10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 10 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 9 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 11,376 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
There is a very loud whining noise that come from the transmission.
- Bridgeport, OH, USA
After safely placing the gear lever into the park position and leaving the vehicle with the engine running, the car suddenly went backwards, knocking me down, hitting another car and crashing into a house. Updated 10/24/07.
- San Diego, CA, USA
While driving the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, the vehicle's drive train seems to be binding. While attempting to turn, the vehicle practically comes to a halt. Taken to Chrysler dealer numerous times, 1st time entire rear differential, axles and all were replaced (no charge-they claim there was a recall? I never found this recall) vehicle was fine for a few months afterwards but then has acted similarly ever since, dealer claims they don't have time to look at my vehicle. While in a parking lot w/vehicle 's engine running, I decided to shift transfer case from hi to lo (all time 4WD) and noticed that the shifter does not indicate hi but does indicate lo. Found it hard to find neutral too, then lights indicated "lo" when shifter was still allegedly in hi? not sure but believe it may be a linkage adjustment issue. It may not be completely "locked" in position. Also noticed that when the engine was shut off, the vehicle moved slightly, sort of like trying to find a gear. Same problem as it's been for the previous 6 yrs!
- Chicago, IL, USA
I own a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. It was in park when it suddenly went into reverse on its own. It knocked myself over and dragged me with my hand slammed in the door. It finally came to a stop when it hit a traffic signal causing massive damage to the vehicle. I found out after the crash that there was a recall that I was never informed of for the faulty shifter. I also learned that there have been many incidents like mine. I called the dealership where I purchased it and they said that they couldn't do anything and that I should call daimler-Chrysler. I called daimler and they refused to get me a rent-A-car and only said that a person would be out to look at my vehicle. I want my medical bills paid and my Jeep fixed. I don't believe that is too much to ask. Help me get some justice and stop these incidents before more people are injured and killed.
- Tucson, AZ, USA
Major transmission problems and severe idle.
- Baltimore, MD, USA
Major transmission problems and severe idle.
- Baltimore, MD, USA
Driver put vehicle in park with engine running. Within seconds of consumer exiting vehicle it jumped out of park into reverse and crashed into another vehicle. The dealer was contacted.
- Alexandria, VA, USA
While car was in neutral for approx 2 minutes car lunged forward causing an accident.car has also had several, incidences of "shutting down when turning corners, while driving, occasionally, while pressing on accelerator car will idle then "clunk" and pull forward. At under 68,000 miles has needed a new alternator, water pump and now has major engine problems. I have only ownd the car since 09/2002.
- Gig Harbor, WA, USA
Heard noise coming from rearend and transmission slipped. Took it to petri Jeep in scottsdale, AZ. They said bearings were worn out in rear diff and transmission needed to be rebuild. Ok, they fixed it, at 71000 miles. I think this was way too soon. The Jeep now has 88000, the transmission is acting up again and the humming noise is returning. At 75000 my extended warranty expired. Im not happy!!!
- Phoenix, AZ, USA
Heard a noise coming from the rear of the car took it into the shop and was told that it was the rear differential, and I was also informed that my transmission was slipping in 1st & 2nd gear. I had the differential repaired and the transmission serviced. We got snow this year where you would need the 4 wheel drive, well being I never had the need to use the 4 wheel drive mode I was surprised to find out that mine didn't work. Took it into the shop and was told that the transfer casing and transmission need to be replaced. So I took it to the dealer I bought the Jeep from. I let them repair my transfer casing and was told because I didn't have the exact same tires on the vehicle that is what caused the transfer casing to fail. The tires were the same size on the front and rear just different brands. They told me that I didn't have a problem with the transmission. I then picked the Jeep up and the roaring sound came back so I took it to the dealer to see what they thought the noise was I was told at that time that my front differential was bad and needed to be repaired and that the rear differential was also bad, but being I had that work done at a independent shop I had to take it back to them to fix the rear and then took the Jeep back to the dealer to have them do the work on the front. I am in the process of taking the Jeep back to the dealership because my Jeep is now pulling to the right. I was able to drive my Jeep for a week. I really have not had my Jeep since January I really think that daimler Chrysler knows there is a problem with the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee and I hope that something will be done about.
- Chesapeake Beach, MD, USA
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).
- Gaithersburg, MD, USA
The transmission did not shift and accelerate properly, the dealer could not duplicate the problem. The ABS light illuminated on the dashboard, after the vehicle was turned off, all the gauges illuminated, the parking brake was adjusted, and the battery was replaced.
- Chicago, IL, USA
On two occasions the consumer has received notifications concerning a recall regarding a secondary detent system on the vehicles floor shifter. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer who explained that the vehicle was not apart of the recall and that no modifications were needed.
- Seabrook, TX, USA
I put the Jeep in "park" walked to the back of the auto, when it went into reverse. It ran over my foot, dragging me under the car, and proceeded to run up my body and off my shoulder.
- Bakersfield, CA, USA
Vehicle was in idle when it started to move backward. Consumer added vehicle was in the park position, but was dragged 40 feet while attempting to stop the vehicle.
- Lancaster, NY, USA
While parking vehicle and shifting into drivevehicle jumps into reverse and running back. Dealer has been notified.
- Seneca, PA, USA
Numerous times, when the vehicle is shifted into park, the vehicle is not in park, but in reverse. If the engine is running, the vehicle will continue to back up. If stopped, the vehicle cannot be started until the gear is "pushed" into park.
- Mechanicsburg, PA, USA
The vehicle jumped from park to reverse while the driver was pulling down his garage door, as a result the open door hit the garage frame and bent back to the fender, the pressure also snapped the siding off the garage.
- Richfield, MN, USA
Vehicle jumped out of park into reverse with engine running, struck another car and bent left front door, check shifter linkage
- Turlock, CA, USA
- Bridgeport, OH, USA