1998 Jeep Laredo Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 45%of 33 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 210,891miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Jeep Laredo, 45% of the 33 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 210,891 miles. 7 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.
“Yesterday afternoon my wife was preparing to run errands when she backed over something in our garage. She pulled the Jeep forward, put it in park. She left it running as she got out, and took a couple of steps to the back to find what she ran over. She told me she heard the car rev briefly, then suddenly accelerate towards her. She couldn't jump out of the way and grabbed the door. In a few seconds, she was dragged down the driveway, across the street, across a neighbor's driveway and into his lawn. …”
NHTSA complaint #10402013, filed 2011-05, 215,782 miles“After parking the Jeep in my garage, I left it running to check for clearance. After ensuring the vehicle was stopped and in park I exited the car. The car started moving very quickly and the door was bent backwards and then proceeded to hit me and travel about an eighth of a mile before crashing.”
NHTSA complaint #10150076, filed 2006-02“While my Jeep was in park and the motor running, I had to get out of the car, it shifted by itself to reverse, and in trying to stop the car from running into my neighbors house the car rolled over my foot.”
NHTSA complaint #758408, filed 2002-02“The contact owns a 1998 Jeep Laredo. While driving 5 MPH, the low beam headlights failed to operate. Whenever the contact attempted to turn on the vehicle, he had to shift into neutral. When parked on a hill, the vehicle rolled intermittently. The failure occurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 206,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10631864, filed 2014-09, 206,000 miles“Vehicle was in park and without prior warning it suddenly took off. Left rear tire blew in the process. There is a recall campaign 02v053000 regarding this condition. Photos attached. Front sway bar links were replaced. Vehicle won't go over 20 MPH after engine is warmed. Fuel pump replaced. Serpentine belt had to be replaced. Front and rear pads were replaced and front and rear rotors resurfaced.”
NHTSA complaint #8005817, filed 2002-03Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 3 | 15% |
| 2003 | 2 | 4% |
| 2002 | 4 | 5% |
| 2001 | 8 | 11% |
| 2000 | 5 | 6% |
| 1999 | 8 | 13% |
| 1998 | 15 | 45% |
| 1997 | 4 | 11% |
| 1996 | 15 | 32% |
| 1995 | 3 | 15% |
| 1994 | 5 | 31% |
| 1993 | 6 | 23% |
| 1991 | 1 | 10% |
| 1990 | 1 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1998 Jeep Laredo
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Jeep Laredo
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