1985 JEEP CHEROKEE

7 recalls, 24 complaints - 3 TSBs

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Defect Description

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES... Read more

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

42,540 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: DOPE, INC.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Defect Description

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES... Read more

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

16,270 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: SABERSPORT

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Defect Description

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE D... Read more

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

61,944 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: PRO-A MOTORS, INC.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

Defect Description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. DRIVERS CAN MISTAKENLY STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHEN THEY INT... Read more

Consequence

PEDAL MISAPPLICATION BY A DRIVER CAN CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIFT INTERLOCK ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OF THESE VEHICLES.

1,010,400 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC

Defect Description

BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM RESERVOIR CANISTERS MAY DEVELOP LEAKS DUE TO BUMPER IMPACT.

Consequence

THIS WOULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST AND ANINCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE.

Remedy

REPLACE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM CANNISTERS WITH NEW TYPE CANNISTERS; ALSO, INSTALL A RESTRICTION ORIFICE TO ENSURE SUFFICIENT VACUUM IN EVENT CANNISTER LEAKAGE OCCURS.

1,600 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL HAVE THE MODULE PROPERLY SECURED IF NECESSARY, WITHOUT CHARGE.

2,218 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

Defect Description

IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED BOLT ON STEERING SHAFT ALLOWS THE CONNECTOR ON THE SHAFT TO SLIP. STEERING MOVEMENTS WILL NOT BE TRANSMITTED TO THE GEAR BOX.

Remedy

THE VEHICLE WILL BE INSPECTED AND THE UPPER PINCH BOLT WILL BE TIGHTENED IF NECESSARY AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.

265 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION

Complaint Statistics

24 total complaints 2 crashes 2 injuries 1 deaths

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY	3
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR	2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM	2
TIRES	2
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER	1
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT	1
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL	1
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER	1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1

Incident date: Jul 2, 2003

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT NORMAL SPEED REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AND TREAD SEPARATED, DAMAGING THE STRUCTURAL UNDERBODY FLOOR PANEL OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Incident date: Jul 2, 2003

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT NORMAL SPEED REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AND TREAD SEPARATED, DAMAGING THE STRUCTURAL UNDERBODY FLOOR PANEL OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Incident date: Jun 6, 2002

WHILE DRIVING TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

THE FIREWALL BEHIND THE MASTER CYLINDER RUSTED AND CAUSED THE CYLINDER TO BECOME UNSTABLE THUS AFFECTING THE OPERATION AND PERFORMANCE OF VEHICLE'S CLUTCH. *NLM

Incident date: Mar 19, 2001

WOULD BE MAKING A GRINDING NOISE WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN WHEEL. BRAKES WERE SPARKING WITHOUT BEING APPLIED. THIS CAUSED VEHICLE TO SHAKE. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP , AND MECHANIC FOUND THAT BRAKE PIN BROKE LOOSE AND GOT CAUGHT.*AK

Incident date: Jan 10, 1995

SEAT BELT SHOULDER RESTRAINT PART FAILURE DURING NORMAL USE

Incident date: Dec 18, 1994

VEHICLE ROLLOVER DURING ACCIDENT RESULTING IN DEATH.(ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).

1 deaths

HEATER CONTROLS BURN WIRING AND FANS BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Incident date: Dec 2, 1997

DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35MPH AND HIT A PATCH OF ICE IN THE ROAD , RAN INTO MEDIA LATCH CAME LOOSE AND DOOR FLEW OPEN. *AK

DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT PRIOR TO RECALL.

Incident date: Mar 1, 1996

FAILURE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT, THE SEAT HAS BECOME DETACHED FROM THE FRAME OR THE TRACK OF THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER HAS REPLACED THE SEAT ON TWO OCCASIONS. *AK

Incident date: Mar 24, 1995

HATCHBACK LATCH FAILED. *SD

Incident date: Mar 24, 1995

COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE. *SD

Incident date: Mar 24, 1995

FRONT SEAT BELT LATCHES FAILED. *SD

Incident date: Mar 24, 1995

WATER LEAK IN THE FRONT FLOORBOARD. *SD

Incident date: Mar 24, 1995

WATER PUMP REPLACED. *SD

Incident date: Mar 24, 1995

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *SD

Incident date: Mar 24, 1995

AIR CONDITIONER FAILURE. *SD

Incident date: Jun 10, 1996

DURING FRONTAL IMPACT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

Crash 1 injured

FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES JUST FALL APART. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

Incident date: Jul 13, 1995

DRIVERS SEAT BELT JAMS FULLY EXTENDED, RIGHT REAR BELT JAMS INTERMITTENTLY, FRONT RIGHT AND MIDDLE REAR BUCKLE DISINTEGRATED. TT

Incident date: Jun 28, 1995

DIFFERENTIAL FAILED, CAUSING WHEELS TO LOCK UP ,RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT/INJURY. *AK

Crash 1 injured

BOTH DRIVER/PASSENGER SEAT BACK WILL FAIL AT JOINT RESULTING IN SEAT BACK COLLAPSING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

