1996 Jeep Cherokee Engine Problems

The contact owns a 1996 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle was running rough and then stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to the residence. The contact had a mobile mechanic diagnose the vehicle, and it was determined that there was a failure of the manifold. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was not running properly and called another mobile mechanic. The second mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that an aftermarket distributor and aftermarket computer had both failed. The contact stated that the distributor and computer were installed previously by another independent mechanic. The contact had purchased the aftermarket parts, Cardone Distributor Part Number 84-4694, and Cardone Computer Part Number: 79-1199 Model Number: 04886961, online. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and declined to stand behind the aftermarket computer and distributor parts. The failure mileage was approximately 223,000.

NHTSA ID

11626385

Incident

Oct 18, 2024

Mileage

223,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT APROX. 40-45 MPH, THE JEEP WOULD START TO SHUDDER. EVENTUALLY IT WOULD SHUT OFF. THE JEEP WOULD THEN CRANK BUT NOT START. I HAD THIS PROBLEM HAPPEN FOR ABOUT FOUR TIMES. THREE OF THE TIMES THE JEEP WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. TWICE THE PCM UNIT WAS REPLACED AND TWICE THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE LAST REPAIR WAS 1 MONTH AND A HALF AGO. TWO DAYS AGO, THE JEEP STALLED AGAIN DOWN THE ROAD. I WAS TRAVELING WITH MY WIFE AND CHILDREN. WE ALMOST LOST OUR LIVES. A 16 WHEELER ALMOST COLLIDED WITH US DUE THAT I COULD BARELY MANIPULATE THE JEEP BECAUSE IT TURNED OFF ON ME. I TRIED TO DO SOME VISUAL INSPECTIONS UNDER THE HOOD. I HAD ONE OF MY SONS TO WIGGLE THE PCM (COMPUTER) WHILE I CRANKED THE STARTING SWITCH. AT ONE POINT THE JEEP MANAGED TO START AGAIN. THEN IT STALLED THE MOMENT MY SON STOPPED WIGGLING THE PCM. I HAD ANOTHER TOW TRUCK PICK UP THE JEEP AND SEND IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC. CHRYSLER HAS NOT CORRECTED THIS ISSUE ON THE PCM AND PERHAPS MIGHT NOT DO IT UNTIL ONE DAY SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT. VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE SHOW OTHER JEEP CHEROKEE OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM 1996-2001.

NHTSA ID

10721042

Incident

May 20, 2010

VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING WHEN COMING TO AN ABRUPT STOP OR BEING JARRED BY A BUMP OR POT HOLE. GRADUALLY PROGRESSED TO RANDOMLY STALLING WHEN APPLYING ANY PRESSURE TO BRAKES OR ANY SLIGHT JARRING. ALL POWER IS LOST AT THIS TIME ALONG WITH ANY CONTROL OF STEERING AND ACCELERATING UNTIL VEHICLE IS TURNED ON AGAIN. RECENTLY VEHICLE REPEATEDLY AND INTERMITTENTLY STALLS WITHOUT ANY PATTERN DURING ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT ANY BRAKING OR JARRING. IT THEN CATCHES ON ITS OWN AND REGAINS POWER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10693765

Incident

Jan 16, 2012

Mileage

224,000 mi

ALL OF A SUDEN THIS VERY BAD SHAKING PROBLEM HAS OCCURED AT ABOUT 50 MPH. VERY UNSAFE. MY CETIFIED ASE MECHANIC HAS BEEN TRYING TO FIND THE PROBLEM FOR OVER A WEEK NOW - NO LUCK SO FAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10513044

