According to the company, the power gates on the recalled SUVs can catch fire even with the engines turned off.
DETROIT — Stellantis is notifying owners nearly 220,000 Jeep Cherokee SUVs around the world to park them outdoors and away from other vehicles because power gates can catch fire even when the motors are off.
There is a company recalling some Cherokees from From 2014 to 2016 model years. Water can enter the liftgate control computer, causing a short circuit that could cause a fire.
The company says it has not yet developed a fix. Owners will receive notification letters starting June 30. Stellantis says the problem was discovered during a routine check of customer data.
It is unclear how many small SUVs caught fire. Stellantis said in documents released Tuesday by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it has 50 customer assistance records, 23 warranty claims and 21 field reports related to the problem. The company says it is not aware of any damage.
The electric gates may stop working before the SUVs catch fire.
Stellantis recalled many of the same vehicles in 2015 to address a similar problem.
Car owners can visit NHTSA.gov/recalls or call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 and enter the 17-digit vehicle identification number to see if their vehicle is under recall.
https://www.wtol.com/article/news/nation-world/jeep-cherokee-suv-recall-power-liftgate-fire-risk-park-outside/507-636be6ed-e70f-43da-a4ae-721d885c25c0
