RoadVitals

1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints 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.
78
Latest Jan 28, 2016
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
13%
of 588 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
11
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 78 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming engine

The 25 most recent of 78, in the owner's own words

Driver assistanceEngineFuel system
Filed Jan 28, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS GETTING STUCK AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SURGE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. THE RPMS RACED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED GEARS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THERE HAD BEEN FUEL FUMES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN OF THE ORIGIN. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V252000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STRUCTURE). THE DEALER DID NOT INDICATE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS PLACED AS NUMBER 46 ON THE WAITING LIST, BUT THE DEALER DID NOT FOLLOW UP TO INDICATE WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR BEYOND A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
10822837
Incident
Jul 10, 2015
ElectricalEngineSuspension
Filed Jul 27, 2015
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED AN ABNORMAL BURNT WIRING SMELL FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND BLACK SMOKE WAS SEEN FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 198,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10743668
Incident
Jun 6, 2015
Engine
Filed Jan 10, 2014
Fire reported

DRIVING 25 MPH AND TURNED KNOB TO PUT ON HEAT AND THICK, BROWN SMOKE COMING OUT OF VENTS IMMEDIATELY FILLED CAR. I STOPPED AND LOOKED UNDER HOOD. I COULD SEE A PIPE WHERE SMOKE SEEMED TO BE ORIGINATING BUT DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS CALLED. WHEN SMOKE CLEARED AND I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING LEAKING UNDER THE CAR, I STARTED TO DRIVE AS CALLED SERVICE STATION A FEW BLOCKS AWAY. THEY SAID TO BRING IT OVER BUT UPON DRIVING ABOUT 50 MORE FEET SMOKE GOT WORSE; BECAME THICKER AND BLACK. I STOPPED AND TURNED ENGINE OFF AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND WHEN I TURNED TO LOOK AT THE CAR, IT WAS ALREADY UP IN FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. IT TOOK ONLY A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND THE ENTIRE CAR WAS ABLAZE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10559420
Incident
Jan 8, 2014
Mileage
200,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 9, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TWO SEPARATE INDEPENDENT MECHANICS HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10511259
Incident
May 2, 2013
Mileage
147,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 25, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION AND WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THREE TIMES WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ID
10476968
Incident
Jul 22, 2009
Mileage
115,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 7, 2012

I PURCHASED THIS JEEP BECAUSE I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED A TRANSMISSION, THESE ARE THE SYMPTOMS, WHEN YOU FIRST START THE TRUCK AND YOU PUT IT IN REVERSE, THE ENGINE KILLS. YOU START THE TRUCK UP AGAIN AND PUT IT IN REVERSE, IT VIBRATES AND THE ENGINE WANTS TO DIE BUT THE COMPUTER TRIES TO INCREASE THE RPM TO PREVENT IT FROM DYING, YOU THEN HAVE TO APPLY THE BRAKES HARD, WHEN YOU PUT IT IN NEUTRAL, THE RPMS ARE AT ABOUT 2000 AND THEN THEY COME DOWN. WHEN YOU TRY DRIVING THE CAR FORWARD IT HAS A VIBRATION AND WHEN YOU ARE COMING TO A STOP, IT DOES NOT WANT TO STOP, ITS AS THE COMPUTER IS REVING THE ENGINE LIKE IT DOES IN REVERSE. I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT AND IT DID THE SAME THING, THEY HAVE TAKEN THIS TRANSMISSION OUT 4 TIMES, CHANGED EVERYTHING IN IT 3 TIMES, GOT ANOTHER TRANSMISSION AND PUT ALL THE NEW PARTS IN THAT ONE AND STILL THE SAME PROBLEM. I REPLACED THE TCM FROM A SAME YEAR GRAND CHEROKKE, HAD THE DEALER FLASH THE COMPUTER AND STILL THE SAME, HAD THE TRY TO DIAGNOSE IT AND THEY THOUGT IT WAS THE MAP SENSOR, BECAUSE OF THE RPM PROBLEM, I CHANGED IT AND STILL THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER ALL THESE CHANGES, THE TRUCK NOW RUNS FINE FOR A FEW MINUTES, BUT WHEN IT WARMS UP, THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURS, IM NOT SURE IF THATS BECAUSE THE WHEATHER IS COOLER NOW. I HAVE SO MUCH MONEY TIED UP IN THIS TRUCK AND BESIDES THIS PROBLEM, THE TRUCK IS IN GREAT CONDITION AND RUNS GREAT, CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10442815
Incident
Oct 13, 2011
Mileage
160,400 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 1, 2009

