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Jeep Grand Cherokee 1993–1998 problems by year and mileage

1st generation (ZJ)

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

  1. Hydraulic brake circuit160 reports
  2. Transmission and driveline107 reports
  3. Electrical system59 reports

8 recall campaigns name the 1993: Structure; Power train — automatic transmission; Service brakes, hydraulic — foundation components. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

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

  1. Hydraulic brake circuit126 reports
  2. Transmission and driveline123 reports
  3. Engine and its cooling system76 reports

3 recall campaigns name the 1994: Structure; Power train — automatic transmission; Service brakes, hydraulic — foundation components. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

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

  1. Transmission and driveline251 reports
  2. Hydraulic brake circuit90 reports
  3. Throttle and speed control84 reports

4 recall campaigns name the 1995: Structure; Power train — automatic transmission; Service brakes, hydraulic — foundation components. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

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

  1. Transmission and driveline295 reports
  2. Hydraulic brake circuit114 reports
  3. Fuel system105 reports

6 recall campaigns name the 1996: Structure; Power train — automatic transmission; Service brakes, hydraulic — foundation components. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

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

  1. Transmission and driveline258 reports
  2. Hydraulic brake circuit169 reports
  3. Fuel system157 reports · median 96,000 mi

5 recall campaigns name the 1997: Structure; Power train — automatic transmission; Service brakes, hydraulic — foundation components. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

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

  1. Transmission and driveline441 reports · median 78,000 mi
  2. Hydraulic brake circuit156 reports
  3. Fuel system101 reports

4 recall campaigns name the 1998: Structure; Power train — automatic transmission; Service brakes, hydraulic — foundation components. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

Each tile shows the median mileage at which that model year’s failures were reported. The 1994 reports latest and the 1998 earliest, but part of that gap is age: the 1994 has had 4 more years on the road to accumulate mileage.

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

  1. Transmission and driveline29.7% of complaints · median 105,000 mi
  2. Hydraulic brake circuit16.4% of complaints · median 84,000 mi
  3. Fuel system9.9% of complaints · median 105,000 mi

When each system fails ↓

Documented problems

What each one is ↓

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. A count like this can’t rate reliability on its own: NHTSA records what owners chose to report, not how many of each car were sold.

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?

Complaint records can’t measure how long a car lasts; they show when reported failures happened. 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.

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

Complaints per 10,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 88 complaints.

Mileage at failure, Jeep Grand Cherokee 1993–1998Histogram of 799 owner-reported failures by mileage, in 10,000-mile bins from 0 to 200,000. The tallest bin is 100,000 to 110,000 miles with 64 complaints, 8.0 percent of the total. 67% of failures occur beyond 100,000 miles — a wear pattern. A further 88 complaints, 11.0 percent, were reported above 200,000 miles and are shown as a separate detached bar. Median mileage at failure is 120,000.
  • 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

Tallest bin: 64 complaints between 100,000 and 110,000 miles. Based on 799 complaints that record mileage. Bin width 10,000 miles.

Show the numbers
Complaints by mileage bin
MileageComplaintsShare
0–10,000151.9%
10,000–20,000101.3%
20,000–30,000131.6%
30,000–40,000131.6%
40,000–50,000192.4%
50,000–60,000293.6%
60,000–70,000303.8%
70,000–80,000334.1%
80,000–90,000415.1%
90,000–100,000577.1%
100,000–110,000648.0%
110,000–120,000556.9%
120,000–130,000526.5%
130,000–140,000536.6%
140,000–150,000627.8%
150,000–160,000405.0%
160,000–170,000465.8%
170,000–180,000263.3%
180,000–190,000283.5%
190,000–200,000253.1%
200,000+8811.0%

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.

What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.

Common Grand Cherokee problems, and when they happen

Figure 2 · Jeep Grand Cherokee 1993–1998

When each system fails

Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.

  1. Hydraulic brake circuit815 reports84,00056,000–114,000Hydraulic brake circuit: 815 reports, median 84,000 miles, middle half 56,000 to 114,000 miles.
  2. Transmission and driveline1,474 reports105,00076,000–150,000Transmission and driveline: 1,474 reports, median 105,000 miles, middle half 76,000 to 150,000 miles.
  3. Fuel system492 reports105,00070,000–154,000Fuel system: 492 reports, median 105,000 miles, middle half 70,000 to 154,000 miles.
  4. Throttle and speed control307 reports125,000100,000–160,000Throttle and speed control: 307 reports, median 125,000 miles, middle half 100,000 to 160,000 miles.
  5. Engine and its cooling system453 reports130,00090,000–160,000Engine and its cooling system: 453 reports, median 130,000 miles, middle half 90,000 to 160,000 miles.
  6. Body structure357 reports140,000105,000–180,000Body structure: 357 reports, median 140,000 miles, middle half 105,000 to 180,000 miles.
  7. Electrical system331 reports142,000100,000–180,000Electrical system: 331 reports, median 142,000 miles, middle half 100,000 to 180,000 miles.
  • Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”

Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.

All systems in a table
Complaints by vehicle system
SystemComplaintsShareMedian25–75%
Transmission and driveline1,47429.7%105,00076,000–150,000
Hydraulic brake circuit81516.4%84,00056,000–114,000
Fuel system4929.9%105,00070,000–154,000
Engine and its cooling system4539.1%130,00090,000–160,000
Body structure3577.2%140,000105,000–180,000
Electrical system3316.7%142,000100,000–180,000
Throttle and speed control3076.2%125,000100,000–160,000
Steering2735.5%140,000100,000–169,000
Suspension2234.5%140,000100,000–184,000
Airbag system2074.2%125,00093,000–160,000
System by system, in words

Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 120,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.

The transmission and driveline accounts for 29.7% of complaints (1,474 reports, 115 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 105,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 76,000 and 150,000 miles.

