Jeep Issues Its Second Recall Of The Year – This Time, It's Wrangler

MANILA: With all the recalls and scandals happening in the global market these days, we can safely call it a season of recalls. It has just been a couple of days when the American automaker Jeep issued a recall notice for its Grand Cherokee 2016 for having faulty wiring harness terminal which can affect the transmission and lock it in 'Park' or 'Neutral' mode while stopping. After identifying as many as 37,372 units with this malfunction, Jeep is again set to recall its Wrangler models manufactured between 2007 - 2010 over a recently identified airbag issue. Till now, no fatal injuries have been reported and the manufacturer is taking this matter on priority to rectify the fault.

The Malfunction

Some safety tests were conducted by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) on various Jeep models recently, which were a part of its regular activity. After intensive check-up of Wrangler, the company found that certain models of Wrangler have an issue with the clockspring assembly installed in the steering which assists in controlling the airbag function. Testing experts found that the excessive exposure of the clockspring assembly due to off-roading activities can affect the deployment of the airbag during a crash.

Affected Models

The company has found that Jeep Wrangler with MY 2007 – 2010 are affected by this issue and as many as 392,464 units need to be recalled for the rectification. As of now, the company is sending recall mails for 8,528 units sold in Mexico and 35,412 units traded in Canada. Apart from these figures 62,580 units have been sold outside the North American Free Trade Agreement and they will also be rectified on the manufacturer's expense. Apart from the models produced from 2007 - 2010, 7,435 Wranglers with MY 2011 – 2016 are also recalled for rectification.

The Remedy

Jeep has already started sending recall emails to the owners of vehicles identified so far with the malfunction. An authority from the American brand has assured that the problem will be fixed as soon as possible and the company has already instructed its authorized service centers to attend such vehicles on the priority basis. Briefly, the authority has mentioned the remedy they will give to the faulty units which would be installing a new steering column wrap and steering wheel back cover. The customers with pinpointed units can schedule the servicing and repairing of their Wrangler with the nearby Jeep authorized service centers.

Though Jeep Philippines has also issued a statement citing that the units sold in the Philippines are not at all affected by this issue but still a word of caution has been spread amongst the customers. If, you are also a proud owner of Jeep Wrangler and noticed airbag warning light up after an impact, get it checked as this might be due to malfunctioned clockspring.

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