Laguna Hills, CA – October 24, 2018 – Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Jeep Wrangler vehicles due to improperly welded front track bar brackets. The recall affects 18,005 vehicles produced between May 7 and August 21, 2018.
The Defect
According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, certain 2018-2019 MY Jeep Wrangler left hand drive vehicles may have been built with a front track bar bracket that featured an out-of-specification weld. This defect could potentially result in the bracket separating from the frame. The separation of the front track bar bracket from the frame may cause a reduction in steering response, which can cause vehicle crash without prior warning, or after any or a combination of the following: a front end noise, an off-center steering wheel position, a “Service Electronic Stability Control” message and an Electronic Stability Control light in the cluster.
Timeline of Events
On August 13, 2018, as a result of customer complaints related to the front track bar bracket separating from the frame, the FCA US LLC (“FCA US”) Vehicle Safety and Regulatory Compliance (“VSRC”) organization opened an investigation and meetings were subsequently conducted with the supplier to determine and correlate suspect part delivery dates with vehicle build dates and settle on corrective actions. The number of reports was sufficient that a voluntary recall was implemented. There have been no reports of injury due to this defect.
The Solution
Chrysler will notify owners of all suspected to be affected vehicles to inspect and repair the front track bar bracket welds as needed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 17, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is UA5. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 18V675000.
