1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee — 4.0L

In 1998 the Grand Cherokee posted 1,558 federal complaints, the second‑highest figure of the early‑generation window (1993‑1999) and a modest rise from the 1,516 complaints recorded in 1997. Recall activity remained stable at 14 recalls, matching the surrounding years and showing no spike, while investigations dropped to seven, the lowest since 1996, and Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) fell to 114 after a peak of 135 in 1997. Across the full generation, complaints generally climbed toward a 2004‑2005 peak, then fell dramatically after 2009, whereas recalls hovered in the low‑teens before spiking again in the mid‑2010s; 1998 sits near the early‑generation upward trend but before the later surge in both complaints and recalls. The dominant issue areas for 1998 were Power‑Train (459 reports) and Service Brakes (205), with 213 crash‑related and 18 fire‑related complaints, indicating that drivetrain and brake reliability were the primary concerns for that model year. **Takeaway:** 1998 sits at the beginning of a rising complaint curve but without elevated recall or investigation counts, making it a relatively average year—still watch for power‑train and brake wear, but it is not a red‑flag year to avoid.