Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler, has announced a global recall of 219,000 Jeep Cherokee four-wheel-drive vehicles due to fire risks. The company is urging owners to park their vehicles outside until repairs are completed.
The recall specifically affects Jeep Cherokees manufactured between 2014 and 2016, equipped with a power liftgate feature that allows for electronic opening of the rear boot. The identified fault stems from an electrical short in the power liftgate module, which can potentially result in a vehicle fire, regardless of whether the ignition is on or off.
This marks the third recall by Jeep since 2015 to address this safety defect. Even vehicles that have been repaired in previous recalls will require an additional fix under the latest orders. Stellantis has filed documents with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to inform them of the situation.
As a precautionary measure, Stellantis advises owners to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the necessary recall repairs have been completed. The company is currently working on a solution and plans to send notification letters to affected owners by June 30.
The recall affects approximately 132,000 vehicles in the United States, 23,000 in Canada, 3,000 in Mexico, and 60,500 outside of North America. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) supports Stellantis’ recommendation for owners to park their vehicles outside until repairs can be carried out. The vehicles are experiencing failures due to an electrical short, which is caused by water intrusion into the vulnerable power liftgate module.
Stellantis initiated an investigation last year following a rise in cargo compartment fires in Jeep Cherokee vehicles from 2014 and 2015. The company has since identified 50 customer assistance records, 23 warranty claims, and 21 field reports that may be linked to this issue. However, Stellantis has stated that there have been no reported accidents or injuries associated with the recall problem at this time.
