1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 1%of 1,028 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 113,364miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the seats of the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 1% of the 1,028 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 113,364 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“I have a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee and it seems the driver's side seat has become broken at the base and now wobbles and is just about unusable. Upon further inspection and online research it appears this is a very common problem with these vehicles. The Jeep dealer will want $400+ to repair this. Since these seats break while driving and thankfully for me I wasn't involved in an accident I can't believe that there has been no kind of recall on these. The steel used for these parts is very cheap and thin and break way too easily.”
NHTSA complaint #10281961, filed 2009-08, 120,000 miles“While the vehicle was parked, unoccupied and locked. The front passenger seat had a catastrophic failure of the seat heater system that caused the seat to catch fire. Interestingly, no fuses were found to be blown. The seat catching fire spread to the passenger door panel. It continued up the door panel and spread to the door trim, headliner & visor. The entire interior was smoke damaged. The fire department responded quickly so that's why the damage was not worse.”
NHTSA complaint #10722827, filed 2015-06, 106,728 miles“The heated seat on the driver's side of the consumer's 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee ltd malfunctioned. As a result the system burned through the leather seat in the lumbar region. The consumer contacted the manufacturer but the refused to provided any assistance.”
NHTSA complaint #10113805, filed 2005-03“Drivers seat power recliner motor fails. Has been replaced 5 times. Last replacement was a new desgin to eliminate problem. Seat still falls back to reclined position while driving at any speed. Several near miss accidents do to being started and losing grip on steering wheel. Dealler states no known fix at this time. Problem for 13 months now. Arbitration scheduled for 08/20/1999.”
NHTSA complaint #710237, filed 1999-08“Seat warmer, when on, gets extremely hot, approximately 214 degrees. Dealer contacted, and cannot remedy the problem. Problem occurred three times. Also, steering gear box locked up and was replaced/transfer case was making noise and was replaced. Provide further information.”
NHTSA complaint #835855, filed 1999-03Seats: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 4 | 2% |
| 2023 | 5 | 1% |
| 2022 | 12 | 4% |
| 2021 | 5 | 1% |
| 2020 | 1 | 0% |
| 2019 | 10 | 3% |
| 2018 | 43 | 5% |
| 2017 | 20 | 5% |
| 2016 | 11 | 4% |
| 2015 | 317 | 23% |
| 2014 | 340 | 14% |
| 2013 | 57 | 7% |
| 2012 | 12 | 1% |
| 2011 | 11 | 1% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 3 | 0% |
| 2006 | 5 | 0% |
| 2005 | 20 | 1% |
| 2004 | 149 | 12% |
| 2003 | 65 | 9% |
| 2002 | 91 | 6% |
| 2001 | 131 | 15% |
| 2000 | 180 | 12% |
| 1999 | 91 | 6% |
| 1998 | 9 | 1% |
| 1997 | 12 | 1% |
| 1996 | 5 | 1% |
| 1995 | 4 | 1% |
| 1994 | 4 | 1% |
| 1993 | 3 | 1% |
Other parts of the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee
426 complaintsFuel system
166 complaintsBrakes
161 complaintsEngine cooling
69 complaintsBody and structure
68 complaintsElectrical system
60 complaintsSteering
40 complaintsVehicle speed control
39 complaintsAir bags
36 complaintsSuspension
32 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
28 complaintsOther or unknown
22 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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