1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Steering Problems
Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 8% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 142,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “power steering pump” (18% of reports).
- 67steering complaints
- 142,000median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- 27%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Power steering pump: mentioned in 12 of 67 complaints (18%)
- Death wobble: mentioned in 7 of 67 complaints (10%)
- Gear box: mentioned in 6 of 67 complaints (9%)
- Engine block: mentioned in 5 of 67 complaints (7%)
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 19 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 67 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 1 an injury.
Jeep Grand Cherokee steering complaints by model year
| Model year | Steering complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Grand Cherokee | 2 | 3% | — |
| 2024 Grand Cherokee | 8 | 3% | 55,000 |
| 2023 Grand Cherokee | 44 | 11% | 23,000 |
| 2022 Grand Cherokee | 23 | 9% | — |
| 2021 Grand Cherokee | 102 | 25% | 19,146 |
| 2020 Grand Cherokee | 13 | 5% | 13,100 |
| 2019 Grand Cherokee | 14 | 4% | 18,000 |
| 2018 Grand Cherokee | 14 | 2% | 14,000 |
| 2017 Grand Cherokee | 18 | 5% | 33,000 |
| 2016 Grand Cherokee | 16 | 5% | 20,000 |
| 2015 Grand Cherokee | 42 | 3% | 26,000 |
| 2014 Grand Cherokee | 81 | 3% | 43,000 |
| 2013 Grand Cherokee | 26 | 3% | 40,500 |
| 2012 Grand Cherokee | 100 | 6% | 60,000 |
| 2011 Grand Cherokee | 86 | 5% | 78,900 |
| 2010 Grand Cherokee | 3 | 3% | 80,000 |
| 2009 Grand Cherokee | 11 | 8% | 54,500 |
| 2008 Grand Cherokee | 24 | 3% | 74,500 |
| 2007 Grand Cherokee | 49 | 4% | 97,600 |
| 2006 Grand Cherokee | 37 | 3% | 83,799 |
| 2005 Grand Cherokee | 64 | 3% | 93,000 |
| 2004 Grand Cherokee | 73 | 6% | 75,500 |
| 2003 Grand Cherokee | 24 | 3% | 105,500 |
| 2002 Grand Cherokee | 41 | 3% | 58,500 |
| 2001 Grand Cherokee | 37 | 4% | 62,000 |
| 2000 Grand Cherokee | 48 | 3% | 93,000 |
| 1999 Grand Cherokee | 53 | 3% | 100,000 |
| 1998 Grand Cherokee | 40 | 4% | 126,000 |
| 1997 Grand Cherokee | 47 | 5% | 141,200 |
| 1996 Grand Cherokee | 67 | 8% | 142,000 |
| 1995 Grand Cherokee | 32 | 4% | 126,050 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists steering for the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Experienced death wobble on freeway at 45-55 and to regain control have t0 apply brakes and almost come to a dead stop. Six months after, the steering housing cracked found two out of the three bolts had snaped the bolt closest to the firewall had the broken casting still tourqe to the frame. I…
I had my power steering bracket break into 3 pieces, causing me to go through 2 pulleys and 4 serpentine belts before figuring out the problem. I have also experienced the "death wobble" a few times at speeds between 40-50 mph. It is very disturbing and scary and forced me off the road. I have to…
Family ownership since new. Recently started experiencing the "death wobble." jeep traveling on a high speed (above 60) road starts to shake uncontrollably and is difficult/impossible to steer or maneuver. Jeep feels like it is going to fall apart. Happens without warning. Have to stop or…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokees have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 67 owner complaints about steering for the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee (8% of the 893 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee steering?
No recall currently lists steering for this vehicle.
At what mileage do steering problems start?
The median reported mileage is 142,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about steering problems on the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The most frequent phrase is “power steering pump”, in 12 of 67 complaints, followed by “death wobble” (7).
Other 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems
See all 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems or steering problems across all Grand Cherokee years.