Jeep has ordered dealers to stop selling its 2-row 2022 Grand Cherokee and 3-row 2022 Grand Cherokee L SUVs while it rushes parts to dealerships to fix an odd problem. Due to a communication glitch between the vehicles and their key fobs, some owners have been stranded with cars that won’t start.
Jeep Has A Remedy
The Drive was first with the story yesterday, noting that users on some Jeep forums had made similar complaints. A Jeep spokesperson confirmed it to KBB today, adding, “This issue affects a limited number of vehicles and does not require a safety recall. We are contacting customers to advise them that free service is available.”
Like many new vehicles, the Grand Cherokee siblings start with the touch of a button. The vehicle detects the radio frequency ID signature of the owner’s key and arms the push-button start if it is present.
But some Grand Cherokees don’t recognize their key fobs, so they won’t start. Owners get a physical key that can unlock the vehicle in the event of a battery problem. But drivers who attempted to use it found the vehicles’ anti-theft systems activating, disabling them.
Jeep has isolated the problem to a faulty radio frequency hub module that receives the key fob’s signal. The company is “expediting delivery of the appropriate parts” to dealers so service technicians can replace the hubs.
Temporary Sales Pause
But it has ordered dealers to hold off on selling the vehicles until they can inspect them and replace the hub modules as needed. Owners who have experienced a problem should contact their Jeep dealership to arrange a free hub replacement.
If you’re in the market for a new Grand Cherokee or Grand Cherokee L, the news might delay your purchase. But probably not for long. Dealers should be able to resume selling them as soon as they have the replacement parts in hand.
