · reported 03/13/2006

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 06E026000 · 2006 · reported 03/23/2006

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

NHTSA campaign 06E011000 · 2006 · reported 02/01/2006

IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor

NHTSA campaign 00V136000 · 2000 · reported 05/10/2000

THE REDUCED STRENGTH CAN ALLOW THE CAST IRON WEAR SURFACE TO SEPARATE FROM THE HUB, REDUCING THE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VEHICLE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive

NHTSA campaign 00V105000 · 2000 · reported 04/11/2000

SUCH CORROSION CAN LEAD TO ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT OR COULD ALLOW INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

NHTSA campaign 98V023000 · 1998 · reported 02/10/1998

THIS CAN CAUSE AN INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED AND A LOSS OF POWER ASSIST DURING BRAKE APPLICATION WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seat Belts:front:anchorage

NHTSA campaign 98V048000 · 1998 · reported 03/12/1998

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“RECALL # 00V136000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. AFTER ARRIVING FOR SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT, WAITING FOR TWO HOURS, OWNER WAS TOLD THAT NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE TO CORRECT…”NHTSA complaint 865680 — filed 07/19/2000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
“FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAVE FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. RECALL 00V136000 DOES NOT INCLUDED UTAH STATE . CONSUMER STATE THAT UTAH USES HIGH AMOUNT OF SALT…”NHTSA complaint 864891 — filed 07/06/2000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
“TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO REPLACE ROTORS DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUBBING AND NOISES. THE SECOND SET OF ROTORS WERE ALSO RUBBING & MECHANIC REFUSED TO…”NHTSA complaint 859988 — filed 04/10/2000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

6200633200834201035201231220142532016322020112024

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Jeep Cherokee?

Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor issues are the most-reported category, cited in 42 of 399 NHTSA complaints (10.5%), followed by air bags (26), power train:automatic transmission (25), fuel system, other (18). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1998 Jeep Cherokee have?

399 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 34 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, and 31 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 1998 Jeep Cherokee have any recalls?

Yes — 11 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 08V056000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1998 Jeep Cherokee's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.