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1996 Jeep Cherokee: loss of power steering

7 of the 446 complaints about the 1996 Jeep Cherokee describe loss of power steering.

owner complaints
7
of this car's complaints
2%
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

Loss of power steering by model year

What owners say

Filed Nov 13, 2013 · Steering · 146,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 jeep cherokee. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH over a pot hole, there was a sudden loss of steering control. The contact was able to regain control and continued driving. There was a recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number 97v069000 (steering) however, the VIN was not included. The contact was a certified mechanic, he noticed a crack in the frame on the driver's side near the steering gear box. The contact planned to repair the vehicle himself. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 146,000.

Filed Oct 29, 2002 · Steering · OH

Consumer states power steering bearing fails intermittenly resulting in loss of power steering function. Ts

Filed Dec 20, 2001 · Engine · TX

One of the pulleys brackets holding the "serptine " belt broke causing loss of power steering and minor damage to the engine compartment. The estimate damage is undetermined at this time, until it can be check out. The bracket holding the pulley cracked in half. When I talked with the service department at the jeep dealer, I was told that this was a normal occurence when the vehicle has in excess of 100,000 miles. Because the bracket is made out of aluminum I have 92,000 miles. Anyway I was told that this is not a manufacture defect, therefore the manufacture will not pay for repairs.

Filed Aug 19, 2000 · Steering · NC

Power steering failed due to bracket holding the hydraulic pump assembly failing. Bracket broke and caused belt and belt to be thrown into radiator. This caused steering to lock-up and car coming to stop in a flower bed at apartment complex. This could have resulted in severe injury, property damage or a fatality. Bracket and mounting bolt failed for no aparent reason. I had the car towed to local repair mechanic who ordered the parts and repaired the damage at a very reasonable cost. Mechanic told me that when he ordered the part from chrysler he was told that this was something they had been replacing at fairly high rate. This is not a part that should fail. Something is wrong here. Please investigate.

Filed May 11, 1999 · Steering · MO

At 68,000 miles power steering broke off the housing pump, causing total loss of power steering which also caused the vehicle to shut down.

Filed Aug 7, 1998 · Steering · FL

While traveling the battery light and water light came on. Consumer lost power steering and the engine shut down. Please provide further detail.

Filed Nov 28, 1997 · Electrical, Steering · DE

Power steering failure, causing loss of accesory belt causing overheat, battery running low bracket broke in half.

Related recalls

Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)Reported April 28, 1997 · 2,500 vehicles affected
What is wrong
During assembly of the frame, a fillet weld that joins the inner steering gear attachment reinforcement to the frame rail, was omitted.
Risk
Due to high steering load events, vehicles can exhibit broken steering gear attaching bolts or frame rail cracking at the steering gear attaching point increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the vehicles for cracks in the frame rail. Vehicles that show cracks will be equipped with reinforcement plates. Vehicles that are found to be free of cracks will have a slot cut in the cross member and the fillet weld will be added.

Recall number 97V069000 · Recall details

Questions about the 1996 Jeep Cherokee power steering loss

Is loss of power steering a common problem on the 1996 Jeep Cherokee?

7 of 446 owner complaints about the 1996 Jeep Cherokee (2%) mention loss of power steering. The model year with the most reports is 2019.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1996 Jeep Cherokee?

There is 1 recall and 0 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 1996 Jeep Cherokee

Stalling 14No deployment 13Fire or smoke 13Fuel pump 13Grinding brakes 9Brake failure 8Loss of power 7Pulling 7Water leak 6ABS 5Check engine light 5Headlights 5Overheating 5Tire blowout 5

All model years of the Jeep Cherokee

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