RoadVitals

1996 Jeep Cherokee Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
447
Latest Nov 20, 2024
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
18
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
84

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1996 Jeep Cherokee, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

93
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

AFTER VIEWING WEB SITE FOUND INFORMATION ON THIS 1996 JEEP CHEROKEE THIS RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE WAS RECALL INCOMPLETE STATUS PURCHASE THIS JEEP IN AUGUST 2011 NOTICE VEHICLE STEERING BOX WAS LOOSE.I FEEL THAT JEEP WAS NOT UNEXPECTED GOOD HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS AS LOOKING INTO THE DATA PURCHASE THIS FROM THIS COMPANY HAVE TO CALLIN FOR VEHICLE THEY FINALLY SHIP THIS IS NOT SAFE.NEEDSOME ASSISTANCES OF GETTING A REFUND THEY HAD TO KNOW THIS SOME INFO WAS SEND A BOUT THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT NEED TO BE REPLACE THEY NEVER TRY TO COMPLETE THIS BEFORE SELLIN THE VEHICLE THIS IS UNSAFE THANKS GOD FOR THIS WEB SITE OF COURSE RIDING LIKE THIS NOT COOL. *TR

NHTSA ID 10641475 · filed Oct 4, 2014

I WAS DRIVING ON A SLICK SURFACE, AS IT WAS RAINING, LIGHTLY. THE PERSON DRIVING IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED SHORT AT A YELLOW LIGHT AND I APPLIED MY BRAKES. MY BRAKES FAILED AND I CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE, MY AIRBAG DEPLOYED, AND MY FRONT END WAS SMASHED. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A TOTAL. MY BRAKES SHOULD HAVE DONE WHAT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO DO - WORK. *TR

NHTSA ID 10508430 · filed Apr 16, 2013
All 93 reports naming brakes

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

58
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Nov 20, 2024

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 · filed May 22, 2015
All 58 reports naming engine

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

53
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Dec 5, 2006

DT: CONSUMER'S CHILDREN WERE IN JEEP AND IT WAS RUNNING IN PARK. CONSUMER WAS GOING TO GET THEM OUT AND THE CAR JUMPED FROM PARK AND ROLLED INTO A DRIVE GEAR. *AK

NHTSA ID 10123730 · filed Jun 1, 2005
All 53 reports naming transmission

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

47
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVERS DOOR UPPER HINGE RUSTED WHERE WELDED TO BODY AND SEPARATED FROM BODY . DOOR IS ONLY HELD ON BY LOWER HINGE.

NHTSA ID 10852849 · filed Apr 1, 2016

SEVERE RUST ALL OVER THE BODY BUT ESPECIALLY ON THE FRAME. HAVE HAD MULTIPLE COMPONENTS FAIL AND CRACK, NOW TAKING IN WATER THROUGH CORNERS OF THE ROOF THROUGH RUST HOLES. PASSENGER SIDE OF FRAME LIKELY TO SEVER UNDER FURTHER DRIVING. RUST ON THE BRACKETS HOLDING THE FUEL TANK TO THE VEHICLE CREATED A HOLE IN THE FUEL TANK. PART WAS REPLACED, NO PICTURE.

NHTSA ID 10810825 · filed Dec 16, 2015
All 47 reports naming body & structure

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

40
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Nov 20, 2024

THE JEEP WILL START TO SHAKE WHENEVER YOU HIT A BUMP REALLY BAD SHAKING . ALSO WHENEVER YOU COME TO A STOP AFTER DRIVING 10 MILES THE MOST , THE CAR WILL NOT TURN ON AGAIN FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. AT SOME POINT I ROCKED THE CAR FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND AFTER THAT IT WILL START. ALSO TOO THE STEERING COLUMN SEEMS LOOSE . MY SHOCKS LIKE IT DON'T EVEN HAVE ANY

