1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee: jerking or lurching

Filed Jul 28, 2022 · Steering · 150,000 miles · CO

The contact owns a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the front tires started shaking violently to the right and left while the steering wheel followed the rapid jerking movements from right to left. The contact slowed the vehicle to 40 MPH and was able to proceed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local independent mechanic who determined that burned lower track arm bearings on the steering arms left and right needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure still occurred intermittently. The vehicle was towed to a second independent mechanic but had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

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 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 Apr 9, 2009 · Engine · FL

Yesterday, april 8th 2009, I drove to class and there were no problems or signs of them. After 1 hour, I started the car, which started fine, and began to drive back home. At a stop light 2 minutes after leaving, I press the gas, and the car seemed to stall, as if the engine was giving way or stumbling. This happened about 4 times, getting very close to stalling. The following day, today, april 9th, after leaving the car off for the night,it started perfectly. 2 minutes later, at a stop light, it lost all power. It had trouble turning over the first two attempts, but the third time it started perfectly. After that, I began driving again and in the middle of the road while driving, again the car lost all power. I was in the middle of traffic and put the car into neutral, tried to start it again. The first couple attempts the engine didn't turn over, but again, when it did start, it started perfectly. This happened a couple more times. After leaving again, it was about 20 minutes after ignition that when on a main road, it did not stall completely, but was like it was starting/trying to. It stumbled and jerked roughly. After that, it drove rough, before I returned home and turned it off. I am afraid that if I am on a highway or main road, this will happen again at a higher speed, causing an accident/harm to me/drivers around me. I have searched everywhere for any information on how to fix this, and many other jeep owner have the same problem, and have spent thousands of dollars and been told by numerous mechanics they can not find the problem.

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.

Filed Sep 29, 2005 · Acceleration · 126,000 miles · IA

Dt: contact owns a 1998 jeep grand cherokee. While driving on the highway and applying the brakes vehicle lurched out of gear even if vehicle was running. This incident happened approximately 3 or 4 months ago. No crashes reported . No police reports . Taken. No fire.

Filed Nov 19, 2003 · Seat belts · 6,500 miles · MI · crash · 1 injury

The vehicle was involve in an accident. The jeep was hit on the front quarter panel. The shoulder harness of the seat belt failed to restrain the passenger in which she was thrown forward hitting her head on the windshield.*ak *jb *nm the front passenger side seat belt did not lock in the crash. The driver's side did lock and the driver had witness marks and bruising from the belt webbing. The front seat passenger was thrown forward as a result of the impact resulting in an injury to the back of her head when hitting windshield. The passenger has neck spasms and sustained bruising on extremities. The vehicle is totaled. The air bags did deploy in the event. The seat was in the full rearward position and was seated normally. The passenger claims that they were not out of position. Cw consumer called back stating that they inspected the passenger's front seat belt as per a request by odi. The webbing was tugged numerous time but would seldom lock up as a result of the quick jerks on the webbing. Also stated that the passenger hit head on the windshield causing it to break. Cw

Filed Mar 11, 2003 · Brakes, Engine · 42,000 miles · MD

1. Fuel injector failed causing the engine to misfire and operate on only 5 out of 6 cylinders. 2. In the same cylinder (#6) rod broke, causing engine to blow and need replacement at only 42,000 miles. 3. Power steering pump almost fell off the vehicle. (most likely due to improper installation after engine rebuild). 4. Brakes constantly squeak or make grinding noise when pressure is applied. When temperatures are below 50 degrees, a high pitched whinning noise is heard from underneath the vehicle. Can only be heard when traveling under 45 MPH - due to road noise masking the sound. (multiple dealers have not been able to determine what the problem is nor be able to fix it, so constantly whines). 5. Fuel gauge fluctuates when 3/4 full (drops to empty and fuel light turns on, then returns to normal reading. Will continue to do this until tank is 1/4 full). Told this is a problem with the fuel sensor. 6. Transmission is occasionally rough (jerky shifting between 1st and 2nd gears).

Filed Aug 10, 2001 · Acceleration, Transmission · OH

Transmission would slip out of gear and rpms would rise. This would cause vehicle to jerk forward while driving. Problem only happens when gears are between 2nd & 3rd, and traveling between 25 and 45mph.

Filed Jul 12, 2001 · Acceleration, Transmission · VA · crash

Vehicle was parked. Consumer was behind vehicle checking on garage door closure when vehicle started moving backwards. Consumer was nearly ran over before getting out of way. Vehicle's rear end hit a tree in the back yard. Owner felt jerking, and revving was part of problem with vehicle going into reverse. Took vehicle to dealership to check. Was informed nothing wrong after placing on diagnostic machine.*ak

Filed Jul 9, 2001 · Transmission · IL

I recently read about reports to the federal safety agency concerning other jeep owners having problems with their jeep grand cherokees similar to a problem I had back in 1999 but never reported for various reasons. The problem concerns the jeep lurching into reverse after the gear shift was placed in the "park" position. In my case, I pulled my car out of my garage and onto my driveway, placed the gearshift into "park" and temporarily exited the car with the driver's side door open and engine running (to get something from my garage). After I walked about 15 feet to the garage (about 5 seconds after the car had been placed into "park"), the car bolted into reverse, and I had to chase the car down. I was able to jump in and slam on the brake, but not until after the open driver's side door had hit the side of my house, causing extensive damage. I had the car fixed by the dealer and reported it to my insurance company, who paid for some of the damage.

Filed Jul 4, 2001 · Acceleration · OR · crash

Patricia nadel was driving alone at the time of the incident. Our neighbors have a gate on our 1/4 mile long driveway. We have to open it to proceed through. Patty put the jeep in "park" and then got out to open the gate. When she reached the gate, all of a sudden the jeep lurched into "reverse" and sped backwards approximately 200 feet until it hit the neighbor's flatbed trailer and came to rest. A 6 inch deep gauge from the corner of the trailer dug into the rear door of the jeep, along the driver's side, through the back driver's side door and also through the driver's door. Thus causing $6,000 worth of damage . This happened to her once before, a few months back, when she was getting out of the car, and at that time she was able to jump back in and stop the car. At that time she thought she had perhaps not put the gear shift all the way in park, so forever after that first incident, when stopping, she has first put it in park, and then jiggled it slightly to make sure it was firmly in park. That is what she did at this present incident.