10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 4 / 2
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 1
- Average Mileage:
- 16,013 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
S10 appropriate handling-letter to the secretary from complaint regarding a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee the consumer stated his wife was rear ended while driving. Upon impact, the rear of the Jeep where the gas tank was located immediately burst into flames. The consumer's wife was burned to death. The consumer stated the Jeep was designed with an unprotected fuel tank located in the most vulnerable position behind the axle and below the bumper with no type of protection. Updated 10/06/10
- Kinnelon, NJ, USA
The consumer states that July 2, 2005 he was driving 20 mph and the gas tank fell off of the vehicle. The police and fire department came to the scene and the fire department filed a incident report #4403-05 with the sioux falls fd. The vehicle was towed to an automotive service where he did business. The rear passenger strap rusted through and because of the weight of the tank the other strap rusted as well. The straps have been replaced. He still has one of these straps. There is a Jeep file number 13747938. Jeep was not compensating due to age and miles on the vehicle. The gas tank was punctured after it fell off. The vehicle has been maintained and there have been no accidents. The consumer bought the vehicle from his son who originally leased it from baxter Jeep in omaha, ne.
- Sioux Falls , SD, USA
Engine did not run due to fuel tank coating coming off. This coating is there to provide added assurance that there be no fuel leak (and a fire) if the plastic wall of the tank leaks (on its own or after a crash). Thus there is a fire safety hazard. The manufacturer and dealer will not replace the tank (even after 3 recurances of the engne running problem, due to the coating coming off the tank wall and clogging the fuel filter and - in 1 case - even the fuel pump). They, instead, flush the tank (removing even more coating) and re-instal it. I am now using a tank with probably very little fire-protection coating. I feel this is a huge safety problem.
- Enfield, CT, USA
Fuel tank failure causing debris to go into fuel pump causing fuel pump failure and vehicle to breakdown. This problem, if not corrected will cause fuel leakage, and potential fire.
- Chesapeake City, MD, USA
The fuel sending unit failed as stated in recall number 97 V 194 000, however the recall did not apply to consumer's vehicle.ts the recall only applied to the later models.
- North Smithfield, RI, USA
Fuel pump failed while parked. Pump replaced with oem part. Failed 3 days later after driving about 30 miles. Mechanic reports that gas tank was clean and no problems appeared. Only major brand gasoline has been used in this vehicle. A recall should be issued on this problem as it could cause a serious accident if the engine stalled due to fuel failure. In addition this appears to be a manufactures related problem. This recurring problem also causes and corrided of confidence in the vehicle and will relate to a decrease in this vehicles popularity.
- Appomattox, VA, USA
Vehicle wouldn't start and was towed to dealer. Dealer determined fuel tank was decomposing. Fuel tank, sending unit, filter, and fuel pump damaged beyond repair and replaced at cost over $1,200. Not covered by any warranty. All parts in stock; repairs completed same day.
- Egg Harbor Township, NJ, USA
Problem with sludge build up in fuel tank. Dealer contacted. Feel free to provide any further information.
- Coatesville, PA, USA
No summary listed for above vehicle.
- Dunn Loring, VA, USA
No summary listed for above vehicle.
- Middletown, DE, USA
Fuel pump fails due to faulty fuel tank. Jeep dealer admits faulty tanks in '96 Grand Cherokee, yet there is no recall. Expensive and dangerous problem since the car simply shuts down and becomes inoperable. Please investigate and enforce a recall on Chrysler. There are numerous complaints!
- Reston, VA, USA
Fuel pump fails due to faulty fuel tank. Jeep dealer admits faulty tanks in '96 Grand Cherokee, yet there is no recall. Expensive and dangerous problem since the car simply shuts down and becomes inoperable. Please investigate and enforce a recall on Chrysler. There are numerous complaints!
- Reston, VA, USA
I was stranded due to fuel pump failure. Dealer said this is due to faulty manufacture of fuel tanks in 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee and I must replace fuel pump and tank. Dealer will not cover my $1,200. Expense plus towing costs. I have been without my car for 1 week so far...it is estimated to be another two weeks until the fuel tank arrives from back order. Apparently it is on back order because the part has to be replaced for so many others. Chrysler does not want to issue a recall because it is costly, but it is the right thing to do. A recall needs to be issued. Faulty manufacture should be covered by the manufacturer.
- Reston, VA, USA
Vehicle would not start, had vehicle towed to dealer. Dealer advises that fuel tank is decomposing and has collapsed, causing fuel pump to fail. Dealer will replace fuel tank and pump under extended warranty. Advised tanks are on back order and repair date is undetermined. Have had rental through extended warranty plan for ten days. Dealer will allow five days of car rental at their cost. Will take longer then five days to receive pump and will be without a vehicle.
- Baton Rouge, LA, USA
Fuel pump/gas tank/computer all need to be replaced as a result of deterioration of the gas tank lining. Fuel pump overheated, causing computer to malfunction and eventually break. How many people does it take to lose a ton of money because of a defective product that could be dangerous while driving to issue a recall.
- Warrington, PA, USA
The plastic gas tank in the 1996 Jeep Cherokee appears to deform due to aging and plastic "creep" so that the seal around the fuel pump module leaks. Often the leak is severe. My Cherokee leaked several gallons when I attempted to fill the tank. Replacement of gaskets, etc., does not repair the problem. I discovered that there have apparently been a large number of recent failures of this type, as replacement tanks are on long backorder. The leak is a fire hazard.
- Levittown, PA, USA
I had heard that the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee had numerous problems with its fuel pump. Now I am finding out that there is a costly problem, as well as a potentially dangerous one with mine. One month ago I had to replaced the fuel pump, because the car would not start. Now one month later, the new fuel pump has gone bad and both it and the fuel tank have to be replaced. $800 the first and perhaps a $1000 or more the second time. Can't someone direct Chrysler to recall the 1996 jepp Grand Cherokee to correct this problem? letters to Chrysler do not even bring abvout a response.
- Burke, VA, USA
Fuel pump failed in March 2001 and in Oct 2001, dealers believes fuel tank is decompsing, causing fuel pump to fail, replacing fuel tank.
- Newington, CT, USA
A private mechanic determined that interior of fuel tank corroded which eventually caused a failure of fuel pump..
- Port Crane, NY, USA
- Westminster, CO, USA