1988 JEEP CHEROKEE

4 recalls, 118 complaints - 4 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

Complaint Statistics

118 total complaints 4 crashes 7 fires 3 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	19
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY	15
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM	6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION	4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL	3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH	3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD	3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS	3

Incident date: Oct 20, 1993

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO IDLE EXCESSIVELY. THE CONTACT APPLIED BOTH FEET ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. SUDDENLY, THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INTO A DITCH. THE DRIVER SUSTAI... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Jun 1, 2001

DT* THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHOULDER PART OF THE SEAT BELT STRAP DOES NOT LOCK UP. HAS HAD VEHICLE FOR 5 YEARS AND THE SEAT BELTS IN THE FRONT DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND HAVE NEVER FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THEY SHOULD LOCK UP WHEN VEHICLE BREAKS BUT THEY DO NOT. UPDATED 7/13/2006 - *NM

Incident date: Aug 1, 2004

UPON PULLING OUT THE DRIVEWAY POWER STEERING WAS LOST. THE GEAR BOX DROPPED. THERE WAS ANOTHER FRAME WELDED TO THE ORIGINAL FRAME. FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK

VEHICLE FAILED EMISSIONS DUE TO A HIGH HYDROCARBON OUTPUT/ PROBLEMS WITH LIGHTS, BRAKES, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, STARTER, AND SEAT BELTS. *MR THERE WAS A CRACK FOUND IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. *SCC *JB

Incident date: May 12, 2003

THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. *JB THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN LOUD NOISE HAD COME FROM THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL. THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED TO THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. (MODEL PEERLESS FORCE 4) *SCC

Incident date: Apr 14, 2003

JEEP CHEROKEE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE DOES NOT STAY LATCHED... THE MECHANISM HAS COLLAPSED INSIDE THE BUCKLE.. DAIMLER-CHRYSLER REFUSES TO REPLACE THIS PART OF THE SEAT BELT UNDER WARRANTY.. THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THESE OLDER JEEP CHEROKEE SEAT BELT BUCKLES... THIS IS THE SECOND... Read more

VEHICLE STALLS OCCASIONALLY AFTER CLIMBING GRADES OR QUICK STOPS. *AK

Incident date: Jul 18, 2001

VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH ENGINE RUNNING, CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKE AND PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE. VEHICLE WENT BACKWARD AT HIGH SPEED, AND HIT PARKED VEHICLE. ACCIDENT REPORT STATED VEHICLE WENT 86 FEET, AND HIT PARKED VEHICLE AT 50 MPH. NO INJURIES. $ 2030 DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. *AK CONSUMER STATED THE VEHI... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Aug 2, 2001

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED AND TURNED OFF. EMERGENCY BRAKES WERE APPLIED. VEHICLE HAD STARTED TO DRIFT BACKWARDS AFTER IT SLIPPED OUT OF PARK AND INTO NEUTRAL, PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT.*AK *JB

Incident date: Jul 4, 2001

WHEN I COME TO A STOP OR NEAR STOP, AND TURN EITHER TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT, THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN AS I START ENTERING INTO THE INTERSECTION. IT DOES THIS ONLY WHEN I HAVE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO START MY TURN. IT HAS ACTUALLY STALLED WHEN I'M NOSE OUT INTO TRAFFIC. MOST OF THE TIME IT WILL CAT... Read more

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WAS SET ON CRUISE CONTROL AT 60 MPH, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO INCREASE SPEED FOR NO APPARENT REASON, CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO INCREASE SPEED CONSUMER TRIED THE ON-OFF SWITCH... Read more

Incident date: Oct 1, 2000

AFTER STARTING VEHICLE RPM'S GO UP TO 3000, AND WILL NOT GO DOWN. IF VEHICLE IS PUT IN DRIVE AT THAT TIME, VEHICLE WILL TAKE OFF LIKE A ROCKET. CONSUMER HAS TO SHUT OFF VEHICLE AND RESTART. SOMETIMES TWICE BEFORE RPM'S STAY DOWN. 1989 MODELS HAD RECALL ON HIGH ENGINE IDLE. *AK

ONE TRANSMISSION REPLACED THE SECOND IS FAILING IT SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL CAUSING LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ALSO CAUSED ONE ENGINE FAILURE. *AK

Incident date: Apr 8, 2001

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH ON HIGHWAY ACCELERATOR PEDAL ALWAYS WENT TO THE FLOOR, THROTTLE STAYED OPEN. COULD STEP ON BRAKES PEDAL TO MAKE THROTTLE CLOSE, BUTIT WILL ACTIVATE AGAIN.*AK

Incident date: Feb 1, 2001

STRONG FUEL SMELL, THROTLE STICKS, ENGINE SURGE, TOLD BY AAA FUEL INJECTOR RECALL COMING? IF YES, WHEN?

