general problems of the 1996 Jeep Cherokee

Three problems related to engine and engine cooling have been reported for the 1996 Jeep Cherokee. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 1996 Jeep Cherokee based on all problems reported for the 1996 Cherokee.

1 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 10/18/2024

The contact owns a 1996 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle was running rough and then stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to the residence. The contact had a mobile mechanic diagnose the vehicle, and it was determined that there was a failure of the manifold. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was not running properly and called another mobile mechanic. The second mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that an aftermarket distributor and aftermarket computer had both failed. The contact stated that the distributor and computer were installed previously by another independent mechanic. The contact had purchased the aftermarket parts, cardone distributor part number 84-4694, and cardone computer part number: 79-1199 model number: 04886961, online. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and declined to stand behind the aftermarket computer and distributor parts. The failure mileage was approximately 223,000.

2 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 08/27/2009

1996 Jeep Cherokee caught fire while driving on the westbound side of the ohio turnpike. Ohio traffic crash report # 10-0774-91.

3 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 08/15/1999

The entire rear axle was replaced at the advice of Jeep service. They claimed that the wheel bearings would not not seat in the axle as the "races" were worn beyond the point of holding them in. Because I needed the vehicle for my business, I had no choice but to have them repair it while they had it apart as I did not have time to do the job myself. It was a three week wait for parts as it was. Then I noticed the "musty" smell. Upon futher investigation I discovered the entire Jeep was saturated under the carpets on both sides. Mold everywhere. No wonder my allergies were killing me. I've since gutted the vehicle and bleached the entire floor areas. I am now in the process of coming up with a solution to the problem so I can pass it on to other Jeep owners. Chrysler has a bulletin out on a procedeure to clean the a/c drain but it does not work as it comes back each year. I've found that gluing nylon screening in the air intake under the hood keeps all of the debris that clogs this drain tube out of the heater box. Now I am working on a way to stop the water from running back into the dash area through the firewall where it drains out into the frame. Not one dealership would talk to me about this. I know that they know about it because of the bulletin. Also, I found that the "vents" behind the rear fixed glass on the Cherokee have a small holding cup and a tube which the water that enters that area drains into, what I couldn't believe was that it drains into the rear of the vehicle, inside, which results in the entire rear of the vehicle becoming wet under the rear rug. This problem is solved by punching a hole through the floor and extending the factoy drain tube through the floor so the water drains outside the vehicle where it belongs. I am a car buff and pretty knowledgeable about repairs and I could not believe my eyes when I saw these design flaws. They are blatantly obvious.




Safety Ratings of Cherokee Cars
Fuel Economy of Cherokee Vehicles
Cherokee Service Bulletins
Cherokee Safety Recalls
Cherokee Defect Investigations