Most common 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems
Share of the 893 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Jeep Grand Cherokee complaints by model year
Best Grand Cherokee years: 2016, 2020, 2017. Years to avoid: 2014, 2012, 2011, 2024, 2023. Compare all years →
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls (6)
Structure
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 in certain rear impacts.
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 install a Chrysler designed…
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
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 seeming to be stable.
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 September 23, 2002.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
Vehicle description: passenger and multi-purpose vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, or wisconsin, and the district of columbia.
Remedy: Dealers will replace these rotors with rotors that are coated with a corrosion protection.
Suspension › Front
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 is in use, the front axle can overheat.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the temporary spare tire with a full sized tire and wheel.
Electrical system › Wiring
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 resulting in localized heating.
Remedy: Dealers will relocate the memory seat control module and wiring harness and a protective shield will be installed on the seat frame.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 8 possible defects involving the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee:
Safety blt latch operation
There is no summary currently available
Crash Related Fuel Tank Fires
NHTSA has conducted extensive analysis of the data regarding fuel tank integrity for the model year (MY) 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee (JGC). As a result of that work, the agency has decided to upgrade its safety defect investigation to an Engineering Analysis and to expand the scope of vehicles included in the investigation.
HOOD LATCH
There is no summary currently available
Inadvertent rollaway in reverse park
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…
Hood latch failure
Odi opened ea02-029 to determine whether a safety-related defect trend existed in the my 1997 Jeep grand cherokee hood latch assemblies.during ea02-029, there was no specific failure mechanism identified that could differentiate the my 1997 vehicles from other vehicles containing this same hood latch assembly or could account for their higher complaint rate.as a result, odi expanded the scope of this investigation…
Roll-away in reverse when parked
Daimlerchrysler has recalled the zj models to incorporate a secondary detent spring into the shifter.even though the wj 6 cyl. Vehicles use the same manual detent lever that as the vehicles in the recall population, odi believes that the wj redesigned shifter, which improves floor shifter functionality and ergonomics, helps to provide feedback to the driver to indicate whether ?park? Has or has not been…
Fuel Storage System Crash Related Fires
In a letter dated October 2, 2009, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned NHTSA to open a defect investigation and recall model year 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees.CAS alleged that the subject vehicles have defective fuel tank storage systems that present a fire hazard in crashes.
What 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners say
Transmission & drivetrain all 280 →
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 176,000.
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 gearshift. I had also reported the issue here on the NHTSA web site in January of 1997. I was taken to the air force hospital emergency room at elemendorf afb alaska and I believe submitted that information at that time. So this recent problem with an actor being killed by his Jeep is not a new issue. There was something wrong with the drive train as far back as 1996. When I was ran over my Jeep was in park running in my garage. It drug me backward into the driveway where I slipped on the ice fell under the car and my left lower leg was ran over by the front tire. …
Fuel & propulsion system all 134 →
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. There was no warning light illuminated. Several independent mechanics replaced the fuel filter and the fuel pump and installed an unknown computer software on the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 196,000.
Brakes all 118 →
The vehicle jumped out of gear, striking another vehicle and a mail box . After receiving a recall for the existing condition. The manufacturer inspected the vehicle and stated that the brake line was worn. Recall# 02V053000.
At any speed or teraine, my vehicle will violently shake out of control!!!!!! It happens randomly, and for the past mont I have been checking on what is causing this as well as the best place to have the repairs done. I also have some other issues with this vehicle as well. The last "shaking" incindent happened while driving over an over pass about 45mph, started praying because I thought that I was about to die! So, wanting the repairs done properly I call a 1-800 Jeep Chrysler number to ask for a certified mechanic. While on the phone I had a feeling to ask about recalls. I was informed of only two (minor) issues. Called the dealership, set an appointment to have the recall repairs done and an estimate of the other issues. I did not end up with both recalls done (they did not feel the converter needed replaced)!!! I declined the price of thier estimate not the repairs! …
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 20 / 16 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 5.2L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 17 / 14 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee a good car?
Based on 893 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1996 Grand Cherokee rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Grand Cherokee at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The transmission & drivetrain — 280 complaints, 31% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission › park/neutral start interlock switch. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (134) and brakes (118).
How many recalls does the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
There are 6 recalls for the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the most recent from June 19, 2013 (structure). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2016, 2020 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2014, 2012, 2011, 2024 and 2023. See the full Jeep Grand Cherokee years comparison.
At what mileage do 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 134,000 miles; 6% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.