1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 2%of 893 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 165,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the engine of the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2% of the 893 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 165,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The Jeep will die at any given time, place, temperature. Nothing seems to make a difference. The only thing I can get to make a difference on whether it runs or dies in putting pressure by hand on the number three computer plug. No check engine light, no codes no nothing. Just a faulty computer design that's putting myself and my family in dangerous situations on a regular basis.”
NHTSA complaint #10628594, filed 2014-08, 165,000 miles“The engine stalls randomly at various speeds.this has happened on busy and dangerous highways.I have replaced the ECM and gave it a complete tune-up and crank position sensor. The engine usually restarts after a few minutes of sitting. This problem is all over the internet. Nobody has figured it out. I hate to see anybody get hurt or killed by this unexplained problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10460757, filed 2012-06, 118,478 miles“Jeep advertises that there grand cherokees can withstand water up to 20 inches deep. I beg to differ and I have been lied to. Was driving through my neighborhood on my way to a buddy's house a few blocks away, I hit a small puddle on my way and my engine just seized up and everything went ballistic. Measured the puddle and it was a whopping inch and a half deep. Had my buddy tow me back home to check it out and low and behold, there it was, rod #1 sticking right through my oil pan about an inch. …”
NHTSA complaint #10510168, filed 2013-04, 190,125 miles“Stalling/stumbling of engine, fuel or electrical while driving at 35 miles per hour on city street. Has never stalled at freeway speeds, low speed only. Last stalling friday december 7, 2012 on city street. Previous incident occurred march of 2012 on city streets.”
NHTSA complaint #10487805, filed 2012-12, 100,000 miles“This was many years ago, but with the investigation into engine's unexpectedly shutting down while driving I thought I should report. The Jeep Grand Cherokee was a '96 or '97, not sure anymore. I was driving on a major road, not a highway but where you could travel in the 40's and the engine totally shut down. I brought the car to a dealer and he couldn't find anything wrong. It happened again, this time at a slower speed. Brought it back the dealer and again they couldn't find anything wrong. I refused to take the car back until they found and repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #10604649, filed 2014-06Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 22 | 71% |
| 2025 | 23 | 29% |
| 2024 | 109 | 43% |
| 2023 | 86 | 21% |
| 2022 | 51 | 19% |
| 2021 | 61 | 15% |
| 2020 | 50 | 21% |
| 2019 | 64 | 17% |
| 2018 | 125 | 15% |
| 2017 | 102 | 28% |
| 2016 | 76 | 24% |
| 2015 | 204 | 15% |
| 2014 | 409 | 17% |
| 2013 | 106 | 13% |
| 2012 | 285 | 17% |
| 2011 | 344 | 21% |
| 2010 | 21 | 18% |
| 2009 | 22 | 16% |
| 2008 | 107 | 15% |
| 2007 | 170 | 15% |
| 2006 | 124 | 10% |
| 2005 | 134 | 7% |
| 2004 | 35 | 3% |
| 2003 | 16 | 2% |
| 2002 | 26 | 2% |
| 2001 | 19 | 2% |
| 2000 | 34 | 2% |
| 1999 | 22 | 1% |
| 1998 | 14 | 1% |
| 1997 | 15 | 2% |
| 1996 | 17 | 2% |
| 1995 | 3 | 0% |
| 1994 | 3 | 1% |
| 1993 | 1 | 0% |
| 1989 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
280 complaintsFuel system
134 complaintsBrakes
118 complaintsEngine cooling
88 complaintsBody and structure
85 complaintsSteering
67 complaintsElectrical system
65 complaintsSuspension
50 complaintsTires
35 complaintsVehicle speed control
35 complaintsAir bags
34 complaintsOther or unknown
30 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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