Stellantis has issued a global recall for approximately 220,000 Jeep Cherokee SUVs manufactured between 2014 and 2016. Owners of these vehicles have been advised to park them outdoors and away from other vehicles due to a potential fire hazard associated with the power liftgates. Even when the engines are turned off, the power liftgates have the potential to catch fire. The recall is a result of water infiltration into the liftgate control computer, which can cause an electrical short circuit and subsequently ignite a fire.
As of now, Stellantis has not developed a solution to rectify the issue. Notification letters will be sent out to affected owners starting from June 30. The company became aware of the problem during a routine review of customer data, emphasizing their commitment to ensuring customer safety.
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The exact number of Jeep Cherokees that have experienced fire incidents is not disclosed. Stellantis has reported 50 customer assistance records, 23 warranty claims, and 21 field reports related to the liftgate issue. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported thus far.
In addition to the fire risk, the power liftgates may also cease to function prior to any potential fire occurrence. It is worth noting that Stellantis had previously recalled a significant number of these vehicles in 2015 to address a similar problem.
Stellantis’ decision to recall the Jeep Cherokees underscores their commitment to maintaining the safety and well-being of their customers. While a permanent fix is currently under development, owners of the affected SUVs are strongly advised to follow the company’s guidance and park their vehicles outdoors and away from other cars until further notice.