Incident date: Jan 1, 1990

BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES CAME APART/ALSO DRIVER'S SIDE RETRACTOR BROKE. *AK

Technical Service Bulletins, 1985 JEEP CHEROKEE

3 manufacturer communications from 3 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
171100 LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH	1
103800 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH	1
162000 STRUCTURE:BODY	1

162000 STRUCTURE:BODY

SUBJECT REGARDING FLOOR PAN CORROSION. *SLC

103800 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

SUBJECT ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NOTIFICATION #733--BRAKE PEDAL SHIFT INTERLOCK. *YC

171100 LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

REDESIGNED LIFTGATE LATCH. *TW

NHTSA Safety Investigations, JEEP CHEROKEE

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

PE, Closed , Model Year: 2014

Electronic Parking Brake Water Ingress

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened investigation PE22-009 after having received 80 complaints on model years 2014-2020 Jeep Cherokees alleging the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) inadvertently activated while the vehicle was in motion.During this investigation, the subject vehicles were... updated to include only Model Years (MY) 2014-2016, while MY 2017-2020 were considered peers.Based on related repair invoices, ODI believed the EPB module was damaged by water leaking into the vehicle. When the EPB inadvertently activates, it can cause a stalling condition bringing the vehicle to a stop. ODI was aware of recall 15V-393 that addresses water ingress affecting the power liftgate module on nearly the same population of vehicles subject of this investigation. The liftgate module can potentially catch fire as a result of the water damage. Both the liftgate and EPB modules are located in a similar area of the vehicle. On May 11, 2016, the manufacturer released a Technical Service Bulleting (ODI #10191415, FCA #08-060-16) that instructs dealers on replacing the EPB module and inspecting the electrical connector for corrosion if a customer describes having the EPB not releasing. This Preliminary Evaluation was opened to assess the scope, frequency, and safety-related consequences of the alleged defect. On September 8th, 2022, ODI sent an information request letter to Fiat Chrysler US LLC (FCA) requesting pertinent information on the subject 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokee and Peer 2017-2020 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. FCA Provided its full response on October 27th, 2022 after ODI granted a one-week extension. ODI has reviewed the information FCA provided as well as new reports submitted to NHTSA’s Vehicle Owner Questionnaire database. Based on a review of all available information, ODI has identified evidence supporting a total of 1,655 subject vehicles that likely experienced a failure of the subject EPB. Within the subject vehicle complaints, ODI identified the 2014 Model Year (MY) Jeep Cherokee as having the highest rate of failure, while also being the oldest group of vehicles in this investigation. The 2014 Jeep Cherokees that likely experienced a failure of the subject EPB represent an incident rate of approximately 0.58%. The average Time In Service (TIS) at failure was 2.6 years and the oldest failure occurred at 8.5 years in service. The 2014 population of vehicles is at 9 years in service. All other MY Jeep Cherokee vehicles (both subject and peer) within this investigation had significantly lower failure rates than the 2014 MY Jeep Cherokee. ODI has reviewed all the information available at this time, and identified four allegations of a crash, three allegations of injuries, and one allegation of a fire.Two of the crash allegations alleged injuries, and the alleged injuries were minor severity.All of the alleged injuries appeared to be consistent with hard braking and did not need medical attention. There was no supporting information that demonstrated a fire had occurred on the vehicle. In its response to ODI, FCA provided its assessment of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles, stating that it does not believe the alleged defect poses an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety. FCA states the majority of incidents involving the EPB inadvertently activating occurred while the vehicle was stationary and that a small number of incidents occurred while the vehicle was backing up or at low speeds. This is consistent with ODI’s observations. Based on the analysis conducted by ODI, this investigation will be closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. NHTSA reserves the right take additional actions if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.Read more

