Grand Cherokee recalled again

Jeep has announced another safety recall to fix potential brake problems with its current Grand Cherokee, which could affect almost 30,000 vehicles in Australia.

The second brake-related recall for Jeep’s flagship SUV follows Friday’s call-back of 641 Grand Cherokees built between October 11, 2011 and October 1, 2012, to fix problems with their 'Ready Alert Braking System' (RAB), which affects brake pedal feel.

Now, Jeep’s parent company Chrysler Group has recalled an estimated 867,795 SUVs globally, to install a shield that protects their brake boosters from corrosion caused by undue water exposure.

Chrysler said it launched an investigation after receiving customer feedback about excessive brake-pedal firmness – the same reason for the earlier Grand Cherokee recall.

The fresh recall covers all Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles built between 2011 and 2014, including 644,354 vehicles in the US, 42,380 in Canada, 21,376 in Mexico and 159,685 in the rest of the world.

Fiat Chrysler Group Australia has confirmed to motoring.com.au that the latest Grand Cherokee recall will affect its customers, but is awaiting exact numbers from Chrysler in the US.

However, it concedes that the local recall could include all examples of the latest WK-series model launched here in February 2011, meaning all Grand Cherokees sold in the past four years.

That means up to 28,795 vehicles could be affected here, including all MY2011-2014 models and those involved in the previous recall -- WK-series models built between October 2011 and September 2012, before the facelifted Grand Cherokee was released last July.

“Yes we are affected by the recall,” confirmed Fiat Chrysler Group’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Karla Leach. “We are awaiting confirmation of the number of impacted Australian vehicles.

“The recall announced locally yesterday relates to Grand Cherokees built from October 11, 2011 and October 1, 2012 (648 vehicles locally).

“Today’s recall affects model years 2011 to 2014, so the number will be higher and could potentially include some from the earlier recall. We’re waiting for a country breakdown from the US to know exactly how many are affected.”

Chrysler Group says it is aware of one accident – but no injuries -- related to the braking problem in the US, but Leach said the cold weather-related issue is less likely to affect Australian vehicles.

“Most of the symptoms have occurred in extreme cold weather when water freezes on the brake components, Ours car won’t be exposed to that kind of climate but will still be checked to make sure every vehicle is safe,” she said.

Chrysler Group said its investigation discovered some vehicles have brake boosters with small crimp joints that may corrode, allowing water into the braking system.

“Should water enter the boosters through corroded joints – a previously unseen occurrence – brake function may be compromised if the water freezes,” it said.

However, Chrysler maintains that unless water enters the braking system and then freezes, a rusty brake booster in itself is not a safety-related problem.

“Absent (of) water ingestion in sub-freezing conditions, a booster that exhibits corrosion will deliver brake function in compliance with federal safety standards,” is says.

“The vehicles are equipped with a hydraulic boost compensation system that aids performance, even when booster vacuum levels are low. However, customers may experience excessive brake-pedal firmness.”

Chrysler Group says it will inspect all affected models and fit an insulating shield if required, and is already fitting brake booster crimp joints with rust-resistant coatings to vehicles now in production.

“Chrysler Group will inspect the brake boosters on certain Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango SUVs, model years 2011-2014. The boosters may be replaced if their capability has been reduced. All boosters will be equipped with a shield to insulate their crimp joints from water.

“Brake boosters used in current production vehicles feature crimp joints treated with a special coating designed to resist corrosion.”

Jeep is yet to issue an official safety recall notice in Australia, where it’s been a big week for recalls. Today Volvo recalled a number of V40 and V40 Cross Country models to fix a problem with blown left-rear light globes, while Holden recalled 2712 Cruzes to replace broken drive shafts.

On Monday, Toyota recalled LandCruisers built between May 2012 and March 2014 with potential brake fluid leaks.

The current WK Grand Cherokee was also subject to two recalls last year, one related to its anti-lock braking and stability control system.

Jeep has also experienced development teething problems with its all-new mid-size Cherokee SUV, which was originally due on sale here last August and then in March, but is now confirmed for an Australian launch in June.