1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 118about this part
- Share
- 20%of 588 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 142,100miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 118 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 20% of the 588 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 142,100 miles. 32 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I purchased this Jeep because I was told it needed a transmission, these are the symptoms, when you first start the truck and you put it in reverse, the engine kills. You start the truck up again and put it in reverse, it vibrates and the engine wants to die but the computer tries to increase the RPM to prevent it from dying, you then have to apply the brakes hard, when you put it in neutral, the rpms are at about 2000 and then they come down. …”
NHTSA complaint #10442815, filed 2012-01, 160,400 miles“About 5/6 months ago, I noticed that my 1994 Jeep grand cherookee had a very bad herky-jerky movement when you try to make a tight turn (especially a u-turn). Then very audible noises started coming from the front-end undercarriage everytime you back-up,..or hit a pothole,...especially at low speed. The worst part happened when for the first time,..we hit a pothole at about 55/65 MPH,....and the whole front end of the vehicle began to severely vibrate and bounce up and down. …”
NHTSA complaint #10081044, filed 2004-07, 162,729 miles“1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee w/quadratrac (all wheel drive): viscous coupling in transfer case locks up resulting in poor handling during extended trips. Previous owner reported that they had replaced the vc prior to selling to me (<120,000 mi). I had to replace it again in november 2001 (~130,000 miles). Problem is started to act up again at ~144,000 miles during a long trip (~1000 miles) at highway speeds. This car is very well maintained, and at this point, I'm convinced that there is a design defect with the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10000434, filed 2002-12, 144,200 miles“Viscous coupling failed (seized) in np 249 transfer case installed in 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee limited w/full-time 4wd with only 56k miles on vehicle. Research on internet revealed this to be a very common problem. Vehicle hard to control at highway speeds while turning due to lock-up of front and rear axles.”
NHTSA complaint #10025262, filed 2003-07, 56,075 miles“Engine was left running while in park, I got out of Jeep it shifted its self into reverse it traveled about 30 feet than hit a tree. This model is suppose to have a feature . That does not allow the shifter to move until brake pedal is pressed.”
NHTSA complaint #10088616, filed 2004-08, 111,760 milesRelated recalls
- 02V053000Feb 15, 2002On 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…Covers: Jeep Grand Cherokee 1993–1998, Grand Wagoneer 1993–1998
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 12 | 38% |
| 2025 | 13 | 16% |
| 2024 | 31 | 12% |
| 2023 | 40 | 10% |
| 2022 | 37 | 14% |
| 2021 | 59 | 14% |
| 2020 | 39 | 16% |
| 2019 | 47 | 13% |
| 2018 | 75 | 9% |
| 2017 | 88 | 24% |
| 2016 | 78 | 25% |
| 2015 | 353 | 26% |
| 2014 | 475 | 20% |
| 2013 | 55 | 7% |
| 2012 | 102 | 6% |
| 2011 | 90 | 5% |
| 2010 | 22 | 19% |
| 2009 | 23 | 17% |
| 2008 | 77 | 10% |
| 2007 | 196 | 18% |
| 2006 | 173 | 14% |
| 2005 | 253 | 12% |
| 2004 | 54 | 4% |
| 2003 | 35 | 5% |
| 2002 | 58 | 4% |
| 2001 | 102 | 12% |
| 2000 | 156 | 11% |
| 1999 | 386 | 24% |
| 1998 | 426 | 41% |
| 1997 | 254 | 26% |
| 1996 | 280 | 31% |
| 1995 | 247 | 34% |
| 1994 | 118 | 20% |
| 1993 | 99 | 18% |
| 1991 | 1 | 17% |
| 1989 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee
132 complaintsEngine cooling
75 complaintsVehicle speed control
68 complaintsFuel system
55 complaintsElectrical system
38 complaintsSteering
38 complaintsAir bags
37 complaintsBody and structure
30 complaintsSuspension
28 complaintsEquipment
17 complaintsTires
14 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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