During normal driving down a mountain road, break pedal went to the floor. Attempts make to pump break with no effect. Emergency brake was pulled with no effect. Vehicle slammed into rock wall and then landed into a 10+ foot ravine. Was informed by mechanic the master cylinder failed which caused a near fatal accident with 5 people in the vehicle. I recently found out there was a recall on a replacement master cylinder for that make a model but cannot verify if this was a replacement part or not. I cannot not find any information with casting numbers of effected parts. Re: the recalled master cylinders it reports the part was affected in cold weather but this happened on a warm summer day. The recall I am referring to was initially reported in 2006. All that happened and the airbags did not deploy. I do have pictures of the accident and the master cylinder as well as documentation re the accident reports, I am having a hard time uploading them
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee: brake failure
13 of the 1,027 complaints about the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee describe brake failure.
- owner complaints
- 13
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 2
Brake failure by model year
What owners say
On a trip from northern virginia I was south bound on hwy 15 when I began to smell smoke and applied my brakes. The pedal went to the floor as smoke rolled out from under the car. I tried to down shift into low as my car was in flames and smoke engulfed the hood. I entered the on ramp for hwy 460 bypass east bound when my transmission caught a lower gear, my car was still moving when I shifted into neutral and jammed the car into park and exited my jeep. After I ran (approx. 50 yards) I looked back ans noticed there were droplets of flames coming from underneath the rear and the car blew up sending flames up 25 to 30 feet up into the air. The 911 dispatcher advised me to get away as the fire and safety people arrived on the scene. Earlier that day when filling up my car I noticed a strong smell of gasoline but since I was in a sheetz station I shrugged it off. I had my trailer hitch on the car and removed it at the salvage yard. I contacted service at the local jeep dealer but they said they had not heard of any recalls. Today I received the federal safety agency recall notice stating the obvious. Although quick thinking and some devine intervention spared me......... Some lady with her kids in passenger seats might not be as fortunate. Finally, I appreciate your effort I called the number you provided and [xxx] assisted me in providing me with 800 853-1403. I called 5 times with nothing but a recording after waiting 45 minutes . Please tell chrysler I want another jeep 98 with a good hitch or I will be meeting them in court. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 jeep grand cherokee. The contact stated that his vehicle stalls under any circumstance while in motion. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stopped in the middle of the road and the power steering and brakes failed. The vehicle had to be pushed to the side of the road. There were no warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel prior to the failure. The vehicle has been to the dealer for repair numerous times, but there are no error codes that can be traced to the failure. The contact has already paid over $600 for repairs. The failure mileage was 141,000.
When the consumer attempted to brake, the pedal went to the floor, causing extended stopping distance. *ak there was numerous repairs that the vehicle needed; the windshield wipers, gas cap(s), new keyless remote and the temperature gauge did not work. Recall# 02v053000. *sc the consumer discovered there was a recall regarding the power assist, the consumer was original told there would be no charge and then later was told the charge would be $400.00.
During hard braking the antilock brakes pulsed once and then there was no brakes causing an accident.
While the consumers daughter was driving the brakes failed when applied resulting in a rear end accident, after the accident the consumer received recall notice 00v‑136 for the brake rotors, the consumer feels the faulty rotor may have caused the previous accident. Nlm
Dealership said these defects were not covered fuel sending unit sends wrong level of gas in tank, brakes failed pulsated full brake job was done , rear windsheild wiper doesn't work at times.
Brakes failed intermittently in wet road conditions, causing extended stopping distance. Vehicle been to repair shop on five occasions, and nothing could be found.
Brakes failed resulting in an accident. Nlm
Driver applied the brakes and the brake pedal went to the floor which caused the vehicle to run into the house.
Brakes failed twice.
Driving at approximatly 20 MPH ,going down hill , when brakes failed, became inoperative ,causing an accident.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger and multi-purpose vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, or wisconsin, and the district of columbia. The front disc brake rotors can experience severe corrosion if operated for an extensive period in the "salt belt." if the rotors are not replaced, the corrosion can eventually compromise the structural integrity of the stamped steel center hub section of the rotor.
- Risk
- The reduced strength can allow the cast iron wear surface to separate from the hub, reducing the brake effectiveness of the vehicle.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace these rotors with rotors that are coated with a corrosion protection.
Recall number 00V136000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles. The power brake booster vacuum reservoir diaphragm can split or tear.
- Risk
- This can cause an increase in engine idle speed and a loss of power assist during brake application without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the brake booster date code and any boosters with the suspect manufacturing date range will be replaced.
Recall number 98V023000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee brake failure
Is brake failure a common problem on the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
13 of 1,027 owner complaints about the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee (1%) mention brake failure. The model year with the most reports is 2011.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
There are 2 recalls and 2 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Stalling 67Fuel gauge 47Slipping 18Premature wear 17Grinding brakes 16No deployment 15Fire or smoke 15Rollaway 15Fuel pump 13Jerking 13Whining noise 13Loss of power 9Sudden acceleration 9Transmission failure 9Check engine light 8Tire blowout 8ABS 7Engine failure 7Knocking 7Headlights 7Adaptive cruise 6Airbag light 6Door locks 6Steering lock-up 6Fuel leak 5Pulling 5Wipers 5Won't start 5
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