NHTSA ID 11317447 · filed Mar 11, 2020
All 40 reports naming electrical

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

37
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 65 TO 75 MPH VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE IN THE FRONT END SO SEVERELY WE HAD TO SLOW COMPLETELY DOWN AND PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TO A STOP COMPLETELY. THE JEEP IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND I HAVE READ OF OTHER INCIDENTS THAT THEY HAVE NAMED IT THE DEATH WOBBLE. IT COULD HAVE MADE US FLIP OVER AND WE COULD HAVE DIED IN A ROLL OVER. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO US BEFORE AND WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE SHOCKS, BUT THAT HAS EVIDENTLY NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. IT APPEARS FROM WHAT WE READ AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM IN THE FRONT END AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA ID 11096835 · filed May 19, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THEN BECAME LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW POWER STEERING GAUGE AND A FRONT END ALIGNMENT WERE NEEDED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID 11090348 · filed Apr 26, 2018
All 37 reports naming steering

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

31
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE JEEP WILL START TO SHAKE WHENEVER YOU HIT A BUMP REALLY BAD SHAKING . ALSO WHENEVER YOU COME TO A STOP AFTER DRIVING 10 MILES THE MOST , THE CAR WILL NOT TURN ON AGAIN FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. AT SOME POINT I ROCKED THE CAR FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND AFTER THAT IT WILL START. ALSO TOO THE STEERING COLUMN SEEMS LOOSE . MY SHOCKS LIKE IT DON'T EVEN HAVE ANY

NHTSA ID 11317447 · filed Mar 11, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE STEERING WHEEL AND VEHICLE JERKED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE "DEATH WOBBLE". THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT AN ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID 11152942 · filed Nov 20, 2018
All 31 reports naming suspension

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

28
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE JEEP WILL START TO SHAKE WHENEVER YOU HIT A BUMP REALLY BAD SHAKING . ALSO WHENEVER YOU COME TO A STOP AFTER DRIVING 10 MILES THE MOST , THE CAR WILL NOT TURN ON AGAIN FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. AT SOME POINT I ROCKED THE CAR FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND AFTER THAT IT WILL START. ALSO TOO THE STEERING COLUMN SEEMS LOOSE . MY SHOCKS LIKE IT DON'T EVEN HAVE ANY

NHTSA ID 11317447 · filed Mar 11, 2020

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 · filed Mar 12, 2015
All 28 reports naming fuel system

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

26
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING IDLE AT A COMPLETE STOP, A TRUCK CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE, PUSHING THE VEHICLE INTO A FOREGOING VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO CONCERNED THAT THE FUEL TANK LOCATION COULD BE A GREATER DANGER IF THERE WAS ANOTHER REAR END CRASH. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 183,000.

NHTSA ID 10519511 · filed Jun 12, 2013

CONSUMER STATES HIS DAUGHTER HAD A HEAD ON COLLISON WITH HIS JEEP AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HE ALSO STATES SHE WAS GOING ABOUT 35-40 MPH AND HIT A TREE.

NHTSA ID 10001078 · filed Dec 13, 2002
All 26 reports naming airbags

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

26
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

UNDERSIDE OF FRONT SEAT (METAL RAIL CONNECTING TO TRACKS) BROKE SUDDENLY NEAR RETAINING BOLTS ON BOTH FRONT CONNECTIONS. METAL WAS FLIMSY (1/8 IN OR SO) AND DID NOT APPEAR TO BE REINFORCED AGAINST SHEAR (UP/DOWN) STRESS AT CONNECTION POINT TO ACCOMMODATE SEAT MOTION WHEN DRIVERS GOT INTO/OUT OF VEHICLE. I WAS JUST GETTING IN TO GO TO WORK WHEN IT FAILED, BUT IT COULD JUST HAVE EASILY HAPPENED IN TRAFFIC OR AT A TRAFFIC STOP. *TR

NHTSA ID 10329912 · filed May 11, 2010

WHILE DRIVING, I KEPT SMELLING MELTING PLASTIC. IT LASTED A COUPLE MONTHS BEFORE IT WENT OUT. I LOOKED TO SEE SEVERAL TIMES TO FIND IT AND NEVER DID. IT WOUND UP BEING THE HEATER CONTROL SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS MELTING. I DECIDED TO GO TO THE JUNKYARD TO GET THE HARNESS AND SWITCH AND I FOUND OUT FROM LOOKING AT 8 DIFFERENT JEEP CHEROKEES RANGING FROM 1986 -1997 THEY ALL HAD THE HARNESS AND SWITCH MELTED IN THEM. I THEN REALIZED IT WAS MORE THAN JUST MY JEEP THAT HAD THIS ISSUE. *JB

