Jeep Cherokee 2002-2007 (also posted in Club House)

Puddleduck

Puddleduck

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Has anyone got one of these vehicles and if so have you received a safety recall letter?

Mine was sent to my parents as jeep is registered there so haven't seen it yet. I know the reason for the recall is a serious issue.

Was wondering if there's a time limit on the recall as mines currently on Sorn with no MOT
 
mmm....maybe...this post makes me a little bit nervous as I did get something from the dealer but binned it last week. I get loads of mail from them but they didn't keep their end of the deal at the sale (got straightened out after threatening a lawsuit) so I can't stand seeing their name on an envelope !

may open the next one !
 
Got my Mum to open it and read me the main info.

It's a potential fire risk from the fuel tank puncturing in a rear end collision. Done a bit of googling on it and it's been known about for years but jeep in the US have been denying it. Some Grand Cherokees are affected too.

Not sure what the UK fix is. Letter mentioned it being a rear strut being fitted to protect the tank.
If that's the same solution as the U.S. which is likely as it's the same vehicle in RHD then according to the jeep owners who've had it fitted, you can't have a tow bar after.
Hoping that's not the case as the main purpose my jeep has is towing. So I could well end up with a vehicle I can't use and probably won't be able to sell easily either..
 
Yes I have one of these, it arrived yesterday. The issue is as follows:

On a number of 2002-2007 Jeep Cherokee vehicles there is a small possibility the fuel tank may experience a fuel leak during certain types of rear end collisions. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in an underbody fire Jeep ref: N46. Your vehicle should be inspected and where appropriate, a cross-car beam will be installed to better manage crash forces in the event of a rear impact.

The letter goes on to talk about what will happen if there is an aftermarket towbar fitted. I have booked my Jeep in for an assessment, however, I have been informed that if they need to remove the existing aftermarket towbar to fit the proposed crossbeam they will NOT replace the towbar as part of the free recall, I will have to pay to have it replaced. To say I am not happy is an understatement.

I have also been advised that if a crossbeam is required they will have to order it - an approximate wait time is not available.

There is a sentence which says "This work will be carried out without charge, with the exception of any additional work required as a result of pre-existing collision damage or corrosion in the fitment area."

Now having been ripped off by the stealership on a previous recall I am wary of letting my car anywhere near them, I plan to let my own garage mechanic carry out an inpection, complete with photos prior to the stealership assessment to prevent another ripoff.
 
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leggs said:
mmm....maybe...this post makes me a little bit nervous as I did get something from the dealer but binned it last week. I get loads of mail from them but they didn't keep their end of the deal at the sale (got straightened out after threatening a lawsuit) so I can't stand seeing their name on an envelope !

may open the next one !
Click to expand...

The envelope that it came in, whilst having various car insignia in the top left corner has a DVSA logo in the bottom right hand corner and in red capital letters under the address window VEHICLE SAFETY RECALL NOTIFICATION
 
I've had one too also one about the passenger airbag. And an enclosed red letter from DVLA saying about you have to have it done and a lovely picture of a police car!. Pretty fed up really my nearest dealer is miles away. Please correct me if I'm wrong but I thought diesel cars didn't set on fire.
 
This issue is to do with the design rather than fuel type apparently.

The fuel tank is positioned behind the rear axle which means the chances of it being damaged in a rear collision far greater and any resulting fuel leak a risk
 
Skipadeedooda said:
Does this affect the Grand Jeep Cherokee too? We just bought 2nd hand so not sure we'd receive notification direct from Jeep. Is the recall sent from Jeep or DVLA?
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I bought mine secondhand and the letter came from Jeep - if you or the previous owner have not notified the DVLA that you now own the vehicle then Jeep would not know to contact you but will send a letter to the last known owner. There is a tear-off slip on the bottom of the letter to send back to the DVLA if you are no longer the owner of the vehicle.

However, this is the recall information from Chrysler to Jeep owners in America (In the USA the Jeep Cherokee is known as the Jeep Liberty)- note that they will fit a Chrysler tow hitch if an aftermarket tow hitch has to be removed. Unlike in this country where you will have to pay to have your own tow hitch replaced if it needs to be removed from car for a repair.

"Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles. The fuel tanks in these vehicles are at risk of failure and leakage in certain rear impacts.
CONSEQUENCE:
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
REMEDY:
Chrysler has issued interim notifications to owners and informed that a free remedy is not yet available. Chrysler will notify owners again when a free remedy is available. When the remedy parts are released, owners will be instructed to take their vehicles to dealers and the dealers will perform a free inspection of the rear structure. On vehicles in the recall that are not equipped with a tow hitch, Chrysler will install a Chrysler designed tow hitch free of charge, provided the condition of the vehicle can support proper installation. On vehicles in the recall that are equipped with an aftermarket tow hitch, Chrysler will assess whether the hitch and surrounding areas show evidence of sharp edges or other puncture risks. If so, Chrysler will replace the tow hitch with a Chrysler designed tow hitch free of charge, provided the condition of the vehicle can support proper installation. On vehicles already equipped with a Chrysler designed tow hitch, Chrysler will inspect the area around the tow hitch installation, and if any installation issues are identified, they will be repaired free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign numbers are N45 (for the Grand Cherokee vehicles) and N46 (for the Liberty vehicles)."
 
I read that too Clannad, I also found a couple of press articles online about it where US jeep owners said that jeep called it a tow hitch however had subsequently changed the fix to a bar with no tow hitch attachment.
This was also where I read that some who'd had the bar fitted could no longer have a tow bar so wouldn't be able to tow.
 
Skipadeedooda said:
Does this affect the Grand Jeep Cherokee too? We just bought 2nd hand so not sure we'd receive notification direct from Jeep. Is the recall sent from Jeep or DVLA?
Click to expand...

From what I've read its 93-98 year grand cherokee's that are also included.


Sorry just reread Clannad's post and see that the grand Cherokee info was already there
 
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....I had a rear end colision last month, was standing still to go onto main road and this guy hit me from behind ! took a towtruck to get his car off my towbar ! my towbar was busted but not the crossbeam, it was thoroughly inspected, also by my Insurance guy, the garage and the guy from the towtruck so I don't think I need to worry, but will call the garage on monday.
 
OK, just to update you - I have just returned fro the garage where my car was given the visual examination - it turns out that it needs to have the crossbeam fitted. This will require removing my towbar, which will then not be able to be replaced. Therefore I will have a car that I purchased specifically to tow a trailer with that I will not longer be able to tow with!!!!!!!!!! I am in the process of emailing the Chairman of Jeep (Fiat) UK for his comments.
 
Clannad48 said:
OK, just to update you - I have just returned fro the garage where my car was given the visual examination - it turns out that it needs to have the crossbeam fitted. This will require removing my towbar, which will then not be able to be replaced. Therefore I will have a car that I purchased specifically to tow a trailer with that I will not longer be able to tow with!!!!!!!!!! I am in the process of emailing the Chairman of Jeep (Fiat) UK for his comments.
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This is what has happened to my friend - she took her Jeep in for the recall 2 weeks ago and her tow bar has now been removed yesterday as although Jeep said she could sign a disclaimer and keep it when she told them she needed to tow...when she then checked with her insurance, they wouldn't cover her if the tow bar remained on the car as Jeep recommended it should be removed. So her Jeep has been sat on the driveway for the past 2 weeks instead of being used to take our horses on holiday with us last week! She is in the process of writing to everyone and anyone to complain but as yet, no luck re compensation or views on what next from Jeep perspective. She is now cutting her losses and looking at alternative vehicles.
 
The person she needs to email is as follows: steven.zanlunghi@fcagroup.com Steven Zanlunghi is the Chairman of Jeep (Fiat) UK I have already emailed him as I am in the same position. I am also in the process of obtaining legal advice under Section 14 of the Sale of Goods Act. The dealerships have thier hands tied as to what they can do. I was advised that under no circumstances should I sign the waiver, it would cause problems with insurance and leave me open to being sued if there was an accident as technically I would be knowingly driving an unsafe vehicle.
 
Clannad48 said:
The person she needs to email is as follows: steven.zanlunghi@fcagroup.com Steven Zanlunghi is the Chairman of Jeep (Fiat) UK I have already emailed him as I am in the same position. I am also in the process of obtaining legal advice under Section 14 of the Sale of Goods Act. The dealerships have thier hands tied as to what they can do. I was advised that under no circumstances should I sign the waiver, it would cause problems with insurance and leave me open to being sued if there was an accident as technically I would be knowingly driving an unsafe vehicle.
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Thanks Clannad48, I will pass that email address on to her - the dealership were awful with her, pretty much encouraged her to sign the waiver since she said she needed to tow with her Jeep with no insight into what that actually meant for her in terms of insurance etc so she also has a complaint out to them for not disclosing full information. Not a great situation to be in!
 
