Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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 equipped with dayton quadra et2 tires, size: p225/70r15. While the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, the front passenger side tire blew out, causing the inside belt and thread to separate. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dot number and tire failure mileage were unknown. The vehicle failure mileage was 205,000.
Family ownership since new. Recently started experiencing the "death wobble." Jeep traveling on a high speed (above 60) road starts to shake uncontrollably and is difficult/impossible to steer or maneuver. Jeep feels like it is going to fall apart. Happens without warning. Have to stop or significantly slow down before shaking stops. This is the third time in the past six months.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee equipped with Goodyear wrangler tires, size: p235/75r15. While the vehicle was being serviced, the technician stated that the tire could not be rotated because of cracks in all four tires. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate tire and vehicle failure mileage was 19,000. The dot number was not available.
A new Goodyear wrangler rt/s tire (not at/s as shown on your pulldown menu), disintegrated while traveling on I-81 in virginia at approximate 65 MPH. The tire was one of two wrangler rt/s tires installed on the front of the vehicle earlier in the week at chandler's auto repair in herndon, va. The driver maintained control and pulled the vehicle (1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee) safely to the side of the road. I checked the inflation before we departed on our trip and it was 34 lbs. The occupants in the vehicle reported seeing no objects on the road, potholes or other road hazards--just a sudden pop and then pieces of black material flying by the vehicle. I do not have the remnants of the tire, which was replaced at the wal-mart in staunton, va, but I do have photographs taken at the site. The failure occurred immediately north of exit 225 (southbound) on I-81. …
On nov.2007 I purchased 4 Bridgestone dueler h/t 684ii , p245/70/r16 tires for my Jeep Cherokee limited. The car had 67,000 miles on it. In sept 2010 I took the car into sts for the 4th time for a balance and wheel alignment, as the car always pulled to the left since I put the tires on. The car now has 97,000 miles on it and the treads are worn on the side of the tires not the middle or inside side. Sts is now saying I need new tires. Why did they only wear on the outer side of the tire and not in the middle or other side. For the money I paid, these tires are a piece of junk. I have had bf goodrich and had tires much longer than these.
Experienced death wobble on freeway at 45-55 and to regain control have t0 apply brakes and almost come to a dead stop. Six months after, the steering housing cracked found two out of the three bolts had snaped the bolt closest to the firewall had the broken casting still tourqe to the frame. I lost the steering on a turn in a 15 MPH zone
Consumer was traveling about 50mph on highway and noticed that vehicle was vibrating. She heard a noise, and lost control of vehicle and went into another lane of traffic. When she came to a stop, front right passenger's tires blewout. Goodyear, wrangler gsa, p24570r15.
Hankook optimo h724 p225/75 /r15 102 slww tires - set of 4 tires purchased new on 5/25/2018. Kept up with regular tire rotations and air pressure checks. First replacement (side wall defect) 10/21/2019. Flat repair 2/24/2020 second tire replacement (side wall defect) 8/10/2020. This is highly suspect and determinable that these tires are dangerous and defective. Hanook has denied remedy even with citing the $1.2 million jury verdict + discovery sanctions I cited to during my conversation with the claims division on 8/10, 9/1 abd 9/2/2020. Additionally, 70,000 mile tread warranty. Seller has determined the wear rate is 46,868 miles. Seller's comment: "these tires do not last long" hankook tires USA claims department admits to unusual wear but insists its tires are "within NHTSA standards". See hankook v. Philpot, 2018 ark. App. …
Was driving on i35w heading south in tarrent county texas. Was doing posted speed of 70m/hr and had the tread come off of the back right tire. Vehicle was in 2 wheel drive at this time. Lost control for a breif instant. Got stoped safely, and put on spare tire. Went to dealer to have vehicle checked 2 days later when open. Found alinment was now off. Had allinment fixed. Went to Firestone dealer in denton, tx and requested help. Offered to replace tire with a new one. Answer was not acceptable, because replacing one tire would give poor handiling characteristics. Tried e-mailing Firestone, got a reply about the recal of the tires that did not afect me. Tried calling Firestone, said they could not help. I do not feal safe driving my vehicle with firestones on it any longer and am wishing to try to get a different brand of tires to replace them. …
Spare tire is a 15 inch tire, when normal used tires are 16inch, it states in owners manual that a smaller tire should not be used. Dealership continues to provide consumer with a 15 inch tire. Recall 98V006 was received by consumer who took vehicle to dealer for repairs, dealer stated recall work was complete, however in the fall of 2000, consumer was attempting to use spare and noticed that it was still a 15 inch tire, consumer contacted another dealer who again installed the wrong 15 inch recall kit, now Chrysler has decided instead to certify the 15 inch spare for the Cherokee sport two wheel drive as a safe spare for this vehicle, consumer believes this is still unsafe and even the owner's manual states that if all tires are not of the same size and type, unpredictable handling May result.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 5% of the model year's 893 complaints. The component named most often is temporary/emergency spare tire (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 139,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 5 injuries to wheels & tires 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.