Jeep Recall - Information & Updates

Jeep parent Chrysler Group has implemented a safety recall on the 2013-2014 Grand Cherokee to fix problems related to the software systems that control the anti-skid brakes, stability control and instrument warning lights.The recall is on 7831 units of the Grand Cherokee – part of a global recall that includes 132,000 vehicles in the US, and will upgrade software that controls the systems.The vehicle maker's engineers discovered  a problem with Grand Cherokee's anti-lock braking system module that affects the instrument cluster display and can also affect the braking and stability control systems.Jeep says there have been no incidents or accidents related to the problem, and the recall was sparked when the company's quality-control workers saw random warning-light illumination and instrument-cluster blackout.The recall notice says that both events 'occurred infrequently and appeared to resolve themselves by turning the vehicle's ignition off and then on' but that the upgrade would be rolled out for safety and compliance reasons.Chrysler Group Australia is contacting owners of affected vehicles, who may also get in touch with their nearest Jeep dealer. 

Chrysler has bowed to pressure from the US safety regulator, and will recall 2.7 million Jeeps over a fire risk that has allegedly caused dozens of deaths overseas.The recall includes 28,000 vehicles in Australia -- 11,652 Jeep Cherokees (badged Liberty in the US) built between 2002 and 2007,  and 16,461 Grand Cherokees from 1993 to 2004.The carmaker agreed overnight in the US to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) demand to recall the models, which were deemed to have a higher risk of fire from rear-end collisions.However, as part of the agreement, Chrysler will not have to declare that the vehicles were defective. Chrysler Australia said there have been no deaths in Australia. "Our initial review is that there have been no known incidents or fatalities," spokesperson Karla Leach said."However we will follow the overseas lead and issue the recall, as we're vigilant to always make the safety of our customers a priority." Ms Leach acknowledged there had been reports of Jeeps catching fire some years ago, but said it was unrelated to the current recall. "There were some incidents a while ago, but we believe they were related to Wrangler models where owners had installed aftermarket modifications," she said.The recall will see the vehicles installed with a trailer hitch assembly to "better manage crash forces in low-speed impacts", the official statement says. The NHTSA requested the recall on June 3 in the US, but Chrysler had until now refused to issue one, disputing the agency's findings.Chrysler at the time claimed NHTSA analysis of crash data contained flaws, and disputed the agency's finding that the Jeeps' location of fuel tanks behind the rear axle constitutes a design defect. An official statement by Chrysler Group -- the parent company of the Jeep brand -- said it recognised the concern of buyers."Chrysler Group recognizes that this matter has raised concerns for its customers and wants to take further steps, in coordination with NHTSA, to provide additional measures to supplement the safety of its vehicles. Chrysler Group regards safety as a paramount concern and does not compromise on the safety of our customers and their families."It's the third Jeep recall in recent weeks, with nearly 7000 Patriot and Compass models recalled earlier this week due to a potential curtain airbag and seatbelt pretensioner fault, and 333 of the same models recalled earlier this month for a potential fuel flow defect.

The recall issued by Jeep parent company Chrysler is due to a defect in the airbag control modules that could cause the front or side curtain airbags to deploy inadvertently.The vehicles carrying the defective module are the Jeep Liberty (sold here as the Cherokee) and Grand Cherokee SUVs built from 2002 to 2004. The 919,545 Jeeps recalled include 744,822 in the United States; 49,430 in Canada; 21,828 in Mexico, and 103,465 around the rest of the world.More than 11,000 of those two models were sold in Australia during the period covered by the recall, but Chrysler Australia has not yet confirmed the exact number affected here.The recall was sparked by the results of an investigation started late last year after reports of airbags deploying inadvertently in the US, with the 215 cases probed including 81 that resulted in injuries."A design change to a supplied component was linked to a small number of inadvertent air bag deployments, and in keeping with the best interests of our customers, we initiated a recall campaign," David Dillon, Chrysler's global head of product investigations and campaigns, said in a statement. The defect will be fixed with the installation of a supplementary jumper harness to the airbag control module, Chrysler said. 

Faulty airbags which could deploy at any time have compelled Chrysler to recall of at least 7000 Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee off-roaders in Australia.The potential computer malfunction can force “the front airbags, side curtain airbags, and/or seatbelt pre-tensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated,'' the recall notice said. While the faulty airbags could potentially cause an accident, no injuries have been reported in more than 200 cases worldwide where airbags inadvertently released – including one in Australia.The safety warning involves around 7000 Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee vehicles sold in Australia between 2002 and 2004. Chrysler Group Australia is writing to affected owners but conceded said limited availability of parts in Australia will delay repairs until March for the Cherokee and August for the Grand Cherokee."Obviously we'll expedite the supply of parts as much as we can,” said spokeswoman Lenore Fletcher. The Australian recall notice is part of a global recall of over 900,000 of the two SUVs.Ms Fletcher said the company was tracking down owners of the vehicles. "They're still trying to verify the exact number of vehicles involved here, we're working through the information now but it is around 7000 vehicles,'' she said."I believe there has been one incident where the airbag has gone off by itself in Australia but there were no repercussions from that,'' she said. Reports from the US suggest that there have been 215 cases of the fault but no accidents have been reported as a result of an airbag going off prematurely.Customers with any queries are asked to contact a Jeep dealer or call the Jeep Customer Service centre on 1300 133 079. 

Jeep says the recall is on 2010 to 2012 Patriot and Compass models sold in Australia, with the safety risk meaning the seatbelt pretensioners and curtain airbags may not work.The problem is caused by a software error in the Occupant Restraint Control Module (ORC), which could prevent deployment of the seatbelt pretensioner and/or side airbag curtains.The recall notice cites the risk of non-deployment during low speed roll-over events, increasing the risk of injury to occupants.Chrysler is sending a letter to owners, who can contact their local Chrysler dealerships to arrange an appointment for them to reprogram the module with new software.