10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
126,367 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee engine problems

engine problem

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1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Owner Comments

problem #12

Jan 012010

Grand Cherokee 6-cyl

  • 150,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Jeep has been stalling for 2 years at least. Stalls under all conditions, idle, high speed, cold or hot outside temp. Recently the past month it is stalling constantly at the rate of 2-5 times per day, average mileage 25 miles per day. Stalls at highway speeds are bad, and in traffic can be deadly. Stalls in intersections are worse as there is not enough time to react and get the vehicle away from heavy traffic. Basic research will show that thousands of people have this same exact problem.

- Windsor, NY, USA

problem #11

Jan 282012

Grand Cherokee

  • 141,000 miles
Engine suddenly cut off while driving, power brakes and steering were immediately lost, although lights and gages remained operational. Battery and grounds tested fine. Cap, rotor and plugs are all new, wires and coil test fine, and vehicle has new mopar crank position and throttle position sensors. Research on Jeep technical sites finds identical problems being traced to failure of power control module PCM, sometimes also referred to as engine control module (ECM).

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #10

Aug 012011

Grand Cherokee 6-cyl

  • 148,000 miles
This is a commonly known defect with these Jeep which has never been adequately addressed by the NHTSA. Someone is going to get killed if the manufacturer is not held responsible. Infamous stalling problem. Whether going 10 mph or 70 mph, vehicle will stall with no warning. Generally will re-start after turning off ignition, but not always immediately. On my Jeep, I have replaced the computer module, crankshaft position sensor, fuel pump, fuel filters, maf sensor, distributor cap, rotor, plugs and plug wires. I have had the computer module wiring harness reworked. Still stalls, and I have been forced to park the Jeep for safety reasons.

- Palatka, FL, USA

problem #9

Oct 252010

Grand Cherokee

  • 136,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. While driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle was involved in a crash. The air bags did not deploy. The contact was injured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer stated that the air bags should have deployed (after inspecting) but were unable to diagnose the reason why they did not. The vehicle also stalled intermittently before the crash. The current and failure mileages were approximately 136,000.

- Haskell, NJ, USA

problem #8

Sep 142009

Grand Cherokee

  • 206,000 miles
The contact owns a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle would intermittently stall when driving at various speeds and when sitting idle. In addition, the electrical system would fail when the vehicle would stall. The dealer replaced the spark plugs, wires, rotor cap, throttle body, fuel filter, 02 sensor, pvc valve, unknown hoses and couplings. The failure persisted and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure or produce any diagnostic codes. The approximate failure mileage was 206,000 and the current mileage was 209,000.

- Columbia , MD, USA

problem #7

Sep 202009

Grand Cherokee

  • 129,900 miles
The contact owns a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled every time she drove it beginning in September 2009. Sometimes, she was able to restart it automatically and other times, she would have to tow the vehicle because it would not restart. The vehicle intermittently shut off completely with no warning lights and no specific speed range. She took the vehicle to the dealership and the catalytic converter was inspected and PCM was reprogrammed; however, the failure recurred immediately after the reprogramming. She called the manufacturer who stated that they could not assist her. The vehicle had not been repaired at this time. The current mileage was 138,380. The failure mileage was approximately 129,900.

- Altamonte Springs, FL, USA

problem #6

May 032008

Grand Cherokee 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The vehicle stalls and hesitates sporadically. The failure occurs every few days or multiple times per day. It also occurs when the vehicle is idling or parked. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer. Through online research, the contact discovered numerous complaints for this same defect on his type of vehicle. He believes a recall should be issued. The failure mileage was 77,000 and current mileage is 78,000. Updated 12/10/08 the repair mechanic stated the problem may be the crank sensor. Updated 12/17/08.

- Hunington Beach , CA, USA

problem #5

Sep 012008

Grand Cherokee

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle hesitated and then shut off. It would not restart immediately. The next morning, the failure recurred. The VIN was unknown. The current mileage was 150,075 and failure mileage was 150,000.

- Santa Barbara, CA, USA

problem #4

Feb 152008

Grand Cherokee 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 126,000 miles
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee stalls.

- San Clemente, CA, USA

problem #3

Jan 032007

Grand Cherokee 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 122,500 miles
Engine cuts out or has difficulty starting. Periodically(could be more than once a day) the motor turns over but will not start as it normally should. Often have to wait approach. 10 minutes and will start. Often after only a few minutes. Also, while driving along at high speed the engine will cut out and may restart immediately(seconds) and occasionally must pull off of highway and wait a few minutes before it will restart. Recall on PCM ; technician advised me that it might be PCM, but problem has worsened since recall on PCM was performed. At least 20 failures. Perhaps more.

- Monclova, OH, USA

problem #2

Aug 152003

Grand Cherokee

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles
My Jeep has been really loud for sometime and is getting louder. It is when you start it up (really bad) and the whole time it's running. I ask my mechanic and he said to try a heat riser. When we went to the Jeep dealer to order it, the parts guy said we could try the heat riser, but more than likely it was a cracked/busted manifold. When we looke, the manifold is cracked in two or three places. I have contacted several mechanics in my area...they all say the same thing....manifolds on these Jeep are bad about cracking. The manifold lists for $431 and they say about $200 to put one in. Plus, I have been told that it's no good to fix the one from the manufacturer by welding it, because it will crack again. The suggestion I am getting is to buy a new aftermarket manifold...all the mechanics say they work better because they have 2 pieces on them that give for extra support. I think this is really sad. One single mechanic in the small town I live in has replaced at least 5 in the past year. I think this is overwhelming! there seems to be a defect in this part to me.

- Hixson, TN, USA

problem #1

Jan 011998

Grand Cherokee 4WD

  • miles
Transmission cooling lines. Antifreeze leaks from water pump.

- Rockville, MD, USA

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