Problems · by component

1996 Jeep Cherokee power train problems

59 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 1996 Jeep Cherokee cite power train, 13% of all 450 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
59
13% of all complaints
Crashes
20
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THEN BECAME LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW POWER STEERING GAUGE AND A FRONT END ALIGNMENT WERE NEEDED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 26, 2018Steering, Suspension, Power trainODI 11090348
“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP FOR REPAIR OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER DUE TO BACK PRESSURE AND RATTLING IN THE ENGINE. ON AUGUST 25, 2006 THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR A CATALYTIC CONVERTER PROBLEM. THE RECALL WAS NOT IN THE NHTSA DATABASE. THE CONTACT SENT THE BILLING INFORMATION TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHO DENIED REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE THE WORK WAS DONE AFTER THE RECALL. ON MAY 4, 2006 THE WORK WAS COMPLETED BEFORE THE RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED. UPDATED 01/10/07. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 5, 2006Engine and engine cooling, Power trainODI 10175195
“DT: CONSUMER'S CHILDREN WERE IN JEEP AND IT WAS RUNNING IN PARK. CONSUMER WAS GOING TO GET THEM OUT AND THE CAR JUMPED FROM PARK AND ROLLED INTO A DRIVE GEAR. *AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 1, 2005Power trainCrash reportedODI 10123730
“POWERTRAIN TRANSMISSION: AUTOMATIC. MY TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR PROPERLY, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER AND WHINNING. THIS OCCURS MOSTLY THE FALL AND WINTER MONTHS DURING COLDER TEMPERATURE UNDER 32 DEGREES. PLEASE ADVISE.*AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 8, 2005Power trainODI 10110071
“NAR 05/28/2003 *MR THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AND ACCIDENT THE JEEP WAS LEFT IN A PARK POSITION, THEN WENT INTO REVERSE STRIKING ANOTHER CAR. AUTOMATIC SHIFTER DEFECTIVE. *CB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 28, 2003Power trainCrash reportedODI 10021718
“VEHICLE WAS UNATTENDED IDLING WHILE IN "PARK". AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME (10+ MIN) IT SELF-ENGAGED INTO "REVERSE" AND ACCELERATED BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND INTO A TREE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 19, 2003Power trainCrash reportedODI 10007789

Showing 6 of 59 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.