1996 Jeep Laredo Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1996 Jeep Laredo, 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
- Transmission1219.4%
- Brakes914.5%
- Body & structure812.9%
- Engine69.7%
- Powertrain (other)46.5%
- Electrical46.5%
- Fuel system34.8%
- Suspension34.8%
- Steering23.2%
- Interior & seats23.2%
- Heating & air conditioning23.2%
- Driver assistance23.2%
- Seat belts23.2%
- Visibility11.6%
- Tires & wheels11.6%
- Airbags11.6%
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
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, SEALS ARE LEAKING AND THERE A DELAY IN STOPPING. CONSUMER FEELS THIS MAY CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.*AK
VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, WITH THE ENGINE STILL RUNNING AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NOT ON, THE VEHICLE JUMPED REVERSE AND HIT A PARKED CAR CAUSING DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES, THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHILE STILL IN PARK, THEY FOUND METAL SHAVING IN THE OIL PAN AND STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTED.*JB
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ABS FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SKID. THE VEHICLE HIT A FENCE.THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, THERE WERE SHAKES THAT HAD GONE AWAY. THE CONSUMER SLOWED THE VEHICLE WHEN SEEING BUMPS, BUT THE VEHICLE HAD GONE INTO A VIOLENT SHAKE AGAIN ON THE BUMPY ROAD, THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED AND THE CONSUMER HEARD A POP. THE STEERING HAD GONE OUT AND THE VEHICLE SKIDDED ACROSS THE HIGHWAY, COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A FENCE. *SC *JB
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING IT STARTED GOING BACKWARDS. BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
COLOR FADE ON FRONT BUMPER FASCIA. *JB
INSIDE PANELS ON ALL FOUR DOORS OF VEHICLE ARE PEELING AWAY, CONSUMER STATES HIS ARM CATCHES ON THE LOOSE PANEL AS HE IS DRIVING, CONSUMER STATES LOCAL DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED BY MANUFACTURER NUMBER 2305197, CONSUMER STATES HE CALLED THE NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS AND WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE OF THE MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND ALSO RECORDS SHOW THAT VEHICLE IS SALVAGED. *JB
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE STALLED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. CAR WILL BE OPERATING FINE, ENGINE TOTALLY CUTS OUT. NO POWER WHATSOEVER. I HAVE CHECKED ONLINE AND THIS HAS BEEN A FAIRLY REGULAR PROBLEM ON JEEPS OF THIS ERA (1996 - HAVE SEEN COMPLAINTS OF SOME OTHER YEARS). THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL, DEALERSHIPS DENY RESPONSIBILITY. CODE HAS INDICATED BAD COIL - HAVE REPLACED COIL, SAME PROBLEM. ANECDOTAL REPORTS THAT PCM BOARD APPEARS TO BE SHORTING OR OTHERWISE AFFECTED BY TOO LONG SCREWS, SUGGESTION TO REPLACE WITH SHORTER SCREWS OR PLACE WASHERS TO PREVENT POTENTIAL CONTACT TO BOARD. THIS APPEARS TO HAVE WORKED FOR AT LEAST A BRIEF TIME FOR MANY, MYSELF INCLUDED, THEN PROBLEM RECURS. OTHERS SUGGEST THIS IS INDICATION THAT CIRCUIT BOARD IS CRACKED, THUS SCREW CONTACT RESULTS IN INTERMITTENT DISCONNECT AND FAILURE. VERY MUCH WHAT HAPPENS. STALLS, THEN MAY START AND RUN FINE FOR A LITTLE BIT, THEN WILL STALL AGAIN. NO WARNING -CAN BE GOING FREEWAY SPEED AND IT WILL SUDDENLY STALL, THUS LOSS OF POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES.... VERY DANGEROUS. ALL INDICATIONS ARE A VERY BAD PCM DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING THAT RECURRED OVER SEVERAL YEARS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE NUMBER E22 ON OCTOBER 30, 2007. THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. AFTER