Incident

May 9, 2013

Mileage

212,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY,AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE. SO I PULLED OVER TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION AND REALIZED I WAS LEAKING OIL PROFUSELY. THEN I REALIZED THE DRIVER SIDE MOTOR MOUNT HAD BROKEN OFF OF THE ENGINE CAUSING A LARGE HOLE IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. I HAVE TAKEN GREAT CARE OF MY VEHICLE, CHANGED THE OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES, AND THEN THIS HAPPENS AT RANDOM. I DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING TO CAUSE THE MOTOR MOUNT TO BREAK, SO WHY WOULD IT BREAK FOR NO REASON? ANYWAYS, THE LEAKING OIL CAUSED A FIRE BENEATH MY VEHICLE, AND INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. BUT I QUICKLY PUT OUT THE FIRE BY A CONTAINER OF WATER I HAD IN MY VEHICLE. I HAD MY 13 YEAR OLD BROTHER WITH ME AND THANK GOD HE OR MYSELF WAS NOT INJURED. BUT IT CAUSED US GREAT FEAR AND STRESS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10487514

Incident

Aug 7, 2012

Mileage

131,862 mi

CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING. STALLS ON FREEWAY OR IN CITY DRIVING. THIS IS AN INFAMOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT ON 96 JEEPS. VERY HAZARDOUS BECAUSE ENGINE CUTS OUT COMPLETELY WHILE IN MOTION. REQUIRES PULLING OVER WITH ENGINE NOT RUNNING TO RESTART ENGINE. JEEP THEN WILL REPEATEDLY DIE AFTER RE-STARTING. SINCE ENGINE DIES WHILE IN MOTION, CARS BEHIND ARE IN REAL DANGER OF COLLIDING WITH MY VEHICLE. THIS ISSUE IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO FIX WITH NORMAL MECHANICAL PROBLEM-SOLVING. ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON. THIS ISSUE IS WELL DOCUMENTED IN ONLINE BLOGS FOR JEEPS WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM WITH STALLING WHILE IN MOTION POSES A GREAT THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY. JEEP/CHRYSLER IS AWARE AND DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10453707

Incident

Feb 6, 2012

Mileage

125,005 mi

1996 JEEP CHEROKEE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING ON THE WESTBOUND SIDE OF THE OHIO TURNPIKE. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0774-91

NHTSA ID

10284350

Incident

Aug 27, 2009

1996 CHEROKEE 4.0 HO 6 CYLINDER EXHAUST HEADER CRACKED AT COUPLER JOINT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10248266

Incident

Oct 30, 2008

Mileage

200,006 mi

1996 CHEROKEE 4.0 HO 6 CYLINDER EXHAUST HEADER CRACKED AT COUPLER JOINT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10247561

Incident

Feb 1, 2007

Mileage

130,000 mi

AT A SLOW ROLL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN GEAR THE ENGINE WILL IDLE DOWN THEN DIE. IT RESTARTS IMMEDIATELY BUT WILL STALL AGAIN UNLESS MORE THROTTLE IS GIVEN. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT MAKING IT HARD TO PINPOINT THE EXACT CAUSE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10225533

Incident

Jun 1, 2007

Mileage

150,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP FOR REPAIR OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER DUE TO BACK PRESSURE AND RATTLING IN THE ENGINE. ON AUGUST 25, 2006 THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR A CATALYTIC CONVERTER PROBLEM. THE RECALL WAS NOT IN THE NHTSA DATABASE. THE CONTACT SENT THE BILLING INFORMATION TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHO DENIED REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE THE WORK WAS DONE AFTER THE RECALL. ON MAY 4, 2006 THE WORK WAS COMPLETED BEFORE THE RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED. UPDATED 01/10/07. *JB

NHTSA ID

10175195

Incident

May 4, 2006

Mileage

140,226 mi

I ONE DAY WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK ONE DAY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST ALL BACK PRESSURE I COULD NOT CLIMB HILLS AND STARTED TO SMOKE BUT BEFORE I COULD MAKE IT HOME MY CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE AND EVENTUALLY CAUGHT ON FIRE LEAVING STRANDED WITH NO VEHICLE IN SITE I THEN CALLED THE POLICE DEPT THEY HAD TO PUT OUT. THEY SAID I WAS LUCKY TO GET OUT. *NM

