1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 280about this part
- Share
- 31%of 893 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 141,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 280 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 31% of the 893 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 141,000 miles. 82 of these say a crash was involved and 3 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 can be driving and my vehicle will just cut off in traffic. I have replaced all parts under the hood with the acception of the motor and transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10632931, filed 2014-09, 201,300 miles“In december 1996 I was ran over by my Jeep Grand Cherokee in my driveway after it jumped back into gear from park. I reported this issue immediately to the anchorage alaska dealer who had to fix the drivers door that had been destroyed in the event and he stated there was not a problem with the gearshift. I had also reported the issue here on the NHTSA web site in january of 1997. I was taken to the air force hospital emergency room at elemendorf afb alaska and I believe submitted that information at that time. So this recent problem with an actor being killed by his Jeep is not a new issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10910028, filed 2016-09, 20,000 miles“Engine suddenly cut off while driving, power brakes and steering were immediately lost, although lights and gages remained operational. Battery and grounds tested fine. Cap, rotor and plugs are all new, wires and coil test fine, and vehicle has new mopar crank position and throttle position sensors. Research on Jeep technical sites finds identical problems being traced to failure of power control module PCM, sometimes also referred to as engine control module (ECM).”
NHTSA complaint #10445848, filed 2012-01, 141,000 miles“Dt consumer stated while driving there was a loud noise, then 2 bolts broke from the steering column, this caused loss of steering. The vehicle was towed, the mechanic stated there was also another bolt located on the inside of the steering column that broke as well. Two Jeep dealers said they had never heard of this happening before. Both cv boots are broken and the brakes had to be repaired.”
NHTSA complaint #10121614, filed 2005-06, 128,475 miles“Problem... Driving down the road or stopped at light or in the middle of a turn or on expressway... It would shut off without warning, sometime it would restart immediately, sometimes not!!!... Extremely dangerous situations developed, which I was lucky!!! 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 4.0 , 6 cyl.... Spent 6 months doing repairs/ replacement parts and many ,many dollars spent tracking down part after part. Using diagnostics machine to determine faulty part... …”
NHTSA complaint #10223656, filed 2008-04, 155,000 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 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
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 complaintsEquipment
26 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 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