Four problems related to radiator have been reported for the 1996 Jeep Cherokee. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Car has been well-maintained throughout ownership/no abuse of any sort on our part hastened the extensive repairs/overall repair bill was $1500. Head gasket and assoc. Problems caused the water pump to seize up, the serpentine belt to slip off/the metal parts to be chewed up which went into the radiator causing the water lines and the radiator to be flushed as well. We are concerned about the extensiveness of this problem and the repair cost. We have contacted Chrysler, but they said they will not proceed with a recall until NHTSA reports this problem to them. That file # is 8646708. We previously owned the same make and model(1988 Jeep). We sold it at 200,000 miles--never having extensive repair problems such as this.
While driving consumer heard fan hitting housing of the radiator. Also, vehicle would not go in 5 th gear or reverse. Motor had dropped about 3 inches. Motor mount bolts had broken.
The water pump went out on way out of town. White smoke poured out from behind the Jeep. We immediately pulled over and used our phone to call for help. We were told from a mechanic that it sounded as if the water pump went out. We waited for the Jeep to cool off, then added water to the radiator. We were able to drive at 35 mph until we found a service station to pull over at. At that time the technician told us that it was indeed the water pump and there was no more that could be done that day (Saturday-5:00p. M. ). We got our vehicle towed back home to lafayette, la. The next morning and at that time the towing/service technician also said it looked as if the engine head gasket was blown. Is that common for this vehicle with this milage? also, the brakes went out and we had them fixed a month ago at lafayette motors inc. Could they have known about the water pump or is that impossible? also, was there supposed to be any warning as a check engine light? we got no warning, but the smoke pouring out. ( dot number: ).
On the first occasion the motor mount bolts broke and the side of the engine collapsed downward. Due to the collapse the fan moved down and it hit the fan cover. When the motor mount collapsed it chipped away at the surface of the engine block. The second time the motor mount bolts came out completely and the engine fell to the side again this time wedging fan into the radiator. The first time the dealership repaired the motor mounts, but obviously did not do a good enough job, in order the keep the motor mount secure.