1996 Jeep Cherokee Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 93about this part
- Share
- 21%of 447 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 95,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 93 complaints about the brakes of the 1996 Jeep Cherokee, 21% of the 447 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,000 miles. 10 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving on a slick surface, as it was raining, lightly. The person driving in front of me stopped short at a yellow light and I applied my brakes. My brakes failed and I crashed into the vehicle, my airbag deployed, and my front end was smashed. I was told it was a total. My brakes should have done what they were supposed to do - work.”
NHTSA complaint #10508430, filed 2013-04, 95,000 miles“While braking there would be a grinding noise, then vehicle would lurch forward. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. Brake rotor separated while vehicle in operation. Vehicle , souds lke metal rubbing metal.”
NHTSA complaint #10089912, filed 2004-11, 66,000 miles“I had the Jeep dealer replace the front rotors on my 96 Jeep Cherokee country per the recall from chrysler. Within 20k miles the rotors were severely warped, hot spotted and had small cracks in several places on both sides of each rotor. When they were turned, soft spots were revealed in the metal and both rotors - even when turned down all the way down to the minimum thickness. They were deemed unsalvageable and I had to get another new set less than a year after recall replacements were installed. The incident date is approximate. I will need to find the receipts to know the exact dates. Ts”
NHTSA complaint #10000953, filed 2003-01“The water pump went out on way out of town. White smoke poured out from behind the Jeep. We immediately pulled over and used our phone to call for help. We were told from a mechanic that it sounded as if the water pump went out. We waited for the Jeep to cool off, then added water to the radiator. We were able to drive at 35 MPH until we found a service station to pull over at. At that time the technician told us that it was indeed the water pump and there was no more that could be done that day (saturday-5:00p.m.). We got our vehicle towed back home to lafayette, la. …”
NHTSA complaint #703576, filed 1999-02“Recall 00v136000/front brake rotors: vehicle experiencing problem with vibration, taken to an independent repair shop. Consumer was informed that that vibration may be caused by faulty rotors. Notified manufacturer. Manufacturer, in turn, informed consumer that this vehicle was not covered under recall due to VIN.”
NHTSA complaint #862488, filed 2000-05Related recalls
- 11V279000May 6, 2011U.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…Covers: Jeep Cherokee 1994–1996
- 00V136000May 10, 2000Vehicle description: passenger and multi-purpose vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine…Covers: Jeep Cherokee 1996–1999, Grand Cherokee 1996–1998
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 4 | 8% |
| 2021 | 14 | 8% |
| 2020 | 30 | 9% |
| 2019 | 110 | 7% |
| 2018 | 38 | 6% |
| 2017 | 62 | 5% |
| 2016 | 103 | 7% |
| 2015 | 137 | 8% |
| 2014 | 211 | 8% |
| 2006 | 2 | 12% |
| 2001 | 56 | 24% |
| 2000 | 105 | 28% |
| 1999 | 102 | 28% |
| 1998 | 88 | 22% |
| 1997 | 75 | 19% |
| 1996 | 93 | 21% |
| 1995 | 90 | 15% |
| 1994 | 65 | 13% |
| 1993 | 130 | 31% |
| 1992 | 40 | 35% |
| 1991 | 163 | 70% |
| 1990 | 153 | 57% |
| 1989 | 92 | 48% |
| 1988 | 7 | 7% |
| 1987 | 6 | 11% |
| 1986 | 3 | 14% |
| 1985 | 2 | 12% |
Other parts of the 1996 Jeep Cherokee
60 complaintsEngine cooling
54 complaintsBody and structure
47 complaintsElectrical system
43 complaintsSteering
37 complaintsSuspension
31 complaintsFuel system
28 complaintsAir bags
26 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaintsSeats
15 complaintsTires
14 complaintsSeat belts
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Jeep Cherokee
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology