1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 60about this part
- Share
- 6%of 1,028 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 116,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 60 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 6% of the 1,028 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 116,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“All of my dash gauges go out at any given time. There will be a beep and then the speedometer and all the rest do not register. The ck engine light will be on and the fuel light. The power windows will not go down, the AC will not work, radio, and now head lights are being affected and nearly caused me to crash. I have been terrified !! …”
NHTSA complaint #10622639, filed 2014-08, 137,500 miles“My 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee laredo has been stalling intermittently for a while this particular instance I was driving on an interstate I was slowing down with traffic behind me to turn right. As I was entering my turn the Jeep lost all power I did not have the ability to control steering and my vehicle ran off the roadway crashing into a ditch.”
NHTSA complaint #10415591, filed 2011-07, 190,000 miles“The Jeep stalls for no reason. Just stops running. It was repaired three times before I acquired it. I have done the same repairs twice to no avail. I was told there was a recall and was also told I'd be notified but have not to date. I just replaced the computer brain and the coil yet again.”
NHTSA complaint #10554737, filed 2013-12, 163,506 miles“As with many other posts, the vehicle just shut down while driving on the parkway. Pulled off the road put the car in park restarted , waited a minute drove another 20 miles home , no problem. This has happened before in the driveway, or just leaving the house but never on the road. Have replaced ignition switch, both o2 sensors distributor cap, rotor and wires. Fuel pressure is good . Don't expect a fix from chrysler , there are many posts here and online with no fixes. Just thought I'd add my experience to the mix. Time for a new car!”
NHTSA complaint #10593579, filed 2014-05, 206,254 miles“My 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee stalls unexpectedly and sporadically. It seems to happen more often after it's been sitting and not being driven for 3 or more hours, but has occurred at any time or temperature. I've taken it to 3 different mechanics, one who specializes in jeeps and spent hundreds of dollars trying to fix the problem to no avail. No one seems to know why or how this problem is occurring. The following parts have been replaced: idle air control valve, plugs, wires, distributor cap, asd relay, crank sensor, cam shaft position sensor. …”
NHTSA complaint #10246944, filed 2008-10, 201,000 milesRelated service bulletins
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- 10221686Jul 22, 2020KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other…
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Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 19% |
| 2025 | 31 | 39% |
| 2024 | 116 | 46% |
| 2023 | 182 | 45% |
| 2022 | 130 | 49% |
| 2021 | 115 | 28% |
| 2020 | 74 | 31% |
| 2019 | 84 | 23% |
| 2018 | 339 | 40% |
| 2017 | 87 | 24% |
| 2016 | 62 | 20% |
| 2015 | 138 | 10% |
| 2014 | 485 | 20% |
| 2013 | 376 | 47% |
| 2012 | 837 | 51% |
| 2011 | 780 | 48% |
| 2010 | 47 | 40% |
| 2009 | 47 | 34% |
| 2008 | 473 | 64% |
| 2007 | 658 | 59% |
| 2006 | 753 | 59% |
| 2005 | 928 | 45% |
| 2004 | 144 | 11% |
| 2003 | 55 | 7% |
| 2002 | 85 | 6% |
| 2001 | 42 | 5% |
| 2000 | 112 | 8% |
| 1999 | 84 | 5% |
| 1998 | 60 | 6% |
| 1997 | 56 | 6% |
| 1996 | 65 | 7% |
| 1995 | 40 | 6% |
| 1994 | 38 | 6% |
| 1993 | 54 | 10% |
| 1990 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee
426 complaintsFuel system
166 complaintsBrakes
161 complaintsEngine cooling
69 complaintsBody and structure
68 complaintsSteering
40 complaintsVehicle speed control
39 complaintsAir bags
36 complaintsSuspension
32 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
28 complaintsOther or unknown
22 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
18 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Jeep Grand 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