Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
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.
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
While driving approximately 65 MPH with out any warning vehicle stalled. Vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the technician indicated the fuel tank disintegrated and clog the fuel line. Fuel tank was replaced at owner expense of $1.000.
Fuel pump failed and was replaced on 9/5/02. Picked up Jeep and it broke down on the way home. Was towed back to shop. Replaced fuel pump 5 more times in the past 2 months and have been noticing a strong petrol smell. Last time the mechanics told me to pick up the Jeep it wouldn't even start and the petrol smell continued. Now told by manager at the Chrysler shop that an internal memo was issued in 1997 stating that 1996 cherokees had already started having problems with the fuel system, including faulty fuel pump systems and corroded fuel tanks. They said that they don't know what else to do other than replace the fuel tank at my cost. Chrysler is holding true to character and insists that a Jeep with so many miles (it's a '96 with only 58K miles) will have lots of problems. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign: 13V252000 (fuel system). However, the parts needed were unavailable. The vehicle was taken into the dealer to service it under the recall. The dealer started the remedy procedure but was unable to finish the service due to other parts not being available. The dealer informed the contact that once the rest of the parts become available they would finalize the repairs and recommended to not use the hitch due to the condition. The contact mentioned that there were only six bolts to hold the hitch unto the vehicle since the dealer had busted three. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they were trying to produce the parts as fast as possible. The VIN was unavailable. …
Dt: the contact stated the fuel pump failed twice. The vehicle was smoking and experiencing loss of power. The vehicle was towed to a dealership. The dealership said the pressure reading was low on the fuel pump. The fuel pump was replaced. The vehicle started experiencing a loss of power again. The mechanic changed the fuel filter, but it did not fix the problem. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic, and the pressure reading on the fuel pump was low again. The vehicle is currently at the mechanics because the part is on back order.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Jeep grand Cherokee. The contact stated that he attempted to have the vehicle repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 13V252000 (fuel system, gasoline , structure) but was informed that the parts were not available. The contact felt that since the failure was reported in June of 2013, there should have been a remedy available before April of 2014. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable time for repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.
This particular model was suppose to come from the manufacturer with a plastic fuel tank. For some reason mine came with a metal fuel tank that corroded very quickly, beyond what would normally be expected for year and mileage.this corrosion LED to the failure of the original fuel pump assembly and the failure of the replacement fuel pump assembly. The aaa person who towed my vehicle mentioned that he has towed a number of Jeep cherokees with the same problem.
Fuel pump failed and was replaced with original part. Failed second time within 3 weeks due to faulty gas tank, as advised by dealer. Chrysler has huge backlog for same problem and had prior recalled for Jeep Cherokee 95 & 96. (mine is a grand Cherokee). Car can stop literally at any speed.
Consumer states the fuel pump is malfunctioning for the 5th time in 10 months. The vehicle will not start and stalls with no prior warning. Dealers service technician states apparently there is not enough gas circulating to the engine. The dealer was informed. Please provide more information.
NHTSA investigations
Crash Related Fuel Tank Fires
ODI has completed an extensive analysis of rear crash fuel tank system integrity data for the subject Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Liberty vehicles (SVs).As of June 2013, ODI knew of 56 post-collision fatal fires, 28 non-fatal fires, and 6 fuel leak incidents (totaling 90 incidents, 75 fatalities and 58 injuries) involving the SVs.Based on this analysis, ODI issued a Recall Request Letter (RRL) on June 3, 2013…
Fuel System complaints in other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1996 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1996 Jeep Cherokee, 6% of the model year's 447 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Jeep Cherokee fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 1996 Jeep Cherokee, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1996 Jeep Cherokee fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 181,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion 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.