Jeep Grand Cherokee 1993–1998 problems by year and mileage
1st generation (ZJ)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20264,969 complaints, 799 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Close- Median failure report
- 130,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 589
- Recalls naming this year
- 8
Most reported on the 1993
- Hydraulic brake circuit160 reports
- Transmission and driveline107 reports
- Electrical system59 reports
Recall areas Structure · Power train — automatic transmission · Service brakes, hydraulic — foundation components
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Close- Median failure report
- 146,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 606
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 1994
- Hydraulic brake circuit126 reports
- Transmission and driveline123 reports
- Engine and its cooling system76 reports
Recall areas Structure · Power train — automatic transmission · Service brakes, hydraulic — foundation components
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Close- Median failure report
- 114,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 741
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 1995
- Transmission and driveline251 reports
- Hydraulic brake circuit90 reports
- Throttle and speed control84 reports
Recall areas Structure · Power train — automatic transmission · Service brakes, hydraulic — foundation components
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Close- Median failure report
- 135,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 940
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
Most reported on the 1996
- Transmission and driveline295 reports
- Hydraulic brake circuit114 reports
- Fuel system105 reports
Recall areas Structure · Power train — automatic transmission · Service brakes, hydraulic — foundation components
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Close- Median failure report
- 118,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,030
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 1997
- Transmission and driveline258 reports
- Hydraulic brake circuit169 reports
- Fuel system157 reports · median 96,000 mi
Recall areas Structure · Power train — automatic transmission · Service brakes, hydraulic — foundation components
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Close- Median failure report
- 105,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,065
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 1998
- Transmission and driveline441 reports · median 78,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit156 reports
- Fuel system101 reports
Recall areas Structure · Power train — automatic transmission · Service brakes, hydraulic — foundation components
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 1994; earliest: the 1998, and the 1994 is 4 years older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 1993–1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 120,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 200,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 799
- Recalls
- 16
Most reported
- Transmission and driveline29.7% of complaints · median 105,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit16.4% of complaints · median 84,000 mi
- Fuel system9.9% of complaints · median 105,000 mi
Documented problems
- Steering / Front Suspension1993–1998
- Body / Structure1993–1998
- Transmission1993–1998
Owners filed 4,969 complaints with NHTSA about the 1993–1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee; the transmission and driveline leads with 29.7% of them, and half of the 799 that record an odometer reading came by 120,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
67% of failures occur beyond 100,000 miles — a wear pattern. The car generally reaches substantial mileage before trouble starts.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 1993–1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee last?
On the 1993–1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee, half of the 799 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 120,000 miles and 90% by 200,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
253 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 88 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Grand Cherokee reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Jeep Grand Cherokee 1993–1998 · 799 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
10,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 88 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 88 complaints (11.0%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 52,000
- 25%
- 89,000
- Median
- 120,000
- 75%
- 162,000
- 90%
- 200,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 15 | 1.9% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 10 | 1.3% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 13 | 1.6% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 13 | 1.6% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 19 | 2.4% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 29 | 3.6% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 30 | 3.8% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 33 | 4.1% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 41 | 5.1% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 57 | 7.1% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 64 | 8.0% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 55 | 6.9% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 52 | 6.5% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 53 | 6.6% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 62 | 7.8% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 40 | 5.0% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 46 | 5.8% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 26 | 3.3% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 28 | 3.5% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 25 | 3.1% |
