1998 Jeep Cherokee Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 8%of 399 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1998 Jeep Cherokee, 8% of the 399 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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, filed 2012-04, 156,000 miles“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, filed 2008-08, 100,000 miles“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, filed 2003-07, 80,000 miles“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. .”
NHTSA complaint #10021652, filed 2003-05, 117,000 miles“Manufacturing defect in exhaust manifolds installed in the late 90's to 4.0 liter engines on Jeep products. The consumers second vehicle a Jeep wrangler had the same exhaust manifold problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10037871, filed 2003-08, 64,099 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10191460Feb 26, 2016Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
- 10020666Aug 1, 2006Reprogram pcm and inspect catalytic converter.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 4 | 1% |
| 2019 | 13 | 1% |
| 2018 | 4 | 1% |
| 2017 | 5 | 0% |
| 2016 | 6 | 0% |
| 2015 | 10 | 1% |
| 2014 | 9 | 0% |
| 2006 | 2 | 12% |
| 2001 | 37 | 16% |
| 2000 | 53 | 14% |
| 1999 | 36 | 10% |
| 1998 | 30 | 8% |
| 1997 | 45 | 12% |
| 1996 | 54 | 12% |
| 1995 | 136 | 22% |
| 1994 | 79 | 15% |
| 1993 | 34 | 8% |
| 1992 | 11 | 10% |
| 1991 | 17 | 7% |
| 1990 | 28 | 10% |
| 1989 | 13 | 7% |
| 1988 | 9 | 9% |
| 1987 | 8 | 14% |
| 1986 | 1 | 5% |
| 1985 | 1 | 6% |
| 1984 | 2 | 29% |
Other parts of the 1998 Jeep Cherokee
88 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
65 complaintsFuel system
61 complaintsAir bags
52 complaintsElectrical system
47 complaintsBody and structure
27 complaintsSuspension
18 complaintsSeat belts
17 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaintsOther or unknown
15 complaintsExterior lighting
13 complaintsTires
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Jeep Cherokee
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology