NEWS:   Chrysler Expands Jeep Stalling Recall

Transmission software will be reprogrammed

ConsumerAffairs.com -- May 7, 2008 -- Chrysler is expanding the recall of Jeep Commander SUVs to repair engine stalling that has endangered scores of Jeep owners.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that the automaker has now recalled 24,461 2006 Jeep Commanders to reprogram automatic transmission software in Jeeps equipped with the 4.7 liter engine.

NHTSA warned Commander owners that the software glitch “could cause a crash without warning.”

NHTSA opened an investigation of the 2007 Jeep Wrangler SUV last year following at least 53 reports of the engine stalling at highway speeds.

That investigation involved 35,000 vehicles, according to NHTSA.

At the time, NHTSA reported that the agency had received complaints of engine stalls at highway speeds that included 12 cases with a loss of electrical power and lighting.

The latest Jeep Commander recall involves computer software in the automatic transmission control module of the 2006 Commander. Jeep dealers will reprogram the software in 2006 Jeep Commanders built before January 11, 2006.

In a limited action, Chrysler recalled 1,338 of the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander earlier this year to repair a stalling problem in the vehicles. In that recall, NHTSA reported that the “the front control module may have been incorrectly manufactured," and could cause the engine to stall while driving or not start.

Jeep owners describe the stalling condition as frightening. On May 6, a Galveston, Indiana woman struggled with a stalled Jeep.

“Everything just completely shuts down and I am unable to steer and have to restart the engine,” Cathleen wrote ConsumersAffairs.Com. “This has happened 3 to 4 times now and the dealer says there is nothing they can find wrong with my vehicle. It happened again today while in a parking lot.”

Consumers reported that in many cases Jeep dealers are unable to fix the stalling.

“I have had my Jeep in and out of the shop in regards to it stalling all of a sudden, a Wisconsin woman reported to ConsumerAffairs.Com. “Each possibility proposed to me is not a sure fix and is very expensive,” she said.

In San Francisco, a ConsumersAffairs.Com reader said the stalling problem behind two Chrysler recalls is not limited to the new Commander. “I have a 1997 Jeep Laredo that I purchased over 2 years ago from a used car dealer. The stalling problem started around January 2008,” she said. “I was going 60 mph on the highway and it just died.”

Jeep owners can contact Chrysler about the stalling problems at 1-800-853-1403 or NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153).

MORE RECALL INFORMATION:    Jeep Commander          Jeep Grand Cherokee

MAY 2008 -  Chrysler is recalling 24,461 MY 2006 Jeep Commander vehicles equipped with 4.7L V8 engines. The powertrain control module (PCM) was programmed with software that may allow the engine to stall under certain operating conditions. This could cause a crash without warning. Dealers will reprogram the PCM software in all 4.7L engine-equipped MY 2006 Jeep Commanders built prior to January 11, 2006. The recall began on May 19, 2008. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. This recall was the subject of an Engineering Analysis, EA07-007, conducted by the Office of Defects Investigation. 08V-203

FEBRUARY 2008 -  Chrysler is recalling 1,338 MY 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander vehicles. The front control module may have been incorrectly manufactured. This could cause the engine to stall while driving or not to start and/or cause the windshield wipers to become inoperative. Engine stalling or inoperative wipers could cause a crash without warning. Dealers will inspect the module and replace it if necessary. The recall began on February 18, 2008. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. 08V-059

NEWS:   Limited Recall to Repair Jeep Stalling Epidemic

But consumers say the problem is more widespread than Jeep admits

ConsumerAffairs.com -- March 3, 2008 -- Chrysler is recalling 1,338 of the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander SUVs to repair a stalling problem in the vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that the “the front control module may have been incorrectly manufactured. This could cause the engine to stall while driving or nor to start.”

The safety agency also reported that the windshield wipers on the vehicle may fail. “Engine stalling or inoperative wipers could cause a crash without warning,” NHTSA said on its web site.

ConsumerAffairs.com readers report that the stalling problem is far more widespread than just a handful of 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokees and Commanders.

In Arlington, Texas, Joanna said her 2006 Jeep Commander stalls without warning “during turns which are both from moving and stopped positions. ”It occurs during cold and hot weather, with electrical devices on or off, in park, neutral and drive,” Joanna said.

From Anniston, Alabama, Deanna reported a similar condition with her 2000 Grand Cherokee.”I can be traveling 65 mph or less or sitting in the drive-through when it stalls. All power is lost," she said.

Deanna said her Jeep is now dangerous to drive and she is afraid to get behind the wheel.

Elizabeth in El Paso Texas agreed.

“I too have been having stalling problems with my 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo,” she wrote. “I am scared to drive on the highway because it sputters and stalls suddenly. The problem has not been found. We have replaced the fuel pump, but the problem continues.”

Chrysler should do something about all of the stalling problems," Elizabeth warned. “By searching online, I found that dozens of people have the same problem with their Jeep. Too many people have had the same thing happen while driving.”

For Jeeps part of the limited recall just announced, dealers will inspect the front control module and replace it if necessary. Jeep owners can contact Chrysler about the stalling problems at 1-800-853-1401 or NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153).

MORE RECALL INFORMATION:    Jeep Commander          Jeep Grand Cherokee

NOVEMBER 2007 -- DaimlerChrysler is recalling 28,755 MY 2007-2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander sport utility vehicles. Front brake calipers in a certain lot may have been manufactured from gray iron instead of ductile iron as designed and could fracture without warning. This would increase the vehicle's stopping distance and could cause a crash. Dealers will inspect the front brake calipers to see if they fall into this lot and, if so, will replace them. The recall is expected to begin during October 2007. 07V-415

NEWS:  Chrysler recalls 369,000 vehicles for problems

DETROIT (Yahoo-Reuters) - Automaker Chrysler LLC said on Friday it is recalling almost 369,000 vehicles for problems with brake systems and door latches and locks.

Chrysler, ... said it is recalling 296,550 sport utility vehicles for the brake-related problem.

The vehicles affected include Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Commander SUVs for the 2006 and 2007 model years and the 2007 Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Nitro.

Chrysler said a glitch in an electronic control unit could cause a delay in braking when the vehicles are driving uphill. The automaker has had about 20 reports of such problems, ......

It's a very rare occurrence," ......."But we have had reports of drivers experiencing problems when they take their foot off the accelerator."

When drivers in one of the affected vehicles stop accelerating up a hill, that can trigger a momentary loss of braking power for a second or two,....

The automaker said it was aware of one accident that could have been caused by the problem.
Owners of the SUVs affected by the recall will be notified this month and repair work will be done at no charge, Chrysler said.

The automaker,..... also said it is recalling about 72,333 2008 Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger sedans because of a potential problem with a cable connected to the front door latches in the vehicles.

NEWS:   Chrysler Recalls 62,400 Vehicles For Faulty ABS, Traction Control

December 26, 2006
Chrysler is recalling 62,400 2007 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles because the braking system may fail to work.

The recall includes 62,369 model-year 2007 Chrysler Sebring, Chrysler 300, Jeep Commander, Jeep Compass, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Liberty, Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Nitro, Dodge Magnum, Dodge Charger and Dodge Caliber vehicles to re-program the system Electronic Control Unit.

In recalled vehicles, instrument panel warning lamps may illuminate and be followed by loss of the anti-lock brake system, traction control and speedometer functions.

While the problem could result in a loss of control, no accidents or injuries have been reported.

Owners will be notified in February 2007. Consumers who experience the faulty warning lamp illumination should take their vehicle to a certified dealer for inspection.