1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 40about this part
- Share
- 4%of 1,028 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 126,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 40 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 4% of the 1,028 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 126,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was on the highway with my 3 year old grandchild in the back when my car started shaking so violently I thought we were going to die! It literally felt like the wheels and the steering wheel as well were going to all fall off! I've never been more scared in my life. It was very difficult to slow it down and pull over to a breakdown lane so I could stop . I was even going under the speed limit when this happened”
NHTSA complaint #11204239, filed 2019-04, 150,000 miles“I bought the car from a private seller who cautioned me about a supposed 'death wobble' as I now know it when the car goes over a bump at highway speeds. On my first take on the highway, I hit a small bump going 65 and the car began to shake so violently I thought it was going to break up into pieces. Traffic swerved around me as I veered my car to my left into the grassy median. Luckily there was no accident. …”
NHTSA complaint #10568664, filed 2014-03, 205,000 miles“My Jeep has the death wobble . When hitting a bump (bridge, pothole, etc.) going down the road, the front end starts to bounce around and becomes unstable. This usually occurs at highway speeds and seems to be worse when towing a trailer. I have to come to an almost complete stop the get it to quit shaking. Steering and braking are affected. Tires chirp when trying to stop because one or both front tires leave the ground. New tires, brakes (both pads and rotors), and sway bar links and the problem still persists. …”
NHTSA complaint #10871027, filed 2016-05, 131,000 miles“Was driving on freeway at 70 MPH, hit a big bump in road and vehicle started to shake violently, at first thought it was a flat tire but after slowing down, the vehicle stopped shaking and could drive normally. That was first incident, since then I've had 8 incidents where the same thing happens between 55 and 70 MPH. It always happens when I hit a bump in road. I looked on line to see if any one else had experienced this death wobble on the Jeep Grand Cherokee larado and found a lot of people have experienced this extremely dangerous and mind numbing experience. Updated 11/12/15”
NHTSA complaint #10744235, filed 2015-07, 129,989 miles“In 2007 had what is known as the Jeep death wobble. I had know idea what this was until I let the Jeep set for 4 years and then had the steering box and steering stabilizer replaced. Everything was fine for a while until I hit a small bump in the road in 2012 driving down I-40. I was coming around a curve and the Jeep began to shake out of control. I was doing the speed limit which is 70. Had to slam on brakes and pull over for this to stop. Took it back to the shop and was basically told all jeeps do this and nothing could be done. …”
NHTSA complaint #10462800, filed 2012-06, 100,000 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 4% |
| 2024 | 9 | 4% |
| 2023 | 44 | 11% |
| 2022 | 23 | 9% |
| 2021 | 102 | 25% |
| 2020 | 13 | 5% |
| 2019 | 14 | 4% |
| 2018 | 14 | 2% |
| 2017 | 18 | 5% |
| 2016 | 16 | 5% |
| 2015 | 42 | 3% |
| 2014 | 81 | 3% |
| 2013 | 26 | 3% |
| 2012 | 100 | 6% |
| 2011 | 86 | 5% |
| 2010 | 3 | 3% |
| 2009 | 11 | 8% |
| 2008 | 24 | 3% |
| 2007 | 49 | 4% |
| 2006 | 37 | 3% |
| 2005 | 64 | 3% |
| 2004 | 73 | 6% |
| 2003 | 24 | 3% |
| 2002 | 41 | 3% |
| 2001 | 37 | 4% |
| 2000 | 48 | 3% |
| 1999 | 53 | 3% |
| 1998 | 40 | 4% |
| 1997 | 47 | 5% |
| 1996 | 67 | 8% |
| 1995 | 32 | 4% |
| 1994 | 38 | 6% |
| 1993 | 38 | 7% |
| 1990 | 1 | 20% |
| 1989 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee
426 complaintsFuel system
166 complaintsBrakes
161 complaintsEngine cooling
69 complaintsBody and structure
68 complaintsElectrical system
60 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 31, 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