Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While having the vehicle serviced by an independent mechanic, the technician notified the contact that the frame was exhibiting rust. The independent mechanic confirmed that there was rust on the frame and stated that it needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 174,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle shook uncontrollably. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 450,000. Updated 12/01/16
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Consumer writes in regards to replacement parts not available to complete rear structure reinforcement recall notice. Recall # 13V252000. Ma 09/22 updated 01/04/16.
My issues relates to existing recall # n45/ NHTSA 13v-252. The recall indicates that vehicles without a hitch will have a hitch installed by the dealer or if a hitch was installed after the vehicle was sold then Chrysler will provide reimbursement for the cost. My question is...what about the original owners that purchased the vehicle with the hitch as original equipment? Why are they (we) excluded from any reimbursement? Why were we not considered in the recall evaluation? I have contacted Chrysler and have been given the typical corporate runaround blaming their inability to offer reimbursement on the NHTSA recall notice. Looks like the balls in your court.
Jeep Cherokee. Consumer writes in regards to several major repairs and vehicle fire damage. The consumer stated the vehicle was a major problem, from the day he first purchased it. The engine and other components were replaced. Eventually, the vehicle caught on fire. The consumer stated after the fire, he left the vehicle in a safe place. However, when he returned, the vehicle was gone, and he hasn't seen it since. The consumer referenced recall # 13V252000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the rear hatch door failed to open and close properly after the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 13V252000 (fuel system, gasoline , structure). The contact mentioned that the rear hatch door was not aligned properly with the door lock. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 193,871.
Paint is fading and has started peeling, also chips very easily. Exhaust manifold is also cracked. The paint problem has been steadily getting worse since I first noticed it approx. (2) years ago. The vehicle was still loud after the muffler was changed, dealer diagnosed a cracked exhaust muffler. I contacted Chrysler who would not stand behind the factory problems. They stated the vehicle was to old and had to many miles on it.
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Consumer seeks reimbursement for trailer hitch installation recall notice. Consumer has another vehicle complaint in artemis. Chrysler claimed the consumer was not entitled to reimbursement, because a mopar hitch was not installed on the vehicle. But instead, the consumer had u-haul install a heavy duty hitch after being informed by chrsyler he would be reimbursed.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 13V252000 (fuel system, gasoline, structure); however, the part needed to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 13V252000 (fuel system, gasoline, structure); however, the part needed to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Related recalls
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…
NHTSA investigations
HOOD LATCH
There is no summary currently available
Body complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 85 complaints about the body & structure of the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 10% of the model year's 893 complaints. The component named most often is body › door (38 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee body problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-252 (structure, Jun 19, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 174,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury to body & structure 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.