Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Jeep Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
I was driving down the highway,and all of a sudden I heard a loud noise. So I pulled over to the nearest gas station and realized I was leaking oil profusely. Then I realized the driver side motor mount had broken off of the engine causing a large hole in the engine block. I have taken great care of my vehicle, changed the oil every 3,000 miles, and then this happens at random. I didn't hit anything to cause the motor mount to break, so why would it break for no reason? Anyways, the leaking oil caused a fire beneath my vehicle, and inside the engine compartment. But I quickly put out the fire by a container of water I had in my vehicle. I had my 13 year old brother with me and thank god he or myself was not injured. But it caused us great fear and stress.
1996 Jeep cheroke while driving with blower on (air) , steering column started smoking and melting the plastic housing. Cause was determined to be ignition switch was not heavy duty enough to handle blower motor current and the wires in the harness burned and melted. Wires and switch was replaced and 1 year later same thing happened again causing the interior to fill with smoke while driving and the wiring harness to burn up again. A mechanic at a dealer told me this was a not uncommon problem with that Jeep model. I was told that the Chrysler van used the same switch and harness and there was a safety recall for them but nothing was ever done about the Jeep Cherokee !!
Tl*- the contact stated that while driving behind the 1996 Jeep Cherokee at 60 MPH, she noticed smoke coming from under the vehicle. The contact flashed the lights to get the attention of the driver. The driver pulled to the shoulder, got out of the vehicle and backed away. The vehicle began to burn, and had to be towed. The contact did not know the cause of the fire. The fire department was called and they extinguished the fire. The contact had not received a police or fire department report. There were no injuries.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH with the air conditioner activated on high, smoke began to emit from the ignition switch. The air conditioner was turned off in order to stop the smoke from emitting. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 61,015.
Electrical short in the passenger compartment resulted in fire that completely destroyed vehicle. Fire started behind the dashboard, passenger side. Electrical shortage, and burning smell was noted, which resulted in the driver pulling off the side of the road. After quick inspection under the hood, driver walked around the vehicle, at which point the interior dashboard burst into flames.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Jeep Cherokee. While driving various speeds, the speedometer seized without warning and the vehicle began to decelerate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000. The VIN was not available.
The Jeep will start to shake whenever you hit a bump really bad shaking . Also whenever you come to a stop after driving 10 miles the most , the car will not turn on again for about 20 minutes. At some point I rocked the car from side to side and after that it will start. Also too the steering column seems loose . My shocks like it don't even have any
With time the blower motor wiring harness (which is too small for the amperage) in these vehicles invariably heats up and melts or burns. The melting of the harness and connector behind the blower speed selector switch in the dash and the burning of the switch itself occured in my vehicle, allong with the failure of the blower motor resistor, but in many vehicles the resistor is the first to burn and fail. I have looked at over 20 of these vehicles ranging from 1991 to 1996, and 30000 to 220000 miles, and every single one one them had these components melted and burned to the point of not being usable, and making one wonder how many other vehicles have caught fire and burned because of this fault. Some of these vehicles also showed associated wires burned or melted in the steering column. …
Related recalls
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
U.S. Drive right is recalling 107 my 1994-1998 right hand drive, 4-wheel drive Jeep cherokee vehicles. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 101, 'controls and displays;' no. 108, 'lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment;' no. 111, 'rearview mirror;' no. 114, 'theft protection;' no.
Remedy: U.S. Drive right will make all the required modifications. A representative will travel to the customer's location and make the modifications on site.
Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
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.
Electrical complaints in other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1996 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the electrical system of the 1996 Jeep Cherokee, 10% of the model year's 447 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › interior/under dash (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Jeep Cherokee electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 08V-056 (instrument cluster/panel, Feb 6, 2008); NHTSA recall 95V-193 (fuses and circuit breakers, Oct 11, 1995). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 Jeep Cherokee electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 137,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 14 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.