| 200,000+ | 88 | 11.0% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Grand Cherokee problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Jeep Grand Cherokee 1993–1998
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Hydraulic brake circuit815 reportsmedian 84,000middle half 56,000–114,000
- Transmission and driveline1,474 reportsmedian 105,000middle half 76,000–150,000
- Fuel system492 reportsmedian 105,000middle half 70,000–154,000
- Throttle and speed control307 reportsmedian 125,000middle half 100,000–160,000
- Engine and its cooling system453 reportsmedian 130,000middle half 90,000–160,000
- Body structure357 reportsmedian 140,000middle half 105,000–180,000
- Electrical system331 reportsmedian 142,000middle half 100,000–180,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 1,474 | 29.7% | 105,000 | 76,000–150,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 815 | 16.4% | 84,000 | 56,000–114,000 |
| Fuel system | 492 | 9.9% | 105,000 | 70,000–154,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 453 | 9.1% | 130,000 | 90,000–160,000 |
| Body structure | 357 | 7.2% | 140,000 | 105,000–180,000 |
| Electrical system | 331 | 6.7% | 142,000 | 100,000–180,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 307 | 6.2% | 125,000 | 100,000–160,000 |
| Steering | 273 | 5.5% | 140,000 | 100,000–169,000 |
| Suspension | 223 | 4.5% | 140,000 | 100,000–184,000 |
| Airbag system | 207 | 4.2% | 125,000 | 93,000–160,000 |
Known problems with the 1993–1998 Grand Cherokee
Steering / Front Suspension 1993–1998
'Death wobble' — violent front-end oscillation after a bump, caused by worn track bar bushings, tie-rod ends, ball joints and a failing steering damper on the solid front axle.
Body / Structure 1993–1998
Corrosion of floor pans, rocker panels and rear quarter panels in salt-belt use.
Transmission 1993–1998
42RE/44RE 4-speed automatic overdrive and governor-pressure solenoid failures producing slipping and erratic shifts.
Before you buy a 1993–1998 Grand Cherokee: the 3-minute check
Generated from 799 mileage-tagged complaints, 16 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 16 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check steering / front suspension on 1993–1998 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check body / structure on 1993–1998 cars.
- Check transmission on 1993–1998 cars.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Grand Cherokee problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi12% below | At 90k mi25% below | At 120k mi47% below | At 150k mi68% below | At 200k mi89% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 76,000–150,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 56,000–114,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Fuel system | 70,000–154,000 | later | in window | in window | in window | earlier |
| Engine and its cooling system | 90,000–160,000 | later | in window | in window | in window | earlier |
| Body structure | 105,000–180,000 | later | later | in window | in window | earlier |
| Electrical system | 100,000–180,000 | later | later | in window | in window | earlier |
| Throttle and speed control | 100,000–160,000 | later | later | in window | in window | earlier |
Figure 3 · Jeep Grand Cherokee 1993–1998 · 799 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 12% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 25% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 47% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 68% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 89% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
1993–1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls (16)
NHTSA records 16 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the hydraulic brake circuit (5), body structure (2), the suspension (2) (why one area can repeat).
Jun 2013 · 1993–1998 · StructureA fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
The defect. Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles. The fuel tanks in these vehicles are at risk of failure and leakage in certain rear impacts.
What can happen. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
The free fix. Owners may take their vehicles to dealers and the dealers will perform a free inspection of the rear structure. On vehicles in the recall that are not equipped with a tow hitch, Chrysler will install…
Feb 2002 · 1993–1998 · Power TrainInadvertent movement of the vehicle could result in a crash.
The defect. On 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 unexpectedly move rearward after seeming to be stable.
What can happen. Inadvertent movement of the vehicle could result in a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will install a secondary detent system to the floor shifter assembly. Daimlerchrysler sent interim notices to owners concerning this problem on march 22, 2002. Owner notification began…
May 2000 · 1996–1998 · Service Brakes, HydraulicThe reduced strength can allow the cast iron wear surface to separate from the hub, reducing the brake…
The defect. Vehicle description: passenger and multi-purpose vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island…
What can happen. The reduced strength can allow the cast iron wear surface to separate from the hub, reducing the brake effectiveness of the vehicle.
The free fix. Dealers will replace these rotors with rotors that are coated with a corrosion protection.
