FaultScore

1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee other reported problems

28 of the 1,250 complaints about the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee are about the other systems — 2% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 143,000 miles.

B

28

Complaints

1

Crashes

1

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Unknown OR Other 28 100.0%

Other & Unspecified across every Jeep Grand Cherokee year

1994 10 0.5%
1995 14 0.7%
1996 28 1.4%
1997 30 1.5%
1998 20 1.0%
1999 34 1.7%
2000 27 1.3%
2001 11 0.5%
2002 33 1.6%
2003 11 0.5%
2004 33 1.6%
2005 134 6.6%
2006 73 3.6%
2007 36 1.8%
2008 35 1.7%
2009 10 0.5%
2010 13 0.6%
2011 134 6.6%
2012 119 5.9%
2013 58 2.9%
2014 272 13.4%
2015 191 9.4%
2016 31 1.5%
2017 76 3.8%
2018 267 13.2%
2019 74 3.7%
2020 57 2.8%
2021 55 2.7%
2022 37 1.8%
2023 61 3.0%
2024 30 1.5%
2025 12 0.6%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Wilmington, NC

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

RECALL ON THE HITCH.

NHTSA complaint #11091622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 165,000 miles Valencia, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CAR USUALLY RUNS FINE COLD BUT WHEN IT GETS TO OPERATING TEMPERATURE IT STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY AND IN DANGEROUS MOMENTS WHILE DRIVING ON ANY ROAD OR FREEWAY AT ANY SPEED. I LOSE ALL POWERED FUNCTIONS LIKE STEERING AND BRAKES. IT WON'T START AGAIN FOR HOURS UNTIL IT HAS COOLED ALL THE WAY DOWN.

NHTSA complaint #11083164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,236 miles Fitchburg, WI

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD INSPECT THE HITCH, AND REMOVE IT IF THEY DECIDED. THEY WOULD THEN DETERMINE IF REPAIRS WERE NEEDED BEFORE THEY WOULD INSTALL A REPLACEMENT HITCH. I WAS ADVISED THE "REPAIRS WOULD BE AT MY EXPENSE" AND COULD COST "SEVERAL THOUSAND OF DOLLARS" BEFORE A REPLACEMENT HITCH WOULD BE INSTALLED. THEY ALSO SAID "THEY COULDN'T DETERMINE HOW LONG REPAIRS WOULD TAKE" SINCE THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE WORK.

NHTSA complaint #10789583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Chandler, AZ

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHILE EXITING ONE FREEWAY TO ANOTHER (ON THE RAMP) AT 60+ MILES PER HOUR, THE ENTIRE FRONT END STARTING SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING BACK AND FORTH. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THIS IS KNOWN AS 'THE DEATH WOBBLE'. WE HAVE SPENT WELL OVER $5000 TRYING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE FRONT END CONTINUES TO REQUIRE WORK IN ORDER TO KEEP IT FROM REOCCURRING.

NHTSA complaint #10715785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bloomingdale, OH

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

RECALL N45 / NHTSA 13V-252 WE HAVE A 1996 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE THAT WE TOOK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE CAME WITH A GAS TANK SKID PLATE AND TRAILER HITCH. WE WERE INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE OLD HITCH AND SKID PLATE WOULD BE REMOVED AND A NON-FUNCTIONAL TRAILER HITCH WOULD BE INSTALLED. REQUIRING SIGNATURE THAT WE WOULD NOT TOW WITH THE VEHICLE. IT CAME WITH BOTH AN OFFROAD AND TOWING PACKAGE FROM THE FACTORY WHICH WE DO USE. THIS RECALL REPAIR DOES NOT BRING THE VEHICLE BACK TO ORIGINAL DESIGN CRITERIA!

