Tl* the contact owns a 1998 jeep cherokee. The contact stated that the fuel tank was exposed due to the trailer hitch being removed and could not be replaced due to excessive rust on the frame. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 185,000.
1998 Jeep Cherokee fuel system problems
61 complaints (15% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 98,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 61
- of this car's complaints
- 15%
- typical mileage
- 98,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Storage: tank assembly12
- Storage: fuel gauge system6
- Delivery: fuel pump6
- Storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap2
- Fuel injection system2
- Delivery2
- Storage: auxillary tank1
- Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
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 fuel system problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Jeep Cherokee fuel system
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Crash Related Fuel Tank Fires
ODI has completed an extensive analysis of rear crash fuel tank system integrity data for the subject Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Liberty vehicles (SVs).As of June 2013, ODI knew of 56 post-collision fatal fires, 28 non-fatal fires, and 6 fuel leak incidents (totaling 90 incidents, 75 fatalities and 58 injuries) involving the SVs.Based on this analysis, ODI issued a Recall Request Letter (RRL) on June 3, 2013 requesting that Chrysler recall the Grand Cherokee and Liberty vehicles due to the rate of fatal, non-fatal fire, and fuel leak incidents when compared to peer vehicles (compact and medium SUVs) built during the same time period.In the RRL, ODI described how the location of the aft-mounted fuel tank made the SVs vulnerable to rear impact crash fuel tank failures.During the analysis, besides the high speed/high severity crashes present in both the SV and peer vehicles, ODI observed a significant number of low and moderate speed rear impact crash related fires and leaks, particularly in the Liberty.The data also demonstrated that SVs originally equipped with towing hitch receivers (trailer hitches) appeared to be under-represented in rear-impact related fuel tank failures.In the RRL, ODI requested that Chrysler provide its response by June 18, 2013, otherwise the federal safety agency might proceed to an Initial Decision that the SVs contain a safety-related defect.Chrysler responded to the RRL on June 4, 2013 and vigorously disputed the tentative findings of the RRL.Among other things, Chrysler argued that the SVs had an overall safety record superior to their peers, met or exceeded all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) and only experienced fires in severe high energy rear impacts.Nonetheless, while continuing to maintain that the SVs did not contain a safety-related defect, Chrysler proposed a recall (13V‑252) of approximately 2.5M (1.6M currently registered) model year (MY) 1993 - 1998 Grand Cherokee (ZJ) and MY 2002-2007 Liberty (KJ) vehicles on June 18, 2013.The recall remedy submitted by Chrysler would employ a hitch receiver assembly consisting of a steel cross-member behind the fuel tank with forward-projecting arms bolted to the frame rails on either side of the fuel tank.For the MY 1999 - 2004 Grand Cherokee, Chrysler indicated it would conduct a customer satisfaction campaign and inspect vehicles equipped with aftermarket tow hitch receivers, and if necessary, replace any such hitch receivers whose conditionmay increase the risk of fuel system failure in rear crashes.Examination of the available data established that the MY 1999 - 2004 Grand Cherokee did not pose the same magnitude of safety risk as the MY 1993 - 1998 Grand Cherokee and MY 2002-2007 Liberty, particularly in low and moderate speed rear impacts.Because the agency has concluded that the vehicles do not present an unreasonable risk to safety, ODI is closing its investigation of the MY 1999 - 2004 Grand Cherokee.Although it was not within the scope of the Petition initiating this investigation or the Preliminary Evaluation preceding this EA, ODI also examined the performance of the MY 1993 - 2001 Cherokee as part of this investigation.the federal safety agency's assessment of the available data for the Cherokee did not establish an unreasonable risk in comparison to peer vehicles.ODI does not approve proposed defect remedies.While offering to install hitch receiver assemblies on the MY 1993-1998 Grand Cherokees and 2002-2007 Liberty, Chrysler did not, in ODI's view, provide enough evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed remedy in rear impacts.The Complete Summary for this Closing Resume (EA12-005) can be seen by
EA12005
What 1998 Jeep Cherokee owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 jeep cherokee. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v252000 (fuel system, gasoline, structure) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
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.
Bought this vehicle not knowing of the gas tank design problem and now im stuck with a vehicle that I don't dare to drive or sell.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 jeep cherokee. The vehicle was equipped with a plastic fuel tank located near the rear bumper. A trailer hitch had not been installed by the manufacturer. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 jeep cherokee. The contact received a notification for recall the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v252000 (fuel system). However, the parts needed were not available. The dealer was contacted and explained that they were not aware of when the parts would become available. The manufacturer was made aware of the delay. The contact had not experienced a failure.
In june 2013 a safety recall number n45/the federal safety agency 13v‑252 was made for my vehicle. I got notice that the parts were not available. It is now march 2014, 9 months since the safety recall and I have yet to have the correction on my vehicle made! How long does it take to get the parts they new? How long can they drag their feet at the possible expense of someone's life?
A recall based on 37 fatal accidents over the course of 20 years, involving millions of cars and billions, possibly trillions, of miles driven is absurd. It is more likely that a person would be struck by lightning than dying in a fire caused be a car crash. I would be willing to bet that there are at least ten other cars with a similar incidence of fire and fatality after a crash.
I just found out I have a cracked manifold, my driver side door has broken put a new part in it and now that is broken,I have also had to put a new transmission in it with only 148,000.00 miles. In 2006 I had to fix the gas tank because it was broken too. Is this not a recall problem????? Any of these, I have had the jeep since 2000 and I bought it when it had 20,000 miles on it. Please help because this is 2012 and I only have 156,000 miles on it now. Thank you.
Standard jeep cherokee (had been maintained by us gvt. Until I bought) hesitates or stalls when turning when gas tank below 25-35% . Is hazardous and have nearly been rearended a few times, from 2003 thru 2009. Chrysler says known problem with fuel filter/pump 'sock'--but no assistance in the 500$ plus potential repair costs. This is the biggest safety problem I have ever heard of in a modern car and it's rampant among cherokee owners.
Questions about the 1998 Jeep Cherokee fuel system
Does the 1998 Jeep Cherokee have fuel system problems?
Owners have filed 61 complaints about the fuel system of the 1998 Jeep Cherokee, 15% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1998 Jeep Cherokee fuel system problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 98,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Jeep Cherokee fuel system?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Jeep Cherokee have the most fuel system problems?
The Jeep Cherokee model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2014 (200 complaints), 1997 (141 complaints) and 1998 (61 complaints).
Other 1998 Jeep Cherokee problems
Brakes 88Transmission 65Airbags 51Electrical 47Engine 34Body 27Suspension 18Seat belts 17Visibility 16Lights 13Tires 13Seats 12Steering 12Acceleration 11Locks 6Wheels 2
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