Everything NHTSA's vPIC database knows about this exact vehicle:
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Vehicle history — accidents, title & owners
The decode above is what this vehicle is. For what it's been through — accidents, title brands, odometer, theft/total-loss and previous owners — pull a full history report.
NHTSA publishes the first 11 characters of the VIN with every complaint — that identifies the plant, model year, body and engine. So these are reports from cars built exactly like this one, not an average across the whole model.
1J4GZ48S7WC••••••1998 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE
This build draws 3.2× more complaints than the average 1998 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE build (13 vs 4).
13on this build
865on the model
212builds in total
4involved a crash
3injuries
Most reportedPower Train 7Service Brakes 2Hydraulic 2Seats 1
What owners of this build wrote
Power TraincrashFeb 2007
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. *jb updated 10/24/07
Fuel/propulsion SystemJan 2015
The contact owns a 1998 jeep grand cherokee. While driving 10 mph, the contact was notified by a passerby that the vehicle was leaking fuel. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the…
Fuel SystemSep 2013
The contact owns a 1998 jeep grand cherokee. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 13V252000 (fuel system, gasoline , structure) had passed a reasonable amount of time for repair. The dealer stated that the part would not be available for several months. The…
SteeringMay 2007
Having recently purchased a pre-owned 1998 jeep grand cherokee laredo. With 80k miles, I was rudely introduced to jeep's apparently well known. Attribute known as 'wobble of death' or 'death wobble'. Please do an internet. Search of this malady to realize the extent of this…
EquipmentSep 2006
After experiencing the first flat tire in 8 years, we needed to change the wheel and had to use the lug wrench provided with the vehicle for the first time. The wrench was applied and a great deal of force was needed to loosen the lug nuts. After completing the tire change we…
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Owner complaints…
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Exact value for this VIN, adjusted for mileage
The original window sticker and factory options
Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
Decoded via NHTSA vPIC. Recalls, complaints and safety from NHTSA; MPG from EPA fueleconomy.gov. Full history reports from our partner. VIN 1J4GZ48S7WC218889 · decoded Oct 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.