CarModelProblems.com

1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch — runs 2.8× the fleet median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
893Complaints
12Recalls
135Crashes
22Fires
101Injured
6Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch (17.9% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch complaints here are 2.8× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.

5 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 1 rests on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch160 · 17.9%RecalledRecall 02V053000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor62 · 6.9%RecalledRecall 06E022000 · Recall 00V136000
Power Train:automatic Transmission53 · 5.9%RecalledRecall 02V053000
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump49 · 5.5%RecalledRecall 13V252000 · Recall 03E001000
Electrical System38 · 4.3%RecalledRecall 97V039000 · Recall 95V193000
Structure:body:door38 · 4.3%Investigation closedEA02029 · PE02045

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR38 · 4.3%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP31 · 3.5%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY30 · 3.4%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE30 · 3.4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL28 · 3.1%

Percentages are the share of the 893 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 12 campaigns

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

NHTSA campaign 13V252000 · 2013 · reported 06/19/2013

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 09E025000 · 2009 · reported 05/11/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 06E026000 · 2006 · reported 03/23/2006

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

NHTSA campaign 06E022000 · 2006 · reported 03/13/2006

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Visibility:glass, Side/rear

NHTSA campaign 07E104000 · 2007 · reported 12/11/2007

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor

NHTSA campaign 00V136000 · 2000 · reported 05/10/2000

THE REDUCED STRENGTH CAN ALLOW THE CAST IRON WEAR SURFACE TO SEPARATE FROM THE HUB, REDUCING THE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VEHICLE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

NHTSA campaign 03E001000 · 2003 · reported 01/08/2003

THE PRESSURE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM MAY EXCEED THE LIMITS OF THE FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS, POSSIBLY CREATING A FUEL LEAK AND RISK OF FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

NHTSA campaign 02V053000 · 2002 · reported 02/15/2002

INADVERTENT MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Suspension:front

NHTSA campaign 98V006000 · 1998 · reported 01/12/1998

AN OVERHEATED AXLE CAN FORCE AXLE FLUID OUT OF THE SEALS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:wiring

NHTSA campaign 97V039000 · 1997 · reported 03/17/1997

THE LOCALIZED HEATING CAN RESULT IN IGNITION OF THE SEAT CUSHION MATERIAL AND A VEHICLE FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

NHTSA campaign 95V193000 · 1995 · reported 10/11/1995

IMPROPER CLAMPING CAN RESULT IN ARCING AT THE CONNECTION POTENTIALLY CAUSING A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“NOBODY WAS IN THE TRUCK AND IT SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION INTO REVERSE AND ROLLED BACKWARDS, COLLIDING WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. DAMAGE WAS DONE…”NHTSA complaint 828719 — filed 10/08/1998 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
“VEHICLE WAS IN PARK W/ENGINE RUNNING WHEN IT ENGINE ENGAGED ITSELF IN REVERSE AND BACKED UP CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.”NHTSA complaint 528106 — filed 01/13/1998 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

72009164201122242013793320151182017422019132021122024

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Power train:automatic transmission:park/neutral start interlock switch issues are the most-reported category, cited in 160 of 893 NHTSA complaints (17.9%), followed by service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor (62), power train:automatic transmission (53), fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump (49). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?

893 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 135 involved a crash, 22 involved a fire, and 101 reported injuries. 6 deaths were reported.

Does the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee have any recalls?

Yes — 12 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 13V252000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee's reported problems?

5 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.