The 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 4 recalls, the most serious being two separate fire risks: a loose alternator fuse connection that can arc and ignite the engine compartment, and a wiring harness on memory seat-equipped vehicles that can contact a seat spring, short circuit, and set the seat cushion on fire.
On the braking side, certain vehicles originally sold in Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritime Provinces have composite front brake rotors where the iron wear surface can separate from the hub, significantly reducing stopping ability. There is also a suspension concern on vehicles with the Quadra-Trac transfer case: using the space-saver temporary spare tire alongside certain standard road tire sizes can cause the front axle to overheat.
At a glance
What can fail
On certain vehicles from Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritime Provinces, the front brake rotors can corrode. The iron wear surface may separate from the hub, reducing braking effectiveness.
What the fix does
Front brake rotors will be replaced with rotors that have a stainless steel hub section.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
Front axle can overheat when driving with the temporary spare tire on vehicles with specific tire sizes, causing fluid to leak from seals and increasing fire risk.
What the fix does
Replace the temporary spare tire and wheel with a full-sized spare tire and wheel assembly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
On vehicles with memory seats, the wiring harness may contact the seat spring, creating a short circuit that generates heat. If this heat isn't stopped by circuit protection, it could ignite the seat cushion.
What the fix does
The memory seat control module and wiring harness will be moved to a safer location, and a protective cover will be added to the seat frame.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fasteners holding the alternator circuit fuse in the power distribution center may not clamp tightly enough, allowing arcing at the connection and potentially causing fire under the hood.
What the fix does
The alternator fuse will be replaced with a fuse link, and any damage to the power distribution center will be repaired.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
