1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee

No photo available — body style shown for reference.

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Transmission & Drivetrain

Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 280 of 892 complaints (31%) mention it.

Complaints filed rose from 719 in 1995 to 892 in 1996.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

Advertisement

Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 4 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.
Category1995199619971998vs. 1996 Special Purpose Vehicles
Annual fuel cost ($)3,900–4,4503,900–4,4503,900–4,4503,900–5,950
Combined MPG14–1614–1614–1613–16
City / Highway MPG12–14 / 17–1912–14 / 17–2012–14 / 16–2011–14 / 16–20
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)555–635555–635555–635555–684
Complaints filed7198929911,028Not compared
Recalls issued11121110Not compared
Crash-involved complaints118135112172Not compared
Fire-involved complaints29231713Not compared
Injuries reported8810189113Not compared
Deaths reported46524Not compared
Configurations compared4343

Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.

Common questions

How many recalls does the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?

12 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Transmission & Drivetrain: 280 of 892 NHTSA complaints (31%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee get?

EPA rates it 14–16 MPG combined across 3 configurations.

How much does it cost to fuel a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

EPA estimates $3,900–$4,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

EPA-Rated Configurations (3)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Automatic 4-spd64.0LRear-Wheel DriveRegularSpecial Purpose Vehicles14 mpg (high)20 mpg (high)16 mpg (high)$3,900 (low)555 g/mi (low)
Configuration 2Automatic 4-spd64.0L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularSpecial Purpose Vehicles14 mpg (high)19 mpg16 mpg (high)$3,900 (low)555 g/mi (low)
Configuration 3Automatic 4-spd85.2L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularSpecial Purpose Vehicles12 mpg (low)17 mpg (low)14 mpg (low)$4,450 (high)635 g/mi (high)

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine1052711
Transmission & Drivetrain280824572
Fuel System1346512
Electrical702710
Brakes1213070
Steering672010
Suspension, Wheels & Tires887170
Airbags & Restraints46320371
Driver Assistance & Speed Control3410020
Body, Seats & Latches1093180
Visibility & Lighting290100
Other512210

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (12)

  • FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY; STRUCTURE · Campaign 13V252000 · Jun 19, 2013

    Defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles. The fuel tanks in these vehicles are at risk of failure and leakage in certain rear impacts.

    Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

    Remedy: Owners may take their vehicles to dealers and the dealers will perform a free inspection of the rear structure. On vehicles in the recall that are not equipped with a tow hitch, Chrysler will install a Chrysler designed tow hitch free of charge, provided the condition of the vehicle can support proper installation. On vehicles in the recall that are equipped with an aftermarket tow hitch, Chrysler will assess whether the hitch and surrounding areas show evidence of sharp edges or other puncture risks. If so, Chrysler will replace the tow hitch with a Chrysler designed tow hitch free of charge, provided the condition of the vehicle can support proper installation. On vehicles already equipped with a Chrysler designed tow hitch, Chrysler will inspect the area around the tow hitch installation, and if any installation issues are identified, they will be repaired free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign numbers are N45 (for the Grand Cherokee vehicles) and N46 (for the Liberty vehicles).

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 09E025000 · May 11, 2009

    Defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

    Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009

    Defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

    Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

  • VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR · Campaign 07E104000 · Dec 11, 2007

    Defect: CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."

    Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.

    Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 06E026000 · Mar 23, 2006

    Defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

    Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

    Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

  • SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · Campaign 06E022000 · Mar 13, 2006

    Defect: CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.

    Consequence: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    Remedy: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.

  • FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP · Campaign 03E001000 · Jan 16, 2003

    Defect: NAPA AND CARTER REPLACEMENT FUEL PUMPS MANUFACTURED BY OTD, INC., AND DISTRIBUTED BY FEDERAL MOGAL, MAY HAVE AN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED CHECK VALVE. THE PART NUMBERS OF THESE PUMPS ARE P74697M AND P74708M. THEY WERE MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 15 AND 27, 2002. THEY ARE FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PARTS ONLY ON MODEL YEAR (MY)1995 AND 1996 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE VEHICLES. THIS RECALL DOES NOT INVOLVE THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION OR ANY OF ITS PRODUCTS.