NHTSA ID

10167756

Incident

Jul 7, 2006

Mileage

171,150 mi

ONE DAY MY JEEP WAS GETTING NO BACK PRESSURE, TURNED AROUND MY CHECK IN ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK IT STARTED TO SMOKE AND THEN EVENTUALLY CAUGHT ON FIRE LUCKILY I GOT OUT. FIRE DEPT HAD TO PUT FIRE OUT. *NM

NHTSA ID

10167753

Incident

Jul 7, 2006

Mileage

171,150 mi

1996 JEEP CHEROKEE, EXHAUST MANIFOLD FAILED AT WELD POINT, NOT ABLE TO REPAIR DUE TO POOR METAL USED BY MANUFACTURER. THE EXHAUST MUST BE REPLACED, JEEP MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF PROBLEM, REFUSES TO ADMIT IT IS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT. MECHANICS WILL TELL YOU IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH JEEPS. EXHAUST MANIFOLD FAILURE IS EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND CAN LEAD TO MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITHIN IN THE ENGINE IT'S SELF AND THE CONVERTERS. *NM

NHTSA ID

10155423

Incident

Jan 1, 2004

Mileage

180,000 mi

THE ENTIRE REAR AXLE WAS REPLACED AT THE ADVICE OF JEEP SERVICE. THEY CLAIMED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS WOULD NOT NOT SEAT IN THE AXLE AS THE "RACES" WERE WORN BEYOND THE POINT OF HOLDING THEM IN. BECAUSE I NEEDED THE VEHICLE FOR MY BUSINESS, I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE THEM REPAIR IT WHILE THEY HAD IT APART AS I DID NOT HAVE TIME TO DO THE JOB MYSELF. IT WAS A THREE WEEK WAIT FOR PARTS AS IT WAS. THEN I NOTICED THE "MUSTY" SMELL. UPON FUTHER INVESTIGATION I DISCOVERED THE ENTIRE JEEP WAS SATURATED UNDER THE CARPETS ON BOTH SIDES. MOLD EVERYWHERE. NO WONDER MY ALLERGIES WERE KILLING ME. I'VE SINCE GUTTED THE VEHICLE AND BLEACHED THE ENTIRE FLOOR AREAS. I AM NOW IN THE PROCESS OF COMING UP WITH A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM SO I CAN PASS IT ON TO OTHER JEEP OWNERS. CHRYSLER HAS A BULLETIN OUT ON A PROCEDEURE TO CLEAN THE A/C DRAIN BUT IT DOES NOT WORK AS IT COMES BACK EACH YEAR. I'VE FOUND THAT GLUING NYLON SCREENING IN THE AIR INTAKE UNDER THE HOOD KEEPS ALL OF THE DEBRIS THAT CLOGS THIS DRAIN TUBE OUT OF THE HEATER BOX. NOW I AM WORKING ON A WAY TO STOP THE WATER FROM RUNNING BACK INTO THE DASH AREA THROUGH THE FIREWALL WHERE IT DRAINS OUT INTO THE FRAME. NOT ONE DEALERSHIP WOULD TALK TO ME ABOUT THIS. I KNOW THAT THEY KNOW ABOUT IT BECAUSE OF THE BULLETIN. ALSO, I FOUND THAT THE "VENTS" BEHIND THE REAR FIXED GLASS ON THE CHEROKEE HAVE A SMALL HOLDING CUP AND A TUBE WHICH THE WATER THAT ENTERS THAT AREA DRAINS INTO, WHAT I COULDN'T BELIEVE WAS THAT IT DRAINS INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, INSIDE, WHICH RESULTS IN THE ENTIRE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BECOMING WET UNDER THE REAR RUG. THIS PROBLEM IS SOLVED BY PUNCHING A HOLE THROUGH THE FLOOR AND EXTENDING THE FACTOY DRAIN TUBE THROUGH THE FLOOR SO THE WATER DRAINS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WHERE IT BELONGS. I AM A CAR BUFF AND PRETTY KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT REPAIRS AND I COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EYES WHEN I SAW THESE DESIGN FLAWS. THEY ARE BLATANTLY OBVIOUS.

