RECALL: Jeep® Recalls 199,143 Units Of Its 4xe PHEV Models

Stellantis (FCA US, LLC) is recalling 199,143 units of their 2021 to 2024 Jeep® Wrangler (JL) and 2022 to 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WL) 4xe plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). According to a recall issued by the automaker, a hybrid control processor (HCP) software error may cause the defrosting and defogging system to be inoperative. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 103, “Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems.”

An inoperative windshield defrosting and defogging system may decrease the driver’s visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

According to the recall, the Wrangler 4xe suspect period began on September 2, 2020, when the first 2021 model year vehicle was produced, and ended on August 24, 2023, when the updated HCP software was introduced into vehicle production. The suspect period was determined using vehicle production records. Approximately 139,318 Wrangler 4xe models are affected by the recall.

The recall also states that 59,825 units of Grand Cherokee 4xe are affected as well. The suspect period began on July 23, 2021, when the first 2022 model year vehicle was produced, and ended on December 5, 2023, when updated HCP software was introduced into vehicle production. The suspect period was determined using vehicle production records.

 

Recall Chronology – 

• On June 21, 2023, FCA US LLC (“FCA US”) Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance (“TSRC”) organization was notified of a potential issue related to the windshield defrost system being inoperative under certain conditions on some 2021-2024 MY Jeep Wrangler PHEV and 2022-2024 MY Jeep Grand Cherokee PHEV vehicles.
• From June 2023 through January 2024, FCA US TSRC analyzed inoperative windshield defrost systems and vehicle history and determined that the affected vehicles may have been built with windshield defrost systems, which may not function as intended.
• On January 10, 2024, FCA US TSRC recognized a vehicle software issue on certain vehicles related to an inoperative condition with the windshield defrost function, potentially resulting in noncompliance with FMVSS No. 103.
• On February 8, 2024, FCA US determined, through the Vehicle Regulations Committee, to conduct a voluntary safety recall of the affected vehicles.

FCA US 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 US, as part of the owner letter, will request that customers send the original receipt and/or other adequate proof of payment to the company to confirm the expense.

Dealers will update the HCP software free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 5, 2024. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is 04B.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or go to www.nhtsa.gov.