    Consequence: THE PRESSURE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM MAY EXCEED THE LIMITS OF THE FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS, POSSIBLY CREATING A FUEL LEAK AND RISK OF FIRE.

    Remedy: IF YOU PURCHASED AN AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT FUEL PUMP FOR YOUR MY 1995 OR 1996 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AFTER JULY 15, 2002, AND ARE NOT SURE WHETHER THE FUEL PUMP IS ONE OF THOSES INVOLVED IN THIS RECALL, YOU SHOULD CONTACT FEDERAL MOGAL AT 1-800-560-1400 TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE YOUR VEHICLE INSPECTED AND REPAIRED IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE.

  • POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT · Campaign 02V053000 · Feb 15, 2002

    Defect: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IF A DRIVER HAS NOT PLACED THE SHIFTER LEVER FULLY INTO THE "PARK" POSITION AND LEAVES THE VEHICLE RUNNING, THE VEHICLE MAY UNEXPECTEDLY MOVE REARWARD AFTER SEEMING TO BE STABLE.

    Consequence: INADVERTENT MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

    Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SECONDARY DETENT SYSTEM TO THE FLOOR SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. DAIMLERCHRYSLER SENT INTERIM NOTICES TO OWNERS CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM ON MARCH 22, 2002. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 23, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

  • SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR · Campaign 00V136000 · May 11, 2000

    Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, OR WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS CAN EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED FOR AN EXTENSIVE PERIOD IN THE "SALT BELT." IF THE ROTORS ARE NOT REPLACED, THE CORROSION CAN EVENTUALLY COMPROMISE THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER HUB SECTION OF THE ROTOR.

    Consequence: THE REDUCED STRENGTH CAN ALLOW THE CAST IRON WEAR SURFACE TO SEPARATE FROM THE HUB, REDUCING THE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VEHICLE.

    Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE ROTORS WITH ROTORS THAT ARE COATED WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION.

  • SUSPENSION:FRONT · Campaign 98V006000 · Jan 22, 1998

    Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH "QUADRA-TRAC" TRANSFER CASE, TEMPORARY SPARE TIRE, AND ANY OF 225/70R16, 225/75R16 OR 245/70R15 ROAD TIRES. WHEN THE TEMPORARY SPARE TIRE IS IN USE, THE FRONT AXLE CAN OVERHEAT.

    Consequence: AN OVERHEATED AXLE CAN FORCE AXLE FLUID OUT OF THE SEALS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE FIRE.

    Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TEMPORARY SPARE TIRE WITH A FULL SIZED TIRE AND WHEEL.

Show 2 earlier campaigns
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · Campaign 97V039000 · Mar 24, 1997

    Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MEMORY SEAT OPTION. THE MEMORY SEAT MODULE WIRING HARNESS CAN COME IN CONTACT WITH THE SEAT SPRING, A LOW RESISTANCE SHORT CIRCUIT CAN DEVELOP RESULTING IN LOCALIZED HEATING.

    Consequence: THE LOCALIZED HEATING CAN RESULT IN IGNITION OF THE SEAT CUSHION MATERIAL AND A VEHICLE FIRE.

    Remedy: DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE MEMORY SEAT CONTROL MODULE AND WIRING HARNESS AND A PROTECTIVE SHIELD WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE SEAT FRAME.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS · Campaign 95V193000 · Oct 18, 1995

    Defect: THE FASTENERS WHICH SECURE THE ALTERNATOR CIRCUIT FUSE TO THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER CLAMP LOAD.

    Consequence: IMPROPER CLAMPING CAN RESULT IN ARCING AT THE CONNECTION POTENTIALLY CAUSING A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

    Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR FUSE WITH A FUSE LINK AND ANY DAMAGE TO THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER WILL BE REPAIRED.