Car Recall: Why They Will and What Should You Know
Why does a car recall occur? Here’s what you need to know if your car has an open recall:
Chrysler recalled over 120,000 Jeep SUVs due to head suppression issues that could lead to injuries to drivers and passengers.
Chrysler, owned by Stellantis, the same company that owns Jeep, reported the recall to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on July 17th. The recall includes 121,398 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles released in 2023 and 2024.
According to Chrysler, seathead restraints in the second row may not be trapped in an upright position.
“Unlocking head restraints can increase the risk of seat residents being injured during a collision,” Chrysler said on the NHTSA website.
What are the breakdowns of affected vehicles?
According to the automaker, the recall includes:
- 2023-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 78,157 units manufactured between May 16, 2023 and May 2, 2024
- 2023-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L: 43,241 vehicles manufactured between May 16, 2023 and January 30, 2024
The NHTSA campaign number is 25V472000 and the manufacturer’s recall number is 20C.
What is the solution?
According to Chrysler, dealers will inspect and replace both second row seathead restraints for free. The company plans to notify the dealer by July 24th and to notify the owner by September 5th.
Owners can contact Stellantis Customer Service at 1-800-853-1403 using recall number 20C.
How did the recall come about?
The affected vehicles were built with second row head restraints, including an internal locking mechanism, according to the automaker. In the event of interference, this mechanism may prevent the headrest from standing upright. The vehicle was produced from May 16, 2023 to May 2, 2024.
The automaker’s parent company began an investigation in August 2024 and met with the engineering team for the next nine months to determine which vehicles were affected.
This story has been updated to add new information.
Saleen Martin is a reporter for the USA Today Now team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – 757. Email her to sdmartin@usatoday.com.