NHTSA ID

10070702

Incident

Aug 15, 1999

Mileage

80,000 mi

THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHICH CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE ALL POWER.*AK *JB

NHTSA ID

10006315

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT ENGINE MOUNT BOLT HAD SHEARED INTO THE BLOCK CAUSING THE MOTOR TO DROP. TS SCC

NHTSA ID

10002397

Mileage

96,259 mi

MOUNTS FAILED WHEN TURNING CAR INTO PARKING LOT. CAR IS AT DEALER FOR REPAIR NOW. SHEARED OFF BOLTS HAVE TO BE DRILLED OUT. DT

NHTSA ID

769246

Incident

Oct 31, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THAT 3 GRADE 8 ENGINE MOUNT BOLTS ON THE LEFT SIDE HAVE SHEARED OFF. *SLC

NHTSA ID

786038

Incident

Jul 5, 2002

ONE OF THE PULLEYS BRACKETS HOLDING THE "SERPTINE " BELT BROKE CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND MINOR DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE ESTIMATE DAMAGE IS UNDETERMINED AT THIS TIME, UNTIL IT CAN BE CHECK OUT. THE BRACKET HOLDING THE PULLEY CRACKED IN HALF. WHEN I TALKED WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE JEEP DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A NORMAL OCCURENCE WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS IN EXCESS OF 100,000 MILES. BECAUSE THE BRACKET IS MADE OUT OF ALUMINUM I HAVE 92,000 MILES. ANYWAY I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT A MANUFACTURE DEFECT, THEREFORE THE MANUFACTURE WILL NOT PAY FOR REPAIRS.*AK

NHTSA ID

755868

Incident

Dec 20, 2001

VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ALONG AND HIT A BUMP. CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE AND THOUGHT THAT LINKAGE SHIFTED. CONSUMER'S MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT RIGHT MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE. *AK

NHTSA ID

8000632

Incident

Oct 1, 2001

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH ON A SIDE STREET AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. AIRBAG LIGHT AND LIGHTS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE WENT OUT. VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO A MECHANIC. DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED NUMEROUS TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ID

890609

Incident

Jun 18, 2001

CAR HAS BEEN WELL-MAINTAINED THROUGHOUT OWNERSHIP/NO ABUSE OF ANY SORT ON OUR PART HASTENED THE EXTENSIVE REPAIRS/OVERALL REPAIR BILL WAS $1500.HEAD GASKET AND ASSOC. PROBLEMS CAUSED THE WATER PUMP TO SEIZE UP, THE SERPENTINE BELT TO SLIP OFF/THE METAL PARTS TO BE CHEWED UP WHICH WENT INTO THE RADIATOR CAUSING THE WATER LINES AND THE RADIATOR TO BE FLUSHED AS WELL.WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE EXTENSIVENESS OF THIS PROBLEM AND THE REPAIR COST. WE HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER, BUT THEY SAID THEY WILL NOT PROCEED WITH A RECALL UNTIL NHTSA REPORTS THIS PROBLEM TO THEM.THAT FILE # IS 8646708. WE PREVIOUSLY OWNED THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL(1988 JEEP).WE SOLD IT AT 200,000 MILES--NEVER HAVING EXTENSIVE REPAIR PROBLEMS SUCH AS THIS. *AK

NHTSA ID

745455

Incident

May 3, 2001

ALL 3 BOLTS THAT HOLD MOTOR MOUNTS TO BLOCK BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING ENGINE TO DROP OR FALL.*AK CONSUMER IS REQUESTING MANUFACTURER COMPENSATE HIM FOR DAMAGES AND ALSO CAR RENTAL THE HE HAD TO ENDURE. *JB

NHTSA ID

887458

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD FAN HITTING HOUSING OF THE RADIATOR. ALSO, VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO IN 5 TH GEAR OR REVERSE. MOTOR HAD DROPPED ABOUT 3 INCHES. MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS HAD BROKEN. *AK

NHTSA ID

885592

Incident

Apr 8, 2001