1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 6 cylinder. 4.0L from North America

Summary:

My Jeep is comfortable and more reliable than any other vehicle I have owned

Faults:

Since the day I bought it, I noticed a whining noise from the rear. My mechanic looked at it and replaced all of the bearings and such and told me there was nothing wrong. The whining is quieter now, but still exists. From other reviews I have noticed that it's "just a Jeep thing".

I also have a shifting problem. The tranny won't shift from 2nd to 3rd unless I significantly let up off the gas. If you just keep pushing the RPMs, it will eventually start reving the engine and lurching. I still haven't found a remedy. Does anyone have a suggestion on what could be the problem?

General Comments:

My Jeep is very comfortable. It came with many options including Infinity Sound, power seats, windows, and locks, the temp/mileage gage up top, wood trim and CD/cassette player. I can pretty much go anywhere, which is nice living in the mountains. However, I feel I may grow out of it soon. My boyfriend is 6'5". Plus, children hopefully will someday be in the picture. I will then be needing something bigger.

If I could go back to the buying process of this vehicle, I would definately go for the V8 engine. Currently I am getting an average of 18 MPG which is OK, but since the V8 doesn't get too much less, I would go for that better power. With my tranny problem, my Jeep doesn't take long passes too well and I usually have to slow down substantially.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th February, 2004

4th Oct 2005, 11:51

I also have a 96 Jeep grand Cherokee Limited with the traditional 4.0 in it. The motor has that security system on it that seems to lock itself down for some reason. I can't get it to start now. What's going on. I also have the same tranny problem that one other person was speaking of.

1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 from North America

Summary:

Not exactly a bargain to maintain, but very comfortable and fun to drive

Faults:

The Rear Differential started to make a high pitch noise at about 1500 miles. The differential was rebuilt under warranty. This included pinion bearings, axial bearings and seals.

The power steering pump started to make a noise at about 3,00 miles. This was said to be 'normal' and would not be covered by warranty. My older Jeep Limited has made no such noise in it's 2 years of driving.

The Front brake rotor became warped at about 10,000 miles (this car is used mostly for driving around town at low speeds and the brakes are not stressed). This was replaced under warranty.

At 25,000 miles the differential again made a noise, but the Jeep dealer silently refused to work on it. I say 'silent' because while they did not say they refused, even a call to Chrysler could not get it actually worked on. At 32,000 miles the noise became pronounced. A second Jeep dealer said 'yes' it is bad, but now out-of-warranty. I pulled the differential cover and discovered some rather large chunks of metal, etc. So, I replaced bearings seals etc. at home.

Today the Jeep is again in the shop for a defective ignition switch and leaking transmission cooling hoses.

If the Jeep dealer had his way I would also have axial boots, front differential oil seals and a couple of other things fixed, but I am holding at the items I asked for.

General Comments:

Along the way, 'Country-Wide' in Southern California, where I purchased the Jeep showed that the copy of the extended service agreement I paid for was 'crossed-out' and therefor I never paid for it. Well, that is a classic rip-off I should have double-checked for.

The fact is: my first, older, Jeep Cherokee Limited is an an excellent and reliable car. If not for the older Jeep's reliability I would have doubt that any Jeep was reliable based upon the Grand Cherokee.

If you see my above rating you will note the Grand is a comfortable Jeep, the gas mileage is fine, the steering is improved in it's performance compared to the older Limited. The Brakes work better. In many aspects the Grand is an improvement.

As for the differential problems. Well, if Jeep had installed a 2 cent magnet to hold any metal that accidentally worked into the oil then I suspect the differential would never have failed twice. Today it has magnet installed, by me.

In general, yes I expect I will buy another Jeep. But, if it starts-out like the last one, it will be my last Jeep.

Thank you.

Jay Waas.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th April, 2003

7th Jan 2004, 12:42

I own a Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo and I have had similar difficulties with my vehicle. My Radio shorts out, my dashlights go from bright to dim, my rear wiper doesn't work, and I have had to replace my transmission coolant lines twice within one year. Also, my transmission is starting to slip at times. Seems like every month I have had to replace/fix something. Last month I had to replace my oil sending unit. I enjoy driving my Jeep and it is comfortable, but I agree with everyone else. I probably will not buy another one.

28th Aug 2005, 12:28

I agree with your analysis. I have had 2 transmissions and now the front Differential started to make a high pitch noise at about 100,000 miles. The differential was rebuilt for $1100. This included pinion bearings, axial bearings and seals.

Also I had to replace my evaporator and freon which was $1000 and replace brakes and rotors twice. for another $1000.

I had to replace the axle front and the CV joints

Power steering and brake motors both leaked at 100,000 miles.

3rd Feb 2006, 15:24

I am the original poster of the above report.

Yesterday the Grand made a short trip of about 15 feet in reverse when it acted like one rear wheel locked. Then, in moving forward to return to the parking location it acted like something was about to break rather than move. Upon exiting the Jeep, smoke was coming from the Left rear wheel. This Grand had been sitting in my driveway overnight, in cool, but not cold weather and had not been run or moved for over 24hours. So, the question is why SMOKE! I suppose I will find out this weekend when I have time to pull the wheel and see what happened.

Oh, the differential is again noisy and the magnet I installed to pull metal from the differential oil is working overtime with the large amount of iron it is picking up??!!

21st Jan 2009, 11:42

Was the parking brake engaged? They smoke in a very short distance if they are left on.

14th Dec 2010, 15:00

I just got my Jeep Grand Cherokee for my birthday last year. So far I've had only had to replace my water pump. I've had a few electrical problems with it shorting out, but that was the last mechanic's fault. So far I've been very happy with my car.