1996 Jeep Cherokee engine problems

ENGINE

The contact owns a 1996 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle was running rough and then stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to the residence. The contact had a mobile mechanic diagnose the vehicle, and it was determined that there was a failure of the manifold. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was not running properly and called another mobile mechanic. The second mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that an aftermarket distributor and aftermarket computer had both failed. The contact stated that the distributor and computer were installed previously by another independent mechanic. The contact had purchased the aftermarket parts, Cardone Distributor Part Number 84-4694, and Cardone Computer Part Number: 79-1199 Model Number: 04886961, online. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and declined to stand behind the aftermarket computer and distributor parts. The failure mileage was approximately 223,000.

NHTSA complaint #11626385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING AT APROX. 40-45 MPH, THE JEEP WOULD START TO SHUDDER. EVENTUALLY IT WOULD SHUT OFF. THE JEEP WOULD THEN CRANK BUT NOT START. I HAD THIS PROBLEM HAPPEN FOR ABOUT FOUR TIMES. THREE OF THE TIMES THE JEEP WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. TWICE THE PCM UNIT WAS REPLACED AND TWICE THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE LAST REPAIR WAS 1 MONTH AND A HALF AGO. TWO DAYS AGO, THE JEEP STALLED AGAIN DOWN THE ROAD. I WAS TRAVELING WITH MY WIFE AND CHILDREN. WE ALMOST LOST OUR LIVES. A 16 WHEELER ALMOST COLLIDED WITH US DUE THAT I COULD BARELY MANIPULATE THE JEEP BECAUSE IT TURNED OFF ON ME. I TRIED TO DO SOME VISUAL INSPECTIONS UNDER THE HOOD. I HAD ONE OF MY SONS TO WIGGLE THE PCM (COMPUTER) WHILE I CRANKED THE STARTING SWITCH. AT ONE POINT THE JEEP MANAGED TO START AGAIN. THEN IT STALLED THE MOMENT MY SON STOPPED WIGGLING THE PCM. I HAD ANOTHER TOW TRUCK PICK UP THE JEEP AND SEND IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC. CHRYSLER HAS NOT CORRECTED THIS ISSUE ON THE PCM AND PERHAPS MIGHT NOT DO IT UNTIL ONE DAY SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT. VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE SHOW OTHER JEEP CHEROKEE OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM 1996-2001.

NHTSA complaint #10721042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING WHEN COMING TO AN ABRUPT STOP OR BEING JARRED BY A BUMP OR POT HOLE. GRADUALLY PROGRESSED TO RANDOMLY STALLING WHEN APPLYING ANY PRESSURE TO BRAKES OR ANY SLIGHT JARRING. ALL POWER IS LOST AT THIS TIME ALONG WITH ANY CONTROL OF STEERING AND ACCELERATING UNTIL VEHICLE IS TURNED ON AGAIN. RECENTLY VEHICLE REPEATEDLY AND INTERMITTENTLY STALLS WITHOUT ANY PATTERN DURING ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT ANY BRAKING OR JARRING. IT THEN CATCHES ON ITS OWN AND REGAINS POWER.

NHTSA complaint #10693765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ALL OF A SUDEN THIS VERY BAD SHAKING PROBLEM HAS OCCURED AT ABOUT 50 MPH. VERY UNSAFE. MY CETIFIED ASE MECHANIC HAS BEEN TRYING TO FIND THE PROBLEM FOR OVER A WEEK NOW - NO LUCK SO FAR.

NHTSA complaint #10513044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING. STALLS ON FREEWAY OR IN CITY DRIVING. THIS IS AN INFAMOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT ON 96 JEEPS. VERY HAZARDOUS BECAUSE ENGINE CUTS OUT COMPLETELY WHILE IN MOTION. REQUIRES PULLING OVER WITH ENGINE NOT RUNNING TO RESTART ENGINE. JEEP THEN WILL REPEATEDLY DIE AFTER RE-STARTING. SINCE ENGINE DIES WHILE IN MOTION, CARS BEHIND ARE IN REAL DANGER OF COLLIDING WITH MY VEHICLE. THIS ISSUE IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO FIX WITH NORMAL MECHANICAL PROBLEM-SOLVING. ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON. THIS ISSUE IS WELL DOCUMENTED IN ONLINE BLOGS FOR JEEPS WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM WITH STALLING WHILE IN MOTION POSES A GREAT THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY. JEEP/CHRYSLER IS AWARE AND DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10453707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

1996 CHEROKEE 4.0 HO 6 CYLINDER EXHAUST HEADER CRACKED AT COUPLER JOINT.

NHTSA complaint #10248266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

1996 CHEROKEE 4.0 HO 6 CYLINDER EXHAUST HEADER CRACKED AT COUPLER JOINT.

NHTSA complaint #10247561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

AT A SLOW ROLL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN GEAR THE ENGINE WILL IDLE DOWN THEN DIE. IT RESTARTS IMMEDIATELY BUT WILL STALL AGAIN UNLESS MORE THROTTLE IS GIVEN. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT MAKING IT HARD TO PINPOINT THE EXACT CAUSE.

