Filed under: SUV, Recalls, Safety, Dodge, Jeep



UPDATE: An earlier version of this story contained language erroneously linking this recall action to a Jeep Grand Cherokee/Dodge Durango brake recall announced in March. According to Eric Mayne, a media relations manager at Chrysler, the two safety issues are unrelated. The text in the story below has been updated to reflect this information.

Early last month, we reported on Chrysler issuing a preemptive, proactive recall for about 25,000 units of the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango. The issue revolved around a brake system that wasn't causing any actual problems, but delivered an unsatisfactory brake feel, so Auburn Hills called in 25,000 SUVs around the world, including 18,700 in the United States.

Now Chrysler is recalling a much larger number of these SUVs for unrelated braking issues. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a recall statement regarding precisely 655,354 examples of the Grand Cherokee and Durango, covering the 2011 through 2014 model years. In addition, Chrysler is recalling 42,380 units in Canada, 21,376 in Mexico and 159,685 overseas.

Whereas the previous problem Chrysler found in the March recall centered on a brake fluid flow issue related to the vehicles' Ready Alert Braking system, this recall focuses on the brake booster, whose center shell has been found to be subject to corrosion, a condition that could allow water into the brake system. That water, in turn, can freeze, preventing the brakes from working as well as expected.

As a result, the 644k Jeep and Dodge models are being called in to their local dealerships to have their brake booster inspected. If the booster works correctly, dealers will simply add a new shield. If not, the booster will need to be replaced. Owners should expect to begin receiving notification at the start of next month. Scope out the notices from both NHTSA and Chrysler below.Continue reading Chrysler recalling 644k Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs over brakes [UPDATE]

Chrysler recalling 644k Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs over brakes [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Apr 2014 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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