1996 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE — Owner-Reported Problems

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-08-22 870 complaints · 12 recalls
Most-reported system: POWER TRAIN (247 complaints · 28.4%)
Safety signals:
  • Crashes 134
  • Fires 23
  • Injuries 96
  • Deaths 6
Compare with 1995 →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-22 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Component Problem Distribution

Share of owner complaints filed for each vehicle system (unaffected by sales volume)

Component Problem Distribution POWER TRAIN appears in 247 of 870 owner complaints (28.4%) in this vehicle snapshot. POWER TRAIN: 247 complaints, 28.4% of reports POWER TRAIN 247 · 28.4% · 78 crash reports 3 fire reports FUEL SYSTEM: 98 complaints, 11.3% of reports FUEL SYSTEM 98 · 11.3% · 3 crash reports 4 fire reports SERVICE BRAKES: 93 complaints, 10.7% of reports SERVICE BRAKES 93 · 10.7% · 2 crash reports ENGINE: 77 complaints, 8.9% of reports ENGINE 77 · 8.9% · 2 crash reports 7 fire reports STRUCTURE: 66 complaints, 7.6% of reports STRUCTURE 66 · 7.6% · 1 fire reports STEERING: 47 complaints, 5.4% of reports STEERING 47 · 5.4% · 1 crash reports ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: 39 complaints, 4.5% of reports ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 39 · 4.5% · 6 fire reports SUSPENSION: 31 complaints, 3.6% of reports SUSPENSION 31 · 3.6% · 4 crash reports AIR BAGS: 29 complaints, 3.3% of reports AIR BAGS 29 · 3.3% · 25 crash reports UNKNOWN OR OTHER: 677 complaints, 77.8% of reports UNKNOWN OR OTHER 677 · 77.8% · 112 crash reports 16 fire reports 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER is an NHTSA classification artifact and is always listed last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
POWER TRAIN 247 28.4% 78 crashes · 3 fires
FUEL SYSTEM 98 11.3% 3 crashes · 4 fires
SERVICE BRAKES 93 10.7% 2 crashes · 0 fires
ENGINE 77 8.9% 2 crashes · 7 fires
STRUCTURE 66 7.6% 0 crashes · 1 fires
STEERING 47 5.4% 1 crashes · 0 fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 39 4.5% 0 crashes · 6 fires
SUSPENSION 31 3.6% 4 crashes · 0 fires
AIR BAGS 29 3.3% 25 crashes · 0 fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 677 77.8% 112 crashes · 16 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-08-23 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Problem & Recall Timeline

