1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 426about this part
- Share
- 41%of 1,028 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 76,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 426 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 41% of the 1,028 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 76,000 miles. 123 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Takata recall. Since owning my 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0, I've replaced nearly every single part on it. The transmission needs to be recalled on this vehicle before someone gets killed just trying to drive it. The transmission will be fine 1 minute, the next it is putting itself in neutral or drive and I've nearly died on several occasions. Now, the Jeep is coding more codes than ever. Also, as of few days ago, I have no reverse in it. I nearly hit another car trying to back out of a space at the hospital when reverse decided to no longer work. …”
NHTSA complaint #11091735, filed 2018-05, 260,778 miles“We have this roaring noise in the rear end which is so loud you can't hear the radio if it's on all the way. Also have trouble with the surging at high speeds or going up a hill. Almost didn't make it home the last time we drove it 40 miles away. Since my husband has a heart condition we have not driven it any more. After reading the letters that have had this rear end noise fixed and it comes back not sure what to do.”
NHTSA complaint #10140674, filed 2005-10, 70,000 miles“We purchased a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee in october 2000. In spring of 2001, I was in my garage and I turned the vehicle on while our garage door was half way up. The vehicle jumped into reverse without me even touching the shifter. Our car was damaged because the bottom of the garage door clipped the top of the vehicle denting and scratching it(the vehicle was damaged, the garage door suprisingly was fine). The Jeep was taken in to be repaired at an autobody shop, and I had to pay over 500 dollars. …”
NHTSA complaint #10025899, filed 2003-07, 79,000 miles“I own a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee laredo. It was in park when it suddenly went into reverse on its own. It knocked myself over and dragged me with my hand slammed in the door. It finally came to a stop when it hit a traffic signal causing massive damage to the vehicle. I found out after the crash that there was a recall that I was never informed of for the faulty shifter. I also learned that there have been many incidents like mine. I called the dealership where I purchased it and they said that they couldn't do anything and that I should call daimler-chrysler. …”
NHTSA complaint #10174490, filed 2006-11, 105,000 miles“Fuel sending unit failed. As a result: the check engine light will not go off, therefore I can not pass emissions test in my state. I am also constantly running out of gas. The sending unit is necessary for correct gauge readings. This has happened at the worst time for me as a single mother suffering from job losses in the state of goergia. The estimates to repair the fuel system has averaged 700.00 dollars I am also filing a complaint about the transmission that slips too. The transmission will not go into 2nd or 3rd gear with out a lot of extra effort. …”
NHTSA complaint #10008288, filed 2003-03, 36,000 milesRelated recalls
- 02V053000Feb 15, 2002On certain sport utility vehicles, if a driver has not placed the shifter lever fully into the "park" position and leaves the vehicle running, the vehicle may…Covers: Jeep Grand Cherokee 1993–1998, Grand Wagoneer 1993–1998
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 12 | 38% |
| 2025 | 13 | 16% |
| 2024 | 31 | 12% |
| 2023 | 40 | 10% |
| 2022 | 37 | 14% |
| 2021 | 59 | 14% |
| 2020 | 39 | 16% |
| 2019 | 47 | 13% |
| 2018 | 75 | 9% |
| 2017 | 88 | 24% |
| 2016 | 78 | 25% |
| 2015 | 353 | 26% |
| 2014 | 475 | 20% |
| 2013 | 55 | 7% |
| 2012 | 102 | 6% |
| 2011 | 90 | 5% |
| 2010 | 22 | 19% |
| 2009 | 23 | 17% |
| 2008 | 77 | 10% |
| 2007 | 196 | 18% |
| 2006 | 173 | 14% |
| 2005 | 253 | 12% |
| 2004 | 54 | 4% |
| 2003 | 35 | 5% |
| 2002 | 58 | 4% |
| 2001 | 102 | 12% |
| 2000 | 156 | 11% |
| 1999 | 386 | 24% |
| 1998 | 426 | 41% |
| 1997 | 254 | 26% |
| 1996 | 280 | 31% |
| 1995 | 247 | 34% |
| 1994 | 118 | 20% |
| 1993 | 99 | 18% |
| 1991 | 1 | 17% |
| 1989 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee
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 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 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