Incident date: Feb 1, 2001

STRONG FUEL SMELL, THROTLE STICKS, ENGINE SURGE, TOLD BY AAA FUEL INJECTOR RECALL COMING? IF YES, WHEN?

Incident date: Feb 1, 2001

PARKED JEEP AND WIRING CAUGHT FIRE FOR NO REASON THERE WERE NO INDICTIONS OF A SHORT. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Feb 1, 2001

DESIGN OF FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM SEEMS POOR. MYSELF AND OTHERS I HAVE SPOKEN WITH HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE FUEL INJECTORS START LEAKING WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF WARNING, THIS TYPE OF LEAK CAN BE VERY SERIOUS WHEN FUEL SPILLS DOWN ON THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM, IT CAN CAUSE A FI... Read more

Incident date: Jan 1, 1997

FUEL INJECTORS LEAK SPRAYING FUEL IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DEALER SAYS COMMON PROBLEM BUT VERY DANGEROUS.*AK

Incident date: Nov 28, 2000

FUEL INJECTORS CRACKED OR SEPARATED NEAR PRESSED SEALS. DEALER ESTIMATE OF 1000.00 TO REPLACE 6 INJECTORS AT 110.00 EACH. WITH ONE HOURS LABOR. I FOUND INJECTORS AT RETAIL SHOPS(I.E. TRAK, PEPBOYS, ETC.) FOR 55.00 EACH. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS POTENTIAL FATAL PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED ... Read more

WHEN I COME TO A STOP SIGN, AND AM STOPPED,AND I HAVE TO TURN EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT, WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS SLIGHTLY TURNED AND I RELEASE THE FOOT BRAKE AND APPLY THE GAS, THE ENGINE WILL COMPLETLEY STALL, UNLESS I MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL MORE AND THEN IT MAY CATCH AND START RUNNING AGAIN. THIS ... Read more

Incident date: Sep 1, 2000

VEHICLE PURCHASED IN 1996 WIRING HARNESESS IN ENGINE HAVE CRIMP CONNECTORS COVERED WITH STANDARD OFF THE SHIEF DUCT TAPE . THIS IS FACTORY AND DEALER SAID THIS WAS DONE AT MANUFACTURE. THE TAPE HAS DRY ROTTED AND PROVIDES NO PROTECTION. 4 TIMES WIRES HAVE GROUNDED OUT TWICE CAUSING SMALL FIRES. ... Read more

Fire

Incident date: Aug 20, 2000

I PURCHASED FOUR NEW FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES FROM A FIRESTONE SERVICE CENTER IN SCOTTSDALE, AZ IN OCTOBER OF 1999. I RECENTLY DISCOVERED, AFTER ALL THE NEWS COVERAGE, THAT ALTHOUGH MY TIRES DO NOT SHOW THE CODE FOR THE DECATUR PLANT, THREE OF THE FOUR TIRES ARE CRACKING AT THE POINT WHERE TH... Read more

Incident date: Aug 20, 2000

Incident date: May 19, 2000

SMELL FUEL WHEN STARTING CAR. CAR WAS RUNNING ROUGH. REPAIR SHOP FOUND LEAKING FUEL INJECTORS AND REPLACED AT EXTEMELY HIGH COST. LEAKING FUEL COULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE.

Incident date: Jul 13, 2000

WHILE DRIVING CAR, SMOKE BEGAN COMING FROM INTERIOR. STOPPED AND SHUT OFF CAR. HAD IT TOWED IN. REPAIR SHOP FOUND BURNED WIRE IN HANDBRAKE AREA. REPAIRED BUT INSIDE OF CAR STILL SMELLS LIKE SMOKE. CAN'T GET RID OF SMELL.

