Jeep recalls new Grand Cherokees for steering issue

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Stellantis is recalling almost 90,000 new Jeep Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L SUVs in the U.S. over an issue that could lead to a loss of steering. Some 35,407 examples of the Jeep Grand Cherokee L are covered by the recall, specifically those SUVs built from January 27, 2021; to April 4, 2023. Furthermore, 59,935 examples of the Jeep Grand Cherokee are included in the campaign, if those vehicles were built from October 19, 2021; to April 4, 2023. Transport Canada has yet to report how many Jeeps are affected in Canada. [Update: Stellantis says the recall covers roughly 7,036 Jeeps in Canada, and that roughly one per cent of those are estimated to be affected by the issue —Ed.]

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The automaker explains that some of these SUVs have an incorrectly assembled intermediate shaft in their steering columns; this assembly-line error could lead to the shaft disconnecting from the U-joint where it attaches to the column, and if this happens, the driver may no longer be able to steer the vehicle.

CORRECTION: The sub-headline of an earlier draft of this story read “Almost 90,000 SUVs from model years 2021 to 2023 may have been improperly assembled in a way that could cause them to lose steering”; in fact, just one per cent of the 90,000 recalled Grand Cherokees are estimated to be affected by this issue, or around 900 Jeeps total. —Ed.

Before the U-joint disconnects, drivers may “notice play in steering and/or noise when turning,” says Stellantis. The company says it has not received any reports of crashes tied to the issue.

The steering shaft parts themselves are without fault; rather, they were improperly repaired while being put together on the Grand Cherokee assembly line. The poorly performed method of repair was corrected on the line on April 4. Owners are asked to bring their Jeep to a dealer to have the steering column inspected; mechanics will properly re-install the parts on affected vehicles.