Chrysler recalling hundreds of thousands of Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander SUVs

Wed, 23 Jul 2014

The public might associated ignition switch recalls with General Motors – and with good cause – but that's not the only automaker calling its vehicles back in to fix that sort of issue.

Last month we reported that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was investigating an array of Chrysler Group vehicles for electrical-related safety issues. The administration and Chrysler subsequently issued a recall for 700,000 Dodge Journey crossovers, Dodge Grand Caravan minivans and Chrysler Town & Country minivans. But while the Jeeps that were also under investigation were not covered in that recall, they are being addressed in a separate one now.

Although Chrysler reports that it is only aware of a single accident stemming from this issue, it is "committing now to conduct a recall out of an abundance of caution." The recall affects the 2006-2007 Jeep Commander and 2005-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee, of which it reports there are 792,300 on the road: 649,900 in the United States, 28,800 in Canada, 12,800 in Mexico and a further 100,800 outside of North America.

Chrysler is calling in the affected units for similar reasons it recalled the aforementioned minivans and crossovers, and for which GM has recalled millions of its vehicles: namely, that the ignition could be accidentally turned off due to excess weight (like other keys and fobs) attached to the ignition key, or from contact with the driver's knee. As a result, the engine could stall, the power brakes and steering could be disabled and the front airbags may deactivate. The automaker says its "engineers are working to develop a remedy" for the issue.

In an entirely separate announcement, Chrysler is also calling in approximately 21,000 late-model vehicles to inspect and potentially replace their shocks and/or struts. The company reports that a supplier found that the suspension components could "break free from their mounts, which could potentially lead to reduced shock damping and possible loss of vehicle control." The vehicles affected include the 2014 Ram 1500, 2015 Jeep Cherokee and 2015 Chrysler 200 – specifically those built in the 16 days leading up to June 6, 2014. Read the full details of both recalls in the announcements below.

Statement: Ignition-Switch Performance
July 22, 2014 , Auburn Hills, Mich. -
Chrysler Group LLC will recall an undetermined number of older-model SUVs in connection with an investigation of ignition-switch performance.

Engineers are working to develop a remedy and Chrysler is committing now to conduct a recall out of an abundance of caution.

Chrysler Group is unaware of any related injuries. The Company is aware of a single reported accident and a relatively small number of complaints involving 0.015 percent of the subject vehicle population.

Preliminary investigation suggests an outside force, usually attributed to contact with the driver's knee, may move ignition keys from the "on" position in certain model-year 2006-2007 Jeep Commander and 2005-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs. Such an occurrence may cause engine stall, reducing braking power and making steering more difficult. Safety features such as frontal airbags may also be disabled.

The Company expects to identify affected customers and advise them by mid-September when they may schedule service, the cost of which will be borne by Chrysler Group. This timing complies with regulations governing recalls and owner notification.

The precise number of affected vehicles will be determined by the investigation. Approximately 792,300 are implicated – 649,900 in the U.S.; 28,800 in Canada; 12,800 in Mexico and 100,800 outside of the NAFTA region. The Commander is no longer in production and the Grand Cherokee has since been completely redesigned; newer models are not subject to the recall.

Owners of model-year 2006-2007 Jeep Commanders and 2005-2007 Grand Cherokees are advised to assure there is clearance between their knees and the keys. As a further precaution, they are advised to remove all items from their key rings, leaving only their ignition keys.

Concerned customers may also call Chrysler Group's Customer Information Center at 1-800-853-1403.

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Statement: Shock Inspection/Replacement
July 22, 2014 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Chrysler Group is recalling an estimated 21,000 vehicles to inspect and, if necessary, replace the shocks and/or struts.

Chrysler Group is staging the campaign to identify vehicles that may have been assembled using a shipment of shocks and struts that do not meet the Company's quality standards. Accordingly, the components may break free from their mounts, which could potentially lead to reduced shock damping and possible loss of vehicle control.

The issue was identified by a supplier. Chrysler Group is unaware of any related injuries, accidents or complaints.

Affected are certain 2014 Ram 1500 pickups, 2015 Jeep Cherokee SUVs and 2015 Chrysler 200 sedans assembled within a 16-day period ending June 6 of 2014.

An estimated 14,300 vehicles are in the U.S.; 5,300 are in Canada; 160 are in the Mexico and 2,000 are outside the NAFTA region.

Chrysler Group will contact affected customers and advise them when service is available. All costs related to the campaign will be borne by the Company.

Customers with additional questions may call Chrysler Group's Customer Information Center at 1-800-853-1403.

By Noah Joseph