Jeep advises owners of about 132,000 Cherokee SUVs from 2014-2016 to park outside until dealers can address a problem with their power liftgates that could trigger a fire.
In documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Jeep explains the power liftgate module in some Cherokees is “vulnerable to water intrusion.” This intrusion can trigger a short circuit that may lead to a fire. The short circuit can happen with the vehicle on or off, so owners are urged to park away from structures until a dealer has completed the repair.
Jeep changed the module’s design during the production run, so some Cherokees from the 2016 model year are not subject to recall.
The company knows of no accidents or injuries, but “50 customer assistance records, 23 warranty claims, and 21 field reports potentially related” to the issue.
Jeep says engineers are still developing a remedy for the problem. When it comes, it will be free. By law, manufacturers cannot charge for recall-related repairs.
Many cars are recalled, often more than once, during their lifespan. Automakers try to contact every owner but don’t always reach them all. Find out whether your vehicle has any outstanding recalls with the easy VIN tool at our recall center.
