Recall Alert: Jeep Cherokee Models Have Malfunctioning Airbags
If you have a 2019 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, you may need to return to the dealership for a repair. A recall has been issued due to airbag defects. Check out if your SUV is at risk of malfunctioning.
Jeep Cherokee and Volkswagen Atlas recall
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has issued a recall for the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas and the 2019 Jeep Cherokee models due to malfunctioning airbags. This recall is affecting over 190,000 SUVs that were manufactured in North America.
The airbag crash sensors may have been exposed to excessive-high temperatures during the manufacturing process. As a result, upon soldering the connections, they may have been damaged in the airbag sensors. This could cause a delay in airbag deployment during a frontal crash or a lack of deployment in a low-speed collision, increasing the risk of injuries.
Currently, Volkswagen and Fiat have announced when they will notify owners of the affected SUVs. To see if your Jeep Cherokee or VW Atlas is at risk, you can call VW at 800-893-5298 or call Fiat Chrysler Automobiles at 800-583-1403.
You can also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 888-327-4236 or visit the NHTSA website here to enter your 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is found on the inside of the driver side door.
What if my Jeep Cherokee or Volkswagen Atlas is at risk?
If your Jeep Cherokee or VW Atlas has a malfunctioning airbag sensor, your local VW, Jeep, or FCA dealership will replace it for free. You don’t have to return to the same dealership where you purchased your SUV. You can click here to find a dealership nearby.
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, it will be best to call your local dealership ahead of time to schedule an appointment and learn about what safety measures they are currently implementing.
More Jeep Cherokee recalls
In 2019, the FCA issued a Jeep Cherokee recall because the steering rack and gear may fail. The steering wheel rack and gear were improperly manufactured and could break as a result. If the rack or gear fails, there could be a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries.
Also, in 2019, another recall was issued for the 2018 Jeep Cherokee because the passenger seat mount bolts could be loose. The bolts may not have been properly tightened, so the seat could come loose in the event of an accident. This would be unstable during an accident and could increase the risk of passenger damage.
In December 2018, the FCA issued a recall for the 2019 Jeep Cherokee models because the instrument cluster may fail. It is unclear if this was a software or connection issue.
However, it may cause the display to malfunction. As a result, activation of chimes, warning messages, crucial driving information, and more may not be provided, increasing the risk of having an accident.
Another recall for the 2018 Jeep Cherokee was issued because the transmission was incorrectly calibrated. This was an issue for the Jeep Cherokee models equipped with the 2.7-liter engines, and it could cause the engine to stall as a result.
