At a Glance
The Jeep Grand Cherokee has 23 identified common problems across 5 generations, with the ZJ (1994-1998) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 447K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Jeep Grand Cherokee common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Jeep Grand Cherokee generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Jeep Grand Cherokee Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
ZJ
Top issue: Brake performance below minimum
WJ
Top issue: Brake performance below minimum
WK
Top issue: Rear fog lamp not working
WK2
Top issue: Parking brake performance below minimum
WL
Most common MOT failure: Position lamp not working
Most Common Jeep Grand Cherokee MOT Failures
Every reason Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 9.76% |
| 2 | Number plate lamp not working | 7.36% |
| 3 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 6.47% |
| 4 | Driveshaft fault | 6.45% |
| 5 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 5.38% |
| 6 | Stop lamp not working | 5.32% |
| 7 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 4.91% |
| 8 | Brake pads or linings worn | 4.28% |
| 9 | Front lamp not working | 4.18% |
| 10 | Brake performance below minimum | 3.65% |
| 11 | Track rod end worn | 3.09% |
| 12 | Exhaust system fault | 3.08% |
| 13 | Brake disc or drum worn | 2.57% |
| 14 | Parking brake condition | 2.30% |
| 15 | Tyre condition | 2.01% |
| 16 | Headlamp aim defect | 1.93% |
| 17 | Windscreen washer not working | 1.84% |
| 18 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.56% |
| 19 | Position lamp not working | 1.55% |
| 20 | Fog lamp not working | 1.50% |
| 21 | ABS fault | 1.33% |
| 22 | Indicator fault | 1.21% |
| 23 | Front suspension joint worn | 1.21% |
| 24 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 1.08% |
| 25 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.94% |
| 26 | Headlamp fault | 0.93% |
| 27 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.74% |
| 28 | Seat belt condition | 0.73% |
| 29 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.67% |
| 30 | Rear lamp not working | 0.67% |
| 31 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.61% |
| 32 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.51% |
| 33 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.50% |
| 34 | Drag link end worn | 0.48% |
| 35 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.46% |
| 36 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.39% |
| 37 | Horn not working | 0.37% |
| 38 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.36% |
| 39 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.35% |
| 40 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.35% |
| 41 | Airbag warning light on | 0.34% |
| 42 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.34% |
| 43 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.28% |
| 44 | Front suspension fault | 0.27% |
| 45 | Chassis condition | 0.25% |
| 46 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.23% |
| 47 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.22% |
| 48 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.20% |
| 49 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.19% |
| 50 | Brake lever fault | 0.19% |
| 51 | Rear suspension fault | 0.18% |
| 52 | Brake fluid leak | 0.17% |
| 53 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.17% |
| 54 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.17% |
| 55 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.16% |
| 56 | Steering rack fault | 0.16% |
| 57 | Brake caliper fault | 0.14% |
| 58 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.14% |
| 59 | Brake pedal fault | 0.13% |
| 60 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.13% |
| 61 | Engine oil leak | 0.13% |
| 62 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.12% |
| 63 | Steering damper fault | 0.11% |
| 64 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.11% |
| 65 | Steering lock fault | 0.10% |
| 66 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.09% |
| 67 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.09% |
| 68 | Propshaft fault | 0.09% |
| 69 | Steering operation fault | 0.09% |
| 70 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.08% |
| 71 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | 0.08% |
| 72 | Steering free play excessive | 0.07% |
| 73 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.07% |
| 74 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.07% |
| 75 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.07% |
| 76 | Power steering pump fault | 0.06% |
| 77 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.06% |
| 78 | Steering box fault | 0.06% |
| 79 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.06% |
| 80 | Steering arm worn | 0.05% |
| 81 | CV joint worn | 0.05% |
| 82 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.05% |
| 83 | Driver seat fault | 0.05% |
| 84 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.05% |
| 85 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.04% |
| 86 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.04% |
| 87 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.04% |
| 88 | Electrical switch fault | 0.04% |
| 89 | Transmission oil leak | 0.04% |
| 90 | Towbar fault | 0.04% |
| 91 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.04% |
| 92 | Body security fault | 0.03% |
| 93 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.03% |
| 94 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.03% |
| 95 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 96 | Exhaust leak | 0.03% |
| 97 | Radius arm worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 98 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 99 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.02% |
| 100 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.02% |
| 101 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.02% |
| 102 | Steering column fault | 0.02% |
| 103 | Driver airbag fault | 0.02% |
| 104 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.02% |
| 105 | Power steering ram fault | 0.02% |
| 106 | Spare wheel fault | 0.02% |
| 107 | Handbrake fails on gradient | 0.02% |
| 108 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.01% |
| 109 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.01% |
| 110 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 111 | Suspension unit fault | 0.01% |
| 112 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.01% |
| 113 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | 0.01% |
| 114 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | 0.01% |
| 115 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 116 | Axle corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 117 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.01% |
| 118 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 120 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 121 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 122 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 123 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 126 | Driver door fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Front passenger door fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 129 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 132 | MacPherson strut worn | <0.01% |
| 133 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 135 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 136 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 138 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 139 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 141 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 142 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 147 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 148 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Step damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 150 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 151 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 152 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 153 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 155 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 159 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 160 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 162 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 163 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 165 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 166 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 171 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 173 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | <0.01% |
| 175 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 176 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 179 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 181 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 182 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 183 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 184 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 185 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 186 | Cab corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 187 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 188 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 189 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 190 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 191 | Passenger hand grip fault | <0.01% |
| 192 | Spring saddle corroded | <0.01% |
| 193 | Steering head bearings worn | <0.01% |
Showing all 193 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Jeep Grand Cherokee MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Jeep Grand Cherokee, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Jeep Grand Cherokee problems?
Based on analysis of 447K Jeep Grand Cherokee MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 23 identified common problems across 5 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Brake performance below minimum". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Jeep Grand Cherokee generation has the most problems?
The Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ (1994-1998) (1994–1998) has the highest number of identified common problems (16). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Jeep Grand Cherokee owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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