Thanks Clannad, I'll be emailing him too as the sole reason for having my Jeep is towing.
You can bet the market price for resale of our jeeps will be pretty much zero now as there won't be much demand for them.
I think it will be a case of as many of us making as much noise as possible together as single complaints will be easy to brush off or ignore.
 
Just another piece of information - I emailed VOSA to obtain their views and had the following reply:

Thank you for your email.

We are sorry to hear that you are experiencing issues with your vehicle and
the recall.

Before I deal with your concern, it maybe helpful if I explain the role of
DVSA in regards to investigating vehicle safety defects. DVSA
investigates, in conjunction with the relevant producer, incidences whereby
failure of a vehicle or its component systems are alleged to be
attributable to design or construction deficiencies. In addition DVSA is
responsible for the supervision and monitoring of the UK Recall Scheme as
it applies in the automotive sector.

This work is carried out under the terms of a Code of Practice, which is an
agreement between the Department for Transport and the Trade Associations
representing vehicle and component producers, and is supported by the
General Product Safety Regulations 2005.

A ‘safety defect’ is defined in the Code as "A safety related defect is a
failure due to design and/or construction, which is likely to affect the
safe operation of the product without prior warning to the user and may
pose a significant risk to the driver, occupants and others. This defect
will be common to a number of products that have been sold for use in the
United Kingdom". In addition, before we can require a manufacturer/producer
to instigate a safety recall, there has to be a significant risk of serious
injury or death.

All safety recalls are conducted by the various vehicle manufacturer's are
preventive measures to remove the risk of injury or death to the driver,
occupant or others. In regards to this particular safety recall, the
manufacturer identified in the USA that a number of vehicle had suffered
fires following a rear impact/collision. To counter this they introduced
an additional protection bar. In regards to vehicles fitted with towbars,
these are checked to establish if they provide sufficient protection and
clearance between it and the fuel tank. If they do not meet the criteria,
they are then replaced with the protection bar.

I cannot comment on the waver notice you are referring to, as we are not
aware or have agreed to this. If you are involved in a collision and there
is any injuries cause by not having the recall completed then you maybe
prosecuted and your insurance maybe come void.

I can only suggest that you raise your concerns with Jeep UK or speak to
someone in the legal profession.

I have attached copies of the Code and two consumer guides relating to
vehicle safety defect and recall for your information.

Should you wish to discuss anything, please do not hesitate to contact me
on my direct line telephone number.

Your sincerely

I think the interesting bit is that they know nothing about the waiver and have not agreed to it. Mind you the upshot is that we are on our own.
 
Following this thread with interest. I have a 2003 Cherokee (CRD Sport) and received the notice a few weeks ago but have done nothing with it as yet. I too bought the car specifically to tow with, and am very reluctant to get any changes made which would mean I can no longer use the car for the purpose I bought it for. I cannot justify keeping it if I cannot use it to tow :( what a shame, as I love my Jeep..

Clannad48, please do keep us up to date on your email to the Chairman of Jeep (Fiat) UK. Would be very interested to hear his comments.
 
We have a 2005 jeep Cherokee sports crd and got the recall letter a few days ago. We contacted the nearest dealer about the inspection who said that if it didn't come up to scratch, then the tow bar would have to be removed and the cross bar fitted. This would mean that the tow bar could not be refitted. If we refused the work we would have to sign a waiver ( not sure how they thought they could make us do this!).
Today we went into another dealer and enquired about the recall. They said it was simply an inspection for collision damage, if present , they would put in a crossbar and then replace the tow bar. They had already done a number of inspections but so far there had been no problems. They had never heard of a waiver.
The problem seems to be with 'aftermarket' tow bars, by which they mean non jeep recommended brands. We have a Mopar tow hitch, which was fitted by Jeep, so here's hoping all is ok as the car goes in next week.