A single system taking 29.7% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.

The hydraulic brake circuit accounts for 16.4% of complaints (815 reports, 47 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 84,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 56,000 and 114,000 miles.

The fuel system accounts for 9.9% of complaints (492 reports, 94 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 105,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 70,000 and 154,000 miles.

The engine and its cooling system accounts for 9.1% of complaints (453 reports, 115 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 130,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 90,000 and 160,000 miles.

Body structure accounts for 7.2% of complaints (357 reports, 59 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 140,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 105,000 and 180,000 miles.

The electrical system accounts for 6.7% of complaints (331 reports, 119 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 142,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 100,000 and 180,000 miles.

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. Print this page — the checklist survives print.

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 16 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
  2. Check steering / front suspension on 1993–1998 cars. '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.
  3. Check body / structure on 1993–1998 cars. Corrosion of floor pans, rocker panels and rear quarter panels in salt-belt use.
  4. Check transmission on 1993–1998 cars. 42RE/44RE 4-speed automatic overdrive and governor-pressure solenoid failures producing slipping and erratic shifts.
  5. End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.

For a buyer, a late-failure pattern shifts the question from whether to when. 67% of reported failures occur beyond 100,000 miles, so an example approaching that figure is approaching the range where other owners started reporting problems. The middle half of all failures falls between 89,000 and 162,000 miles.

On inspection, the transmission and driveline and the hydraulic brake circuit are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The hydraulic brake circuit in particular shows a median failure mileage of 84,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.

None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.

Grand Cherokee problems by mileage: where your car sits

Type your odometer reading, or read the common mileages in the table. Your marker lands on the timing chart above and on the curve below.

earlier most reports on that system came below this mileage — ask for repair records. in window this mileage sits inside the middle half of its reports. later most reports came above it. That describes reports, not your odds.

Where each system’s reports sit against common odometer readings
SystemMiddle half of reports, miAt 60k mi12% belowAt 90k mi25% belowAt 120k mi47% belowAt 150k mi68% belowAt 200k mi89% below
Transmission and driveline76,000–150,000laterin windowin windowearlierearlier
Hydraulic brake circuit56,000–114,000in windowin windowearlierearlierearlier
Fuel system70,000–154,000laterin windowin windowin windowearlier
Engine and its cooling system90,000–160,000laterin windowin windowin windowearlier
Body structure105,000–180,000laterlaterin windowin windowearlier
Electrical system100,000–180,000laterlaterin windowin windowearlier
Throttle and speed control100,000–160,000laterlaterin windowin windowearlier

Figure 3 · Jeep Grand Cherokee 1993–1998 · 799 reports with mileage

Share of reports below each mileage

Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.

Cumulative share of reports by mileage, Jeep Grand Cherokee 1993–1998Of 799 reports that record mileage, the share filed below each odometer reading, rising in steps at each 10,000-mile bin edge. 12 percent below 60,000 miles. 25 percent below 90,000 miles. 47 percent below 120,000 miles. 68 percent below 150,000 miles. 89 percent below 200,000 miles. Median 120,000 miles.
  • 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 staircase crosses the 50% line here
  • Your odometer — appears after you enter it above

The staircase tops out at 89%: the remaining 11.0% of reports (88) came above 200,000 miles.

Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.

1993–1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls (16)

NHTSA records 16 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.

The campaigns cluster around the hydraulic brake circuit (5), body structure (2), the suspension (2). Several campaigns against one area can mean a remedy that did not hold, or separate defects in parts filed under the same heading; the summaries below name each defect.

Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.

Recall repairs are free at an authorized dealer, for any owner. Summaries below shorten NHTSA’s own wording.

  1. 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…

    NHTSA campaign 13V-252 (2013-06-19).

  2. 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…

    NHTSA campaign 02V-053 (2002-02-15).

  3. 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.

    NHTSA campaign 00V-136 (2000-05-10).

  4. 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.

    NHTSA campaign 99V-340 (1999-12-13).

  5. 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.

    NHTSA campaign 98V-023 (1998-02-10).

  6. 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.

    NHTSA campaign 98V-006 (1998-01-12).

  7. 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.

    NHTSA campaign 98V-005 (1998-01-12).

  8. 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.

    NHTSA campaign 97V-194 (1997-11-07).

  9. 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.

    NHTSA campaign 97V-080 (1997-05-16).

  10. 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.

    NHTSA campaign 97V-039 (1997-03-17).

  11. 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.

    NHTSA campaign 95V-193 (1995-10-11).

  12. 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.

    NHTSA campaign 95V-172 (1995-09-12).

  13. 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.

    NHTSA campaign 93V-210 (1993-12-13).

  14. 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.

    NHTSA campaign 93V-055 (1993-04-08).

  15. 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.

    NHTSA campaign 93V-051 (1993-04-02).

  16. 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.

    NHTSA campaign 92V-181 (1992-12-14).

Some of these 16 campaigns also cover Jeep Cherokee 1984–2001 (7 of them): the same campaign number appears in NHTSA’s file against both, which means the same defect and the same free repair. 7 of the 16 are specific to this vehicle alone.

Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported

What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 4,969 complaints against this generation:

Crashes
741 (14.9%)
Fires
161
Injury reports
433
Fatality reports
22

These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.

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.

Complaints by model year
YearComplaintsWith mileageMedian milesMost reportedRecalls
199358956130,000Hydraulic brake circuit (160)8
199460686146,000Hydraulic brake circuit (126)3
199574190114,000Transmission and driveline (251)4
1996940151135,000Transmission and driveline (295)6
19971,030212118,000Transmission and driveline (258)5
19981,065204105,000Transmission 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 2026-09-26 · open data · how it is built

Other Grand Cherokee generations

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