Category Archives: Jeep

News about Jeep automobile manufacturer. News about Jeep recalls, technical service bulletins (TSB), and problems regarding Jeep vehicles.

VW / Jeep – Illuminated Airbag Warning

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An illuminated airbag warning light in certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles could mean an airbag crash sensor needs replacement.

ZF North America, the manufacturer of Remote Accelerometer Sensors (RAS) installed in these vehicles, are recalling certain RAS built from a specific production period. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, soldering connections inside the sensors may have been damaged due to exposure to higher than expected temperatures during manufacturing. As reported by FCA and VW, if present in a vehicle, an affected airbag crash sensor may not communicate correctly with the airbag control module. If this occurs, the airbag warning light will illuminate.

Warning: There is a risk of delayed airbag deployment during a frontal crash or a risk of a non-deployment in low speed collisions.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the air bag crash sensor replaced. Chrysler’s number for this recall is V63. Volkswagen’s number for this recall is 69AL. The NHTSA campaign number is 20E-052.

Jeep Grand Cherokee / RAM 1500 Engine Stall

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Some 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2014-2018 RAM 1500 vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines may have been manufactured with crankshaft tone wheels that could experience magnetic signal material delamination.

The magnetic material attached to the tone wheel provides a signal to the crankshaft position sensor. If this material delaminates, the engine will lose its ability to synchronize injector pulses and cam timing. Loss of crankshaft position can result in an engine stall and the inability to restart. The problem can occur without prior warning.

The remedy for this condition is not currently available. Dealers will stop the engine from stalling by updating the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion by reading the camshaft position signal in the event that the crankshaft position signal is lost. If tone wheel failure occurs, the engine warning light will illuminate but the vehicle will not stall.

The recall to update the powertrain control module software is expected to begin in October. FCA’s number for this recall is W58 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-475.

Jeep Cherokee Transmission Wear

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Chrysler will be asking owners of certain 2014-2017 Jeep Cherokee SUVs to return to their dealership to repair a problem affecting the two speed power transfer unit (PTU) in their vehicles. The suspect period began in April 2014 when more robust differential input splines were used to manufacture PTUs.

According to the defect report, movement between the differential input splines and the transmission output shaft may result in the input spline teeth wearing. Eventually this will cause a loss of engagement between the transmission and the differential, and torque will not be transferred to the wheels. The vehicle will loose motive power and there will be no “Park” function while the vehicle is stationary.

Dealers will perform a software update that will maintain vehicle propulsion by engaging rear wheel drive and prevent rolling in “Park” by activating the electronic parking brake if a failed input spline occurs. FCA’s number for this recall is W47 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-343.

Jeep Grand Cherokee & Dodge Durango Loss Of Power

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Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2019 Dodge Durango vehicles because of a problem affecting the powertrain of their vehicles.

According to the defect report, the front differential may have been built with pinion gears that were not sufficiently hardened. Over time the gears could wear down until torque power cannot be transferred from the drivetrain to the front wheels. If this happens drivers will experience loss of power and loss of the “Park” function when stationary. Prior to loss of power, drivers may notice a gear whine or grinding noise coming from the drivetrain

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealerships to have the front differential replaced. This recall is expected to begin May 15, 2020. Chrysler’s number for this recall is W22 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-183.

Jeep Gladiator & Jeep Wrangler Burnt Clutch Odor

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Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2020 Jeep Gladiator and 2018-2020 Jeep Wrangler vehicles, equipped with manual transmissions. These vehicles have a defective power train that could increase the risk of an accident.

According to the defect report, the clutch pressure plate could overheat and break. Fragments from the pressure plate could fracture the transmission case where debris could enter. Debris entering the transmission could result in loss of propulsion or allow heated debris to contact ignition sources, potentially leading to a vehicle fire. In some circumstances, vehicle occupants may notice a burnt clutch odor, or the driver may notice abnormal clutch pedal travel prior to the failure.

A fix for this recall is still under development. Chrysler’s number for this recall is W12 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-124.

2020 Jeep Wrangler Steering Vibration & Front End Noise

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Chrysler will be notifying the owners of certain 2020 Jeep Wrangler SUVs because of a safety problem affecting the suspension in their vehicles.

According to the defect report, the left side lower control arm bracket may have been out of position during the welding process. This off location weld is weak and could break, allowing the lower control arm to separate from the axle. If this happens, the driver could experience a loss of vehicle control and/or the lower control arm bracket may separate completely, resulting in dangerous road debris. Prior to compete separation of the bracket from the axle, the driver may experience a front end noise or a steering vibration.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the front axle inspected and replaced as necessary. Chrysler’s number for this recall is W01 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-042.

Jeep Cherokee Defects & Complaints

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The Cherokee is a line of vehicles sold by Jeep, originally as a variant of the popular Wagoneer. The Cherokee has evolved from a full-size SUV to one of the first compact SUVs and eventually into its current form as a crossover SUV. Of all the fifth Generation Cherokee lineup, the 2014, 2015 and 2019 models have received the most complaints.

Common Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee Problems include:

Alternator Failure 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee – Dimming headlights, accessory issues and a battery light warning are signs that your alternator may be dying. A bad alternator will drain your battery fast, so it will no longer be able to produce a spark to power the engine. Most of the time, replacing an alternator is relatively affordable, but a stall without warning could increase the risk of a crash.

Transmission Defect – There is a problem with the transmission on a number of newer Jeep Cherokee models. The transmission will unexpectedly shift into neutral, shift roughly or completely fail. Improper treatment of the halfshaft assembly, insufficient crimps in the transmission wire harness and software errors are the main causes depending on the model year.

Reduced Braking 2019 Jeep Cherokee – Insufficient coating of the rear brake-caliper pistons could cause gas pockets to form, reducing rear brake performance. According to the defect report, although brake function would remain, the stopping distances may be significantly increased.

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Top Jeep Cherokee & Jeep Grand Cherokee Complaints

Vehicle Recalls Complaints Top Complaints
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee 15 1398 Electrical, Transmission, Brakes
2014 Jeep Cherokee 11 1724 Transmission, Engine, Electrical
2015 Jeep Cherokee 9 1122 Transmission, Engine, Electrical
2019 Jeep Cherokee 9 355 Engine, Electrical, Transmission
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee 6 618 Transmission, Electrical, Engine, Seats
2018 Jeep Cherokee 6 169 Electrical, Transmission, Engine
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee 6 128 Electrical, Engine, Transmission
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT 6 128 Electrical, Engine, Transmission
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk 6 128 Electrical, Engine, Transmission
2016 Jeep Cherokee 6 591 Transmission, Engine, Electrical

2018-2019 Jeep Wrangler Front End Noise

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Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2018-2019 Jeep Wrangler’s regarding a problem with the welds on the front track bar bracket. An out of specification weld could result in the bracket separating from the frame. Before complete separation, drivers may experience front end noises, an off center steering wheel position, a “Service Electronic Stability Control” message and light, on the dashboard cluster.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the track bar bracket welds inspected and repaired as necessary. For more information about the problem, owners can contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is UA5 and the NHTSA campaign number is 18V-675.