The moral is, shop around the dealers. There seems to be some discrepancy in the interpretation of this recall.
 
cobgoblin said:
We have a 2005 jeep Cherokee sports crd and got the recall letter a few days ago. We contacted the nearest dealer about the inspection who said that if it didn't come up to scratch, then the tow bar would have to be removed and the cross bar fitted. This would mean that the tow bar could not be refitted. If we refused the work we would have to sign a waiver ( not sure how they thought they could make us do this!).
Today we went into another dealer and enquired about the recall. They said it was simply an inspection for collision damage, if present , they would put in a crossbar and then replace the tow bar. They had already done a number of inspections but so far there had been no problems. They had never heard of a waiver.
The problem seems to be with 'aftermarket' tow bars, by which they mean non jeep recommended brands. We have a Mopar tow hitch, which was fitted by Jeep, so here's hoping all is ok as the car goes in next week.

The moral is, shop around the dealers. There seems to be some discrepancy in the interpretation of this recall.
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That's interesting, thanks cobgoblin. Can I ask where you are based and which dealers you used please?
 
cobgoblin said:
The first one was Canterbury. The second one Ashford, Kent - this is the one we are taking it to.
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Okay, not near me then. I haven't looked up dealers near me but will certainly get a second opinion if needed. Great to have the info from this thread, I would have been none the wiser otherwise!
 
I spoke to my dealer today.
Where non jeep towbars have been fitted they need to look at the type and position to check if the towbar has enough clearance between it and the tank so it doesn't pose an even greater risk of puncturing the tank in a collision.
They then insect for damage or corrosion which will make fixing the bar impossible and not structurally sound.
Once fitted they cannot add a towbar back on as the place it would fix to is now obstructed by the bar.
The mopar towbar is the jeep factory fit and has been deemed as ok as the set up meets the needs of the safety fix so no extra bar is required.
My dealer offered me the waiver and when I queried the fact that it hadn't been approved by the DVSA and would potentially nullify insurance they told me they were just doing what they'd been told by Jeep
 
OK so here is the response to the third email I have sent to Customer Relations at Jeep (Fiat) UK - I will be ringing my insurance company tomorrow morning for their view on the waiver. I have also contacted the Legal Department of the AA for advice;

"Thank you for your most recent email of 29th October.

The recall on your vehicle is to provide an enhanced level of rear impact protection beyond the original design standards.

To achieve this enhancement we need to fit certified rear impact bars to the rear of the vehicles concerned.

If a tow bar is already fitted to the vehicle it needs to be inspected to verify if it conforms to the certified clearance levels and/or the absence of sharp edges. If it does the tow bar can be left in place.

If however the tow bar does not meet the required specifications of this recall campaign, it should be removed and replaced by the certified rear impact bar.

In cases where the tow bar is left in place the level of protection cannot be evaluated.

Once you have had your vehicle inspected, should your tow bar not meet the required specification and you decide to leave it fitted to your vehicle you will be asked to sign a document to this effect.

We have not been advised by any Insurance Company of any invalidation or affect to insurance should the recall not be carried out. However, you would need to speak to your particular insurers in this relation to this matter for further confirmation.

Your vehicle is being fitted with parts that have been approved for European vehicles. The USA tow bar is not homologated according to the European Homologation Regulations.

Kind Regards,"
 
The towbar on my friends Jeep was a make recommended by and fitted by Jeep and yet it failed to meet the new safety standard as outlined by the recall so I would be wary of some of the comments above about specific makes of towbar being ok as they were Jeep fitted...my friend does absolutely everything by the book and the book has literally just been thrown back in her face.
 
I know exactly what you mean - mine was fitted by Jeep at first registration - I am trying to get some sense out of Jeep but keep on coming up against the 'party line'. I am still trying to get proper legal advice but I need to have the various parties put everything in writing. Jeep seem to keep on dodging the issue as you can see by their last email to me. All I masking for is why are we being treated the way we are but they won't give me a straight answer, and without that the legal side of this is a nightmare. I will not give up on this - we are being treated abysmally - the incidents of fire in the USA are all with petrol engines, I am still trying to get official incident figures especially as the majority of Jeep Cherokees in this country are diesel therefore the 'explosive nature' of any rear end accident is totally different. We need to get as many people affected as possible to complain.

BTW - apart from the initial email telling me that he had asked Customer Relations to get in touch with me I have heard absolutely nothing from Steven Zanlunghi !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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