Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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).
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! …
Tl contact owns a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving 65 to 70 MPH, the vehicle began shaking on the front end with extreme force. The brakes were warped and caused the failure. Driving over a bump in the road caused the shaking to be more excessive. A mechanic replaced the front brakes and the failure recurred at 120,000. A Firestone mechanic replaced the brakes on two occasions and they failed again at 150,000. The manufacturer stated the vehicle was not included in recalls 00V136000 or 06e022000. The purchase date is unavailable. The current mileage was 150,000 and the failure mileage was 90,000.
Dt consumer stated while driving there was a loud noise, then 2 bolts broke from the steering column, this caused loss of steering. The vehicle was towed, the mechanic stated there was also another bolt located on the inside of the steering column that broke as well. Two Jeep dealers said they had never heard of this happening before. Both cv boots are broken and the brakes had to be repaired.
The vehicle's front rotors were starting to pit and corrode. The dealer has been contacted. There is a recall for the same problem. Recall # 00 v 136 000. Both dealer and manufacturer refused to honor recall repair on consumer's vehicle. They're claiming that the recall doesn't apply to the vehicle because was not in ohio when recall was issued.
I have a 96 Grand Cherokee ltd 4x4 with 115K miles. Since it turned 65K miles I have replaced the brake pads and drums 3 times. I have water leaks in the seat belt wells, the passenger side window, and the belts are wet when it rains. Today, water is pooling in the floor of the driver's side. Water pours from just above the accelerator. Must be from A/C?the rear door hatch has jammed in lock position. The electronic mileage/ fuel readout (on ceiling module) fluctuates wildly and is inaccurate. The catalytic converter went out at 64,975 miles. Now have a crack in the exhaust manifold, quoted $1200 by dealer to repair. I have gone through stock 3 radios, tuner problems. Massive A/C problems in past. I paid a non dealer to repair it, the repairs held for 30 days and same problem started again. …
The inspection recall on my 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee did nothing to fix the problem with PCM and catalytic converter specified in the defective issue within the recalls issued. This harms the driver, pedestrians, other passengers and motorists. The tech where I went to have recall work performed ordered parts (see attachment), but nothing was installed on my vehicle. Only "inspected." the tech was told of detailed poor performance and symptoms of a bad PCM. Such as shifting, stalling, fuel economy & hard to start. The Jeep is not operating optimally & this could mean there are. Other problems between different systems. All of these are indications of a faulty PCM. As well as the ABS light being on the dashboard. The PCM is a "critical" system & needs to be replaced. …
I sent a detailed letter to daimler Chrysler after being refused by dealer. They only refunded my money for the cost of the front rotors. They would not reimburse me for the labor charges. I can't understand how they can do that when I had them replaced before the recall. That should show there is a problem. I wrote about all my problems with this "lemon" but I could not claim it was a lemon because I was leasing it at the time and in pa, a vehicle can only be declared a "lemon" when it is purchased, not leased. Very dissatisfied with daimler/Chrysler because they simply washed their hands of the entire problem. I have other problems to report, along with the receipts to prove they were investigated but nothing was ever done to correct the problems. Please contact me to forward all receipts proving complaints before warranty expired. Thank you
This vehicle has cost us over $3,000 in the first 1 year and half we have owned it. I have never owned a vehicle with this little of mileage and had everything go up. We feel this auto is a total lemon and people should be made aware of the problems of this particular vehicle. We have never towed anything nor had it on anything other surface other than a paved road. I'm not sure what if anything you can do for us, but letting the NHTSA know about this vehicle is some reassurance. What really upsets me is that we bought this vehicle from a supposed reputable dealer. Thank you for your time. I'd appreciate any information you can provide me on this particular vehicle as far as any other owner complaints etc. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. No safety defect listed within summary.
Prior to recall notification #879 consumer was having problems with the vehicle pulling to the left or the vehicle would shake when applying the brakes, rotors and pads were replaced, mechanic took vehicle for test drive and after drivng for a few miles and returned the rotors were burned out and so dealership replaced rotors again each time consumer would go in with same problem rotors would be warped, consumer was advised when rotors were be changed that the wheel hub was damaged and that he would be responsible since it looked like the damaged was caused by him, consumer was denied reimbursement from manufacturer stating that his situation did not fit the criteria under the recall, because the information that was submitted did not show a separation of the rotor from the hub, or corrosion.
Related recalls
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.
Brake complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 118 complaints about the brakes of the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 13% of the model year's 893 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (62 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V-136 (rotor, May 10, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 112,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 7 injuries to brakes 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.