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 Grand Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 13V252000: (fuel system, gasoline, structure). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was returned in worse condition than it was given. The contact was unable to put the old hitch back on and the dealer refused to do the repair. The dealer stated that the structure was too rusty, but the contact disagreed. The failure mileage was 246,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while in park, the rear of the vehicle caught fire. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The contact was unsure if a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V252000 (fuel system, gasoline, structure). The failure mileage was unknown.
Car usually runs fine cold but when it gets to operating temperature it stalls unexpectedly and in dangerous moments while driving on any road or freeway at any speed. I lose all powered functions like steering and brakes. It won't start again for hours until it has cooled all the way down.
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.
Just over a year ago, my 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee laredo encountered a defective fuel pump. As I was in the process of procuring a replacement pump, a friend told me to check for recalls/TSB's on it as he had experienced many fuel pump problems with these. There were, I believe two TSB's involving my vehicle so I called Chrysler. They told me to take the vehicle to the dealership to determine if the problem was the pump. I told her I had already done that. She told me that they had to determine it and if it was the pump, Chrysler would cover the repair. I had it towed to Chrysler ($65) and they indeed found it was a defective fuel pump and replaced it and I was charged over $600 for the repair. After the fact, Chrysler declined to pay for what they promised. …
Engine shudders and stalls while I'm driving down the road. This has happened several times. Have to try to pull over out of traffic. It usually starts back after a few minutes of turning engine over. It May run a few miles and then same thing happens again. I have had several close calls with getting hit from behind. Also, steering shuts down. Hard to maneuver out of traffic. Have had it checked with diagnostics. Nothing shows up. Has fuel filter changed anyway, did not help. Had battery, alternator checked, show good. I was astonished to find so much info online that proves this is a very widespread problem that is obviously a manufacturing defect. I am surprised many people have not been harmed by this. …
The fuel tank has two structural straps to ensure the tank is safely attached to the frame. Assuming both straps are fabricated to the same specifications both should be in, more or less, the same condition as they are located next to each and experience the same level of wear and tear. My vehicle has one strap that is in fine condition. The second strap has rusted through and no longer provides the designed support for the fuel tank. Chrysler's position is this is due to wear and tear and refused to acknowledge the disparity between the condition of each strap. Chrysler has had issues with these straps. I believe it can be reasonably assumed that Chrysler is culpable and should replace the deteriorated strap at their cost given the risk associated with the condition. I respectfully request that the safety board present my case to Chrysler to make me whole.
Started out to go to work @ 6 am traveled with no issues to the kids sitter's house and then continued on to work on double lane highway speed limit 60 MPH. The Jeep started sputter, jerk and eventually died, didn't realize it had died so pulled off to side of road, turn the Jeep back on it kept sputtering, jerking and died again. Finally, it backfired 3 to 4 times and stayed started. Check engine light came on went and had the code read it stated it was the ignition coil and catalyst system. So we changed the ignition coil and catalytic converter, along with the muffler do to the fact the backfiring blew a hole plum through the muffler. Still same problems. Have had several near miss of crashes, and bodily injury. Now it doesn't want to start and you sit on the side of the road like I did for 2 hours before it wanted to start up.
NHTSA investigations
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.
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 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.
Fuel System complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 134 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 15% of the model year's 893 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (49 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 1996 Jeep Grand 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 Grand Cherokee fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 143,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 5 fires and 1 injury and 2 deaths 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.