MY 1994 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE STALLS OUT INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT NOTICE, WHETHER DRIVING OR STOPPED. IT WILL START RIGHT BACK UP BUT WHEN IT SHUTS OFF ALL POWER, STEERING, AND BRAKING POWER IS LOST AND THE VEHICLE MUST BE PUT INTO NEUTRAL TO RESTART THEN BACK INTO GEAR. ITS VERY DANGEROUS TO LOSE CONTROL AT 45+ MPH, LET ALONE THE DANGER AT ANY SPEED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10253440
Incident
Dec 13, 2008
Mileage
130,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 1, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED APPROXIMATELY 1-2 MINUTES LATER, IF NOT IMMEDIATELY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP, BUT BECAUSE THEY WERE SO BUSY, THE APPOINTMENT WAS CANCELLED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 205,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

NHTSA ID
10232926
Incident
Jan 22, 2008
Mileage
200,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 5, 2008
Fire reported

1994 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. SMOKE FROM UNDERNEATH HOOD, AND WITHIN ABOUT 3 MINUTES THE CAR WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. TOTALLY DESTROYED. DRIVER WAS JUST ABLE TO GET OUT OF CAR WITHOUT INJURY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10226749
Incident
Mar 15, 2008
Mileage
105,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 14, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE WHILE DRIVING. WHEN HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE SIX FAN BLADES WAS MISSING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE PURCHASE DATE AND SPEED WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 183,839.

NHTSA ID
10199513
Incident
Aug 1, 2007
Mileage
183,839 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 6, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH OR WHILE IDLING, THE VEHICLE STALLS AND THEN SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE RESTARTS ONCE THE CONTACT DEPRESSES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 145,000. UPDATED 09/05/07 *TR

NHTSA ID
10195500
Incident
Jun 10, 2007
Mileage
145,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 4, 2006

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ENGINE QUITS SUDDENLY. MECHANIC UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN ON HIGHWAY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. BARELY ESCAPED SERIOUS ACCIDENT WHEN IT HAPPENED ON RT 81. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A CONTINUING BASIS FOR THE PAST SIX MONTHS. WILL GET RID OF CAR ASAP. *JB

NHTSA ID
10172609
Incident
Nov 1, 2006
Mileage
142,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 20, 2006

2 WEEKS AFTER OIL CHANGE AND DRIVING LESS THAN 200 MILES THE OIL INDICATOR COMES ON. PLACE A QUART OF OIL IN , 2 DAYS LATER THE ENGINE SMOKE AND OIL NEEDLE INDICATOR WAS BELOW HALF. 2ND TIME THIS OCCUR, YOU COULD SEE THE NEEDLE GOING BACK AND FORTH TO EMPTY TO 1/2 FULL. ENGINE SMOKE BUT RAN AFTER COOLING DOWN WITH MORE OIL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10148168
Incident
Jan 13, 2006
Mileage
131,955 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 12, 2005

JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, EARLY YEARS 1992 - 2001 EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKS WITH REGULAR OCCURANCE AND ALLOWS CARBON MONOXIDE INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I OWN A 1992 AND MANIFOLD CRACKED AT 55K AND 70K (EACH $1200 TO FIX), BOUGHT A 1994 SAME VEHICLE, MANIFOLD CRACKED AT 40K MILES. MANY OWNERS REPORTING SAME ISSUE, DEALERS WILL REPLACE IF PRESSED BUT DENY PROBLEM. I AM GETTING SICK (PHYSICALLY) FROM THE VEHICLE WITH EXHAUST COMING INTO CABIN. I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. IT COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT IF I PASSED OUT.

