1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 1249 complaints
1249
Total Complaints
139,000mi
Median Mileage
Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
Top Issue
156
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
95,000
25th Percentile
139,000
Median Mileage
174,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
160
Rotor
62
Automatic Transmission
53
Fuel Pump
49
Door
38
Electrical System
38
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
31
Fuel System, Gasoline
30
Tank Assembly
30
Vehicle Speed Control
28
Severity Assessment
156
Crashes
25
Fires
119
Injuries
8
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"WITHIN FIRST MONTH OF OWNERSHIP BRAKE PEDAL GOES COMPLETELY TO FLOOR. THIS HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES. CAUSE MASTER CYLINDER FAILING. TT"
"THE VEHICLE DOES NOT STEER AND IT WANDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT"
"W/REAR LOCK DIFFERENTIAL AND LOADED W/OTHER ACCESSORIES; UPON APPLYING BRAKES, VEHICLE WILL PULL IN EITHER DIRECTION. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT"
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Rotor
62 complaints
Median: 100,000 mi
Automatic Transmission
53 complaints
Median: 80,000 mi
Fuel Pump
49 complaints
25th: 65,942 mi
Median: 66,971 mi
75th: 73,962 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
CA: 188
NY: 86
FL: 82
NC: 62
PA: 62
VA: 56
IL: 50
NJ: 50
TX: 45
MI: 43
Who Files Complaints?
35.2%
Original Owners
64.8%
Second+ Owners
Jeep Grand Cherokee — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 784 | 68 |
| 1994 | 775 | 142 |
| 1995 | 983 | 146 |
| 1997 | 1432 | 143 |
| 1998 | 1349 | 194 |
| 1999 | 2319 | 157 |
| 2000 | 1855 | 132 |
| 2001 | 1128 | 95 |
| 2002 | 1770 | 98 |
| 2003 | 887 | 60 |
| 2004 | 1570 | 149 |
| 2005 | 2732 | 137 |
| 2006 | 1750 | 79 |
| 2007 | 1475 | 47 |
| 2008 | 990 | 35 |
| 2009 | 195 | 9 |
| 2010 | 171 | 18 |
| 2011 | 2421 | 90 |
| 2012 | 2308 | 72 |
| 2013 | 1102 | 41 |
| 2014 | 3365 | 224 |
| 2015 | 1725 | 179 |
| 2016 | 434 | 45 |
| 2017 | 552 | 38 |
| 2018 | 1160 | 75 |
| 2019 | 516 | 25 |
| 2020 | 329 | 39 |
| 2021 | 643 | 34 |
| 2022 | 415 | 12 |
| 2023 | 617 | 26 |
| 2024 | 355 | 9 |
| 2025 | 87 | 3 |
Active Recalls (12)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Tank Assembly
Campaign 13V252000 | 19/06/2013
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
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 pro
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 09E012000 | 07/04/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Headlights
Campaign 09E025000 | 11/05/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 06E026000 | 23/03/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Campaign 06E022000 | 13/03/2006
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.
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.
Glass, Side/Rear
Campaign 07E104000 | 11/12/2007
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.
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
Rotor
Campaign 00V136000 | 10/05/2000
THE REDUCED STRENGTH CAN ALLOW THE CAST IRON WEAR SURFACE TO SEPARATE FROM THE HUB, REDUCING THE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VEHICLE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE ROTORS WITH ROTORS THAT ARE COATED WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION.
Fuel Pump
Campaign 03E001000 | 08/01/2003
THE PRESSURE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM MAY EXCEED THE LIMITS OF THE FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS, POSSIBLY CREATING A FUEL LEAK AND RISK OF FIRE.
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 INSPE
Floor Shift
Campaign 02V053000 | 15/02/2002
INADVERTENT MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
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 D
Front
Campaign 98V006000 | 12/01/1998
AN OVERHEATED AXLE CAN FORCE AXLE FLUID OUT OF THE SEALS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE FIRE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TEMPORARY SPARE TIRE WITH A FULL SIZED TIRE AND WHEEL.
Wiring
Campaign 97V039000 | 17/03/1997
THE LOCALIZED HEATING CAN RESULT IN IGNITION OF THE SEAT CUSHION MATERIAL AND A VEHICLE FIRE.
DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE MEMORY SEAT CONTROL MODULE AND WIRING HARNESS AND A PROTECTIVE SHIELD WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE SEAT FRAME.
Fuses And Circuit Breakers
Campaign 95V193000 | 11/10/1995
IMPROPER CLAMPING CAN RESULT IN ARCING AT THE CONNECTION POTENTIALLY CAUSING A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR FUSE WITH A FUSE LINK AND ANY DAMAGE TO THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER WILL BE REPAIRED.
Extend Your Transmission Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Change transmission fluid at manufacturer intervals — not 'lifetime' fluid
- Come to a full stop before shifting from reverse to drive
- Don't ride the brakes on hills — use a lower gear
- Check transmission fluid level and color monthly — dark fluid needs changing
- Address slipping, hard shifts, or delayed engagement immediately
Compare Jeep Grand Cherokee
Vehicle Rankings
Looking for a replacement?
Based on the data above, here are relevant options.
Affiliate link
Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28