Observed complaint volume and manufacturer recall actions over time

Problem & Recall Timeline Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Oct 1995; the first recall shown was reported in Oct 1995. 1995-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 1996-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 1996-Q2: 6 owner reports 6 1996-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 1996-Q4: 12 owner reports 12 1997-Q1: 14 owner reports 14 1997-Q2: 23 owner reports 23 1997-Q3: 24 owner reports 24 1997-Q4: 18 owner reports 18 1998-Q1: 13 owner reports 13 1998-Q2: 13 owner reports 13 1998-Q3: 17 owner reports 17 1998-Q4: 9 owner reports 9 1999-Q1: 17 owner reports 17 1999-Q2: 7 owner reports 7 1999-Q3: 17 owner reports 17 1999-Q4: 19 owner reports 19 2000-Q1: 19 owner reports 19 2000-Q2: 17 owner reports 17 2000-Q3: 43 owner reports 43 2000-Q4: 23 owner reports 23 2001-Q1: 26 owner reports 26 2001-Q2: 23 owner reports 23 2001-Q3: 169 owner reports 169 2001-Q4: 26 owner reports 26 2002-Q1: 29 owner reports 29 2002-Q2: 22 owner reports 22 2002-Q3: 12 owner reports 12 2002-Q4: 16 owner reports 16 2003-Q1: 11 owner reports 11 2003-Q2: 9 owner reports 9 2003-Q3: 7 owner reports 7 2003-Q4: 11 owner reports 11 2004-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2004-Q2: 4 owner reports 4 2004-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2004-Q4: 11 owner reports 11 2005-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2005-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2005-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2005-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2006-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2006-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2007-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2007-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2007-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2007-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2008-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2008-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2008-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2008-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2009-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2009-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2009-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2009-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2010-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2010-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2010-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2010-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2011-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2011-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2012-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2012-Q2: 4 owner reports 4 2012-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2012-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2013-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2013-Q2: 4 owner reports 4 2013-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2014-Q1: 11 owner reports 11 2014-Q2: 15 owner reports 15 2014-Q3: 15 owner reports 15 2014-Q4: 11 owner reports 11 2015-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2015-Q2: 6 owner reports 6 2015-Q3: 8 owner reports 8 2015-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2016-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2016-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2016-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2017-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2017-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2018-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2019-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2020-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2021-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2023-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2024-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Oct 1995 Jan 2024 Recall campaign 95V193000 ◆ Recall campaign 95V193000 Recall campaign 97V039000 ◆ Recall campaign 97V039000 Recall campaign 98V006000 ◆ Recall campaign 98V006000 Recall campaign 00V136000 ◆ Recall campaign 00V136000 Recall campaign 02V053000 ◆ Recall campaign 02V053000 Recall campaign 03E001000 ◆ Recall campaign 03E001000 Recall campaign 06E022000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E022000 Recall campaign 06E026000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E026000 Recall campaign 07E104000 ◆ Recall campaign 07E104000 Recall campaign 09E012000 ◆ Recall campaign 09E012000 Recall campaign 09E025000 ◆ Recall campaign 09E025000 Recall campaign 13V252000 ◆ Recall campaign 13V252000 Investigation PE96008 ● Investigation PE96008 Investigation PE01021 ● Investigation PE01021 Investigation EA01017 ● Investigation EA01017 Investigation PE02045 ● Investigation PE02045 Investigation EA02029 ● Investigation EA02029 Investigation DP09005 ● Investigation DP09005 Investigation PE10031 ● Investigation PE10031 Investigation EA12005 ● Investigation EA12005
  • Campaign 97V039000 was reported 461 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 98V006000 was reported 643 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 00V136000 was reported 1,657 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 02V053000 was reported 2,103 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 03E001000 was reported 1,960 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 07E104000 was reported 3,697 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 09E025000 was reported 4,403 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 13V252000 was reported 5,775 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
1995-Q4 Owner reports 4
1996-Q1 Owner reports 3
1996-Q2 Owner reports 6
1996-Q3 Owner reports 4
1996-Q4 Owner reports 12
1997-Q1 Owner reports 14
1997-Q2 Owner reports 23
1997-Q3 Owner reports 24
1997-Q4 Owner reports 18
1998-Q1 Owner reports 13
1998-Q2 Owner reports 13
1998-Q3 Owner reports 17
1998-Q4 Owner reports 9
1999-Q1 Owner reports 17
1999-Q2 Owner reports 7
1999-Q3 Owner reports 17
1999-Q4 Owner reports 19
2000-Q1 Owner reports 19
2000-Q2 Owner reports 17
2000-Q3 Owner reports 43
2000-Q4 Owner reports 23
2001-Q1 Owner reports 26
2001-Q2 Owner reports 23
2001-Q3 Owner reports 169
2001-Q4 Owner reports 26
2002-Q1 Owner reports 29
2002-Q2 Owner reports 22
2002-Q3 Owner reports 12
2002-Q4 Owner reports 16
2003-Q1 Owner reports 11
2003-Q2 Owner reports 9
2003-Q3 Owner reports 7
2003-Q4 Owner reports 11
2004-Q1 Owner reports 5
2004-Q2 Owner reports 4
2004-Q3 Owner reports 4
2004-Q4 Owner reports 11
2005-Q1 Owner reports 2
2005-Q2 Owner reports 3
2005-Q3 Owner reports 3
2005-Q4 Owner reports 2
2006-Q2 Owner reports 2
2006-Q4 Owner reports 2
2007-Q1 Owner reports 1
2007-Q2 Owner reports 1
2007-Q3 Owner reports 3
2007-Q4 Owner reports 2
2008-Q1 Owner reports 1
2008-Q2 Owner reports 3
2008-Q3 Owner reports 1
2008-Q4 Owner reports 2
2009-Q1 Owner reports 2
2009-Q2 Owner reports 1
2009-Q3 Owner reports 1
2009-Q4 Owner reports 2
2010-Q1 Owner reports 1
2010-Q2 Owner reports 3
2010-Q3 Owner reports 4
2010-Q4 Owner reports 2
2011-Q1 Owner reports 1
2011-Q4 Owner reports 1
2012-Q1 Owner reports 4
2012-Q2 Owner reports 4
2012-Q3 Owner reports 1
2012-Q4 Owner reports 3
2013-Q1 Owner reports 5
2013-Q2 Owner reports 4
2013-Q3 Owner reports 4
2014-Q1 Owner reports 11
2014-Q2 Owner reports 15
2014-Q3 Owner reports 15
2014-Q4 Owner reports 11
2015-Q1 Owner reports 5
2015-Q2 Owner reports 6
2015-Q3 Owner reports 8
2015-Q4 Owner reports 3
2016-Q1 Owner reports 2
2016-Q2 Owner reports 3
2016-Q3 Owner reports 3
2017-Q2 Owner reports 2
2017-Q3 Owner reports 1
2018-Q2 Owner reports 2
2019-Q3 Owner reports 1
2020-Q3 Owner reports 1
2021-Q1 Owner reports 1
2023-Q2 Owner reports 1
2024-Q1 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 95V193000
Recall campaign 1 97V039000
Recall campaign 1 98V006000
Recall campaign 1 00V136000
Recall campaign 1 02V053000
Recall campaign 1 03E001000
Recall campaign 1 06E022000
Recall campaign 1 06E026000
Recall campaign 1 07E104000
Recall campaign 1 09E012000
Recall campaign 1 09E025000
Recall campaign 1 13V252000
Defect investigation 1 PE96008
Defect investigation 1 PE01021
Defect investigation 1 EA01017
Defect investigation 1 PE02045
Defect investigation 1 EA02029
Defect investigation 1 DP09005
Defect investigation 1 PE10031
Defect investigation 1 EA12005
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-08-22 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Safety Recalls (12)

