1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Reviews - Page 3 of 14

Front differential was rebuilt at 115k miles.

Idler pulley broke off at 118k and 126k miles.

Thermostat broke at 119k miles.

A Jeep is not a Honda... let's go ahead and clear that up. I knew what I was buying. I bought an American SUV over 10 years old with 113k miles.

However, this Jeep had dealer service records from 40k miles. From 40k miles to 113k miles, the Jeep required $11,000 dollars in maintenance and repair. Major things like the entire A/C system being replaced twice and the front and rear differentials being rebuilt. Things like water pumps are good for a lousy 45k miles. However, this Jeep ran, drove, and performed like I was driving off the showroom floor in 96'.

There are parts of these vehicles that are complete garbage like bearings, switches, gaskets, etc. But maintenance is key for the non-garbage components.

The 5.2 V8 is amazing, and when coupled to the Quadra-Trac system, this Jeep is unstoppable.

Now at 126k miles, the Jeep is like new. No oil consumption, no leaks, no squeaks. But this isn't build quality, this is maintenance and repair by picky people. This is my daily driver, and I average 30k miles/ year on my cars.

It's big yet small, safe, and comfortable for the most part. The front seats lack any lumbar support and they desperately need it.

It's reliable and I drive it all over the place. Things that break don't stop the Jeep, you just put them on your list and repair when convenient. Also, I keep this thing up on a broke college student budget, so it's not too bad.

Fuel economy is not great, but not bad for a V8 and All Wheel Drive. I average about 16.5mpg mostly highway.

Parts are extremely abundant and extremely cheap.

I'd definitely buy another one, but I'd look very carefully. And, I would probably get the 5.2 V8. It has so much more power and yet returns very similar fuel economy to the 4.0 I6. Mine is rare as it is a Laredo (base) model equipped with the V8, and almost all Laredos had the 4.0 I6. I get the weirdest looks from guys at the oil change places. It's always funny to watch them write 4.0 I6 on the service sheet and then every time they end up going back and changing it.

The A/C is too cold and the heat is too hot, even on the lowest settings. I usually end up rolling down the windows or something.

Had to replace the transmission at 206,000 miles, but that was to be expected at such high miles.

Good vehicle, got a lot of riding pleasure out of it before the transmission went out, but very reliable SUV.

Rear wiper motor around 120,000 miles.

Rear axle bearings went out around 100,000 miles like most grand Cherokee's around this year.

Replaced front axle U-Joints around 130,000.

Small leak in the AC, I had to charge it up every summer to have cold air.

Front anti-sway bar links had to be replaced around 130,000 miles. (It started clunking pretty loud in the front end over bumps)

This has been one of the best vehicles I have ever owned. It's been my daily driver for 5 years and I can't really complain about anything. It's comfortable, not too big and not too small, and with it being 4wd it does great in the Michigan winters.

The 4.0 straight six engine has enough power, but it is no thrill ride and the gas mileage is not that great at about 17 mpg. This is a combination of about 60% city and 40% highway. The engine at over 160,000 miles still runs like new and doesn't burn or leak any oil.

Overall this has been a great vehicle, other than the rear end needing to be rebuilt at 100,000 miles it has just needed a few minor repairs over the last few years.