1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed May 5, 2015 · Transmission · 298,000 miles · GA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 jeep grand cherokee. While the vehicle was parked downhill, the contact discovered transmission fluid leaking. Also, while driving 70 MPH, the engine stalled and caught fire. The contact extinguished the fire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 298,000.....updated 07/05/16

Filed Apr 17, 2015 · Fuel system, Transmission · MS · crash · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 1998 jeep grand cherokee. While driving approximately 45 MPH up an incline, the vehicle began to roll backwards and then flipped over. The driver and front seat passenger were able to exit the vehicle without any injuries. The vehicle engulfed into flames. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v252000 (fuel system, gasoline, structure). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

Filed Feb 20, 2015 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · 200,000 miles · VA · fire

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).

Filed Feb 4, 2014 · Engine · 150,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 jeep grand cherokee. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, she began to see flames coming from under the hood. After the contact exit the vehicle it exploded. There was a police and fire report file. The vehicle was destroyed. The fire department was unable to determine the cause of failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Nov 23, 2013 · Body, Fuel system · RI · crash · fire

My nephew died in a fire after he was impacted from the rear while avoiding debris/people in the highway. Www.wggb.com/2013/11/11/state-police-say-they-have-truck-linked-to-I-91-deadly-crash-investigation/ ..updated 02-04-14 *bf the jeep was traveling slightly faster when it swerved suddenly into the path of the tractor trailer to avoid debris in the road. The jeep's left rear impacted the tractor trailer's front (right front?); the jeep spun 180 degrees, impacted the opened lift gate of a pick-up truck stopped on the breakdown lane, bounced off and impacted the guardrail. It appears all three impacts were to the rear or left rear of the jeep. It appears the jeep's driver was on fire before he was ejected from the jeep. Updated 2/12/14

Filed Feb 19, 2013 · Fuel system · VA · crash · fire

S10 direct reply-letter to the white house from constituent requesting help to save families otherwise destined to burn to death in a jeep because of an accident. Wh contact galen main (202) 456-2176- case: wh 02072013-296. *tgw the consumer wrote in concerning a 1998 jeep grand cherokee that was hit from behind in stopped traffic and burst into flames, before the two occupants were able to escape. The 1993-2004 jeep grand cherokee has a plastic tank located behind the rear axle. The gas tank is larger and even extends below the rear bumper where a low-front-end vehicle can ride under it ad rip the tank open.

Filed Aug 17, 2009 · Engine · 111,000 miles · NJ · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 jeep grand cherokee. While driving 65mph, the contact noticed a rattling noise in the front of the vehicle and it began to shake. Prior to shutting the vehicle off to observe the failure, she noticed black smoke coming from the engine area and a fire was underneath the vehicle. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileage were 111000.

Filed Jun 5, 2008 · Engine · 100,000 miles · ME · fire

My vehicle was sitting in the parking lot of central maine community college after having been parked for over an hour self combusted into flames .the aubrn firedepartment informed me that they had seen at least a half a dozen of this vehicle self combust as mine had.

Filed Apr 4, 2006 · Transmission · 112,632 miles · VA

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 60mph, smoke emerged from the front end. The vehicle was driven to the nearest dealer for inspection. They determined the front differential unit had begun to smoke due to extreme heat buildup in the differential; although, no flames were visible. The vehicle was towed to the residence where it remains.

Filed Sep 3, 2002 · Engine · WI

While driving at highway speeds consumer noticed smoke coming from front end of vehicle, next a puff of smoke let out, and engine died. Consumer felt lucky there was no accident, and did not feel unsafe driving this vehicle. Please provide any further information.

Filed Apr 17, 2002 · Body, Fuel system · KY · crash · fire

Flipped jeep and engine was immediately on fire and then gas tank blew up. Me and grandson escaped. Nlm

Filed Dec 18, 2001 · Electrical · GA · fire

While driving at 30mph the jeep cut off, sounded like it was out of gas the tank was over half full. After trying to crank it I noticed smoke coming from under the hood at the windshield area. I opened the hood and flames shot out. I closed the hood and 2 cars behind me was a police, he care the fire department and they were there within 5 min. By then the flames were inside the jeep and the motor looked like melted plastic to me. I still dont know why it caught fire I had no electrical work done on it . I was stalling while driving but when I had it check for tune-up I was told it had new plugs and did'nt need a tune-up. I don't know why my jeep caught fire and the insurance rep. Said it was burned to badly to find out.