Dec 1999 · 1993–1995 · Service Brakes, HydraulicThe reduced strength can allow the cast iron wear surface to separate from the hub, reducing the brake…
The defect. Vehicle description: passenger and multi-purpose vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island…
What can happen. The reduced strength can allow the cast iron wear surface to separate from the hub, reducing the brake effectiveness of the vehicle.
The free fix. Dealers will replace these rotors with rotors that are coated with a corrosion protection.
Feb 1998 · 1998 · Service Brakes, HydraulicThis can cause an increase in engine idle speed and a loss of power assist during brake application without…
The defect. Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles. The power brake booster vacuum reservoir diaphragm can split or tear.
What can happen. This can cause an increase in engine idle speed and a loss of power assist during brake application without prior warning.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the brake booster date code and any boosters with the suspect manufacturing date range will be replaced.
Jan 1998 · 1996 · SuspensionAn overheated axle can force axle fluid out of the seals, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
The defect. Vehicle description: multi-purpose vehicles equipped with "quadra-trac" transfer case, temporary spare tire, and any of 225/70r16, 225/75r16 or 245/70r15 road tires. When the temporary spare tire is in use, the front axle can overheat.
What can happen. An overheated axle can force axle fluid out of the seals, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the temporary spare tire with a full sized tire and wheel.
Jan 1998 · 1993 · Service Brakes, HydraulicThe reduced strength can allow the cast iron wear surface to separate from the hub, reducing the brake…
The defect. Vehicle description: passenger and multi-purpose vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island…
What can happen. The reduced strength can allow the cast iron wear surface to separate from the hub, reducing the brake effectiveness of the vehicle.
The free fix. Dealers will replace these rotors with rotors that are coated with a corrosion protection.
Nov 1997 · 1997 · Fuel System, GasolineOwners may not be aware that their vehicle is low on fuel increasing the risk of a vehicle crash if the…
The defect. Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles. The fuel tank mounted fuel level sending unit accuracy can degrade over time, indicating significantly more fuel in reserve than is actually present.
What can happen. Owners may not be aware that their vehicle is low on fuel increasing the risk of a vehicle crash if the vehicle stops due to no fuel.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the fuel level sending unit.
May 1997 · 1997 · Air BagsUnexpected air bag deployment can result in occupant injury.
The defect. The electrical circuit design allows the potential for an inadvertent air bag deployment upon vehicle ignition shut down.
What can happen. Unexpected air bag deployment can result in occupant injury.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the air bag electronic control module with a newly designed module.
Mar 1997 · 1996 · Electrical SystemThe localized heating can result in ignition of the seat cushion material and a vehicle fire.
The defect. Vehicle description: vehicles equipped with memory seat option. The memory seat module wiring harness can come in contact with the seat spring, a low resistance short circuit can develop resulting in localized heating.
What can happen. The localized heating can result in ignition of the seat cushion material and a vehicle fire.
The free fix. Dealers will relocate the memory seat control module and wiring harness and a protective shield will be installed on the seat frame.
Oct 1995 · 1996 · Electrical SystemImproper clamping can result in arcing at the connection potentially causing a fire in the engine compartment.
The defect. The fasteners which secure the alternator circuit fuse to the power distribution center may have an improper clamp load.
What can happen. Improper clamping can result in arcing at the connection potentially causing a fire in the engine compartment.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the alternator fuse with a fuse link and any damage to the power distribution center will be repaired.
Sep 1995 · 1995 · Parking BrakeThe parking brake may not hold causing the vehicle to roll inadvertently.
The defect. The parking brake handle release button can separate from the parking brake handle assembly, causing the parking brake to be inoperative.
What can happen. The parking brake may not hold causing the vehicle to roll inadvertently.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the parking brake handle assembly.
Dec 1993 · 1993 · SteeringIf the upper and lower steering shafts separate, completeloss of steering control will occur, which could…
The defect. The molded plastic pin which connects the upper steering column shaft and the lower column shaft may have been sheared prior to installation of the steering column assembly into the vehicle. If this occurred, the upper steering shaft will separate from the…
What can happen. If the upper and lower steering shafts separate, completeloss of steering control will occur, which could result in an accident.
The free fix. A restraining sleeve will be added to the intermediate shaft to limit the amount of steering shaft movement available.
Apr 1993 · 1993 · StructureAn unlatched liftgate can open while the vehicle is inmotion, and could result in an occupant falling out.
The defect. Grease applied to the liftgate latch rubber bumpers to ease component assembly caused the bumper to swell, interfering with the movement of the liftgate latch pawl. This prevents the liftgate latching when closed and difficult to open when latched.
What can happen. An unlatched liftgate can open while the vehicle is inmotion, and could result in an occupant falling out.
The free fix. Replace the liftgate assembly on affected vehicles.
Apr 1993 · 1993 · SuspensionCam bolt failures cause the vehicle to pull to oneside when the brakes are applied, resulting in a possible…
The defect. The eccentric cam adjuster bolts in both front lower suspension arm-to-front axle bracket attachments may fail due to assembly misalignment.
What can happen. Cam bolt failures cause the vehicle to pull to oneside when the brakes are applied, resulting in a possible loss of vehiclecontrol and an accident.
The free fix. Replace the front suspension cam bolts, cam washers, and nuts with components of a different design.
Dec 1992 · 1993 · Service Brakes, HydraulicDisengagement of the retainer clip will allow free playin the attachment and can allow the input rod to…
The defect. The retainer clip which secures the master cylinder input rod to the brake pedal was not installed properly, and could work loose.
What can happen. Disengagement of the retainer clip will allow free playin the attachment and can allow the input rod to separate from the brake pedalcausing complete loss of brake application which could result in…
The free fix. Improperly installed retainer clips will be removed and new retainer clips will be properly installed.
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 4,969 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 741 (14.9%)
- Fires
- 161
- Injury reports
- 433
- Fatality reports
- 22
Grand Cherokee problems by model year
The 1998 drew the most complaints of this generation, 1,065, most of them about the transmission and driveline, and the 1993 the fewest, 589. A typical year drew about 840.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 589 | 56 | 130,000 | Hydraulic brake circuit (160) | 8 |
| 1994 | 606 | 86 | 146,000 | Hydraulic brake circuit (126) | 3 |
| 1995 | 741 | 90 | 114,000 | Transmission and driveline (251) | 4 |
| 1996 | 940 | 151 | 135,000 | Transmission and driveline (295) | 6 |
| 1997 | 1,030 | 212 | 118,000 | Transmission and driveline (258) | 5 |
| 1998 | 1,065 | 204 | 105,000 | Transmission and driveline (441) | 4 |
What Grand Cherokee owners reported
The contact owns a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power, prompting her to attempt to stop the vehicle. After which, with the brake pedal depressed all the way to the floorboard, the vehicle failed to stop, only coming to a…
1997 · 250,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
The contact owns a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the front tires started shaking violently to the right and left while the steering wheel followed the rapid jerking movements from right to left. The contact slowed the vehicle to 40 MPH and was able to proceed. The…
1998 · 150,000 miles · Steering
The contact owns a 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while the vehicle gear shifter was in park, the vehicle would move forward even when the emergency brake was engaged. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair for the emergency brake, however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was…
1995 · 180,000 miles · Brakes
the contact owns a 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked at her residence, she heard an abnormal noise and saw bolts from the steering gear explode from the vehicle. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact stated she had an independent mechanic come to her residence to have the…
1993 · 140,000 miles · Steering
Built from 799 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Grand Cherokee generations
- Grand Cherokee 1999–2004 4,209 reports with mileage, most about the hydraulic brake circuit
- Grand Cherokee 2005–2010 3,659 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system
- Grand Cherokee 2011–2020 5,790 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system
- Grand Cherokee 2021–2025 276 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system