1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee: won't start

Filed Apr 3, 2018 · Electrical, Fuel system · 165,000 miles · CA

Car usually runs fine cold but when it gets to operating temperature it stalls unexpectedly and in dangerous moments while driving on any road or freeway at any speed. I lose all powered functions like steering and brakes. It won't start again for hours until it has cooled all the way down.

Filed Sep 18, 2014 · Electrical · 181,000 miles · CT

While driving at 65 MPH the vehicle shuts off and will not start until the vehicle cools and will run for a while and shut off but this time it will take hours before it starts again which it would begin to repeat the process of shutting off. I changed all the sensors and had the fuel pump checked out but it still shuts off.

Filed Sep 30, 2009 · Electrical · CA

I have a 1996 jeep grand cherokee laredo. It turns off at every stop or when I start to slow down. I've paid over $500 to get this problem fixed & nothing!! I've had the computer changed, coil changed, tune up, everything you can imagine! My mechanic has no clue what's wrong with it & when I google it I'm not the only person with this exact type of vehicle & this exact kind of problem. It started over a year ago I had the computer changed. It was working great for about 4 months. Then the problems started all over again one day when I was sitting on the freeway in traffic. The vehicle starts to shake, then it will shut off. Sometimes it'll shake for about a minute as if it's about to turn off, yet it'll stay on. It hesitates so much & I'm tired of this problem. I'm a single mother of 2 & have no money to buy a new vehicle. My children are not safe when they are with me. I'm afraid I will stall in the middle of no where & get hit from behind. I've had several encounters like this. When the vehicle shuts off sometimes it takes longer then 5-10 minutes to turn on again. This is an everyday thing! I live 10 minutes away from work & I have to leave at least 40 minutes before I have to clock in. Most of the time the vehicle stalls about 2-3 times on a good day. On a bad day, it'll take me all 40 minutes to get there. One day I had to leave it at my place of employment because it wouldn't start at all! The next day when I was dropped off I tried starting it & it started like it was brand new. I hope this complaint helps others out there that are struggling like myself. I think if this problem is happening with most vehicles like mine, jeep needs to recall this problem & get it fixed.

Filed Feb 3, 2007 · Engine · 122,500 miles · OH

Engine cuts out or has difficulty starting. Periodically(could be more than once a day) the motor turns over but will not start as it normally should. Often have to wait approach. 10 minutes and will start. Often after only a few minutes. Also, while driving along at high speed the engine will cut out and may restart immediately(seconds) and occasionally must pull off of highway and wait a few minutes before it will restart. Recall on PCM ; technician advised me that it might be PCM , but problem has worsened since recall on PCM was performed. At least 20 failures. Perhaps more.

Filed Jul 27, 2002 · Fuel system · NJ

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.

Filed Mar 25, 2002 · Fuel system · TX

Upon starting vehicle will not start. Consumer took vehicle to a ceritified mechanic, and he stated that it was fuel pump. Please provide any further information.

Filed Feb 6, 2002 · Fuel system · NC

When trying to start vehicle it would not start. Took vehicle to dealer, and dealer indicated it needed a fuel pump. Please add VIN.

Filed Jan 23, 2002 · Fuel system · LA

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.

Filed Dec 6, 2001 · Fuel system · NY

According to my mechanic, chrysler is aware of the problem with the fuel pump in the 1996 and 1997 models grand cherokee. I am very disturbed that knowing this problem exits, the company still charges over $600 for the part. Currently, I am a first year medical student. On all 3 occasions that the car would not start, I had major exams to get to. Not only does this jeopardize my academic career, but also disrupts my focus and concentration overall. For these reasons, I plan to get rid of this vehicle and have lost any faith I had previously in owning an american-made vehicle.

Filed Dec 4, 2001 · Fuel system · VA

This is a repeat submission, the first one was submitted on november 22, 2001. Five year old car with less than 25,000 miles would not start. Dealer replaced fuel pump at cost of $800 to consumer. One monthe and 300 miles later same problem occurred with additional need to repolace fuel tank. Two letters to chrysler have gone unanswered. In addition to a costly engine failure, safety could be a problem if pump failure happened on the highway. I shudder to think aboput this failure taking place on the capital beltway.

Filed Nov 22, 2001 · Fuel system · VA

Five year old car with less than 25,000 miles would not start. Dealer replaced fuel pump at cost of $800. One month and 300 miles later same problem occurred with additional need to replace fuel tank. Two letters to chrysler have gone unanswered. In addition to a costly engine failure, safety could be a problem if pump failure happened on the highway. I shudder to think about this failure taking place on the capital beltway.

Filed Nov 21, 2001 · Fuel system · VA

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.