Faults:

In the first 5000 miles I owned this thing I had to replace the transfer case. This vehichle has the Quadra-Trac (aka Quadra-Junk) transfer case and beware, EVERYTHING ABOUT THEM IS TRUE!! At about 65,000 miles, it started locking up on dry pavement which made it nearly impossible to maneuver in tight spaces. This was a $2500 repair. Jeep told me that it is true that it's a common problem, but the I was out of luck because there is no recall. Also at about 67,000 miles I had to have the rear differential rebuilt because of a stripped-out breather tube which allowed water to get in. Another $1000. Immediately after that, the water pump went. Not a big deal, but after $3500 in repairs, it was enough for me to say a few choice words. There have also been various oil and transmission leaks since the day I got it. After 5 trips to the dealer, I have gotten nowhere. I've gotten used to adding a quart of oil every 800 miles.

General Comments:

Unless you would like to become very friendly with your neighborhood Jeep dealer, don't buy one. It's a comfortable, nice looking, piece of garbage. Never in my life will I own another Chrysler product.

Faults:

Air Conditioner freon leaked out repeatedly.

Air Conditioner caused mold smell in the car.

Antenna no longer extends or retracts automatically when radio is turned on/off. The motor is still running, but the antenna doesn't move.

The left rear window will not open.

General Comments:

Overall this has been the best car I have ever owned, but it hasn't been cheap!

The car had 72,000 miles when I bought it, but it seemed to have been very well cared for. My most serious complaint is about the air conditioning. The air has never worked right, and still doesn't. There was a freon leak, and the mechanics could not locate the source, even though they used colored dye. Most recently I was advised to have the O-rings replaced on the compressor. The local dealership is so bad I haven't even gone there. I am visiting a local shop that I trust.

I really like the way the Jeep drives, although handling is not good in high winds. In all other conditions, everything is fine. The RPM's jump by over a thousand when you leave the cruise control on while going uphill. I don't really like this because I think it's bad for the transmission. I usually take of the cruise control before heading uphill.

I wish the care were not a "full-time" four-wheel drive. I think this hurts the gas mileage, which is not that good to start with... about 17 mpg.

The car was rear-ended at high speed while parked. I was really impressed by how little damage was done. When the cops finally towed the offending car (which had been abandoned) back to the scene, it looked like it had been through a meat grinder. My repair bill was huge, but I think that was probably just something between the shop and my insurance company. My Jeep still ran fine after the accident, and it didn't look that bad. I really feel like this is a solid, safe car.

Reliability has been superb. It starts, and runs every time. I have the basic services done regularly, but otherwise there just haven't been any major problems. I did replace the front brakes and rotors at about 85,000 miles, but nothing else. This is the most reliable car I've ever owned. I think I was really lucky in terms of the previous owner (s) taking care of it.

The only reason I checked "no", for buying from this manufacturer... I know a few people who have newer Grand Cherokees, and they got hosed! The overall quality of this model seems to have gone downhill since the mid 90's. I think the 1995 model, and the couple of years preceeding, are probably your best bet for a Grand Cherokee.