PE, Closed , Model Year: 2015

Engine compartment fire

On October 15, 2015, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, US LLC, (FCA), submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA regarding an air-conditioning suction/discharge combo line routing condition that may result in engine compartment fire in approximately 75,574 model year (MY) 2015 Jeep Cherokee vehic... les equipped with 2.4L engines and built from October 1, 2014 through June 18, 2015 (NHTSA Recall 15V-676, FCA Recall R57).According to FCA's DIR, a misrouted A/C combo line can be pinched and cut or thermally degraded by the exhaust manifold heat shield, potentially resulting in loss of air conditioning, smoke and/or fire from ignition of leaked A/C refrigerant oil onto a hot exhaust manifold.The recalled vehicles will be inspected for misrouted A/C combo lines and those found to be misrouted will be replaced.FCA estimates that one percent of the recalled population may be affected by the A/C combo line routing defect.ODI?s analysis of warranty data provided by FCA in response to the information request letter for PE15-003 identified a spike in claims related to the A/C combo line leakage in vehicles equipped with 2.4L engines built after October 1, 2014.FCA implemented its final process corrective action for the hose routing concern on June 18, 2015.The 113,034 MY 2015 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.2L engines have different A/C line routing configurations and are not affected by the A/C combo line routing defect.FCA provided a total of 220 warranty claims potentially related to the A/C combo line in vehicles equipped with 2.4L engines.Ninety-five percent of the claims (210) involved the 74,574 Jeep Cherokee 2.4L vehicles built during the recall period.Only 10 A/C combo line claims and no related fires were identified in the 28,250 Jeep Cherokee 2.4L vehicles that were built before or after the period with the hose routing concern.Analysis of engine compartment fires reported to ODI and FCA identified a total of 10 fires in MY 2015 Jeep Cherokee vehicles.Nine (9) of the fires involved vehicles equipped with 2.4L engines and 8 of these involved vehicles built during the production range subject to Recall 15V-676.These include 5 fires that FCA's investigations determined were most likely caused by the A/C combo line and 3 fires of unknown cause originating in the area of the exhaust manifold heat shield, resulting in fire incident rates in the recall population of 6.6 per 100,000 vehicles for the A/C combo line condition and 10.6 per 100,000 vehicles for fire incidents for which the A/C combo line could not be excluded as the cause.The other 2 engine compartment fires involved a low-mileage fire of unknown cause in a vehicle equipped with a 3.2L engine and a minor self-extinguished fire that FCA?s investigation attributed to a lower transmission oil cooler (TOC) line connection seepage condition in a rental vehicle equipped with a 2.4L engine and built prior to the recall production range. This preliminary evaluation is closed based on FCA?s recall.The following VOQ numbers are associated with the issues discussed in this closing resume: A/C combo line failure:10786287 Unknown cause:10712350, 10678215, 10672201Read more

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1993

Crash Related Fuel Tank Fires

ODI has completed an extensive analysis of rear crash fuel tank system integrity data for the subject Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Liberty vehicles (SVs).As of June 2013, ODI knew of 56 post-collision fatal fires, 28 non-fatal fires, and 6 fuel leak incidents (totaling 90 incidents, 75 fataliti... es and 58 injuries) involving the SVs.Based on this analysis, ODI issued a Recall Request Letter (RRL) on June 3, 2013 requesting that Chrysler recall the Grand Cherokee and Liberty vehicles due to the rate of fatal, non-fatal fire, and fuel leak incidents when compared to peer vehicles (compact and medium SUVs) built during the same time period.In the RRL, ODI described how the location of the aft-mounted fuel tank made the SVs vulnerable to rear impact crash fuel tank failures.During the analysis, besides the high speed/high severity crashes present in both the SV and peer vehicles, ODI observed a significant number of low and moderate speed rear impact crash related fires and leaks, particularly in the Liberty.The data also demonstrated that SVs originally equipped with towing hitch receivers (trailer hitches) appeared to be under-represented in rear-impact related fuel tank failures.In the RRL, ODI requested that Chrysler provide its response by June 18, 2013, otherwise NHTSA might proceed to an Initial Decision that the SVs contain a safety-related defect.Chrysler responded to the RRL on June 4, 2013 and vigorously disputed the tentative findings of the RRL.Among other things, Chrysler argued that the SVs had an overall safety record superior to their peers, met or exceeded all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) and only experienced fires in severe high energy rear impacts.Nonetheless, while continuing to maintain that the SVs did not contain a safety-related defect, Chrysler proposed a recall (13V-252) of approximately 2.5M (1.6M currently registered) model year (MY) 1993 - 1998 Grand Cherokee (ZJ) and MY 2002-2007 Liberty (KJ) vehicles on June 18, 2013.The recall remedy submitted by Chrysler would employ a hitch receiver assembly consisting of a steel cross-member behind the fuel tank with forward-projecting arms bolted to the frame rails on either side of the fuel tank.For the MY 1999 - 2004 Grand Cherokee, Chrysler indicated it would conduct a customer satisfaction campaign and inspect vehicles equipped with aftermarket tow hitch receivers, and if necessary, replace any such hitch receivers whose conditionmay increase the risk of fuel system failure in rear crashes.Examination of the available data established that the MY 1999 - 2004 Grand Cherokee did not pose the same magnitude of safety risk as the MY 1993 - 1998 Grand Cherokee and MY 2002-2007 Liberty, particularly in low and moderate speed rear impacts.Because the agency has concluded that the vehicles do not present an unreasonable risk to safety, ODI is closing its investigation of the MY 1999 - 2004 Grand Cherokee.Although it was not within the scope of the Petition initiating this investigation or the Preliminary Evaluation preceding this EA, ODI also examined the performance of the MY 1993 - 2001 Cherokee as part of this investigation.NHTSA's assessment of the available data for the Cherokee did not establish an unreasonable risk in comparison to peer vehicles.ODI does not approve proposed defect remedies.While offering to install hitch receiver assemblies on the MY 1993-1998 Grand Cherokees and 2002-2007 Liberty, Chrysler did not, in ODI's view, provide enough evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed remedy in rear impacts.The Complete Summary for this Closing Resume (EA12-005) can be seen byRead more

DP, Closed , Model Year: 1991

SUDDEN ACCELERATION