10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,236 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Owner Comments

problem #14

Mar 182021

Grand Cherokee

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The inspection recall on my 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee did nothing to fix the problem with PCM and catalytic converter specified in the defective issue within the recalls issued. This harms the driver, pedestrians, other passengers and motorists. The tech where I went to have recall work performed ordered parts (see attachment), but nothing was installed on my vehicle. Only "inspected." The tech was told of detailed poor performance and symptoms of a bad PCM. Such as shifting, stalling, fuel economy & hard to start. The Jeep is not operating optimally & this could mean there are. Other problems between different systems. All of these are indications of a faulty PCM. As well as the ABS light being on the dashboard. The PCM is a "critical" system & needs to be replaced. I'm requesting that you fix this problem for free, as it is defective and could mingle with other systems and cause a complete vehicle break down. Or refund the cost to me in full, including labor charges, if I replace/repair myself. If this defective part is not fixed, it could result in property damage, in which cdj would be liable for. Please advise as to how you can help enforce the manufacture to fully repair these defective parts & remedy this problem on fixing the faulty PCM & catalytic converter within a recall and possibly the ABS system and transmission. The vehicle stalls on highway, in park, on the street, when stopped and then it stalls out and is hard to start. It also has not been able to go in reverse ( back up). Which mean it's not getting proper lubrication. Also, the alarm goes off when using key to gain access. Unhooking battery to reset does not help.

- Clayton, IL, USA

problem #13

Dec 181996

Grand Cherokee

  • 20,000 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. There was something wrong with the drive train as far back as 1996. When I was ran over my Jeep was in park running in my garage. It drug me backward into the driveway where I slipped on the ice fell under the car and my left lower leg was ran over by the front tire. I still have complications from that incident.

- Orofino, ID, USA

problem #12

Nov 022015

Grand Cherokee

  • 176,000 miles
The contact owns a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While parked, the vehicle rolled away independently at 5 to 10 mph. The vehicle crashed into the bounty wall. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 176,000.

- Dickinson, TX, USA

problem #11

Sep 012015

Grand Cherokee

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 13V252000 (fuel system, gasoline, structure) and 02V053000 (power train); however, the parts to do the recall repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Aiken, SC, USA

problem #10

Dec 152014

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
The contact owns a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at a low speed, the contact noticed that the gear lever shifted out of the drive position to the neutral position. In addition, the contact stated that the rear light sensor, windshield sensor and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. However, the failure recurred. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 02V053000 (power train) and 13V252000 (fuel system, gasoline, structure). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

- Santa Barbara, CA, USA

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problem #9

Mar 302012

Grand Cherokee

  • 201,300 miles
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.

- Newnan, GA, USA

problem #8

May 042012

Grand Cherokee 6-cyl

  • 153,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

At high and low speeds, and when stopped without any warning my 1996 Grand Cherokee will die and immediately steering is lost. This is totally frightening and life-threatening. The car will start immediately to get out of roadways. I've spent days researching this situation on-line and it is outrageous that there is no recall, there are years of complaints about this situation. I called Jeep today at 1-877-426-5337 and was told the phone number of a Jeep dealer, along with sincere apologies that there is no recall for this problem. The solution may be that 2 screws associated with the PCM are too long. People have spent thousands and thousands of dollars fixing everything on these Jeep but nothing has worked. I respectfully demand to know why there is no recall, this is a public safety issue!!!!! thank you for your prompt reply. Lives depend on it. This is a life-endangering situation - mine and others. There needs to be a recall now.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #7

Jan 282012

Grand Cherokee

  • 141,000 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).

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #6

Aug 152003

Grand Cherokee

  • Automatic transmission
  • 180,000 miles
Second gear is slipping. Some of the seals are leaking. One of the gears are stripped.

- Tuckahoe, NY, USA

problem #5

Apr 092003

(reported on)

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
At various speeds the transmission would start to slip. This caused the vehicle to accelerate to a higher speed than the required speed.

- Apex, NC, USA

problem #4

Aug 022002

Grand Cherokee

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Speedometer is not working at all. Contacted dealer.

- Providence, UT, USA

problem #3

Apr 172002

(reported on)

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
Consumer stated the speedometer is not registering correctly. When shut vehicle down and start back up speedometer changes readings. This also happens when driving. Nlm

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #2

Oct 041999

Grand Cherokee

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Odometer has been rolled back.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #1

Dec 011996

Grand Cherokee 4WD

  • miles
Vehicle jumps into neutral while stopped at lights and stop signs. Driver has to tap the gas pedal to engage the transmission.

- Edmond, OK, USA

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