NHTSA complaint #10706555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 163,832 miles Sugar Hill, GA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I AM CONTACTING YOUR AGENCY BECAUSE OF A SAFETY CONCERN I HAVE REGARDING THE REPAIRS MADE TO MY VEHICLE IN RESPONSE TO THE RECALL #N45. AS BACKGROUND, I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A DEALER, MALL OF GEORGIA JEEP, FOR THE REPAIR (I.E., TO REPLACE TOWING HITCH) ON 8.12.2014 AND WAS TOLD THE NEXT DAY THAT I COULD NOT USE THE HITCH THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED. THE MECHANIC HAD STRUGGLED (HE ADMITTED TO ME) TO DO THE JOB AND IT TOOK HIM TWO OR THREE TIMES THE ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE THE WORK. IN FACT, IT TOOK SO LONG THAT I HAD TO GO HOME IN A RENTAL CAR AND HAD TO RETURN THE FOLLOWING DAY TO PICK UP MY JEEP. WHEN I RETURNED ON 8.13.2014, I WAS TOLD THAT I SHOULD NO LONGER USE THE HITCH FOR TOWING. I ASKED WHY AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS THE MANUFACTURER'S GUIDANCE; HOWEVER, I WAS NOT GIVEN ANYTHING, TO THIS EFFECT, IN WRITING. I HAVE TWO CONCERNS: 1) WAS THE SAFETY RECALL REPAIR DONE CORRECTLY GIVEN A) THE DIFFICULTY THAT THE MECHANIC HAD IN DOING THE JOB AND B) THE DEALER NOT STANDING BEHIND THE FIAT CHRYSLER OEM REPLACEMENT HITCH THAT IT HAD INSTALLED; AND, 2) APPARENTLY THE DEALER REPLACED A FUNCTIONING HITCH WITH ONE THAT WAS NOT WITHOUT TELLING ME SO IN ADVANCE. I CONTACTED FIAT CHRYSLER (CASE # 25468706) ON 8.13.2014 AND ASKED FOR AUTHORIZATION TO TAKE MY JEEP TO ANOTHER AUTHORIZED DEALER TO CHECK THE REPAIR WORKMANSHIP, I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS INSPECTION TO BE DONE. I BELIEVE THAT MY CONCERNS ARE REASONABLE AND DO NOT THINK IT IS FAIR THAT I MUST BEAR THE COST OF A SAFETY INSPECTION. I AM ASKING YOUR AGENCY TO HELP ME GET THIS INSPECTION DONE BY AN INDEPENDENT PARTY, TO BE PAID FOR BY FIAT CHRYSLER, GIVEN THE NATURE AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE ISSUES I HAVE RAISED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION...UPDATED 10/06/14 *BF UPDATED 3/12/2015

NHTSA complaint #10622160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LAS Vegas, NV

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WE HAVE JUST FOUND ONE OF YOUR PRODUCTS ATTACHED TO OUR VEHICLE WITHOUT OUR PERMISSION. THE NAME TAG ON IT IS COUGARSNAKE. WE ARE GOING TO THE MEDIA WITH THIS AND HAVE ATTORNEYS CONTACT YOU. IF YOU CAN TRACE WHO PUT THIS DEVICE ON OUR VEHICLE AND SHARE THAT INFORMATION WITH US WE WILL GO AFTER THEM INSTEAD OF YOU. THIS IS HIGHLY UNPROFESSIONAL AND WE WANT SOME ANSWERS.

NHTSA complaint #10503660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Reno, NV

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ALL ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCKS FAIL TO WORK. CANNOT LOCK OR OPEN THEM WITH THE KEY EITHER. THIS MEANS I CANNOT LOCK MY VEHICLE AT ANY TIME SINCE IT WILL MEAN LOCKING ME OUT AND REQUIRING CALLING ASSISTANCE TO OPEN MY VEHICLE DOOR.

NHTSA complaint #10485405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 147,035 miles Eagle River, AK

