1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 893
- Recalls
- 12
- Investigations
- 8
- Top problem
- Power train
Campaigns on file for 1996
Opened by NHTSA
33% of complaints
Complaints per year
1996: 893 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1989 | 5 |
| 1990 | 5 |
| 1991 | 6 |
| 1992 | 3 |
| 1993 | 562 |
| 1994 | 609 |
| 1995 | 723 |
| 1996 | 893 |
| 1997 | 991 |
| 1998 | 1,028 |
| 1999 | 1,638 |
| 2000 | 1,447 |
| 2001 | 883 |
| 2002 | 1,476 |
| 2003 | 762 |
| 2004 | 1,295 |
| 2005 | 2,051 |
| 2006 | 1,280 |
| 2007 | 1,108 |
| 2008 | 734 |
| 2009 | 138 |
| 2010 | 118 |
| 2011 | 1,639 |
| 2012 | 1,644 |
| 2013 | 804 |
| 2014 | 2,378 |
| 2015 | 1,362 |
| 2016 | 310 |
| 2017 | 364 |
| 2018 | 854 |
| 2019 | 368 |
| 2020 | 240 |
| 2021 | 403 |
| 2022 | 261 |
| 2023 | 389 |
| 2024 | 243 |
| 2025 | 75 |
| 2026 | 22 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Power train
33% · 295 reportsMost commonly citing park/neutral start interlock switch and automatic transmission.
Show complaint excerpts
While the vehicle was on and in parked, it jumped out of gear, from park to reverse, lost control, resulting in an accident/ no eployment of driver's air bag during accident, resulting in injuries to driver.
NHTSA ODI report, 1996-09-11
After sitting for awhile gear shift did not move, owner saw vehicle roll down hill backwards, crossing street hitting another vehicle. Please describe.
NHTSA ODI report, 1996-05-29
Service brakes
14% · 127 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Fuel system, gasoline
13% · 112 reportsMost commonly citing fuel pump and tank assembly.
Show complaint excerpts
Jeep Cherokee. Consumer writes in regards to several major repairs and vehicle fire damage. *smd the consumer stated the vehicle was a major problem, from the day he first purchased it. The engine and other components were replaced.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-01-29
The contact owns a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. The vehicle was able to restart immediately on some occasions and restarted after a while on other occasions.
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-02-09
Also filed under Engine
Engine and engine cooling
10% · 92 reportsMost commonly citing gasoline and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.
Show complaint excerpts
Apparently some failure occured with the Jeep that caused smoke to enter through the ventilation system. The compartment filled with smoke. The smoke had an arroma of electricity.
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-10
Also filed under Electrical system and equipment
Structure
10% · 88 reportsMost commonly citing door and body.
Safety timeline
12 recalls · 8 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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I
1996-01-25Preliminary evaluationClosed 1996-06-28 Safety blt latch operation
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R
1996-02-20Electrical system95V193000 The fasteners which secure the alternator circuit fuse to the power distribution center may have an improper clamp load.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the alternator fuse with a fuse link and any damage to the power distribution center will be repaired.
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R
1997-03-18Electrical system97V039000 Vehicle description: vehicles equipped with memory seat option. The memory seat module wiring harness can come in contact with the seat spring, a low resistance short circuit can develop…
Remedy: Dealers will relocate the memory seat control module and wiring harness and a protective shield will be installed on the seat frame.
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R
1998-02-02Suspension98V006000 Vehicle description: multi-purpose vehicles equipped with "Quadra-trac" Transfer case, temporary spare tire, and any of 225/70R16, 225/75R16 or 245/70R15 road tires. When the temporary spare tire…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the temporary spare tire with a full sized tire and wheel.
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R
2000-06-05Service brakes, hydraulic00V136000 Vehicle description: passenger and multi-purpose vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, new…
Remedy: Dealers will replace these rotors with rotors that are coated with a corrosion protection.
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I
2001-06-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 2001-11-01 Inadvertent rollaway in reverse park
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I
2001-11-01Engineering analysisClosed 2002-12-18 Roll-away in reverse when parked
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I
2002-05-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 2002-10-16 Hood latch
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R
2002-09-23Power train02V053000 On certain sport utility vehicles, if a driver has not placed the shifter lever fully into the "Park" Position and leaves the vehicle running, the vehicle may unexpectedly move rearward after…
Remedy: Dealers will install a secondary detent system to the floor shifter assembly. Daimlerchrysler sent interim notices to owners concerning this problem on March 22, 2002. Owner notification began…
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I
2002-10-16Engineering analysisClosed 2004-02-10 Hood latch failure
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R
2003-02-08Fuel system, gasoline03E001000 Napa and carter replacement fuel pumps manufactured by otd, inc., and distributed by federal mogal, may have an improperly installed check valve. The part numbers of these pumps are P74697M and…
Remedy: If you purchased an aftermarket replacement fuel pump for your my 1995 or 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee after July 15, 2002, and are not sure whether the fuel pump is one of thoses involved in this…
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R
2006-03-20Service brakes, hydraulic06E022000 Certain aftermarket brake hydraulic master cylinders sold as replacement brake cylinders for certain Ford, daimlerchrysler, and Jeep passenger vehicles. These brake cylinders were sold under the…
Remedy: Affinia (Brake parts, inc.) will replace the subject brake hydraulic master cylinders free of charge. The recall began on March 20, 2006. Owners can contact affina group customer service at…
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R
2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber…
Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.
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R
2008-01-15Visibility07E104000 Certain curved tempered replacement glass manufactured by hangzhou safety glass ltd and supplied to safelite by auto temp inc., identified as DOT-430, and sold for use on certain domestic and…
Remedy: Safelite will notify its retail customers and replace the glass free of charge. Retail customers can contact safelite toll free at 1-888-843-2906. Safelite will notify its wholesale customers and…
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R
2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…
Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.
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2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…
Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.
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I
2009-11-06Defect petitionClosed 2010-08-23 Fuel Storage System Crash Related Fires
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I
2010-08-23Preliminary evaluationClosed 2012-06-14 Crash Related Fuel Tank Fires
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2012-06-12Engineering analysisClosed 2014-11-14 Crash Related Fuel Tank Fires
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R
2014-08-01Fuel system, gasoline, structure13V252000 Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles. The fuel tanks in these vehicles are at risk of failure and leakage…
Remedy: Owners may take their vehicles to dealers and the dealers will perform a free inspection of the rear structure. On vehicles in the recall that are not equipped with a tow hitch, Chrysler will…
Buy-smart checklist
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Power train: 295 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 127 reports on file for this year.
- Fuel system, gasoline: 112 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 95V193000 · Electrical system
- Recall 97V039000 · Electrical system
- Recall 98V006000 · Suspension
- Recall 00V136000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 02V053000 · Power train
- Recall 03E001000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 06E022000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 07E104000 · Visibility
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 13V252000 · Fuel system, gasoline, structure
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
- 12 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.