14 problems related to tank assembly have been reported for the 1998 Jeep Cherokee. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Gas tank has a hole on top of tank and is leaking gasoline. Dealer has been notified.
Fuel tank began to spontaneously leak from the top when filling the tank completely full. Dealership removed tank, inspected, and found no evidence of damage or wear and had no explanation for the leak. Just as with complaint odi 755138, dealer could not duplicate the problem. They speculate that the tank may be deforming under load (I. E. , a full tank of fuel) causing the leak. If true, this would suggest structural failure or material defect of the tank as suggested in odi 755138. In summary, the problem is essentially identical to odi 826441.
While vehicle is running, a severe fuel odor/fumes are getting into vehicle. The gas tank seal at the top does not seem to seal properly. Chrysler was notified.
I had purchased a 1998 Jeep Cherokee new from the dealer. Several times I brought it in while under warranty to have it repaired because the car would cut out, stall and become sluggish. They were never able to rectify the problem, or in some cases they just stated they could not duplicate the problem. Of course after the warrantee ran out by time and miles the car went dead on me and I was advised the problem was in the fuel tank. The fuel tank is design such that it deteriorates and plugs the fuel pump over a period of time. I learned this through parts suppliers who were unwilling to give a guarrantee on their pumps knowing the tank would continue to deteriorate and plug the pump. The dealer told me he wanted over one thousand dollars to replace the tank because of the deterioration. He refused to replace only the fuel pump and told me the tank was defective. Of course the Chrysler corporation refused to warrantee the product after the time and miles were up. My question is this: if the fuel tank is deteriorating because of a design fault is that a safety problem. I myself having a limited mechanical backgroud would think so. These tanks are deteriorating in thousands of vehicles and Chrysler is well aware of the problem. I don't think there is any doubt a fuel tank is a critical part of a vehicle, and I don't think Jeep is going to con thousands of consumers into changing their fuel tanks. At this time I need a vehicle to drive and I am going to replace my fuel pump not the tank. However if this is a safety concern why isn't Jeep voluntarily taking care of it. Please let me know where I stand with this issue. Thank you. Brendan finnerty.
Ran out of fuel, gauge showed 1/4 tank, narrowly avoided collision on interstate in 65 mph traffic, third failure; also have multiple times when dashboard guages go blank while driving.
Fuel guage reads that tank has a quarter of gas when it was on empty. This caused consumer to run out of gas without notice. Dealer has been contacted.
Fuel light does not come on when vehicle needs gas, runs out of gas at a quarter tank. The fuel warning light failed while consumer was traveling.
Gas gauge failed causing vehicle to run out of gas while driving without any warning.
When I called a Jeep dealer to report that my 1998 Jeep Cherokee had just stopped running on a very busy street, he said right away that my fuel sending unit must have failed and that, although my gas gauge showed 1/4 tank of gas remaining, I was out of gas. He was so adament about this that he must have seen the same problem in other 1998 Cherokees. I have also heard of other 1998 Cherokees with the same problem. Since crown Chrysler (not the selling dealer) replaced the fuel sending unit, my gas gauge now drops from 1/2 to empty and I'm worried enough to drive right to a service station. The gauge is apparently still defective, as filling up the tank at these times requires only 8 gallons. I'm a single woman who has to drive at night and I don't feel safe with a gas gauge I can't trust.
Fuel gauge failed.
Consumer can only put $15. 00 of gas in a 20 gallon tank any more it will leak out of the back underneath the Jeep. Dealer cannot duplicate the problem.
Gas gauge failed. Yh.
When the gas gauge was at a quarter tank, the vehicle stalled at highway speed.
The vehicle hesitated when consumer tried to start it, the dealership indicated the problem was caused by the gas tank which had disintegrated and clogged up the fuel lines.