Official safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA

  1. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 00V136000

    Report date
    Component:
    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
    Consequence:
    THE REDUCED STRENGTH CAN ALLOW THE CAST IRON WEAR SURFACE TO SEPARATE FROM THE HUB, REDUCING THE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VEHICLE.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE ROTORS WITH ROTORS THAT ARE COATED WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 02V053000

    Report date
    Component:
    POWER TRAIN
    Consequence:
    INADVERTENT MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SECONDARY DETENT SYSTEM TO THE FLOOR SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. DAIMLERCHRYSLER SENT INTERIM NOTICES TO OWNERS CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM ON MARCH 22, 2002. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 23, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 03E001000

    Report date
    Component:
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
    Consequence:
    THE PRESSURE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM MAY EXCEED THE LIMITS OF THE FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS, POSSIBLY CREATING A FUEL LEAK AND RISK OF FIRE.
    Remedy:
    IF YOU PURCHASED AN AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT FUEL PUMP FOR YOUR MY 1995 OR 1996 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AFTER JULY 15, 2002, AND ARE NOT SURE WHETHER THE FUEL PUMP IS ONE OF THOSES INVOLVED IN THIS RECALL, YOU SHOULD CONTACT FEDERAL MOGAL AT 1-800-560-1400 TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE YOUR VEHICLE INSPECTED AND REPAIRED IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 06E022000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy:
    AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 06E026000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
    Remedy:
    PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  6. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 07E104000

    Report date
    Component:
    VISIBILITY
    Consequence:
    IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.
    Remedy:
    SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  7. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 09E012000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy:
    SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  8. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 09E025000

    Report date
    Component:
    EXTERIOR LIGHTING
    Consequence:
    DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy:
    DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  9. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 13V252000

    Report date
    Component:
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
    Consequence:
    A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
    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 tow hitch free of charge, provided the condition of the vehicle can support proper installation. On vehicles in the recall that are equipped with an aftermarket tow hitch, Chrysler will assess whether the hitch and surrounding areas show evidence of sharp edges or other puncture risks. If so, Chrysler will replace the tow hitch with a Chrysler designed tow hitch free of charge, provided the condition of the vehicle can support proper installation. On vehicles already equipped with a Chrysler designed tow hitch, Chrysler will inspect the area around the tow hitch installation, and if any installation issues are identified, they will be repaired free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign numbers are N45 (for the Grand Cherokee vehicles) and N46 (for the Liberty vehicles).
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  10. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 95V193000

    Report date
    Component:
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
    Consequence:
    IMPROPER CLAMPING CAN RESULT IN ARCING AT THE CONNECTION POTENTIALLY CAUSING A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR FUSE WITH A FUSE LINK AND ANY DAMAGE TO THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER WILL BE REPAIRED.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  11. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 97V039000

    Report date
    Component:
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
    Consequence:
    THE LOCALIZED HEATING CAN RESULT IN IGNITION OF THE SEAT CUSHION MATERIAL AND A VEHICLE FIRE.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE MEMORY SEAT CONTROL MODULE AND WIRING HARNESS AND A PROTECTIVE SHIELD WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE SEAT FRAME.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  12. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 98V006000

    Report date
    Component:
    SUSPENSION
    Consequence:
    AN OVERHEATED AXLE CAN FORCE AXLE FLUID OUT OF THE SEALS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE FIRE.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TEMPORARY SPARE TIRE WITH A FULL SIZED TIRE AND WHEEL.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-22 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Complaint Narrative Explorer

Verbatim owner-reported defect narratives from NHTSA public records

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-08-22
Safety incident filters
Showing 0 of 870 complaints · page 1 of 35

No complaints match the current filters.
EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-22 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Data sourced from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Snapshot date: 2026-08-22.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources