VehicleVerdict

1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 8 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 775 owner complaints run below the Grand Cherokee median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 124 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (151), transmission (131), and engine (89), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

775

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

12

Investigations

142

Crash-involved

39

Fires reported

124

Injuries

3

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1994 compare to other Grand Cherokee years?

See all Grand Cherokee years to avoid →

What are the most common 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes15119%
Transmission13117%
Engine8911%
Speed Control7410%
Fuel System567%
Electrical System436%
Steering395%
Airbags385%
Suspension355%
Body & Structure314%
Tires & Wheels182%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)162%
Visibility & Wipers132%
Seat Belts111%
Other101%
Lighting81%
Seats41%
Latches & Locks41%
Trailer Hitch20%
Child Seat20%

Does the 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee have recalls?

8 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

13V252000Body & StructureJune 19, 2013 · 1,560,000 units

Defect

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles. The fuel tanks in these vehicles are at risk of failure and leakage in certain rear impacts.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Remedy

Owners may take their vehicles to dealers and the dealers will perform a free inspection of the rear structure. On vehicles in the recall that are not equipped with a tow hitch, Chrysler will install a Chrysler designed tow hitch free of charge, provided the condition of the vehicle can support proper installation. On vehicles in the recall that are equipped with an aftermarket tow hitch, Chrysler will assess whether the hitch and surrounding areas show evidence of sharp edges or other puncture risks. If so, Chrysler will replace the tow hitch with a Chrysler designed tow hitch free of charge, provided the condition of the vehicle can support proper installation. On vehicles already equipped with a Chrysler designed tow hitch, Chrysler will inspect the area around the tow hitch installation, and if any installation issues are identified, they will be repaired free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign numbers are N45 (for the Grand Cherokee vehicles) and N46 (for the Liberty vehicles).

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

07E104000Visibility & WipersDecember 11, 2007 · 1,657 units

Defect

CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.

Remedy

SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

02V053000TransmissionFebruary 15, 2002 · 1,620,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IF A DRIVER HAS NOT PLACED THE SHIFTER LEVER FULLY INTO THE "PARK" POSITION AND LEAVES THE VEHICLE RUNNING, THE VEHICLE MAY UNEXPECTEDLY MOVE REARWARD AFTER SEEMING TO BE STABLE.

Consequence

INADVERTENT MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SECONDARY DETENT SYSTEM TO THE FLOOR SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. DAIMLERCHRYSLER SENT INTERIM NOTICES TO OWNERS CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM ON MARCH 22, 2002. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 23, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

99V340000BrakesDecember 13, 1999 · 334,047 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, OR WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS CAN EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED FOR AN EXTENSIVE PERIOD IN THE "SALT BELT." IF THE ROTORS ARE NOT REPLACED, THE CORROSION CAN EVENTUALLY COMPROMISE THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER HUB SECTION OF THE ROTOR.

Consequence

THE REDUCED STRENGTH CAN ALLOW THE CAST IRON WEAR SURFACE TO SEPARATE FROM THE HUB, REDUCING THE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE ROTORS WITH ROTORS THAT ARE COATED WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION.

97I002000Speed ControlMay 2, 1997 · 1,010,400 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. DRIVERS CAN MISTAKENLY STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHEN THEY INTEND TO STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL.

Consequence

PEDAL MISAPPLICATION BY A DRIVER CAN CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIFT INTERLOCK ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OF THESE VEHICLES.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

WITH THE KEY IN MY POCKET--THEREFORE GEARSHIFT LEVER IN PARK POSITION--AND THE VEHICLE UNATTTENDED, IT ROLLED BACKWARDS OUT OF WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A LEVEL GARAGE, DOWN MY DRIVEWAY, ACROSS THE STREET AND DOWN MY NEIGHBOR'S DRIVEWAY. KNOCKED DOWN PART OF THE DRIVEWAY WALL AND CONTINUED ON, CRASHING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 22, 1999 · crash

I PARKED CAR ON A HILL, PUT IN PARK AND LEFT ENGINE RUNNING. I GOT OUT OF CAR WALKED OVER TO A TRASH CAN TO PUT TRASH IN. WALKED TO GET BACK IN CAR, CAR STARTS TO TAKE OFF BACKWARDS KNOCKS ME DOWN AND ROLLS DOWN HILL INTO BUSY TRAFFIC, MAKES A U TURN BACKWARDS. CUTS BACK INTO PARKING LOT NEXT DOOR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 1, 2000 · crash

DRIVING OH THE HIGHWAY AT APPROX 65MPH HEARD A STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, ENGINE WAS POWERING DOWN. PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER. SMOKE AND FLAMES ENGULFED THE CAR . VEHILCE WAS TOTALLED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 3, 1999 · fire

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON MY DRIVEWAY, I STARTED THE CAR, HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHILE I PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE GEAR. WHILE MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, TOOK OFF AT TOP SPEED, CRASHED INTO A HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BECAUSE OF…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · May 1, 2002 · crash

1994 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER HE PULLED OVER, HE NOTICED FLAMES UNDER THE VEHICLE. *KB THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED IT APPEARED TO BE A FUEL LEAK THAT STARTED THE FIRE, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO CONFIRM THE IGNITION SOURCE OF…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 22, 2008 · fire

1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee — common questions

Is the 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?

It is close to typical for the Grand Cherokee: 775 NHTSA complaints, 8 recalls, and 12 investigations on file.

What are the most common 1994 Grand Cherokee problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (151 complaints), transmission (131 complaints), engine (89 complaints).

Does the 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 12 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Jeep Grand Cherokee years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Grand Cherokee years to avoid are 2014, 2005, 2011, 2012, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2015, 2004, 2007, 1997, 2018, 2013, 2023, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2016, 2020. The cleanest record among Grand Cherokee years belongs to 1992.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.