Jeep remembers some 2016 and 2017 Cherokees over PTU challenge

In 2020, Fiat Chrysler America recalled 67,248 items of the 2014-2017 Jeep Cherokee in the US over a transmission challenge that might end in a lack of energy or rollaway state of affairs. On the time, paperwork filed with the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration defined that sure “automobiles had been constructed with a two velocity Energy Switch Unit (“PTU”) that permits relative motion between the differential enter splines and the transmission output shaft.” The motion may put on down the enter splines, inflicting a lack of engagement between transmission and differential, thereby slicing energy to the entrance wheels. Worn splines may additionally forestall the transmission from partaking Park when stationary, resulting in a potential rollaway state of affairs. That recall utilized solely to all-wheel-drive fashions with the two-speed Energy Switch Unit, which simulates the two-speed switch case discovered in lots of part-time four-wheel-drive vans and SUVs. Jeep manufacturers the affected methods as “Lively Drive II” or “Lively Drive Lock.” 

Autos among the many recall inhabitants that featured the PTU mannequin in query benefited from “extra strong differential splines.” The repair for the recalled automobiles wasn’t changing the worn PTU splines with the upgraded variations. The repair was a software program replace that labored across the fault to both alert the motive force, to shift energy to the rear wheels when the malfunction occurred, or to routinely apply the parking brake if the fault occurred whereas the motive force was making an attempt to shift into park.  

What’s stranger is that Jeep has issued a brand new recall for a subset of the unique recall inhabitants, addressing the identical challenge with the identical PTU half numbers. This time there are solely 25,980 Cherokees concerned, just one% considered bothered with the PTU drawback, however it expands on the earlier inhabitants of 67,248 items. The language within the Security Recall Experiences is an identical, solely the construct dates have modified. The 2020 recall coated SUVs constructed from April 14, 2014 to October 10, 2016. This new recall covers SUVs constructed from September 3, 2015 to September 23, 2016.

As earlier than, the repair is software program. The brand new Security Recall Report copies the 2020 model in saying, “The treatment part can be a software program flash that, if failure of the enter splines happens, causes a malfunction indicator lamp to light up, rear axle engagement to stop a lack of motive energy, and digital parking brake activation when the automobile is in PARK to stop a lack of PARK perform.” Contemplating the 1% anticipated affected inhabitants, this reads to us like Jeep needs to make use of software program to seek out the issue automobiles that want a day on the vendor’s, as a substitute of flooding vendor techs with prolonged fishing expeditions into 93,000 Cherokee drivetrains.

Jeep says it’s going to start mailing notification letters to homeowners on June 16. Till then, homeowners can contact the FCA customer support at 800-853-1403 and point out inside recall 45A; the earlier recall was W47. House owners may additionally contact the NHTSA’s Automobile Security Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov, and consult with marketing campaign quantity 23V-302.

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