1998 Jeep Cherokee Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 65about this part
- Share
- 16%of 399 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 121,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 65 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Jeep Cherokee, 16% of the 399 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 121,000 miles. 9 of these say a crash was involved and 2 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“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“I was sitting in traffic when vehicle made loud noise coming from rear end. It had not been shifting badly or making any unusual noises. I had the transmission serviced at allen samuels chrysler Jeep on hwy 3 houston, texas in june. They changed transmission fluid and never inidcated any thing else needed to be done to the transmission. .”
NHTSA complaint #754823, filed 2001-11“My vehicle was turned on in park; while in park for less than 2 minutes the vehicle went from park to reverse; vehicle was stopped by hitting a tree. Now my trunk is damaged, and my power locks don't work; if I understand correctly there is a federal investigation going on with my particular brand of Jeep; the dealer said they will not fix my Jeep; so what I am suppose to do.”
NHTSA complaint #755594, filed 2001-12“The contact owns a 1998 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, there was a sudden acceleration and the brake pedal failed to respond as a result the contact crashed into a tree. A police report was filed and the contact sustained no injuries. The vehicle was towed and had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10608615, filed 2014-07, 150,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 33% |
| 2022 | 29 | 56% |
| 2021 | 103 | 59% |
| 2020 | 199 | 60% |
| 2019 | 832 | 50% |
| 2018 | 296 | 43% |
| 2017 | 650 | 49% |
| 2016 | 636 | 45% |
| 2015 | 1,007 | 56% |
| 2014 | 1,471 | 56% |
| 2006 | 2 | 12% |
| 2001 | 24 | 10% |
| 2000 | 29 | 8% |
| 1999 | 53 | 14% |
| 1998 | 65 | 16% |
| 1997 | 47 | 12% |
| 1996 | 60 | 13% |
| 1995 | 43 | 7% |
| 1994 | 38 | 7% |
| 1993 | 44 | 11% |
| 1992 | 15 | 13% |
| 1991 | 13 | 6% |
| 1990 | 17 | 6% |
| 1989 | 9 | 5% |
| 1988 | 8 | 8% |
| 1987 | 4 | 7% |
| 1985 | 2 | 12% |
Other parts of the 1998 Jeep Cherokee
88 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 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 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