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 category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch
160 · 17.9%
Recalled
Recall 02V053000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor
62 · 6.9%
Recalled
Recall 06E022000 · Recall 00V136000
Power Train:automatic Transmission
53 · 5.9%
Recalled
Recall 02V053000
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
49 · 5.5%
Recalled
Recall 13V252000 · Recall 03E001000
Electrical System
38 · 4.3%
Recalled
Recall 97V039000 · Recall 95V193000
Structure:body:door
38 · 4.3%
Investigation closed
EA02029 · 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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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 itPark 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
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.
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