Stellantis has announced a recall for more than 132,000 Jeep Cherokees, citing a fire risk stemming from an electrical issue that was not resolved in a previous recall. Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside until a solution is implemented, though no specific repair has been provided yet.
The recent recall, issued last Thursday, pertains to the power liftgate module installed in select 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokees. Originally, water penetration into the module could trigger an electrical malfunction. An initial attempt to address this issue in 2015 involved replacing the module’s organic resin cover with a waterproof alternative and addressing any corroded connections.
2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. Jeep
The efficacy of the previous repair remains uncertain, as the latest recall highlights the potential for a fire to originate in the power liftgate module, regardless of the ignition status. Owners are urged to be cautious of a malfunctioning power liftgate, which may indicate an increased fire risk, and advised to park their vehicles away from structures or other cars until necessary repairs are carried out.
According to records from the NHTSA recall, around 132,099 vehicles could potentially be impacted. While no immediate solution is currently available, development of a fix is underway, and notification letters are set to be dispatched starting June 30.
Production of the prior generation of the Jeep Cherokee ceased in March, seemingly marking an end to its nearly half-century legacy. Although Jeep affirms its commitment to the Cherokee’s segment, the branding of future models remains uncertain. The focus for Jeep’s forthcoming plans centers on introducing four electric vehicles to the U.S. market, with no clear successor to the compact Cherokee in sight. Given current battery costs, the arrival of an affordable electric alternative may be further down the road than anticipated.
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