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHEN THE PROBLEM STARTED, APPROXIMATELY 7 MONTHS AGO, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHEN I WAS SLOWING FOR A TURN OR A STOP. IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. FUEL FILTER, FUEL PUMP, TPS, ECM, ETC. HAVE ALL BEEN CHANGED, AND THE PROBLEM KEEPS COMING BACK. LATELY THE VEHICLE STALLS AT DRIVING SPEEDS, AS WELL AS WHEN SLOWING. I HAVE BEEN NEARLY REAR ENDED SO MANY TIMES I CAN'T EVEN COUNT. THE STALLING IS ALWAYS INTERMITTENT, BUT SEEMS THAT IT HAPPENS MOST FREQUENTLY WHEN I AM ON SHORT TRIPS OF AROUND 5 MILES. I WILL GET TO THE STORE AND IT WILL STALL WHILE I AM ENTERING THE PARKING LOT, I START IT BACK UP AND GET INTO A PARKING SPACE, SHOP AND RETURN TO MY CAR, WHICH STALLS AGAIN AS I AM BACKING OUT, SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. THEN AS I LEAVE THE PARKING LOT IT MAY STALL AGAIN, AND THEN AGAIN ON MY WAY HOME WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25-40 MPH. IT IS GETTING INCREASINGLY HARDER TO RESTART. I HAVE NOTICED MANY JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE FORUMS ONLINE WHERE THIS SAME COMPLAINT COMES UP OVER AND OVER. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM AND NOBODY SEEMS TO HAVE A REMEDY THAT WORKS. MANY PEOPLE THROW MONEY INTO PARTS JUST GUESSING AT WHAT THE PROBLEM MAY BE. IT SEEMS QUITE UNSAFE, NOT ONLY FOR THE DRIVERS OF THE JEEP GCS, BUT FOR THE PEOPLE BOUND TO REAR END US.

NHTSA complaint #10462474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 143,000 miles SAN Diego, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I HAD RECEIVED A NOTICE TO CHANGE/FLASH COMPUTER PROM BY CHRYSLER, SO I TOOK IN TO DEALER, IT TOOK ABOUT 5 MINUTES. BUT AFTER THIS THE VEHICLE STARTER TO MISS ONCE IN WHILE, BUT NOT STALL AT THAT TIME. THEN IT STARTED TO GET WORSE, IT STALLED AT LOW SPEEDS, ON THE CITY STREETS, HIGH SPEEDS ON THE FREEWAY, RIGHT AFTER STARTING OR IF IT HAS RUN FOR AWHILE, THEN ACTS UP "THROW CODES" BUT NOTHING TO THE REASON WHY FUEL BANK OR SPEED SENSOR, NO SPARK. I LOOKED UNDER HOOD AND SHOOK WIRES AND IT WILL DIE OR RUN BETTER. NOW IT IS DOING IT TOO MANY TIMES, SOME TIMES IN WILL RESTART RIGHT AWAY, BUT SOME TIMES IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME TO RESTART. I BURNED UP A STARTER, AND TWO NEW FRESH BATTERIES WITH THIS. WIFE CAN NOT DRIVE IT ANY MORE I HAVE REPLACED DISTRIBUTOR, CAM SENSOR, CRANK SENSOR, REMOVAL CONNECTION BLOCKS AND SOLDERED UP THE WIRE CONNECTIONS, WHICH ONLY HELPED TO GET POWER BACK IN THE BATTERY. I CAN STILL SHAKE THE WIRE LOOM, AND IT DIES OR RUNS BETTER TO THIS DATE. SO AS YOU SEE IT HAS NOT ONE WAY OR ANOTHER TO MAKE IT RUN BAD, WE CAN NOT DEPEND ON THIS ONLY VEHICLE NOW. I AM A POST ASE CERT AUTO TECH, W/ COMPUTERS AND I CAN NOT FIGURE OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10251870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Covington, GA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

PAINT IS PEELING FROM VEHICLE HOOD AND ROOF.

NHTSA complaint #10145775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 94,000 miles Dearborn, MI

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

REAR MAIN CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL FAILURE RE: SERVICE BULLETN,DATED 3/15/96 NHTS REFERENCE NO 5423

NHTSA complaint #10133637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 64,000 miles Raleigh, NC