NHTSA ID 10182213 · filed Feb 10, 2007
All 26 reports naming interior & seats

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

17
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ON 2/21/17 AT 6:25 AM, TRAVELING AT 65 MPH, MY PASSENGER REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AND BECAME DETACHED FROM THE WHEEL. NO EVIDENCE OF PUNCTURE OR VALVE STEM ISSUE. TOOK TIRE REMAINS TO DISCOUNT TIRE IN DURHAM FOR REPLACEMENT. YOKOHAMA YKHTX. P235/75 R15.

NHTSA ID 10957087 · filed Feb 26, 2017

PRIMEWELL TIRES SOLD AT FIRESTONE ARE ADVERTISED AS ALL SEASON. I BOUGHT THESE TIRES IN FEB 2010. ON DEC 26TH 2010, WE HAD A SNOWSTORM IN HAMPTON AREA. I HAD TO GO OUT AND FOUND OUT THE TIRES HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO TRACTION ON SNOW. THESE TIRES ARE DANGEROUS FOR WINTER CONDITIONS. I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES. ON THE WAY HOME, I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 15MPH WHEN ALL FOUR TIRES LOSS TRACTION DUE TO A 15 TO 20 MPH WIND AND ENDED UP IN A DITCH. THE NEXT DAY I REPLACED THE TIRES WITH KELLY EXPLORER TIRES AND HAD NO TROUBLE NEGOTIATING THE SNOW. THESE TIRES NEED TO BE PULLED FROM THE MARKET OR A WARNING GIVEN TO CONSUMERS. THEY ALSO LOSE TRACTION ON WET ROADS EASILY. AS STATED, THEY ARE ADVERTISED AS " TIRES DELIVER ALL-SEASON TRACTION ". *TR

NHTSA ID 10373514 · filed Dec 30, 2010
All 17 reports naming tires & wheels

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

16
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATING UNIT WAS ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MISFIRE. THE CONTACT LIFTED THE HOOD AND FOUND THAT THE SWITCH FOR THE HEATING FAN HAD FAILED AND A SMALL FIRE STARTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR REPAIRS WAS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 167,275.

NHTSA ID 10440194 · filed Dec 16, 2011

I HAVE A 1996 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE HEATER STARTED MAKING A FUNNY NOISE SO WE BOUGHT A NEW BLOWER MOTOR. THEN WE BOUGHT A NEW RESISTOR. WE STILL COULD NOT GET THE SPEEDS TO WORK IN THE HEATER. SO WE THEN BOUGHT A SWITCH. WELL WE COME TO FIND OUT THAT THE SWITCH HARNESS WAS BURNT TO A CRISP. I CALLED THE PARTS STORE AND THEY DON'T CARRY THEM, SO I THEN CALLED A DEALER. THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY DON'T JUST SELL THAT HARNESS I HAD TO BUY THE ENTIRE ONE FOR EVERYTHING IN THE JEEP. THEN TOLD ME TO GO CUT ONE OUT OF A JUNK YARD. I CALLED MY LOCAL JUNK YARD AND THE GUY WENT AND CUT THREE HARNESSES OUT. ONE THAT WAS A 1996, ONE THAT WAS A 1995, AND BOTH OF THE ENDS WERE BURNT JUST LIKE MINE. HE THEN CUT ONE OUT OF AN EVEN OLDER ONE, AND THE WIRES WERE THICKER THAN THE ONES ON MINE, AND DIFFERENT COLORS. I TRIED HOOKING IT UP AND IT DOESN'T WORK. I BELIEVE THAT SHOULD BE A RECALL AND IT SHOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED BY THE COMPANY. THE COMPANY SHOULD ALSO SELL INDIVIDUAL HARNESSES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10301780 · filed Jan 21, 2010
All 16 reports naming visibility

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

15
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FRONT END COLLISION WITH BRIDGE. PASSENGER SHOULDER HARNESS DID NOT CATCH TO RESTRAIN PASSENGER. PASSENGER SUFFERED SEVERE FACIAL AND CLOSED HEAD INJURY. *TR

