Model year record

1996 Jeep Cherokee

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 584 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 11V279000

Exterior lighting: brake lights

Component
Exterior lighting: brake lights
Manufacturer
U.S. DRIVE RIGHT
Vehicles affected
1,126
Reported to NHTSA
2011-05-06
Owners notified
2011-09-12

Defect description

U.S. DRIVE RIGHT IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1994-1996 JEEP CHEROKEE VEHICLES IMPORTED FROM JANUARY 2007, THROUGH APRIL 2011 FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT," FOR THE HIGH MOUNT BRAKE LAMP ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLES ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE REQUIRED THIRD BRAKE LAMP.

Safety risk

INADEQUATE LIGHTING COULD REDUCE VISIBILITY OF VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

U.S. DRIVE RIGHT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND MAIL KITS ALONG WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BY A QUALIFIED MECHANIC OF THEIR CHOICE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT U.S. DRIVE RIGHT AT 1-888-632-5936.

Recall campaignNHTSA 08V056000

Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel

Component
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Manufacturer
U.S. DRIVE RIGHT
Vehicles affected
107
Reported to NHTSA
2008-02-06
Owners notified
2008-03-12

Defect description

U.S. DRIVE RIGHT IS RECALLING 107 MY 1994-1998 RIGHT HAND DRIVE, 4-WHEEL DRIVE JEEP CHEROKEE VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, 'CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS;' NO. 108, 'LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT;' NO. 111, 'REARVIEW MIRROR;' NO. 114, 'THEFT PROTECTION;' NO. 115, 'VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER;' NO. 118, 'POWER WINDOW SYSTEM;' NO. 120, 'TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS;' NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION;' AND NO. 301, 'FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY.'

Safety risk

THESE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET THE REQUIRED STANDARDS.

Manufacturer remedy

U.S. DRIVE RIGHT WILL MAKE ALL THE REQUIRED MODIFICATIONS. A REPRESENTATIVE WILL TRAVEL TO THE CUSTOMER'S LOCATION AND MAKE THE MODIFICATIONS ON SITE. THE RECALL WILL BE PERFORMED ON A REGIONAL BASIS BEGINNING MARCH 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT U.S. DRIVE RIGHT AT 1-888-632-5936.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V136000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
589,000
Reported to NHTSA
2000-05-10
Owners notified
2000-06-05

Defect description

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, VERMONT, OR WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS CAN EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED FOR AN EXTENSIVE PERIOD IN THE "SALT BELT." IF THE ROTORS ARE NOT REPLACED, THE CORROSION CAN EVENTUALLY COMPROMISE THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER HUB SECTION OF THE ROTOR.

Safety risk

THE REDUCED STRENGTH CAN ALLOW THE CAST IRON WEAR SURFACE TO SEPARATE FROM THE HUB, REDUCING THE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE ROTORS WITH ROTORS THAT ARE COATED WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V069000

Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)

Component
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
2,500
Reported to NHTSA
1997-04-28
Owners notified
1997-06-20

Defect description

DURING ASSEMBLY OF THE FRAME, A FILLET WELD THAT JOINS THE INNER STEERING GEAR ATTACHMENT REINFORCEMENT TO THE FRAME RAIL, WAS OMITTED.

Safety risk

DUE TO HIGH STEERING LOAD EVENTS, VEHICLES CAN EXHIBIT BROKEN STEERING GEAR ATTACHING BOLTS OR FRAME RAIL CRACKING AT THE STEERING GEAR ATTACHING POINT INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR CRACKS IN THE FRAME RAIL. VEHICLES THAT SHOW CRACKS WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH REINFORCEMENT PLATES. VEHICLES THAT ARE FOUND TO BE FREE OF CRACKS WILL HAVE A SLOT CUT IN THE CROSS MEMBER AND THE FILLET WELD WILL BE ADDED.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V040000

Seat belts: rear/other

Component
Seat belts: rear/other
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
77,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-03-17
Owners notified
1997-03-24

Defect description

THE WEB MOUNTED REAR SEAT BELT INBOARD ANCHOR POSITIONS MAY NOT ACHIEVE THE REQUIRED LOAD OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY SECURED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL ADD A WASHER TO EACH REAR INBOARD SEAT BELT ANCHOR ATTACHMENT.

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V193000

Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers

Component
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
32,000
Reported to NHTSA
1995-10-11
Owners notified
1996-02-20

Defect description

THE FASTENERS WHICH SECURE THE ALTERNATOR CIRCUIT FUSE TO THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER CLAMP LOAD.

Safety risk

IMPROPER CLAMPING CAN RESULT IN ARCING AT THE CONNECTION POTENTIALLY CAUSING A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR FUSE WITH A FUSE LINK AND ANY DAMAGE TO THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER WILL BE REPAIRED.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor6238,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip23
Power train: automatic transmission2289,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine20171,150 mi
Air bags: frontal19
Electrical system16131,862 mi
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1666,600 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline15171,150 mi
Suspension15118,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch13
Steering12144,000 mi
Vehicle speed control11
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump10200,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift10
Seats10155,000 mi
Structure: body10182,000 mi
Unknown or other10131,862 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system9
Tires9130,649 mi
Structure: frame and members8110,032 mi
Suspension: front8151,500 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner7
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components7
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)7103,000 mi
Structure: body: door7
Engine and engine cooling6125,005 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor6140,226 mi
Seat belts6
Suspension: rear6
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash5136,650 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system5
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery5
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc5
Air bags4100,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery499,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition4
Electrical system: wiring4
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers4
Engine4223,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system416,665 mi
Power train: manual transmission4
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar4
Electrical system: ignition: switch373,443 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood3
Exterior lighting: headlights3
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly3149,000 mi
Fuel system, other3
Interior lighting3
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch3
Power train3
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)3140,226 mi
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)3
Seat belts: front: anchorage3
Seat belts: front: retractor3
Seats: front assembly: recliner393,480 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads3
Tires: tread/belt3
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system3167,275 mi
Visibility: windshield3
Air bags: side/window2
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system2130,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe2180,000 mi
Exterior lighting2206,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2
Parking brake2
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)2112,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)2
Service brakes295,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum2
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump2
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly2
Structure2181,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut2
Structure: body: tailgate2
Suspension: front: hub2
Suspension: front: wheel bearing2
Tires: sidewall242,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core2
Visibility: glass, side/rear2
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly2
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2
Wheels2160,000 mi
Air bags: on-off switch assembly1
Electronic stability control (ESC)1125,005 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Exterior lighting: tail lights1
Fuel system, gasoline1181,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting1
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch1
Parking brake: conventional1
Parking brake: driveline: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1
Power train: driveline: differential unit1
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1
Seat belts: rear/other: buckle assembly1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1
Service brakes, air: antilock: interconnecting assembly(wiring)1
Service brakes, hydraulic1100,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Steering: column1
Steering: linkages1
Steering: rack and pinion1
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments1
Structure: body: hood1
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments1
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs1
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire1
Trailer hitches1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1113,618 mi
Vehicle speed control: cables1
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1
Vehicle speed control: linkages1
Visibility1
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring1
Wheels: rim1

The 1995 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.