NHTSA complaint #10225533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP FOR REPAIR OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER DUE TO BACK PRESSURE AND RATTLING IN THE ENGINE. ON AUGUST 25, 2006 THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR A CATALYTIC CONVERTER PROBLEM. THE RECALL WAS NOT IN THE NHTSA DATABASE. THE CONTACT SENT THE BILLING INFORMATION TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHO DENIED REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE THE WORK WAS DONE AFTER THE RECALL. ON MAY 4, 2006 THE WORK WAS COMPLETED BEFORE THE RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED. UPDATED 01/10/07.

NHTSA complaint #10175195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE ENTIRE REAR AXLE WAS REPLACED AT THE ADVICE OF JEEP SERVICE. THEY CLAIMED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS WOULD NOT NOT SEAT IN THE AXLE AS THE "RACES" WERE WORN BEYOND THE POINT OF HOLDING THEM IN. BECAUSE I NEEDED THE VEHICLE FOR MY BUSINESS, I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE THEM REPAIR IT WHILE THEY HAD IT APART AS I DID NOT HAVE TIME TO DO THE JOB MYSELF. IT WAS A THREE WEEK WAIT FOR PARTS AS IT WAS. THEN I NOTICED THE "MUSTY" SMELL. UPON FUTHER INVESTIGATION I DISCOVERED THE ENTIRE JEEP WAS SATURATED UNDER THE CARPETS ON BOTH SIDES. MOLD EVERYWHERE. NO WONDER MY ALLERGIES WERE KILLING ME. I'VE SINCE GUTTED THE VEHICLE AND BLEACHED THE ENTIRE FLOOR AREAS. I AM NOW IN THE PROCESS OF COMING UP WITH A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM SO I CAN PASS IT ON TO OTHER JEEP OWNERS. CHRYSLER HAS A BULLETIN OUT ON A PROCEDEURE TO CLEAN THE A/C DRAIN BUT IT DOES NOT WORK AS IT COMES BACK EACH YEAR. I'VE FOUND THAT GLUING NYLON SCREENING IN THE AIR INTAKE UNDER THE HOOD KEEPS ALL OF THE DEBRIS THAT CLOGS THIS DRAIN TUBE OUT OF THE HEATER BOX. NOW I AM WORKING ON A WAY TO STOP THE WATER FROM RUNNING BACK INTO THE DASH AREA THROUGH THE FIREWALL WHERE IT DRAINS OUT INTO THE FRAME. NOT ONE DEALERSHIP WOULD TALK TO ME ABOUT THIS. I KNOW THAT THEY KNOW ABOUT IT BECAUSE OF THE BULLETIN. ALSO, I FOUND THAT THE "VENTS" BEHIND THE REAR FIXED GLASS ON THE CHEROKEE HAVE A SMALL HOLDING CUP AND A TUBE WHICH THE WATER THAT ENTERS THAT AREA DRAINS INTO, WHAT I COULDN'T BELIEVE WAS THAT IT DRAINS INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, INSIDE, WHICH RESULTS IN THE ENTIRE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BECOMING WET UNDER THE REAR RUG. THIS PROBLEM IS SOLVED BY PUNCHING A HOLE THROUGH THE FLOOR AND EXTENDING THE FACTOY DRAIN TUBE THROUGH THE FLOOR SO THE WATER DRAINS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WHERE IT BELONGS. I AM A CAR BUFF AND PRETTY KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT REPAIRS AND I COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EYES WHEN I SAW THESE DESIGN FLAWS. THEY ARE BLATANTLY OBVIOUS.

NHTSA complaint #10070702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHICH CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE ALL POWER.*AK

NHTSA complaint #10006315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT ENGINE MOUNT BOLT HAD SHEARED INTO THE BLOCK CAUSING THE MOTOR TO DROP. TS SCC

NHTSA complaint #10002397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

MOUNTS FAILED WHEN TURNING CAR INTO PARKING LOT. CAR IS AT DEALER FOR REPAIR NOW. SHEARED OFF BOLTS HAVE TO BE DRILLED OUT. DT

NHTSA complaint #769246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CONSUMER STATES THAT 3 GRADE 8 ENGINE MOUNT BOLTS ON THE LEFT SIDE HAVE SHEARED OFF. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #786038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

ONE OF THE PULLEYS BRACKETS HOLDING THE "SERPTINE " BELT BROKE CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND MINOR DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE ESTIMATE DAMAGE IS UNDETERMINED AT THIS TIME, UNTIL IT CAN BE CHECK OUT. THE BRACKET HOLDING THE PULLEY CRACKED IN HALF. WHEN I TALKED WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE JEEP DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A NORMAL OCCURENCE WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS IN EXCESS OF 100,000 MILES. BECAUSE THE BRACKET IS MADE OUT OF ALUMINUM I HAVE 92,000 MILES. ANYWAY I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT A MANUFACTURE DEFECT, THEREFORE THE MANUFACTURE WILL NOT PAY FOR REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #755868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ALONG AND HIT A BUMP. CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE AND THOUGHT THAT LINKAGE SHIFTED. CONSUMER'S MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT RIGHT MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE.

