Chrysler Recalls More Than 50,000 Jeep and Ram Models

Chrysler Group is recalling 45,961 Ram 1500 trucks in the U.S. due to a software issue that can disable the Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The recall affects 2013 model-year trucks with four-wheel drive. ESC systems use sensors to detect when a vehicle is losing control, and then helps the driver maintain control by applying the brakes to certain wheels to keep the car moving along its intended path. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “A disabled ESC system may result in loss of directional control, increasing the risk of a crash.”
Affected owners should hear from Chrysler in August and dealers will update the ESC software for free. If you have any questions about the recall, you can call Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753 and mention recall campaign number N37.

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokees with LED headlamps have been recalled. (Chrysler Group)

Chrysler is also recalling 4,458 Jeep Grand Cherokee models for a problem with the vehicle’s parking lamps. NHTSA says that the recall affects 2014 Grand Cherokee Limited, Overland and Summit models that are equipped with premium headlamps and LED daytime running lights. When the driver turns the parking lights on, a software glitch immediately turns them off again. This can result in reduced visibility, which increases the risk of a crash. Without parking lamps, the vehicle also fails to conform to federal safety standards, according to NHTSA.
The fix involves a software update, which dealers will do free of charge. Chrysler will start contacting owners of affected vehicles in August. If you have any questions for Chrysler, you can contact them at 1-800-247-9753 and mention recall campaign number N42.

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Chrysler Recalling 430,000 Jeeps

Chrysler Group announced two separate Jeep recalls affecting three models yesterday. These recalls are not related to our story from earlier in the week about Chrysler’s refusal to comply with a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall request for 2.7 million 1993-2004 Grand Cherokee and 2002-2007 Liberty models.

2012 Jeep Patriot / Photo courtesy of Chrysler Group

The first recall affects 254,396 Compass and Patriot models from the 2010-2012 model years built between May 6, 2008 and July 20, 2012. According to the NHTSA, there may be a glitch with the vehicles’ computers, wherein the side curtain air bags or seatbelt pre-tensioners may not work, increasing risk of injury in an accident.
Chrysler will correct the software to fix the computer glitch. The number for this recall is 101.
The second recall affects 180,131 2012-2013 Wrangler models with the 3.6-liter V6 engine and an automatic transmission built between Jan. 23, 2011 and Feb. 23, 2013. Due to unintentional contact between the power steering line and transmission oil cooler, a hole may form that could result in the loss of transmission fluid. This could lead to a loss of transmission function, increasing the risk of an accident.

2013 Jeep Wrangler / Photo courtesy of Chrysler Group

To fix the problem, Chrysler will replace the power steering return tube assembly. The recall campaign number is N28.
In two separate media releases, Chrysler says that there have been no accidents or injuries reported related to either the Patriot/Compass or the Wrangler recall. Both recalls are expected to begin in July. Owners of affected vehicles may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753 or NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 for more information.

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Production of 2014 Jeep Cherokee Delayed

Photo Courtesy of Chrysler Group

Chrysler Group confirmed with the Detroit Free Press on Thursday that the launch of the 2014 Jeep Cherokee has been pushed back a month. However, shoppers should still expect to see the Cherokee in dealer showrooms by the fall.
Mark Chernoby, Chrysler Group’s senior vice president of engineering, tells the Detroit Free Press that the delay is caused by a list of problems that are associated with producing new vehicles. “Manufacturing the Cherokee is more complex than most new models because it is designed on an underbody adapted from Fiat, Chrysler’s majority owner,” Chernoby says. “The Cherokee also is the first Chrysler vehicle to feature a nine-speed transmission developed with German supplier ZF Group.”
Left Lane News reports, “Each of the Detroit Three have been placing an increased emphasis on quality control measures late in the development process in order to ensure smooth new product launches.” For example, Ford has started to reassess its launch process due to problems after introducing the redesigned Ford Escape and Lincoln MKZ. In addition, General Motors has delayed the introduction of its all-new full-size SUVs to catch any quality concerns.
Automotive.com says that the setback could negatively affect Chrysler Group’s earnings. The automaker had a rocky start in the first quarter, with profits that declined 65 percent from the previous year, according to Automotive.com. This was reportedly due in part to Chrysler Group discontinuing sales of the Jeep Liberty.

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Chrysler Recalls More Than 300,000 Jeep and Ram Vehicles in U.S.

Photo Courtesy of Chrysler

Chrysler is recalling about 295,000 Jeep Commanders and Grand Cherokees in the United States for software issues that affect the transmission, as well as approximately 5,330 Jeep Wranglers to install a dust shield and 498 Ram 1500s for windshield defrosting and defogging problems.
The largest recall concerns 2006-2009 Jeep Commanders and 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokees. A software error means the transmission could shift from park into neutral when the driver starts up the vehicle. This could allow the car to roll away and cause a crash. Chrysler dealerships will perform a software update to fix the issue.
Eric Mayne, a Chrysler spokesman, told The New York Times that 26 accidents and two injuries have occurred due to the transmission fault. Chrysler also told The New York Times that they first learned of the issue about 16 months ago when a customer complained about their Grand Cherokee with remote start suddenly shifted into neutral. Chrysler finished testing the new software to fix this issue in March.
Chrysler is also recalling 2013 model-year Ram 1500 models to replace components related to the coolant system that may have become corroded, resulting in limited visibility for the driver. This fix will help ensure that the windshields will defrost and defog correctly. NBC News reports that a third of these trucks are still on dealer lots.
The recall of approximately 5,330 Jeep Wranglers will only affect those 2008 to 2012 models with right-hand drive. Chrysler says the affected Wranglers are primarily used to deliver mail in rural parts of the country. The new dust shields will prevent dust getting into parts of the vehicle that could risk airbag deployment.
Chrysler will notify customers that have any of the vehicles mentioned, but those who think this recall affects their vehicle can call 1-800-853-1403 or contact your dealer.

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Jeep Cherokee Revealed Ahead of N.Y. Auto Show Debut

Chrysler Group pulled the cover off the all-new Jeep Cherokee SUV last week, ahead of the model’s official unveiling at the New York International Auto Show later this month. Many publications, including Kicking Tires, acknowledge the Cherokee as the replacement for the Liberty, which was produced through August 2012. The Liberty debuted as a 2002 model and was a replacement for the last Jeep Cherokee.
In a press release, Chrysler Group says the new Cherokee will offer “exemplary on-road driving dynamics, and fuel economy improvements of more than 45 percent versus the outgoing mid-size SUV model.” The 2012 Jeep Liberty achieved EPA fuel economy ratings of 16/22/18 mpg city/highway/combined. A 45 percent increase means the Cherokee could achieve a combined fuel economy rating of about 26 mpg.
The Cherokee is entering a hotly-contested segment, and will compete with popular affordable compact SUVs like the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4. All three of these models are capable of achieving an EPA-combined rating of 26 mpg.

WardsAuto spoke with Ralph Gilles, Chrysler Group senior vice president of product design and SRT president and CEO, regarding the design of the new Cherokee, citing a commenter on Twitter who called the new design “a travesty.” Gilles acknowledged that the new Cherokee is “a huge departure” from the Liberty, but said the design holds true to the evolution of Jeep designs in recent years.
Since it hasn’t officially debuted yet, few technical details about the new Cherokee are known. However, Car and Driver believes that the Cherokee will be available with four-cylinder and V6 engine options, as well as a nine-speed automatic transmission and optional all-wheel drive.
Chrysler Group says that the new Jeep Cherokee will hit showrooms in the third quarter of 2013 as a 2014 model.

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