OBSERVING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE INCORRECT PART WAS PLACED ON THE VEHICLE AND POSITIONED IN AN UNSAFE MANNER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPOSITION THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO AVOID MAKING CONTACT WITH THE WIRES NEAR THE OXYGEN SENSOR; HOWEVER, THEY STATED THAT IT WAS TOO DIFFICULT TO MOVE IT AND CHOSE TO LOWER IT BY A 1/2 INCH. THE CONTACT IS AWARE THAT THE TEMPERATURE FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAN REACH TO 600 DEGREES. THE CONTACTS RECEIPT HAS THE CORRECT PART NUMBER, 5083054AD; HOWEVER, THAT PART NUMBER DOESN'T MATCH THE ONE ON THE VEHICLE. THE PART # ON HIS VEHICLE PER SPECIFICATIONS ON HIS VEHICLE IS #9. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,235 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATED 12/13/07 *KB UPDATED 12/13/07 *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VEHICLE HAD 4 TRANSMISSION INSTALLED, ONLY TO DISCOVER THE PROBLEM WAS THE REAR END. *JB
TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, SEALS ARE LEAKING AND THERE A DELAY IN STOPPING. CONSUMER FEELS THIS MAY CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I JUST BROUGHT THIS TRUCK A FEW MOTHS BACK AND WHEN I'M DRIVING THE CAR WILL JUST CUT OFF ON IT'S OWN. IT'S QUITE FREQUENT NOW. I'VE BEEN ON HERE TO LOOK FOR ANY RECALLS BUT CAN'T SEEM TO FIND ANY FOR THIS MODEL. IT IS VERY UNSAFE AND SCARY TO BE DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN YOUR CAR LOOSES POWER AND CUTS OFF. I DO A LOT OF HIGHWAY DRIVING WITH MY CHILDREN AND IT'S DANGEROUS. JEEP PLEASE DO SOMETHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE AN HONEST MECHANIC AND HE DOESN'T CHARGE ME TO LOOK AT IT BUT CAN'T FIND OR FIX THE PROBLEM IF IT DOESN'T SHOW A CODE. *TT
THE VEHICLE (1996 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE) OFTEN STALLS IN TRAFFIC. IT FAILS AT ANY SPEED, WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS IDLING OR IN MOTION. IT SOMETIMES TAKES 15+ MINUTES FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESTART. IT HAS STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR EVEN IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY DIAGNOSES OF THE PROBLEM AND MANY PHANTOM PROBLEMS REPAIRED WITH NEW PARTS INSTALLED, THE LATEST BY THE DEALER IN HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA WHO JUST REPLACED THE CONNECTORS ON THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS. IT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM, NOW THEY WANT ME TO POUR ANOTHER $500+ DOLLAR INTO REPAIRING THE VEHICLE SIGHTING THE PCM AS THE ??PROBLEM??. MY CURRENT BILL IS NOW AT $1,200; ADD THE POWER CONTROL MODULE (PCM) AND NOW THE REPAIR COST IS MORE THAN THE CURRENT VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. REALIZING THEY ARE ONLY THE DEALER I CONTACTED THE JEEP CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1 877 426 5337 AND WAS BLOWN OFF BY THE JEEP SPECIALIST [XXX] (HE HAD BEEN TRAINED TO BE APOLOGETIC THOUGH). I WAS PROMISED HELP IN A PREVIOUS CONVERSATION WITH [XXX] BUT WAS GIVEN NO HOPE OF ASSISTANCE IN MY LATEST CONTACT WITH [XXX] WHICH WAS 8/23/13. I ASKED IF I COULD SPEAK WITH SOMEONE IN A HIGHER POSITION ACCORDING TO [XXX] HE WAS THE DECISION MAKER. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OF THIS AND ALL JEEP BRAND VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR LIFE THREATENING PROBLEMS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
FUEL PUMP FAILURE, NOW HAVING 4TH FUEL PUMP PUT ON IN 17 MONTH PERIOD. *JB
