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1996 Jeep Grand CherokeeProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 893 owner complaints about the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee, most often about the power train. It is covered by 6 safety recalls, and for recall 13V-252 the manufacturer reports only 35% of affected cars repaired.

45
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.2× the Grand Cherokee median · #13 of 32 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Lowest repair rate 35%Owner complaints893244 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage141kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 9, 2024. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee has problems

893 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train280110
Service brakes, hydraulic1055
Fuel system, gasoline1026
Engine and engine cooling887
Structure852
Steering672
Electrical system659
Suspension506
Tires353
20 other systems24857

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

6 recalls

1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

35%repaired · 2015 Q4

Storage: tank assembly

Recall 13V-252 · Jun 19, 2013 · 1,560,000 vehicles · 553,137 repaired

Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Disc: rotor

Recall 00V-136 · May 10, 2000 · 589,000 vehicles

Risk. THE REDUCED STRENGTH CAN ALLOW THE CAST IRON WEAR SURFACE TO SEPARATE FROM THE HUB, REDUCING THE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VEHICLE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Suspension: front

Recall 98V-006 · Jan 12, 1998 · 65,000 vehicles

Risk. AN OVERHEATED AXLE CAN FORCE AXLE FLUID OUT OF THE SEALS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
–no report yet

Electrical system: wiring

Recall 97V-039 · Mar 17, 1997 · 70,000 vehicles

Risk. THE LOCALIZED HEATING CAN RESULT IN IGNITION OF THE SEAT CUSHION MATERIAL AND A VEHICLE FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Wiring: fuses and circuit breakers

Recall 95V-193 · Oct 11, 1995 · 32,000 vehicles

Risk. IMPROPER CLAMPING CAN RESULT IN ARCING AT THE CONNECTION POTENTIALLY CAUSING A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Jeep.

Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Fuel system, gasoline

11 owners mentioned a cost

$800median

Middle half: $750 – $950

Engine and engine cooling

9 owners mentioned a cost

$900median

Middle half: $640 – $1,200

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

1996 vs. every other Grand Cherokee year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Grand Cherokee median. How we score

'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee safety ratings

1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4-DR 4x4 in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
8 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Fuel Storage System Crash Related FiresDP09005 · closed Aug 23, 2010
    No recall
  2. ROLL-AWAY IN REVERSE WHEN PARKEDEA01017 · closed Dec 18, 2002
    Led to recall 02V-053
  3. HOOD LATCH FAILUREEA02029 · closed Feb 10, 2004
    No recall
  4. Crash Related Fuel Tank FiresEA12005 · closed Nov 14, 2014
    Led to recall 13V-252
  5. INADVERTENT ROLLAWAY IN REVERSE PARKPE01021 · closed Nov 1, 2001
    No recall
  6. HOOD LATCHPE02045 · closed Oct 16, 2002
    No recall
  7. Crash Related Fuel Tank FiresPE10031 · closed Jun 14, 2012
    No recall
  8. SAFETY BLT LATCH OPERATIONPE96008 · closed Jun 28, 1996
    No recall
In owners' words

What Grand Cherokee owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THE INSPECTION RECALL ON MY 1996 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE DID NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITH PCM AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER SPECIFIED IN THE DEFECTIVE ISSUE WITHIN THE RECALLS ISSUED. THIS HARMS THE DRIVER, PEDESTRIANS, OTHER PASSENGERS AND MOTORISTS. THE TECH WHERE I WENT TO HAVE RECALL WORK PERFORMED…
Complaint 11403865 · Mar 19, 2021
IN DECEMBER 1996 I WAS RAN OVER BY MY JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE IN MY DRIVEWAY AFTER IT JUMPED BACK INTO GEAR FROM PARK. I REPORTED THIS ISSUE IMMEDIATELY TO THE ANCHORAGE ALASKA DEALER WHO HAD TO FIX THE DRIVERS DOOR THAT HAD BEEN DESTROYED IN THE EVENT AND HE STATED THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE…
Complaint 10910028 · Sep 27, 2016 · 20,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY INDEPENDENTLY AT 5 TO 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE BOUNTY WALL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…
Complaint 10845799 · Mar 9, 2016 · 176,000 miles

Own a 1996 Grand Cherokee?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.