Recalls
6campaigns
2 brake · 2 electrical · 1 steering
Source: NHTSA
Complaints
447filed
Owner reports, 1992–2001 shown
Source: NHTSA ODI
Fuel economy
19mpg combined
$3,437/yr at this week's prices
Source: EPA · EIA
Specs
2.5 L 4-cyl· 5-speed manual
6 engine and transmission configurations
Source: NHTSA vPIC
Recalls (6)
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 1996 Jeep Cherokee. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Listed for 1996 Jeep Cherokee. Not checked against your VIN.
FMVSS 108/HIGH MOUNT BRAKE LAMP ASSEMBLY
Exterior lighting · brake lights
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- INADEQUATE LIGHTING COULD REDUCE VISIBILITY OF VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- 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.
Repair progress not yet reported1,126 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 11V279000
Listed for 1996 Jeep Cherokee. Not checked against your VIN.
FMVSS 101, 108, 111, 114, 115, 118, 120, 208, 301
Electrical system · instrument cluster/panel
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.'
- Consequence
- THESE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET THE REQUIRED STANDARDS.
- 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.
Repair progress not yet reported107 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 08V056000
Listed for 1996 Jeep Cherokee. Not checked against your VIN.
DAIMLERCHRYSLER/FRONT BRAKE ROTOR
Service brakes, hydraulic · foundation components · disc · rotor
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- THE REDUCED STRENGTH CAN ALLOW THE CAST IRON WEAR SURFACE TO SEPARATE FROM THE HUB, REDUCING THE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VEHICLE.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE ROTORS WITH ROTORS THAT ARE COATED WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION.
Repair progress not yet reported589,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 00V136000
Listed for 1996 Jeep Cherokee. Not checked against your VIN.
CHRYSLER/STEERING GEAR
Steering · gear box (other than rack and pinion)
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- DURING ASSEMBLY OF THE FRAME, A FILLET WELD THAT JOINS THE INNER STEERING GEAR ATTACHMENT REINFORCEMENT TO THE FRAME RAIL, WAS OMITTED.
- Consequence
- 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.
- 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.
Repair progress not yet reported2,500 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 97V069000
Listed for 1996 Jeep Cherokee. Not checked against your VIN.
CHRYSLER/FMVSS 210
Seat belts · rear/other
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- THE WEB MOUNTED REAR SEAT BELT INBOARD ANCHOR POSITIONS MAY NOT ACHIEVE THE REQUIRED LOAD OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."
- Consequence
- IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY SECURED.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL ADD A WASHER TO EACH REAR INBOARD SEAT BELT ANCHOR ATTACHMENT.
Repair progress not yet reported77,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 97V040000
Listed for 1996 Jeep Cherokee. Not checked against your VIN.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:FUSE AND FUSE RECEPTICLE
Electrical system · wiring · fuses and circuit breakers
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- THE FASTENERS WHICH SECURE THE ALTERNATOR CIRCUIT FUSE TO THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER CLAMP LOAD.
- Consequence
- IMPROPER CLAMPING CAN RESULT IN ARCING AT THE CONNECTION POTENTIALLY CAUSING A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR FUSE WITH A FUSE LINK AND ANY DAMAGE TO THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER WILL BE REPAIRED.
Repair progress not yet reported32,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 95V193000
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (447)
447 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The service brakes is mentioned most often.
57involved a crash
27involved a fire
27injuries reported
1deaths reported
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 447 |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 90 | 20.1% |
| Power train | 60 | 13.4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 54 | 12.1% |
| Structure | 47 | 10.5% |
| Electrical system | 43 | 9.6% |
| Steering | 37 | 8.3% |
| Suspension | 31 | 6.9% |
| Air bags | 26 | 5.8% |
| Fuel system | 24 | 5.4% |
| Visibility | 16 | 3.6% |
How 1996 compares with other Cherokee years
Best and worst Cherokee years →1992113
1993418
1994519
1995608
1996447
1997390
1998399
1999366
2000369
2001229
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 113 | 1 |
| 1993 | 418 | 3 |
| 1994 | 519 | 5 |
| 1995 | 608 | 6 |
| 1996 | 447 | 6 |
| 1997 | 390 | 4 |
| 1998 | 399 | 5 |
| 1999 | 366 | 2 |
| 2000 | 369 | 1 |
| 2001 | 229 | 2 |
This year (1996)Other yearsStill collecting reports
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 19 mpg combined
19
mpg combined
17
city
21
highway
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,550
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 468 g/mi
- EPA class
- Special Purpose Vehicles
What it costs you to run
$3,437per year
$286per month
789gallons a year
Miles ÷ 19 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 21 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
| 4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 21 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 20 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 17 | $3,950 | 523 |
| 4 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | $4,200 | 555 |
| 4 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 18 / 15 | $4,450 | 593 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1996 Cherokee for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1996 Jeep Cherokee FAQ
How many recalls does the 1996 Jeep Cherokee have?
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns: 11V279000 (brake), 08V056000 (electrical), 00V136000 (brake), 97V069000 (steering), 97V040000 (seat belt), 95V193000 (electrical). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1996 Jeep Cherokee problems?
Owners filed 447 complaints with NHTSA. Service brakes (90), Power train (60), Engine and engine cooling (54) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1996 Jeep Cherokee get?
EPA rates the 2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 17 city, 21 highway and 19 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1996 Cherokee compare with other years?
Among the 1992–2001 Jeep Cherokee model years at least five years old, the 1992 drew the fewest complaints (113) and the 1995 the most (608). The 1996 drew 447. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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