Jeep is asking owners of more than 130,000 Cherokees from 2014-16 model years to park the utes outside and away from structures due to potential fire risk.
The power liftgate control model could be vulnerable to water intrusion due to where they’re position in the 2014 to 2016 Cherokees. If water gets into the unit, it can cause it to short circuit, resulting in a fire.
“The remedy is currently under development,” the company wrote in a report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“Customers are advised to night park these vehicles inside of buildings or structures, or near other vehicles until the vehicle has the final repair completed.”
What you should know
Aside from a fire, owners may experience the power liftgate will stop working. The recall affects vehicles only with power liftgates. The ignition can be on or off, the company noted in the NHTSA report.
Through late April, the company has identified 50 customer assistance records, 23 warranty claims, and 21 field reports potentially related to the issue, starting in July 2017 and the most recent coming in late January.
The company says it will begin notifying dealers and owners by the end of June. As of April 27, 2023, FCA U.S. is not aware of any accidents or injuries potentially related to this issue for all markets, the company noted.
“Customers are advised to night park these vehicles inside of buildings or structures, or near other vehicles until the vehicle has the final repair completed.” Be sure to ‘day’ park them outside!