42 problems related to automatic transmission have been reported for the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
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.
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.
Major transmission problems and severe idle.
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.
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.
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.
While parking vehicle and shifting into drivevehicle jumps into reverse and running back. Dealer has been notified.
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. Dt.
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.
Car shifted from park into reverse.
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee - placed into "park" vehicle was still running, driver exited the vehicle, cleared the door, walked 10-15 feet away, vehicle put itself into "reverse" and took off across populated parking lot with 3 year old infant strapped into safety carseat. The driver ran to catch up to the Jeep to stop it from killing someone, (or daughter). The driver grabbed the inside of the opened Jeep door with left hand, and steering wheel with right hand to gain entry and stop the vehicle. The driver lost her balance and fell back out. The driver was crushed when the front left wheel proceeded over her right foot, ankle, up her leg, knee, thigh, pelvis, abdomen, chest, and off her right shoulder (missing her neck and head by inches). The Jeep proceeded (with daughter) to slam into a "handicapped sign" and "parked Dodge intrepid". The ambulance rushed the driver to the hospital and treated her for multiple injuries. There are tread marks on the driver's clothing showing the exact path that the 4000 lb. Jeep took as it proceeded over her body. The infant was examined and found to be all right (only because of being in a safety carseat). Chrysler has a responsibility to inform the public of this manufacturers' defect! we will not stop until Chrysler does the right thing. All manufacturers have a responsibility to provide safe products and recall defects that could potentially injure the general public! on this site, there are more than 200+ instances of the same type for 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokees alone. The l. A. Times has an article (published on 12/23/01, page a35) that explains an ongoing investigation and class-action lawsuit in progress. We (as consumers) need to back one another up as Chrysler does not have our best interest at heart!! if this has happened to you or one of your loved ones, please feel free to call us at 614. 834. 0444. Do not disregard this message as I have owned 6 new Jeeps. Never again.
Was parked at a convience store and placed in park. While inside the store the gear shift jumped from park to reverse and due to the vehicle being idled so high from the factory the vehicle backed into the street and struck a 95 Dodge pickup causing considerable damage to both vehicles. This occured one other time but no damage occured and I was able to get the vehicle stopped before anything could happen. There were witnesses to the incident on 11-20-01.
Vehicle jumped out of park into reverse with engine running, struck another car and bent left front door, check shifter linkage ok.
A leak was in the fuel line, gas fumes were coming inside of vehicle, contacted dealer, and consumer was informed thaat the fuel line needed to be replaced. Consumer stated that the transmission is slamming hard when engaging in reverse, also the dash and radio lights flicker on and off at times.
Now recalling transmissions and offering 7 warranty, want reimbursed for rebuilt transmission.
Vehicle would accelerate on its own after shifting into gear. Engine would rev up when first starting up, and would remain until vehicle was shut down. Vehicle was very hard to stop due to brakes not working properly.
With 34180 miles on Jeep the transmission had to be replaced. I requested a buy-back from Chrysler. There was an arbitration hearing with national center for dispute settlement. At this time I found out that the rear-end had been replaced before I purchased the vehicle. We were denigned a buy-back but was assured that Chrysler would stand behind the repairs for 12/12. At 44839 miles the transmission had to be replace again with Chrysler saying they would only pay for the parts and me the labor. Now with 50000 miles the Jeep still does not shift correctly. I have had other smaller problems besides this such as brake-line burstin and power steering pulley breaking and at this time the ac is not working. I have had 4 jepps before this one and never had any problems with them.
Both front motor mounts were broken. The engine was revving as the engine was lifting and settling. Of the 4 Jeep Grand Cherokees that I am aware of, 3 of them had the same problem (a '94, 95, 98). The one that didn't was a 19'93. Since the transmission connects to the motor, I thought that this may be contributing to recall campaign #02v053000, involving vehicles shifting into reverse without warning.
Exhaust manifold has a leak in it, transmission was replaced last month and is slipping all over again. Dealership had my truck for three days and did not fix I'm in the process of bring it to another dealership.
All of the problems identified in my complaints are covered by Chrysler extended warranty. But I strongly feel Jeep is building an inferior and unsafe product which can cause serious accidents. The most notables were the (2) auto transmissions failure at freeway speed. The transmissions had to be replaced and the replacement unit was installed with a defective pump which also went out. The most recent incident is with the engine and all electrical system shuts off at freeway speed with no warning. The explaination given was a weak battery and loose battery cable. All other incidents are due to sub-standard Jeep oem parts. I wish my complaint will force Jeep to investigate why a Jeep Grand Cherokee 5. 9 limited, their flagship, would failed time after time at such a young mileage. Thank you.
Shifting the transmission from drive to reverse it jerks the vehicle. Contacted dealer and manufacturer, but they were not able to help.
No summary.
When consumer puts vehicle in park it may shift by itself into reverse. The problem is easily duplicated. Consumer will add VIN# at later date.
Transmission intermittantly self shifts into reverse from the parked position.
After putting the vehicle in park the consumer exited the vehicle leaving the door open to retrieve mail from the mailbox, when he turned around he noticed that the vehicle was moving rearward, the vehicle ran over a mailbox before coming to rest against a house and was still running, the gearshift lever was still in park.
Often the vehicle does not start in park. Must shift to neutral and then start.
Transmission has a faulty connector line which causes loss of all fluid.
Overdrive unit makes continued thumping noise.
Gear shifted out of park to reverse after the owner, left the engine running, placed the vehicle in park and exited the vehicle to replace the gas cap. After colliding with another vehicle, the gears shifted from reverse to drive and accelerated forward before the owner was able to re-enter the vehicle, apply the brakes and stop the vehicle.
Consumer stated that, after gear was placed in park the vehicle suddenly took of in reverse injured the owner and collided with a parked transfer truck. The collision caused the gear to jump into drive and the vehicle started moving forward but the consumer managed to stop it, this has happened on two occasions.
Transmission governor and solinoid failure.
Engine check light stays illuminated while driving. Dealer has reset vehicle twice and light has illuminated again. Consumer adds that failure codes were transmission 3rd gear and fuel sending unit.
There is a loud whine coming from the transmission area. This can be heard from inside the vehicle. It doesn't matter if the transmission is in neutral or drive. As long as the vehicle is moving there is a loud whine. The local dealership couldn't identify the problem and wanted to start taking apart components to resolve this issue.
While driving gears automatically shifted. Took vehicle to dealer. Please provide any further information.
While in the park position, with the motor running, vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly jumped into reverse twice. Dealer and manufacturer will be notified. Ak.