NHTSA complaint #8000632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH ON A SIDE STREET AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. AIRBAG LIGHT AND LIGHTS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE WENT OUT. VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO A MECHANIC. DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED NUMEROUS TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #890609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CAR HAS BEEN WELL-MAINTAINED THROUGHOUT OWNERSHIP/NO ABUSE OF ANY SORT ON OUR PART HASTENED THE EXTENSIVE REPAIRS/OVERALL REPAIR BILL WAS $1500.HEAD GASKET AND ASSOC. PROBLEMS CAUSED THE WATER PUMP TO SEIZE UP, THE SERPENTINE BELT TO SLIP OFF/THE METAL PARTS TO BE CHEWED UP WHICH WENT INTO THE RADIATOR CAUSING THE WATER LINES AND THE RADIATOR TO BE FLUSHED AS WELL.WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE EXTENSIVENESS OF THIS PROBLEM AND THE REPAIR COST. WE HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER, BUT THEY SAID THEY WILL NOT PROCEED WITH A RECALL UNTIL NHTSA REPORTS THIS PROBLEM TO THEM.THAT FILE # IS 8646708. WE PREVIOUSLY OWNED THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL(1988 JEEP).WE SOLD IT AT 200,000 MILES--NEVER HAVING EXTENSIVE REPAIR PROBLEMS SUCH AS THIS.

NHTSA complaint #745455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

CAR HAS BEEN WELL-MAINTAINED THROUGHOUT OWNERSHIP/NO ABUSE OF ANY SORT ON OUR PART HASTENED THE EXTENSIVE REPAIRS/OVERALL REPAIR BILL WAS $1500.HEAD GASKET AND ASSOC. PROBLEMS CAUSED THE WATER PUMP TO SEIZE UP, THE SERPENTINE BELT TO SLIP OFF/THE METAL PARTS TO BE CHEWED UP WHICH WENT INTO THE RADIATOR CAUSING THE WATER LINES AND THE RADIATOR TO BE FLUSHED AS WELL.WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE EXTENSIVENESS OF THIS PROBLEM AND THE REPAIR COST. WE HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER, BUT THEY SAID THEY WILL NOT PROCEED WITH A RECALL UNTIL NHTSA REPORTS THIS PROBLEM TO THEM.THAT FILE # IS 8646708. WE PREVIOUSLY OWNED THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL(1988 JEEP).WE SOLD IT AT 200,000 MILES--NEVER HAVING EXTENSIVE REPAIR PROBLEMS SUCH AS THIS.

NHTSA complaint #745455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ALL 3 BOLTS THAT HOLD MOTOR MOUNTS TO BLOCK BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING ENGINE TO DROP OR FALL.*AK CONSUMER IS REQUESTING MANUFACTURER COMPENSATE HIM FOR DAMAGES AND ALSO CAR RENTAL THE HE HAD TO ENDURE.

NHTSA complaint #887458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD FAN HITTING HOUSING OF THE RADIATOR. ALSO, VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO IN 5 TH GEAR OR REVERSE. MOTOR HAD DROPPED ABOUT 3 INCHES. MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS HAD BROKEN.

NHTSA complaint #885592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD FAN HITTING HOUSING OF THE RADIATOR. ALSO, VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO IN 5 TH GEAR OR REVERSE. MOTOR HAD DROPPED ABOUT 3 INCHES. MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS HAD BROKEN.

NHTSA complaint #885592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THE ENGINE CYLINDERS WERE BAD, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED CAUSING COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. *MJS

NHTSA complaint #554512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #735147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE SHEARING OF THE RIGHT ENGINE MOUNT TO ENGINE BOLTS COULD HAVE ALLOWED THE ENGINE TO DROP DOWN ONTO THE STEERING MECHANISM THEREBY CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. DUE THE THE ENGINE DROPPPING DOWN ON THE RIGHT SIDE, THE REAR TRANSMISION MOUNT WAS TORN FROM THE CROSS MEMBER AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED RIGHT WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED A DRIVE SHAFT DISCONNECTION. I DON'T KNOW IF THE ENGINE SHIFT COULD HAVE IMPACTED THE THROTTLE LINKAGE. THIS SHEARING OF THE 3 MOUNTING BOLTS WAS NOT CAUSED BY NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AS THE BOLTS FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE BOLTS WERE NOT SUFFICIENTLY HARDENED, OR POSSIBLY OVER TIGHTENED AT ASSEMBLY CAUSING PREMATURE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS ESSENTIALLY DISABLED AND THE ONLY THING KEEPING THE ENGINE IN PLACE WAS THE DISTRIBUTOR LANDING ON THE CHASIS MOUNT HANGER.

NHTSA complaint #734488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.