1996 Jeep Cherokee: problems, recalls and reliability
10 recalls and 447 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (18% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 447 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 jeep cherokee. While driving 70 mph over uneven pavement, the vehicle started to vibrate uncontrollably. The vibration stopped when decelerating to low speeds. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 180,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 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.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2017
“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.”Owner report · Tires · Feb 2017
“Was driving about 60 mph on the washington dc beltway when the front end of the vehicle began to shake violently. Subsequently diagnosed as the "jeep death wobble".”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2016
“Jeep death wobble. Violent shaking of a car when driving on highways and I have to slow down to below the speed limit to stop it. Multiple time occurrence. Has been "fixed" but has never been fixed.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 jeep cherokee. While driving various speeds, the speedometer seized without warning and the vehicle began to decelerate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 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.”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 jeep grand cherokee. The contact stated that he attempted to have the vehicle repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 13v252000 (fuel system, gasoline , structure) but was informed that the parts were not available. The contact felt that since the failure was reported in june of 2013, there should have been a remedy available before april of 2014. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable time for repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 57 of these complaints and injuries in 27 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 10 campaigns
THE FASTENERS WHICH SECURE THE ALTERNATOR CIRCUIT FUSE TO THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER CLAMP LOAD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR FUSE WITH A FUSE LINK AND ANY DAMAGE TO THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER WILL BE REPAIRED.
U.S. DRIVE RIGHT IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1994-1996 JEEP CHEROKEE VEHICLES IMPORTED FROM JANUARY 2007, THROUGH APRIL 2011 FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT," FOR THE HIGH MOUNT BRAKE LAMP ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLES ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE REQUIRED THIRD BRAKE LAMP.
Remedy: U.S. DRIVE RIGHT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND MAIL KITS ALONG WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BY A QUALIFIED MECHANIC OF THEIR CHOICE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT U.S. DRIVE RIGHT AT 1-888-632-5936.
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE ROTORS WITH ROTORS THAT ARE COATED WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION.
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.
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.
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.
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.
THE WEB MOUNTED REAR SEAT BELT INBOARD ANCHOR POSITIONS MAY NOT ACHIEVE THE REQUIRED LOAD OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A WASHER TO EACH REAR INBOARD SEAT BELT ANCHOR ATTACHMENT.
U.S. DRIVE RIGHT IS RECALLING 107 MY 1994-1998 RIGHT HAND DRIVE, 4-WHEEL DRIVE JEEP CHEROKEE VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, 'CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS;' NO. 108, 'LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT;' NO. 111, 'REARVIEW MIRROR;' NO. 114, 'THEFT PROTECTION;' NO. 115, 'VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER;' NO. 118, 'POWER WINDOW SYSTEM;' NO. 120, 'TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS;' NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION;' AND NO. 301, 'FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY.'
Remedy: U.S. DRIVE RIGHT WILL MAKE ALL THE REQUIRED MODIFICATIONS. A REPRESENTATIVE WILL TRAVEL TO THE CUSTOMER'S LOCATION AND MAKE THE MODIFICATIONS ON SITE. THE RECALL WILL BE PERFORMED ON A REGIONAL BASIS BEGINNING MARCH 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT U.S. DRIVE RIGHT AT 1-888-632-5936.
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.
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.
DURING ASSEMBLY OF THE FRAME, A FILLET WELD THAT JOINS THE INNER STEERING GEAR ATTACHMENT REINFORCEMENT TO THE FRAME RAIL, WAS OMITTED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR CRACKS IN THE FRAME RAIL. VEHICLES THAT SHOW CRACKS WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH REINFORCEMENT PLATES. VEHICLES THAT ARE FOUND TO BE FREE OF CRACKS WILL HAVE A SLOT CUT IN THE CROSS MEMBER AND THE FILLET WELD WILL BE ADDED.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1996 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Cherokee by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Jeep Cherokee reliable?
NHTSA has 447 owner complaints and 10 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Jeep Cherokee. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (18% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Jeep Cherokee problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 136,650 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Jeep Cherokee have open recalls?
10 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.