FUEL TANK HAS MELTED THREE TIMES . WHEN THE FUEL GOES THROUGH THE PUMP IT IS THICK AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. DEALER HAS REPLACED FUEL PUMP THREE TIMES. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ABS FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SKID. THE VEHICLE HIT A FENCE.THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, THERE WERE SHAKES THAT HAD GONE AWAY. THE CONSUMER SLOWED THE VEHICLE WHEN SEEING BUMPS, BUT THE VEHICLE HAD GONE INTO A VIOLENT SHAKE AGAIN ON THE BUMPY ROAD, THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED AND THE CONSUMER HEARD A POP. THE STEERING HAD GONE OUT AND THE VEHICLE SKIDDED ACROSS THE HIGHWAY, COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A FENCE. *SC *JB
WHEN CONSUMER DRIVES VEHICLE ON INTERSTATE VEHICLE STARTS TO SHAKE VERY HARD. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. MJS
VEHICLE STEERS TO THE LEFT/EXCESSIVE NOISE WHEN BRAKING/REAR WIPER ONLY OPERATES INTERMITTENTLY/BUTTON ON GEA RCHANGE LEVER JAMS ANDEXCESSIV ELEFT FRONT TIRE WEAR.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
1996 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE - DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BROKE COMPLETELY...TO THE POINT IT CANNOT ME MOVED FORWARDS OR BACKWARDS. SO IT STRAINS ANY DRIVER'S BACK IF DRIVING LONGER THAN 5-10 MINUTES. ONE HAS TO LITERALLY HOLD AND PUCH THEMSELVES UP TO SIT UPRIGHT AND DRIVE. NEED RECALL, PLEASE.
THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS UNSTABLE AND ROCKED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE BOLT WAS MISSING. *JB
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS ROUTED THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS DESIGN FLAW WAS DESCRIBED IN A TSB. IT CAUSED CONDENSATION, CORROSION AND RUST. WHILE DRIVING THE SLUSHING OF THE WATER FLOWING FROM SIDE TO SIDE UNDER DASH CAN BE HEARD. THE UNIT FAILED TO HEAT OR COOL THE VEHICLE. *NLM
A/C FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONTACT STATES ON 9-13-05 STARTED THE CAR WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKES AND WHEN SHE REACHED OVER TO PULL THE CAR INTO DRIVE THE CAR REVVED/SURGED AND TOOK OFF. THE JEEP WRAPPED AROUND A TREE AND TOTALED THE JEEP. SHE REPORTED HAVING NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL PRIOR TO THIS. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED. THIS IS THE FIRST INCIDENT OF THIS KIND. SHE JUST HAD THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT SIX MONTHS AGO BECAUSE IT WAS SLIPPING. SHE HAD LIABILITY INSURANCE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT YET CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT PLANED TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE IS A 1996 GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO.*AK
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING IT STARTED GOING BACKWARDS. BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK. *AK NONE OF THE SEAT BELTS LOCK. *SC *JB
1996 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO. REAR SEAT BELTS WILL NOT HOLD. SUDDEN STOP OR GO AROUND CORNER OR A PERSON SITTING IN THE BELT NEXT TO THE CHILD SEAT BUMPS THE BELT AND IT WILL UNSNAP.I CAN PULL ON THE BELT TRYING TO SECURE THE CHILD SEAT THAT IS SUPPOSE TO BE HELD IN PLACE AND IT WILL ALSO COME OUT.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE STEERS TO THE LEFT/EXCESSIVE NOISE WHEN BRAKING/REAR WIPER ONLY OPERATES INTERMITTENTLY/BUTTON ON GEA RCHANGE LEVER JAMS ANDEXCESSIV ELEFT FRONT TIRE WEAR.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE STEERS TO THE LEFT/EXCESSIVE NOISE WHEN BRAKING/REAR WIPER ONLY OPERATES INTERMITTENTLY/BUTTON ON GEA RCHANGE LEVER JAMS ANDEXCESSIV ELEFT FRONT TIRE WEAR.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 JEEP LAREDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, HE ATTEMPTED TO AVOID A HEAD ON COLLISION AND THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL BEFORE ROLLING OVER. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE BOX AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .