Overview & Reviews

Jeep turns its flagship into an Explorer killer with dual airbags, revised styling, a better V6 engine, improved front suspension and an upgraded Selec-Trac four-wheel-drive system. Interiors have been restyled, featuring new luxury doodads and an optional integrated child safety seat. Trim levels are two: Laredo and Limited.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 139.00

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  Never again!!! - 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By formerjeepowner - December 18 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this Jeep shortly after college with 78,000. The car ran wonderfully for another 15,000 miles but then the problems started happening and they never really stopped for 5 years. First it was the transmission which cost $1800 just to fix the clutches. Then the water pump, the alternator, the battery, the fuel pump, O2 sensor, gear shift panel broke, the ignition casing went faulty and then finally the radiator went bad and I had enough. I did not fix it I just donated the vehicle to a local charity. I will never buy a Jeep again and I will never buy an American car again. I gave it a chance and it failed me miserably.

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  Penny wise, pound foolish - 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By DoctorJ - September 18 - 10:00 am

  Bought this vehicle off lease with 28k miles. Needed a high-clearance vehicle for work as I occasionally have to drive on dirt/gravel roads. I really wanted a 4Runner, but thought Id save $3,000 or so and "Buy American" - BIG mistake. Interior trim is peeling off of the doors and the seat fabric failed early. For some reason, Im always banging my foot on the door lip getting in & out. Has that "tippy" feel on corners. Worst of all, I had to replace the transmission at 65k mi, spending the $3000 I "saved" on the purchase, but it still doesnt work that smoothly.

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  If You Can Afford to Run It - 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By antbloom - June 17 - 2:46 pm

  In Australia the Jeep Grand Cherokee is sold as a premium vehicle with a price to match. Even 1996 models sell at dealers for over $18,000. My experience has not been a happy one; luckily the dealer gave me a 3 year unlimited warranty. All sorts of rattles, whines and leaks plague this car which the dealer seems unable to fix. My advice is admire someone elses Jeep and buy a Toyota.

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  Not sure what to think - 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Terry - September 4 - 1:53 pm

  This vehicle has been fun to drive but has had problems since day 1. Bought it at 55,000 miles, it had the 318 V-8 engine in it. Dealership could never fix engine "pinging." Rod bearings went, then entire engine had to be replaced at 101,000 miles. It was my wifes vehicle and she used it to commute back and forth a short distance to work. This vehicle has never been driven hard or abused. We also had trouble with the 4WD slipping out of 4WD low--wouldnt engage. The CD player quit working, radio shorts out. Sunroof leaks during big rainstorms. Vehicle has bled us dry for repair bills. Gets 15.6 mpg. Trannie seems to shift back and forth unnecessarily when going up hills.

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  New transmission at 80K mi and recalls - 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By JEB4 - April 25 - 10:00 am

  Numerous recalls, new transmission, new ball joints, new CV boots, bad gas gauge and condenser went out before 81k miles. My wife was driving it when the front driver seat became posessed and proceeded to fully recline on my 2 year- olds legs! It also seems to burn through front tires despite frequent alignments. Some rust forming under liftgate (not good for a garage-kept car).

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  Never Again! - 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Dee - February 28 - 10:00 am

  I will never buy another Jeep. We bought it used with only 15,000 miles on it. We have put at least $4,000 into fixing the A/C over the last 3 years. The switches have never worked consistently. One of the switches went out, at the same time the A/C went out, so all the windows were stuck OPEN for 2 weeks until the part came in. There have been other problems. It seems like we have a repair at least once every 3-4 months. Ill be glad when this piece of junk is OUT of my garage.

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  transmission - 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By BURRRRR - March 5 - 2:00 am

  at 70,000 miles I now need a $2239.00 major transmission repair. I verified the mileage before purchasing this car in March 2002. I thought the mileage was low and my wife and I are in our 50s and we dont drive rough or go 4-wheelin in the woods. The car went quickly from slow shfting one day to big time slipping the next day and getting lost in no gear at all before the automatic transmission shifted to high gear. terribly disapointed.

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  So So - 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Glenn Scott - February 27 - 8:33 pm

  I have always been a Toyota fan. I still am. This vehicle just didnt measure up. By the time I had 100K on it things were literally falling apart. The engine has been no problem to 150K. But the brakes are a Joke. They thump about 2K after having them done. I have had them done about 12 times. The tranny signed off at 105K and the ball joints and front end were all done at 115K. It did get a solid 20 MPG and the seats never wore or tore so I guess not all bad. My last 4 Runner got retired at 280K original tranny and ball joints. Oh yeah, I had the brakes done about 5 times and they never ever thumped!

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  150,000 - 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By cweiland - February 14 - 1:39 am

  Just hit 150,000 miles and it is still running strong. The thing wont die! The interior is falling apart, my A/C dosent work and im leaking a bit of oil and antifreeze but thats an easy fix. Most reliable vehicle ive owned, engine wise. Its no Aston Martin but ill take it I guess.

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  Finally Give Up - 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Jeep24Rnr - March 21 - 10:00 am

  82000 miles. Since new have replaced: rear axel vent (twice); PW motor; Intake MANIFOLD gasket; Tranny Cooler line (leak); Peeling dr panels; leaky AC Accumulator line; Wtr Pump; Oil Sensor Sending unit (twice); CV boots; Now tranny starts slipping due to bad clutch seal(wanted to fix) but transfer case starts to leak. Had eeeeeenough! traded in for a 4runner. Did rigorous maintenance, all by my self except tran fluid including wtr pump. Overall, I see DC has a good product design team, but there is no body puting the product together, and had zero quality control. "The Jeep Thing" can only go so far. Sure, "There is Only One", it perfectly described my feeling, plus "ONCE is enough"!!