Chrysler has issued a recall for over 338,000 Grand Cherokee vehicles due to a steering wheel issue that poses a risk of crashes. This is the third recall by the automaker in the past week, raising concerns about the safety of their vehicles.
The affected vehicles include Jeep Grand Cherokee L models manufactured between 2021 and 2023, as well as Grand Cherokee vehicles from the 2022 and 2023 model years. According to a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), these vehicles are equipped with an upper control arm ball joint and steering knuckle that may separate, causing the steering wheel to fall outward. This can result in a loss of vehicle control, putting drivers and passengers at risk.
The root cause of the defect is believed to be damaged pinch bolts on the upper control arm ball joint. Drivers may notice an “abnormal” noise when driving over bumps, which can serve as an indication of the issue. To address this problem, affected customers are advised to visit Chrysler or Jeep dealers, where the upper control arm’s pinch bolts will be replaced free of charge.
Fortunately, there have been no reported crashes or injuries caused by this defect. Chrysler has assured customers that they will begin contacting them from April 12 onwards to arrange for the necessary repairs. However, this latest recall adds to Chrysler’s track record of recalls, as they recalled a staggering 2.7 million vehicles across 45 recalls last year alone. Only Ford surpassed them in terms of the number of vehicles recalled, with over 6.1 million.
In addition to the Grand Cherokee recall, Chrysler has also recently recalled over 199,000 Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee vehicles. This recall was prompted by a software error that could lead to malfunctions in the defrosting and defogging system, compromising the driver’s visibility and increasing the risk of accidents. The affected vehicles include Wrangler models from the 2021-2024 model years and Grand Cherokee models from the 2022-2024 model years. Chrysler has offered to update the software free of charge at their dealerships.
Furthermore, Chrysler recalled 9,000 Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L vehicles from the 2023 and 2024 model years due to non-compliance with federal requirements for high beam lights. Dealerships will reconfigure the high beams to meet the necessary standards without any cost to the customers.
These recalls highlight the importance of addressing potential safety issues promptly and effectively. It is crucial for vehicle manufacturers to prioritize the safety of their customers and take proactive measures to rectify any defects. Customers who own the affected vehicles are strongly urged to take advantage of the free repairs offered by Chrysler to ensure their safety on the road.
For more information on recent vehicle recalls, you may also be interested in reading about Toyota’s announcement of a new recall affecting over 638,000 vehicles within a week, as reported by Forbes.
