Jeep Grand Cherokee / 1996
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems
Owners have filed 1,250 complaints about the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 24.6% of them — the clear leader, ahead of service brakes, hydraulic at 10.2%.
Complaints1,250
Crashes156
Fires26
Injuries119
Deaths8
What owners report breaking
Power train 24.6% · 307
Service brakes, hydraulic 10.2% · 128
Fuel system, gasoline 9.4% · 118
Engine and engine cooling 7.4% · 93
Structure 7.1% · 89
Steering 5.6% · 70
Electrical system 5.3% · 66
Suspension 4.4% · 55
Severity
Of those complaints, 156 describe a crash, 26 describe a fire, 119 report an injury and 8 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 33 model years of the Jeep Grand Cherokee in this data, 1996 sits 14th by complaint volume. 2014 draws the most.
Filing volume has held steady, 6 in the last three years against 7 in the three before.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 138,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The vehicle jumped out of park into gear and pinned myself and our 4 yr. Old daughter between two vehicles. When my husband called and spoke with a Jeep engineer, they denied any other incidents of this nature happening. I can obatin police reports and hospital bills to confirm the accident. Also the person who had to back the vehicle to unpin us states the vehicle was in park!! This is a life safety issue. Power train
The consumer was backing boat on trailer down boat ramp, the consumer let the boat float off the vehicle, so that the trailer was out of the water, the vehicle was placed in park and the consumer exited the vehicle, suddenly the vehicle jumped into reverse knocking the consumer down and drug him into the water, the consumer sustained a bruised right ankle and was covered w/ road rash from neck to heels. Nlm Power train
Transfer case failed, bearings, chain, seals, and lubrication were replaced, eight months later seals failed causing transfer case to be replaced again, dealer stated mopar had no warranty so consumer would have to pay in full for repairs, consumer was told at time of first replacement that work would be guaranteed for twelve months. *Slc consumer is requesting a refund for repair expenses. *Slc Power train
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…