1998 Jeep Cherokee Equipment Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 3%of 399 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the equipment of the 1998 Jeep Cherokee, 3% of the 399 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Air conditioning evaporators failing in Jeep vehicles from 96 on up, cherokees in particular. It is a very expensive repair for a piece of equipment that should never fail through normal use. The evaporator is installed in the heater box behind the dashboard and takes 8 hours of labor to replace. This is a common item to fail but I thought I'd actually file a complaint and see if something could be done. This also results in very poor defrosting of the windshield.”
NHTSA complaint #10156156, filed 2006-04, 50,000 miles“I have had multiple problems with my gas gauge giving erradic readings. At times it has read that I am out of gas when I had a full tank. If I turn the car off and restart it the problem is usually resolved. I would like to have the problem fixed before I end up on the side of the road with no gas. I also have a sound coming out of the air conditioner that sounds like a gurgling or bubbling sound. I would like to know if this is a common problem or a normal sound.”
NHTSA complaint #745299, filed 2001-05“Three months after the purchase of the vehicle, rust marks appeared. The electrical system malfuntioned with out any warning. There have been problems with the air conditioner and the radio. There is a thumping noise in the rotors that was fixed but the noise still remains.”
NHTSA complaint #10001367, filed 2003-01“On hot days the front brakes lock up and would not release, causing linings to smoke. When the air conditioner is on, the compressor kicks in at night while driving with the headlights on. When filling the gas tank, the filler pipe makes a slurping sound, causing the gasoline to slush back and forth in the gas tank.”
NHTSA complaint #540643, filed 1998-09“Numerous problems with 1998 Jeep Cherokee sport. During the first year of owning the vehicle the vehicle was at the dealer 12 times for rust marks on the vehicle which the dealer described as fall out and they insisted it was something the consumer had done to cause it to happen so soon, the electrical system failed, as the consumer was driving all the gauges went out and the vehicle just stopped, the air condition and radio were inoperative and still is, there was a thumping noise which was attributed to the rotors which was supposedly fixed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10003851, filed 2003-01Related service bulletins
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- 10220097Nov 20, 2019Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
- 10169249Nov 20, 2019Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
- 10169247Nov 20, 2019Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage…
- 10150552Apr 23, 2015Child Seat Tether Anchor Installation This bulletin describes procedures to install Child Seat Tether Anchors based on Customer Request. Retrofits are subject to part…
- 10220995Sep 3, 2014Part Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve - Valve Body - RWD Transmission Issue Description: The manual valve insulator, attaching rivet and instruction sheet are…
- 10139596Sep 3, 2014Part Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve - Valve Body - RWD Transmission Issue Description: The manual valve insulator, attaching rivet and instruction sheet are…
Equipment: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5 | 0% |
| 2018 | 1 | 0% |
| 2016 | 2 | 0% |
| 2015 | 7 | 0% |
| 2014 | 15 | 1% |
| 2006 | 1 | 6% |
| 2001 | 12 | 5% |
| 2000 | 5 | 1% |
| 1999 | 12 | 3% |
| 1998 | 10 | 3% |
| 1997 | 12 | 3% |
| 1996 | 8 | 2% |
| 1995 | 11 | 2% |
| 1994 | 12 | 2% |
| 1993 | 7 | 2% |
| 1992 | 1 | 1% |
| 1991 | 1 | 0% |
| 1990 | 2 | 1% |
| 1989 | 1 | 1% |
| 1987 | 1 | 2% |
| 1985 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1998 Jeep Cherokee
88 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
65 complaintsFuel system
61 complaintsAir bags
52 complaintsElectrical system
47 complaintsEngine cooling
30 complaintsBody and structure
27 complaintsSuspension
18 complaintsSeat belts
17 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaintsOther or unknown
15 complaintsExterior lighting
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Jeep Cherokee
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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