Fire

Incident date: Jul 5, 2000

ENGINE IDLES DANGEROUSLY HIGH AT TIMES. WILL GO TO 3000RPM AND STAY THERE. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT MAKING VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE/UNRELIABLE/USELESS. DEALER REFUSED TO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR DUE TO WIRING HARNESS BEING TAMPERED WITH BUT THE DEALER DID THIS ON PREVIOUS REPAIRS.

Incident date: Dec 1, 1997

I CURRENTLY HAVE FOUR OF THE RECENTLY RECALLED FIRESTONE ATX P235 75/R15 TIRES. I PURCHASED THESE TIRES IN OCTOBER OF 1995. I HAD TO REPLACE ONE OF THESE TIRES WHEN THE SIDEWALL RUPTURED WITH APPROXIMATELY 31K MILES (I HADN'T HIT ANYTHING TO CAUSE THE DAMAGE ... I THOUGHT POTENTIALLY IT WAS CAUSE... Read more

Incident date: Jan 1, 2000

PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40MPH ON A STATE ROAD AND VEHICLE STARTED PULLING TO RIGHT, AND SHE PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDERS. LEFT FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM WHEEL. TOOK VEHICLE TO A TIRE PLACE TO HAVE THEM INSPECTED. TIRE MECHANIC TOLD HIM THAT THE TI... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Dec 1, 1988

POSSIBLE THROTTLE GOT STUCK CAUSING TO USE MORE PEDAL TO SLOW OR TO STOP THE VEHICLE, AFTER STOPPING THE MOTOR WAS RACING AT AROUND 2000 OR MORE RPM. YH

Incident date: Apr 5, 1999

EXHAUST MANIFOLD KEEPS CRACKING. WAS REPLACED TWICE. CHECKED ALL RECALLS ON VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT CALIFORNIA HAD RECALL FOR SAME PROBLEM BECAUSE OF BAD OXYGEN SENSOR. IN CALIFORNIA THEY WILL REPLACE MANIFOLD BTU ON EAST COAST THEY WON'T. IF IT'S THE SAME PROBLEM, WHY WON'T THEY REPLACE THE MANIFOLD... Read more

Incident date: Jun 19, 2000

ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK AT A VERY HIGH SPEED. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE LURCHED AT HIGH SPEED. *AK

Incident date: Jun 19, 2000

ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK AT A VERY HIGH SPEED. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE LURCHED AT HIGH SPEED. *AK

VEHICEL UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED CAUSING ACCIDENT RESULTING IN INJURIES TO CLIENT (CHRISTOPHER J. MURRAY ATTRONEY FOR CLIENT). NLM

1 injured

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE DOES NOT LATCH INTO THE BUCKLE HOUSING MECHANISM. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK *ML

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE DOES NOT STAY IN THE LOCKED POSITION. WHEN APPLIED, IT UNLATCHES ON ITS OWN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY CAME OFF THE VEHICLE, WHICH RESULTED IN NO POWER STEERING WHILE BEING DRIVEN. DLR HAS NOT SEEN. *AK

Incident date: Jun 16, 1999

WHEN FIRST STARTING VEHICLE, ENGINE WOULD BE IDLING HIGH. SHIFTED VEHICLE INTO DRIVE & IT WOULD JUMP FORWARD. FEET WOULD REMAIN ON BRAKES WHEN THIS HAPPENED. ALSO HAPPENS WHEN ENGINE IS WARM, HIGH IDLE CONTINUES WHILE DRIVING. MECHANIC CLEANED THE OUT THE UNIT. ALSO INFORMED OWNER IT WOULD NEED RE... Read more

Incident date: Jun 16, 1999

CAR KEEPS SHUTTING DOWN

Incident date: Jul 12, 1999

I PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE ON FEBRUARY 10,99 FROM RICK MUDD FOR $3,400 AND HE DID NOT TELL ME IT WAS IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN ON JULY 12..I BROUGHT THE REPLACEMENT PART BUT IT WOULD NOT FIT INTO THE JOINT BECAUSE IT WAS OFF BY A QUARTER OF AN INCH..I HAD NO PRIOR KNOWLEDGE THAT THE V... Read more

TRANSMISSION FAILED.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED.

FUEL FILTER ON THE VEHICLE DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE ENGINE.

Showing 50 of 118 complaints.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1988 JEEP CHEROKEE

4 manufacturer communications from 4 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
105000 POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE	1
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

105000 POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

NEW FRONT OUTPUT SEAL AND OIL SLINGER FOR TRANSFER CASE. *TW

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