Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has issued another recall notice for the 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (JL). While this is the seventh recall notice for the iconic Jeep since it’s debut last model year, the good news is that this particular recall only affects 52 units of the popular four-door variant.
The affected 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (JL) vehicles may have been built with a right rear door latch that is off location, which may cause the outside door release handle link to bind on the latch reinforcement and potentially result in a non-latch condition.
The suspect period began at Toledo North Assembly Plant (“TNAP”) on September 26, 2018, when right rear doors with a potential off location door latch were introduced into production, to September 28, 2018, when the suspect parts were no longer used in production. Plant maintenance records and an audit of vehicles built before and after the suspect period were used to identify the suspect population.
Similar vehicles not included in the recall were manufactured before or after the period when the parts with an off location door latch were used in production, and have a right rear door with a correctly located latch.
A right rear door latch that is off location could cause the outside door release handle link to bind on the latch reinforcement. If the outside door release handle link does bind on the latch reinforcement, the right rear door may open unexpectedly due to road or driving conditions, or occupant contact with the door.
FCA will conduct a Voluntary Safety Recall on all affected vehicles to repair the right rear door latch reinforcement. FCA has a longstanding policy and practice of reimbursing owners who have incurred the cost of repairing a problem that subsequently becomes the subject of a field action. To ensure consistency, FCA, as part of the owner letter, will request that customers send the original receipt and/or other adequate proof of payment to the company for confirmation of the expense.
FCA will notify owners, and dealers will repair the right rear door latch reinforcement, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 28, 2018. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is UB6. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236, or go to www.safercar.gov.
Makes/Models/Model Years:
JEEP/WRANGLER/2018
Mfr’s Report Date: November 8, 2018
NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V-786
Components:
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Potential Number of Units Affected: 52
