Jeep Cherokee 2018 recalled before launch

The updated Jeep Cherokee has scored the dubious honour of being recalled on the day of its official launch in Australia.

This is arguably the first time ever that a new vehicle has been recalled on the day it was released.

An advisory notice issued via the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) says that the updated Cherokee's braking system may have been contaminated with air pockets during the manufacturing process, potentially leading to "a vehicle crash without prior warning".

The chrome finishing on the rear brake caliper pistons has been identified as the culprit, with air bubbles introduced into the sealed system potentially affecting pedal feel.

A Jeep Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide that a brake fluid flush and system bleed will return the cars to full health, and that all cars currently on the ground in Australia will be rectified before going on sale.

An initial shipment of 178 Cherokees are the only ones affected by the current notice. Vehicles from that batch were registered for internal purposes, which then triggered the recall process.

The Cherokee goes on sale in October.

Somewhat ironically, Fiat Chrysler Australia officials were defending Jeep's reputation against its history of local recalls during a press conference at the Cherokee's launch yesterday, without making mention of the issue hanging over the Cherokee.

FCA Australia's managing director Steve Zanlunghi said that recalls are not ideal.  "But at the same time, customer safety is our focus, so if there is a doubt we recall the vehicle," he told journalists, without making reference to the Cherokee.

Jeep's head of brand Guillaume Drelon also affirmed the brand's stance on safety. "I think it's a key focus making sure that in any circumstances our vehicle would be safe," he said.

"Some of the recalls would just be updates. It's called a recall, but it's like what you would do on your phone; you are updating your apps every day.

"There are obviously things linked to product safety, and we cannot joke with that – that needs to be done."

Mr Drelan pointed out that recalls are an industry-wide issue. "It's not only Jeep; all the OEMs (vehicle brands) are the same way," he said. "If it is something serious we need to take care of it.

"But some of those recalls can be just updates and that's happening all the time."

Mr Zanlunghi agreed. "One recall was for a label on a strap, another last week was for two (vehicles) – which we take seriously," he said.

"There are people out there that just keep count of the overall number [of recalls by a company], but if you look at the overall number of units recalled, it's a little different."

There have been 15 recalls issued for Jeep products in 2018, with only four issued in 2017. A total of 20 were issued in 2016, which was the highest in the company's local history.

The KL Cherokee was launched in 2014, and a facelifted version was revealed in the United States late in 2017. CarsGuide will have a review on the 2019 Cherokee up on Friday morning.

Have you experienced a Jeep recall in Australia? Let us know how it went in the comments below.