NHTSA ID
10128394
Incident
Apr 17, 2005
Mileage
43,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 12, 2004

THE ENGINE'S EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAD ABOUT 2-3 CRACKS ON TOP. AS A RESULT THE EXHAUST FUMES SEEPS INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. CONSUMER STATES HE HAS SUFFERED FROM SEVERE HEADACHES FROM THE FUMES. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. *NM THE DEALER AND MUFFLER SHOP INDICATED THAT THE CRACKS WERE A RESULT OF EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO COST. *NM

NHTSA ID
10082084
Incident
Jan 7, 2003
Mileage
119,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 23, 2004

WOW, IT'S VERY AMAZING TO ME THAT THERE ARE SO MANY V6 GRAND JEEP CHEROKEE'S HAT HAVE CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLDS. WE LOVE OUR JEEP'S, WE ARE THE OWNERS OF OUR SECOND ONE. THIS IS UNDER THE JEEP WHERE THE EXHAUST AND EMISSIONS HEATS AND AND COOLS. THE JEEP SOUNDS LIKE A HOT, HOT ROD. (I'M NOT IN THAT AGE BRACKET ANYMORE). THIS MANIFOLD IS SO COMMON NOW THAT YOUR LOCAL PEP BOY'S, DAVID EARLY TIRE ETC. (SMALL SHOPS) ARE STOCKING THEM?THEY USE TO BE A FACTOR ORDER ITEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
10063739
Incident
Mar 8, 2004
Mileage
190,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 24, 2003

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THIS WAS CAUSED BY AN OIL LEAK WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE REAR MAIN ENGINE SEAL GASKET, THE OIL PAN GASKET AND THE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION. *JB 1994 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE SUFFERED AN OIL LEAK WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH RESULTED IN SMOKE BEING EMITTED FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.*MR

NHTSA ID
10048536
Mileage
155,460 mi
Engine
Filed May 16, 2003

THE ENGINE SHOOK WHILE DRIVING . *NLM

NHTSA ID
10019991
ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 26, 2003

THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE HANDLING OF RECALL AND WARRANTY SERVICES. THE FACTORY INSTALLED ALARM ACTIVATED FOR NO REASON, THE DEALER REPLACED A SWITCH. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEMS. THE WATER PUMP AND RADIATOR LEAKED. *PH *NLM

NHTSA ID
10011472
Engine
Filed Nov 6, 2002

WHILE DRIVING, EXHAUST FUMES ARE "LEAKING" INTO THE VEHICLE'S INTERIOR COMPARTMENT. CONSUMER STATED THAT FUMES ARE VERY STRONG AND DIFFICULT TO WITHSTAND. MR

NHTSA ID
8022276
Incident
Oct 6, 2002
Engine
Filed Oct 30, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE MOTOR STARTED RACING AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED TS

NHTSA ID
8021940
Incident
Oct 20, 2002
Engine
Filed Oct 24, 2002
Fire reported

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND NO WARNING THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAD CRACK CAUSING A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD AND THE CONSUMER WAS FORCE TO PULL OVER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED TS

NHTSA ID
8021533
Incident
Oct 16, 2002
Engine
Filed Jul 3, 2002

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THERE IS A LIFTING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. THAT CAN CAUSE ENGINE DAMAGE.*JB

NHTSA ID
8013268
Incident
Dec 5, 1993
Engine
Filed Jun 6, 2002

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR ACCELERATING ENGINE WILL STALL OUT AND DIE WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRED VEHICLE FOUR TIMES; HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8011161
Incident
May 31, 2002
Engine
Filed Apr 9, 2002

ONGOING AND INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. VEHICLE BEEN TO DEALER ON ONE OCCASION, AND AT REPAIR SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS. BOTH WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8007115
Incident
Jan 15, 2001

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .