55 of the
1,250 complaints about the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee are about the
suspension — 4% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
190,000 miles.
The contact owns a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that prior to purchasing the vehicle, he researched online and became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 98V006000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and the contact was informed that the responsibility was on the consumer and the call was disconnected. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11523526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
SUSPENSION
EXPERIENCED DEATH WOBBLE ON FREEWAY AT 45-55 AND TO REGAIN CONTROL HAVE T0 APPLY BRAKES AND ALMOST COME TO A DEAD STOP. SIX MONTHS AFTER, THE STEERING HOUSING CRACKED FOUND TWO OUT OF THE THREE BOLTS HAD SNAPED THE BOLT CLOSEST TO THE FIREWALL HAD THE BROKEN CASTING STILL TOURQE TO THE FRAME. I LOST THE STEERING ON A TURN IN A 15 MPH ZONE
NHTSA complaint #11020328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 142,000 milesRoseville, MICrash
SUSPENSION
I HAD MY POWER STEERING BRACKET BREAK INTO 3 PIECES, CAUSING ME TO GO THROUGH 2 PULLEYS AND 4 SERPENTINE BELTS BEFORE FIGURING OUT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE "DEATH WOBBLE" A FEW TIMES AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 40-50 MPH. IT IS VERY DISTURBING AND SCARY AND FORCED ME OFF THE ROAD. I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN IMMEDIATELY TO GET IT TO STOP.
NHTSA complaint #10983935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 250,000 milesAmerican Fork, UT
SUSPENSION
FAMILY OWNERSHIP SINCE NEW. RECENTLY STARTED EXPERIENCING THE "DEATH WOBBLE." JEEP TRAVELING ON A HIGH SPEED (ABOVE 60) ROAD STARTS TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY AND IS DIFFICULT/IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER OR MANEUVER. JEEP FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL APART. HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING. HAVE TO STOP OR SIGNIFICANTLY SLOW DOWN BEFORE SHAKING STOPS. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #10969917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 450,000 milesDecatur, GA
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 450,000. UPDATED 12/01/16
NHTSA complaint #10908127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 207,000 milesHutto, TX
SUSPENSION
DRIVING AT NEARLY 45-50 MPH, THE ENTIRE FRONT END BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY UNTIL I SLOWED TO A NEAR STOP. THE STEERING WHEEL BOUNCED BACK AND FORTH MORE AND MORE UNTIL I WAS GOING ABOUT 15-20 MPH. I WAS NOT IN THE PROCESS OF TURNING NOR HAD I JUST COMPLETED A TURN. THERE WERE NO BUMPS TO MENTION EITHER.
NHTSA complaint #10863223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 192,000 milesAnson, ME
SUSPENSION
I EXPERIENCED A "DEATH WOBBLE" IN MY 1996 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. IT WAS SO BAD THAT IT BROKE THE GEARS IN THE STEERING BOX AND MADE ME LOSE THE STEERING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. HAD TO HAVE THE STEERING BOX REPLACED 3 TIMES BECAUSE OF THE WOBBLE OCCURRING MULTIPLE TIMES. HAVE REPLACED ALL RECOMMENDED PARTS AND EVERYTHING LOOKS AND FEELS TIGHT IN REGARDS TO THE STEERING AND SUSPENSION. THE PROBLEM IS CONTINUING TO HAPPEN.
NHTSA complaint #10747177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 137,000 milesCleveland, OH
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STABILIZER ARM WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V252000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.
NHTSA complaint #10743897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denver, CO
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 40 TO 45 MPH, HIT A SMALL POT HOLE IN ROAD WITH RIGHT TIRE. FRONT END OF VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WITH FRONT END WOBBLING AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKING BADLY. IT SEEMED LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS ABOUT TO FALL APART. BY SLOWING DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY, IT STOPPED THE SITUATION FROM OCCURRING. IT WAS QUITE JARRING AND VERY DISTURBING. DID SOME INVESTIGATION AND FOUND THIS IS KNOWN AS THE ?JEEP DEATH WOBBLE?. QUITE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS OCCURRENCE.
NHTSA complaint #10743253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 189,000 milesClarkston, MI
SUSPENSION
DRIVING AT ABOUT 45 TO 50 MPH JEEP GOES INTO A DEATH WOBBLE.. VEHICLE SHAKES SO VIOLENTLY IT ALMOST GOES COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #10651191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 199,250 milesST George, KS
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE SEVERELY AND PULL TO THE RIGHT SLIGHTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10546044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
SUSPENSION
1996 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO NOT BEING NOTIFIED ABOUT SEVERAL RECALL NOTICES. *SMD
NHTSA complaint #10536646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 190,000 milesGilbert, SC
SUSPENSION:FRONT
1996 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE HAS THE DEATH WOBBLE WHEN YOU GET UP TO 50 MPH AND HIT A BUMP THE FRONT END STARTS SHAKING SO BAD IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE ABOUT TO LOOSE CONTROL THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 20 OR 30 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #10360002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,000 milesRaleigh, NC
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
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 66,000 milesHamilton Beach, CA
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING ON SMOOTH PAVEMENT THE VEHICLE HAS A VERY VIOLENT SHAKE, CONSUMER STATES PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF ENGINE, THEN RESTARTED. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10031532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Willimantic, CT
SUSPENSION:FRONT
I BOUGHT THIS GRAND CHEROKEE FROM SAN JOSE DODGE AS A LEASE-BACK VEHICLE WITH 27,000 MILES ON IT. AT 51 MPH, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE VIBRATED SEVERELY, ESPECIALLY WHEN ENTERING A LEFT CURVE; HOWEVER AT THIS SPEED THE VIBRATION IS ALWAYS NOTICEABLE. THE VEHICLE ALSO PULLS TO THE RIGHT AT ALL TIMES. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO SAN JOSE DODGE, WHERE I PURCHASED IT, AND THEY REPLACED THE STEERING DAMPENER. THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I HAD NEW TIRES PLACED ON THE VEHICLE IN MID 2000, AND HAD THE FRONT END ALIGNED. THIS MINIMIZED THE VIBRATION, BUT IT WAS STILL NOTICEABLE. AS THE TIRES HAVE WORN DOWN, THE VIBRATION HAS GOTTEN WORSE. I'VE SINCE RELOCATED TO CONNECTICUT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CAPITOL CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE FRONT END FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE TECHNICIAN, JOSEPH E. PARADIS, SAYS THAT THE TIRES ARE "OUT OF ROUND". I'VE HAD TWO SETS OF TIRES ON THIS VEHICLE, AND THE PROBLEM IS ONLY IN THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE. I THINK THERE IS A MECHANICAL DEFECT THAT NEITHER DEALER IS EITHER ADMITTING TO, OR KNOWLEDGABLE ABOUT.
NHTSA complaint #756466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oakland, CA
SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE
VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. BACK WHEEL BEARING WERE STILL RUBBIING, AND HEADLIGHTS GO ON AND OFF. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #8001225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ramsey, MN
SUSPENSION:REAR
REPLACED RIGHT FRONT SWAY BAR LINK,/ AXEL ASSEMBLY2-6-2001/ PINION SEAL 10-25-00.
NHTSA complaint #755274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mill Valley, CA
SUSPENSION:REAR
REAR DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY FAILED AT 15883 MILES AND AGAIN AT 62572 MILES, CONSUMER FINDS THIS FAILURE OF THE BEARINGS UNUSUAL, TRANSFER CASE ADAPTER SEALS WERE LEAKING, FRONT PINION SEAL LEAKING. ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DEALER FOUND ABS SENSOR AT RIGHT REAR WHEEL FAILED, DEALER REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #750219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Skogie, IL
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
VEHICLE HAS EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCE, MECHANIC NOTICED THE REAR ROTORS WERE DISINTEGRATING. FRONT ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM 2 YEARS AGO.*AK FRONT STABILIZER DEFECTIVE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #893808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atascadero, CA1 injured
SUSPENSION:FRONT
I WAS DRIVING ON A RURAL ROAD AT ABOUT 50 MPH WHEN THE CAR BEGAN SHAKING AND THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED BACK AND FORTH. THE SHAKING BECAME VERY VIOLENT AND THE WHEEL BEGAN TRAVELING BACK AND FORTH A GOOD 12 - 14 INCHES. THE CAR WAS BOUNCING UP AND DOWN AND SHAKING I TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THE SHAKING WAS TOO ROUGH AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CAR WAS ALL OVER THE ROAD AND BEGAN GOING TOWARD THE RIGHT SIDE AND THEN WENT OFF THE ROAD. THE SHAKING STOPPED AND WE ROLLED TO A STOP. IF WE HAD BEEN IN TRAFFIC I WOULD HAVE HIT SOMEONE AND IF I WERE ON THE FREEWAY THE CAR WOULD HAVE ROLLED ! THIS HAPPENED SUDDENLY. I TAKE MY JEEP IN FOR ALL REGULER AND SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. I DIDN'T HAVE ANY WARNING THE PART WAS GOING TO BREAK AND AT THE TED MILES JEEP DEALER WHERE I TAKE THE CAR FOR SERVICE THEY SAID THERE IS ABOUT A 10% FAILURE ON THIS PART BUT THEY HAD NOT ACTUALLY HAD ONE BREAK SUDDENLY BEFORE! I COULD HAVE LOST MY LIFE AND OTHERS COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED . THE SHAKING WAS SO VIOLENT THAT THE SEAMS ON THE RADIATOR WERE SPLIT AND I HAD TO BUY A NEW RADIATOR ALSO. SINCE THE SHEAR FORCE WAS SO GREAT I AM LEFT WONDERING IF OTHER PARTS OF THE FRONT END AND CAR IN GENERAL ARE SOMEHOW DAMAGED OR WEAKENED. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER-DAMION CORP. AND THEY TOOK THE REPORT ON JULY 27TH. I HAVE MEDICAL INJURIES AS A RESULT OF TRYING TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL AND BEING SHOOK BACK AND FORTH. I HOPE THIS GETS ADDRESSED AS A RECAL ISSUE BECAUSE THEY KNOW IT IS A PROPLEM BUT HAVE DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT!!!
NHTSA complaint #749661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portland, OR
SUSPENSION
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 20MPH ON A SIDE STREET AND HEARD A METAL NOISE. THEN, POWER STEERING WENT OUT. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STEER, CONSUMRE WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE WHERE THE BRACKETS BOLTS FALL OUT ARE COMMON.
NHTSA complaint #888985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ballston Lake, NY
SUSPENSION:FRONT
THERE IS AN UNCONTROLLABLE VIBRATION AT 45MPH AND HIGHER. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE STRUTS; HOWEVER, VEHICLE STILL VIBRATES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
NHTSA complaint #884003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Detroit, MI
SUSPENSION:FRONT
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH PULLING WHICH CAUSED THE TIRES TO WEAR PREMATURELY. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #553328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY
STEEL LEAF SPRINGS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE STARTED BREAKING. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #553244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PA
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:U-BOLT, LEAF SPRING TO AXLE
STEEL LEAF SPRINGS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE STARTED BREAKING. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #553244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Holland, MA
SUSPENSION:REAR
DEFECTIVE STEERING BOX HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE WITHIN 1 MONTH WHICH IS CAUSING FAILURE OF SWAY BAR.PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #864840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Terre Haute, INCrash
SUSPENSION
CONSUMER WAS PULLING OUT AT 30-35MPH AND STEERED TO THE RIGHT. TIRES WENT INTO A DITCH OFF THE ROAD & VEHICLE FLIPPED 2 TIMES, ENDING ON RIGHT SIDE UP, PERPENDICULAR TO THE ROAD. CONSUMER WOULD BE CALLING THE MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #863996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bellevue, ID
SUSPENSION
LOW RYTHMATIC DRONING NOISE WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. DELAR SAYS THIS IS TYPICAL FOR JEEP GRAND CHEROKEES.
NHTSA complaint #722220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Floyds Knobs, INCrash
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
VEHICLE SWERVED AND ROLLED OVER DUE TO A BALL JOINT COMING OUT OF SOCKET. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #856158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.