1998 Jeep Cherokee Recalls, Complaints & Specs
5 safety recalls list the 1998 Jeep Cherokee, and owners have filed 399 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
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- 2026
5 safety recalls for the 1998 Jeep Cherokee
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Instrument cluster/panel (electrical system) and 5 other components
U.s. Drive right is recalling 107 my 1994-1998 right hand drive, 4-wheel drive jeep cherokee vehicles. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 101, 'controls and displays;' no. 108, 'lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment;' no. 111, 'rearview mirror;' no. 114, 'theft protection;' no. 115, 'vehicle…
Remedy: U.s. Drive right will make all the required modifications. A representative will travel to the customer's location and make the modifications on site. The recall will be performed on a regional basis beginning march…
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Rotor (service brakes)
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…
Remedy: Dealers will replace these rotors with rotors that are coated with a corrosion protection.
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Air bags: sensor/control module-inactive
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Water and/or road salt in the proximity of the air bag control module could lead to corrosion.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag control module and locate the new module on the top of the transmission tunnel.
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Anchorage (seat belts)
Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicle. The front seat belt shoulder turning loop anchors were not properly heat treated and are not properly hardened.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front seat shoulder belt turning loop on these vehicles.
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Vacuum (service brakes)
Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles. The power brake booster vacuum reservoir diaphragm can split or tear.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the brake booster date code and any boosters with the suspect manufacturing date range will be replaced.
399 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1998 Jeep Cherokee have filed 399 complaints with NHTSA; 34 describe a crash and 5 describe a fire. Reports cite 31 injuries and 1 death. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 106,795 miles. Complaints peaked in 1999 with 66 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“The contact owns a 1998 Jeep Cherokee equipped with Goodyear Tires, Tire Line: Wrangler Radial A/S, Tire Size: 275/75/R15, DOT Number: 1PJHLFNWR. The contact stated that he had purchased two tires fro”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, February 23, 2024 · Tires
“Air bag light is on, we find a recall that is open and active. Bright vehicle to yaklin for repair and they declined the repair because the part has been discontinued.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 12, 2021 · Air bags
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1998 Jeep Cherokee (Cherokee 2WD, Cherokee 4WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 16–20 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 14–18 / 18–23 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD, Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD |
| Engine | 4/6 cyl, 2.5/4 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 3-spd; Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Jeep Cherokee model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Jeep Cherokee model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 Jeep Cherokee | 0 | 1 |
| 1974 Jeep Cherokee | 3 | 0 |
| 1975 Jeep Cherokee | 5 | 0 |
| 1976 Jeep Cherokee | 4 | 0 |
| 1977 Jeep Cherokee | 1 | 0 |
| 1978 Jeep Cherokee | 2 | 1 |
| 1979 Jeep Cherokee | 2 | 0 |
| 1980 Jeep Cherokee | 3 | 1 |
| 1981 Jeep Cherokee | 2 | 1 |
| 1982 Jeep Cherokee | 2 | 0 |
| 1983 Jeep Cherokee | 1 | 0 |
| 1984 Jeep Cherokee | 3 | 7 |
| 1985 Jeep Cherokee | 3 | 17 |
| 1986 Jeep Cherokee | 4 | 21 |
| 1987 Jeep Cherokee | 5 | 57 |
| 1988 Jeep Cherokee | 0 | 97 |
| 1989 Jeep Cherokee | 3 | 191 |
| 1990 Jeep Cherokee | 5 | 270 |
| 1991 Jeep Cherokee | 5 | 233 |
| 1992 Jeep Cherokee | 1 | 113 |
| 1993 Jeep Cherokee | 3 | 418 |
| 1994 Jeep Cherokee | 5 | 519 |
| 1995 Jeep Cherokee | 6 | 608 |
| 1996 Jeep Cherokee | 6 | 447 |
| 1997 Jeep Cherokee | 4 | 390 |
| 1998 Jeep Cherokee | 5 | 399 |
| 1999 Jeep Cherokee | 2 | 366 |
| 2000 Jeep Cherokee | 1 | 369 |
| 2001 Jeep Cherokee | 2 | 229 |
| 2006 Jeep Cherokee | 0 | 17 |
| 2014 Jeep Cherokee | 13 | 2,648 |
| 2015 Jeep Cherokee | 11 | 1,789 |
| 2016 Jeep Cherokee | 9 | 1,409 |
| 2017 Jeep Cherokee | 6 | 1,336 |
| 2018 Jeep Cherokee | 7 | 687 |
| 2019 Jeep Cherokee | 11 | 1,653 |
| 2020 Jeep Cherokee | 3 | 316 |
| 2021 Jeep Cherokee | 4 | 168 |
| 2022 Jeep Cherokee | 3 | 51 |
| 2023 Jeep Cherokee | 1 | 3 |
| 2026 Jeep Cherokee | 4 | 6 |
Checking a specific 1998 Jeep Cherokee
How do I know if my 1998 Jeep Cherokee has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 5 campaigns currently list the 1998 Jeep Cherokee; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Jeep dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 00V105000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Jeep models
- Grand Cherokee29,093 complaints
- Wrangler15,984 complaints
- Liberty8,881 complaints
- Compass3,705 complaints
- Patriot2,790 complaints
- Commander2,752 complaints
- Renegade2,202 complaints
- Wrangler 4-DR 4X41,366 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.