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I HAVE A 96 GRAND CHEROKEE LTD 4X4 WITH 115K MILES. SINCE IT TURNED 65K MILES I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND DRUMS 3 TIMES. I HAVE WATER LEAKS IN THE SEAT BELT WELLS, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW, AND THE BELTS ARE WET WHEN IT RAINS. TODAY, WATER IS POOLING IN THE FLOOR OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE. WATER POURS FROM JUST ABOVE THE ACCELERATOR. MUST BE FROM A/C?THE REAR DOOR HATCH HAS JAMMED IN LOCK POSITION. THE ELECTRONIC MILEAGE/ FUEL READOUT (ON CEILING MODULE) FLUCTUATES WILDLY AND IS INACCURATE. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT OUT AT 64,975 MILES. NOW HAVE A CRACK IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, QUOTED $1200 BY DEALER TO REPAIR. I HAVE GONE THROUGH STOCK 3 RADIOS, TUNER PROBLEMS. MASSIVE A/C PROBLEMS IN PAST. I PAID A NON DEALER TO REPAIR IT, THE REPAIRS HELD FOR 30 DAYS AND SAME PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN. THEN HAD DEALER REPAIR AND IT WAS A RECALL ITEM SO WAS COVERED AFTER I'D PAID FOR 2 PREV REPAIR JOBS AT $1100 TOTAL. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT AT 90K MILES. REPLACED SO MANY OTHER PARTS, I'D HAVE TO REFER TO THE SERVICE RECORDS FOR MORE DETAILS. THIS LIST IS ONLY FROM MEMORY. TOTAL COST OVER 3 YRS....AROUND $4000! OH, AND THE REAR HATCH/DOOR PAINT IS FADED AND DULL, TOTALLY DIFFERENT FROM THE REST OF THE CAR. ALL BLACK METAL PAINTED PARTS PAINT IS COMING OFF. HAS BEEN FOR COUPLE OF YEARS. ALSO THE ROOF RATTLE REALLY LOUD AT OVER 50MPH. THE POWER OUTLET CAME APART STILL ATTACHED TO MY PHONE CORD ONE DAY. FINALLY, THE FRONT END HAS SOME PROBLEM WITH THE AXLE? AND WILL COST APPROX $700 TO REPAIR. I THOUGHT I HAD A LEMON UNTIL I TALKED WITH 3 OTHER JEEP OWNERS, THEY'VE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. DO WE HAVE ANY RECOURSE WITH CHRYSLER OVER THESE VEHICLES...I AM CONSIDERING INVOLVING AN ATTNY.

NHTSA complaint #10096135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Citrus Heights, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1996 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED. AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM ONLY BLOWS HOT AIR. I HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT TWO DIFFERENT TIMES. THEY CHECK THE SYSTEM AND FILL ALL THE FLUIDS, BUT IT STILL DOESN'T WORK.

NHTSA complaint #10053250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brunswick, MD

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA complaint #731677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fairfax, VA Crash Fire 1 injured

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DRIVING ALONG NORMALLY, ALL OF A SUDDEN MY WIFE FLIPPED OUT ON ME FOR NO GOOD REASON. STOPPED THE JEEP. SHE GOT OUT. SAID SHE WAS LEAVING ME AND THE KIDS. NOW UNABLE TO LOCATE MY GIRLFRIEND. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY.

NHTSA complaint #716898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Indian Harbour Beach, FL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SUNROOF RUSTED OUT- REPLACED BY DEALER, AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED AND VINYL PANELING PEELED- BOTH THING REPLACED BY DEALER. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON- SENSOR REPLACED TWICE BY DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #713784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hilton Head Island, SC

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I THINK MY CAR SHOULD BE DECLARED A LEMON.

NHTSA complaint #702527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Layton, UT

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON/OFF. ALSO REPLACED TIRE DUE TO DEFECTIVE SIDEWALL AND TRANSMISSION BUSHING.

NHTSA complaint #513690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Huntington Beach, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

OIL GAUGE FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #605394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Newport Beach, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

OIL PRESSURE SENSOR/GAUGE FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #604850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hanford, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ENGINE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #603592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Elmira, NY

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT FAILED, CAME ON AND STAYED ON FOR OVER 5000 MILES. PREVIOUSLY TRANSMISSION FAILED/REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #518830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Iselin, NJ

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

OIL PRESSURE GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED.

NHTSA complaint #515666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Iselin, NJ

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED.

NHTSA complaint #515666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hendersonville, NC

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TOW BAR NOT SENDING FULL ELECTRICAL CURRENT THROUGH DUE TO MISSING PRONG.

NHTSA complaint #511019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brandon, MS

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ENGINE FAILURE, WHEN DRIVING AT SPEED AND ENTERING AN INCLINE, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON, IN FOR REAPIRS 5 TIMES, DEALERSHIP CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #806653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ridgewood, NJ

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE VEHICLE SHAKES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF.

NHTSA complaint #801657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems

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