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1998 Jeep Cherokee electrical problems

47 complaints (12% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 130,000.

owner complaints
47
of this car's complaints
12%
typical mileage
130,000
crashes
0
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Wiring: interior/under dash
    17
  • Wiring: fuses and circuit breakers
    4
  • Wiring
    2
  • Ignition: module
    2
  • Wiring: rear compartment/trunk
    1
  • Wiring: front underhood
    1
  • Starter assembly
    1
  • Instrument cluster/panel
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Jeep Cherokee electrical problems in other years

199019952000201520202026

Related recalls

Electrical system: instrument cluster/panelReported February 6, 2008 · 107 vehicles affected
What is wrong
U.s. Drive right is recalling 107 my 1994-1998 right hand drive, 4-wheel drive jeep cherokee vehicles. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 101, 'controls and displays;' no. 108, 'lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment;' no. 111, 'rearview mirror;' no. 114, 'theft protection;' no. 115, 'vehicle identification number;' no. 118, 'power window system;' no. 120, 'tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars;' no. 208, 'occupant crash protection;' and no. 301, 'fuel system integrity.'
Risk
These vehicles do not meet the required standards.
Remedy
U.s. Drive right will make all the required modifications. A representative will travel to the customer's location and make the modifications on site. The recall will be performed on a regional basis beginning march 2008. Owners may contact u.s. Drive right at 1‑888‑632‑5936.

Recall number 08V056000 · Recall details

What 1998 Jeep Cherokee owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 2, 2020 · Airbags, Electrical · 230,000 miles · NY

Jeep developed communication issues, dash displayed "no bus." one morning I started the jeep and went to shift to gear and the passenger air bag deployed. Took it up the road and back thinking I had a communication issue to diagnose, the drivers air bag deployed turning on my road. Seemed to happen when pressing the brake.I learned about the recall corrosion in air bag module may lead to inadvertent deployment. I dropped my vehicle off to nye dodge jeep ram in oneida ny. Repair order was made nov 14th 2019. I was given a 1-800 number to call, placed 4 calls before my case was escalated correctly. Made numerous calls to the 800 number and eventually on 12/5 maybe 12/6 an inspector came and inspected my vehicle. With basically no progress after a month and a half I picked up my vehicle. With a couple more calls to the 800 number and being told were "on hold" with chryslers end my vehicle is still not fixed and the 800 number calls all end with well leave a message for whoever is in charge with your case to call you, they have yet to call going on 3 weeks. I was told the airbags are not available from chrysler. Looking for a solution or to at least get the module installed in the right location and ill source airbags. It has been an absolutely ridiculous amount of time to not have any answers and my recall not completed.

Filed Feb 23, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 jeep cherokee. The contact stated that there was a loud noise coming from the front area of the vehicle and the suspension was unstable, the check engine, multiple gauges, and various warning indicators illuminated randomly. The dealer was notified of the failures and the contact was waiting for a response to determine if they could inspect and diagnose the failures. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was not available.

Filed Jan 7, 2016 · Airbags, Electrical · 130,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 jeep cherokee. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated for an extended period of time and the instrument cluster failed to work due to the gauges not functioning properly. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 00v105000 (air bags). The contact was unable to pass a vehicle inspection due to the failure. The vehicle was to be taken to a dealer for further inspection. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Nov 4, 2015 · Electrical · 198,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 jeep cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle's computer software had a defect that caused the vehicle to stall without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 198,000.

Filed Aug 4, 2015 · Electrical, Fuel system · 120,000 miles · AZ

It started with the lights turning off when I hit a bump. The whole jeep would go dark. Instrument panel, overhead lights, driving lights, all of them! Then after parking the jeep, day or night, the alarm system would go off all by itself. The door switches locking and unlocking while I was driving down the road. Then there was the radio that would turn on and off by itself. Then the windows decided to stop going up and down. When I would start the jeep the instrument panel gauges wouldn't move, turn on. So, I would turn off the jeep and restart it. Some of the gauges, would turn on but others, would not, like the fuel tank gage, speedometer gage. During the summer months, there would be a puddle of water on the passenger side floor board. I still to this day don't know what caused it to happen every day and each time it was turned on. Then there is the transmission and rear end that started having problems. It started to slip out of gear and the rear end made a noise. I had all the oil levels checked out, but still it would happen. I do recall getting a flyer in the mail, regarding a recall, but it also said that the dealer, did not have the parts to fix the problem. Why would you send out a flyer that you have no way of fixing because you can't get the part's? ! And are you even concerned about the worry you put me through? It became another reason to park the jeep. How could you do.this, to so many people? With all these strange things happening to the jeep, I had to do what was best for my safety, as well as, those who were on the road driving around me. I just couldn't live with myself, knowing that I could have cost someone or myself injury or death, by having the jeep on the road knowing it was having so many problems. It has now been close to three-years since the last time I drove it.

Filed Jun 2, 2015 · Electrical · IL

The ignition switch sticks, passenger door locks doors when opened and closed, passenger side window front and back will not go down all the time and sometimes they will.

Filed Oct 1, 2014 · Electrical · 217,000 miles · VA

Air bag light comes on and all gauges stop working-- pressing hard on the face of the gauge cluster or smacking the top of the dash restores everything.. Owned it for 4 years and previous owner said they experienced it before me.. Now it has started a new additional problem, "check gauges" light comes on and volt meter pegs to the right at 19 volts. Smacking doesn't help this, it just goes away in a few miles...

Filed Apr 7, 2011 · Electrical · 150,000 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 jeep cherokee. The contact stated that the instrument panel would only operate sporadically. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but not repaired. There were no recalls for the failure and the manufacturer advised taking the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostics and/or repairs. The manufacturer offered no further assistance. The failure mileage was 150,000. Updated 05/03/11*lj updated 05/16/11

Filed Feb 6, 2011 · Electrical · MI

My 1998 cherokee classic is having the same issues as many other complaints I have read. The issues involve the speed and tach gauges dropping to zero, the rest of the dash gauges not responding from whatever position they are in when rest of gauges go south, the "idiot" lights don't work, and the wretched airbag light luminates the whole time all this other stuff is going on. The speed is not a factor. It can happen at any speed, even when I first start the vehicle. It can happen once in a while to several times in a mile, cutting in and out. This problem has been going on even longer than what I listed. February of last year is when it started being more than a once in a while, sporadic issue. Before then, it happened less than 10 times, since owning the vehicle late 2007.

Filed Jan 3, 2011 · Electrical · 222,360 miles · NC

Instrument panel not responding after passing self diagnostic test all fuses were changed as well.

Questions about the 1998 Jeep Cherokee electrical

Does the 1998 Jeep Cherokee have electrical problems?

Owners have filed 47 complaints about the electrical of the 1998 Jeep Cherokee, 12% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1998 Jeep Cherokee electrical problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 130,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1998 Jeep Cherokee electrical?

Yes, 1 recall: 08V056000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Jeep Cherokee have the most electrical problems?

The Jeep Cherokee model years with the most electrical complaints are 2014 (450 complaints), 2017 (342 complaints) and 2019 (342 complaints).

Other 1998 Jeep Cherokee problems

Brakes 88Transmission 65Fuel system 61Airbags 51Engine 34Body 27Suspension 18Seat belts 17Visibility 16Lights 13Tires 13Seats 12Steering 12Acceleration 11Locks 6Wheels 2

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