NHTSA ID 10357196 · filed Sep 23, 2010

I HAVE THREE RHD JEEP CHEROKEES AND THEY ARE FOR US POSTAL DELIVERY. 1994, 1995-, AND 996. I HAVE CALLED JEEP & CHRYSLER CORPORATION ASKING THEM IF MY VEHICLES ARE FMVSS CERTIFIED ,AND THEY REFUSED TO ANSWER ME. THEY SAID I NEED TO BE A SENATOR OR A CONGRESSMAN TO ASK THAT QUESTION?? I ASKED FOR RIGHT HAND DRIVE CRASH TEST INFORMATION, AND THEY HUNG UP THE PHONE. I E-MAILED THEM, AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A CORPORATE ISSUE AND RHD JEEPS FOR DIDN'T NEED TO MEET SAFETY REGULATIONS?. I TALKED TO THE DOT, AND THEY STATED THEY DIDN'T KNOW OF ANY RHD VEHICLES BUILT AND SOLD IN THE USA. WAS THIS SOME KIND OF JOKE? THE DOT DIDN'TT KNOW? ONE WOMAN AT DOT ASKED ME WHAT SIDE OF THE ROAD DO WE DRIVE ON IN USA? THE EPA KNEW ABOUT THEM, BUT FOR SAFETY INFORMATION I WAS TOLD TO GO BACK TO DOT. CAN SOMEBODY TELL ME WHAT WAS GOING ON. *AK

NHTSA ID 10190105 · filed May 8, 2007
All 15 reports naming seat belts

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

14
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Apr 1, 2012

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING HE PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THEN DEPRESS AND PRESS IT AGAIN IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE CORRECTLY. BECAUSE OF THIS THE VEHICLE WAS GETTING POOR GAS MILEAGE. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY FAILURE . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113618, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114466.*AK

NHTSA ID 10182456 · filed Feb 13, 2007
All 14 reports naming driver assistance

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK AT 4:30 AM HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT, THEN CAME BACK ON, SEVERAL TIMES, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WE HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE, WE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO, AND IT APPEARED TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM NOW IT HAS OCCURRED AGAIN. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP IN MY AREA, AND THEY ARE AWARE OF NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT AFTER CONDUCTING A WEB SEARCH, I SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, HOPEFULLY NO ONE WILL BE INJURED BEFORE THIS DEFECT CAUSES AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10543056 · filed Sep 11, 2013

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 · filed Jun 18, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Heating & air conditioning

Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

AIR CONDITIONER (A/C) IS LEAKING FREON. FLUID IS GONE WITHIN A MONTH. WHEN ACCELERATING A/C SHUTS OFF AND AIR BLOWS THROUGH WINDSHIELD. DEALER IS REPLACING THE VALVE, BUT IS NOT CERTAIN IF IT WILL STOP THE LEAK. THE DYE THEY USE ISN'T DETERMINING THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID 865672 · filed Jul 19, 2000

AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR FAILED. *MJS

NHTSA ID 553019 · filed Jul 17, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THEN BECAME LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW POWER STEERING GAUGE AND A FRONT END ALIGNMENT WERE NEEDED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID 11090348 · filed Apr 26, 2018

WHILE ACCELERATING FROM STOP ACCELERATOR WENT FULL THROTTLE, TURNED SWITCH OFF TO STOP THE VEHICLE. DURING RESTART VEHICLE FULL THROTTLED. UPON INSPECTION NOTICE THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO REVERSE AND TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT TO OVERDRIVE AFTER THIS INCIDENT.

NHTSA ID 9004926 · filed Oct 3, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE STEERING WHEEL AND VEHICLE JERKED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE "DEATH WOBBLE". THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT AN ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID 11152942 · filed Nov 20, 2018

THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH CRUISE CONTROL. WHILE DRIVING, THE REAR OF VEHICLE STARTED SKIDDING. WHEN APPLIED BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP. AS A RESULT, THE CONSUMER RAN INTO A HILL OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IN ADDITION, THE REAR WHEEL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FELL OFF CAUSING ACCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED.

NHTSA ID 830629 · filed Nov 12, 1998

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .