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1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission problems

425 complaints (41% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 78,000. 123 crashes reported.

owner complaints
425
of this car's complaints
41%
typical mileage
78,000
crashes
123
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch
    266
  • Automatic transmission
    65
  • Driveline: differential unit
    28
  • Axle assembly
    11
  • Automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift
    8
  • Automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
    8
  • Manual transmission
    6
  • Automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
    5

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 Grand Cherokee transmission problems in other years

19911995200020052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Slipping 18Rollaway 15Jerking 13Whining noise 13Transmission failure 9

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shiftReported February 15, 2002 · 1,620,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain sport utility vehicles, if a driver has not placed the shifter lever fully into the "park" position and leaves the vehicle running, the vehicle may unexpectedly move rearward after seeming to be stable.
Risk
Inadvertent movement of the vehicle could result in a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will install a secondary detent system to the floor shifter assembly. Daimlerchrysler sent interim notices to owners concerning this problem on march 22, 2002. Owner notification began september 23, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 02V053000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Roll-away in reverse when parkedOpened November 1, 2001, closed December 18, 2002

Daimlerchrysler has recalled the zj models to incorporate a secondary detent spring into the shifter.even though the wj 6 cyl. Vehicles use the same manual detent lever that as the vehicles in the recall population, odi believes that the wj redesigned shifter, which improves floor shifter functionality and ergonomics, helps to provide feedback to the driver to indicate whether ?park? Has or has not been achieved.although the investigator was able to induce a ?false park? In the wj platform for 6 cyl. Vehicles, the level of difficulty was greater than that required for all zj models, and the complaint rate was significantly lower than the recalled zj population.further, the odi investigator was also able to create a ?false park? In peer vehicles with the same level of difficulty and frequency as the subject vehicle wj platform.the wj complaint rate was inflated due to national exposure through the press. The complaint rate prier to the july 5, 2001 media coverage for the wj vehicles is similar to the peer vehicle incident rate.based on the above, a safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time in the wj population.accordingly, this investigation is closed with a safety recal for the zj platform only.

EA01017

Inadvertent rollaway in reverse parkOpened June 28, 2001, closed November 1, 2001

PE01021

What 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 4, 2018 · Acceleration, Body · 260,778 miles · TN

Takata recall. Since owning my 1998 jeep grand cherokee 4.0, I've replaced nearly every single part on it. The transmission needs to be recalled on this vehicle before someone gets killed just trying to drive it. The transmission will be fine 1 minute, the next it is putting itself in neutral or drive and I've nearly died on several occasions. Now, the jeep is coding more codes than ever. Also, as of few days ago, I have no reverse in it. I nearly hit another car trying to back out of a space at the hospital when reverse decided to no longer work. I can't afford to keep fixing these issues and I shouldn't have to. Please look into this because I'm sure I'm not the only person that's had problems with the transmission in 1998 jeep grand cherokee models. Also, my back passenger doors have decided they won't open from outside of the vehicle. You can only open them from inside. What if something happened and I was trapped, nobody could get in through the passenger back 2 doors because they won't open. As far as transmission, maybe I'll live through another incident with transmission changing gears on it's own, but maybe I won't either. Thank you.

Filed Aug 6, 2015 · Transmission · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 jeep grand cherokee. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign id number: 02v053000 (power train) and stated that the part needed was not available for several months. The dealer did not give a specific date for when the part would become available. The manufacturer was contacted and could not provide an estimated date for when the vehicle would receive the recall repair. The contact was not experiencing a failure.

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 Oct 16, 2014 · Transmission · PR

1998 jeep grand cherokee. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle recall repairs. *tgw the consumer stated he never received a letter regarding rusted bolts on the front drive train. He saw it on the news. He asked the dealer to inspect the vehicle. However, the dealer stated there would be a $75.00 charge.

Filed Sep 3, 2014 · Transmission · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 jeep grand cherokee. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, the vehicle would independently shift from drive to a lower gear. The vehicle was repaired but the repairs were unknown. However, the failure had recurred. The manufacturer had not been notified. The failure mileage was unavailable.

Filed Nov 9, 2011 · Transmission · 190,000 miles · OR

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 jeep grand cherokee. While parked, the vehicle jerked forward inadvertently. In addition while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle began to shake violently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently with the engine off and while in park. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign id number: 02v053000 (power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift) but was advised by the manufacturer that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.

Filed Sep 14, 2011 · Electrical, Transmission · 150,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 jeep grand cherokee. The contact was driving approximately 25 MPH and approaching a traffic stop when the engine stalled without warning. Upon restart, the vehicle resumed normally. The failure recurred sporadically and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who advised that the failure was contributed to the PCM and wiring harness. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Jan 30, 2011 · Transmission · 181,000 miles · CT

Vehicle entirely stalls without warning at idle or very low speeds. Jerks and flashes check engine light for one second occasionally while driving at normal road speeds. Happens multiple times a day under no specific conditions (cold, hot, wet, dry, etc.) intermittent problem so codes cannot be detected. First occurrence was in heavy mid day city traffic in the middle of a turn. Could not be restarted from park for 10 minutes, blocked entire intersection and entrance to plaza. Was almost hit by oncoming vehicles multiple times. Has the potential to be extremely dangerous if this happens in traffic as it has before. Bought used. Appears to have had PCM, air filter, plugs and wires replaced. Stalling issue is obviously extremely prevalent amongst this vehicle and must be addressed by the responsible companies before someone is killed, likely before more people are killed.

Filed Oct 20, 2008 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · VA

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 jeep grand cherokee. While idling at a traffic light, the vehicle would shut off. Also, while driving less than 70 MPH, the vehicle would idle and then jerk as if it were attempting to stall. An independent mechanic cleaned the fuel system and performed a tune-up; however, the failures persisted. The VIN was verified, but appears to be invalid. The failure and current mileages were over 100,000.

Questions about the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission

Does the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 425 complaints about the transmission of the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 41% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 78,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission?

Yes, 1 recall: 02V053000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Jeep Grand Cherokee have bad transmission?

The Jeep Grand Cherokee model years with the most transmission complaints are 2014 (477 complaints), 1998 (425 complaints) and 1999 (385 complaints).

Other 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems

Fuel system 166Brakes 161Engine 83Body 68Electrical 60Steering 40Acceleration 39Airbags 36Suspension 32Visibility 28Locks 18Lights 17Seat belts 17Tires 13Seats 9Wheels 6Driver assistance 3

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