California Lemon Law News + Info

Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Durango Recalled For Brake Issues

Fiat Chrysler (now Stellantis) is recalling more than 206,000 model year 2018–2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango SUVs for brake light and vehicle rollaway issues caused by faults in the Hydraulic Control Unit or Anti-lock Braking System modules.

The brake lights in 2018–2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles may illuminate unexpectedly while the vehicles are driving at speeds up to 4.5 miles per hour.1

The HCU/ABS module fault also disables the Anti-lock Braking System and Electronic Stability Control. These systems help keep control of the vehicles by returning traction to the tires and automatically applying the brakes, respectively. As a result, deactivating these systems increases the risk to drivers in situations where they temporarily lose control of their vehicles – for example, turning a corner too fast.

Jeep and Dodge Customer Service Information

Fiat Chrysler is the parent company to Jeep and Dodge. Fiat Chrysler’s customer service department can be reached at 1-800-853-1403.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also has a Vehicle Safety Hotline accessible at 1-888-327-4236.

Is My Jeep or Dodge Covered By This Recall?

If your Jeep Grand Cherokee or Dodge Durango is experiencing brake issues or ESC problems, you can find out if you are part of this recall by doing either of the following:

  1. Use the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Check for Recalls” tool and type in your Vehicle Identification Number or License Plate Number.
  2. Contact FCA’s customer service department at 1-800-853-1403. Tell the representative your Vehicle Identification Number and ask if your vehicle is part of any open recalls.

FCA Vehicle Rollaway Recall Details

If you are experiencing vehicle rollaway issues with your Jeep Grand Cherokee or Dodge Durango, you may be included in this recall.

  • NHTSA Campaign ID: 24V838000
  • FCA Recall Number: 94B
  • Number of vehicles: 206,502
  • Models affected: 2018–2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2018–2019 Dodge Durango
  • Issue: Brake lights may flash at random and vehicles may start and shift out of PARK without the brake pedal being depressed.
  • Cause: The HCU/ABS module falsely reads pressure in the primary circuit, causing issues with brake lights, ABS and ESC, and allowing the vehicle to shift out of PARK without a depressed brake.
  • Safety Risk: Vehicles may face an increased risk of a crash. Brake lights may falsely signal an intent to slow or stop the vehicle. The shifting out of PARK issue may allow the vehicles to roll away.
  • Warning Signs: Customers may notice brake lights staying on after parking or turning off the vehicle. The ABS, ESC and red “Brake” warning indicator lights are illuminated at vehicle start up, indicating that these systems are not available. However, these indicator lights only flash on after a failure has occurred.

Fiat Chrysler is still developing the remedy. Recall notices will be mailed to Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango owners on December 5, 2024.2

This Jeep and Dodge ABS recall is a follow-up to a previous recall addressing the same population of vehicles. Jeep and Dodge vehicles under the previous recall will be recalled again and repaired when the new remedy is available.

Previous Jeep and Dodge ABS/ESC Recall: Quick Facts

Your Jeep Grand Cherokee or Dodge Durango may have been part of this previous recall.

  • NHTSA Campaign ID: 22V426000
  • FCA Recall Number: Z48
  • Number of vehicles: 206,502
  • Models affected: 2018–2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2018–2019 Dodge Durango
  • Issue: An issue with the antilock-brake system (ABS) module may cause the brake lights to illuminate or allow the vehicle to start and shift out of PARK when the brake pedal is not depressed.
  • Safety Risk: Brake lights lighting up may cause drivers behind the vehicle to assume that the vehicle intends to slow or stop. The unexpected shifting issue could cause the vehicle to roll away.
  • Warning Signs: After an ABS module failure happens, the dash lights may illuminate and the brake lights may stay on after parking or shutting off the vehicle.3

At the time, FCA’s offered remedy consisted of HCU and/or ABD module software updates intended to prevent the module from falsely reading the pressure in the primary circuit. Interim recall notices were mailed July 28, 2022.

FCA implemented a two-phase remedy schedule for these Jeep and Dodge vehicles with ABS issues. The first phase began on November 17, 2022. According to the NHTSA entry, the second phase had not yet been determined when the entry went live.4

What To Do With Your Jeep or Dodge Vehicle

Contact your auto manufacturer and confirm if your Jeep or Dodge is covered by existing repairs. If your Jeep Grand Cherokee or Dodge Durango is covered by an existing recall, save your mailed recall notices and keep tabs on recall announcements. When a recall repair becomes available, schedule a repair visit with your nearest Jeep or Dodge dealership. If you do not feel safe driving your vehicle, we do not recommend that you continue to use it anyway.

References

  1. Part 573 Safety Recall Report 24V-838. (2024). https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCLRPT-24V838-2270.PDF
  2. (2024, November 7). Vehicle Rollaway Due to ABS Malfunction. Track Recalls & Safety Issues by NHTSA ID; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. https://www.nhtsa.gov/?nhtsaId=24V838000
  3. Part 573 Safety Recall Report 22V-426. (2022). https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2022/RCLRPT-22V426-9454.PDF
  4. (2022, June 9). Vehicle Rollaway Due to ABS Malfunction [Review of Vehicle Rollaway Due to ABS Malfunction]. Track Recalls & Safety Issues by NHTSA ID; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. https://www.nhtsa.gov/?nhtsaId=22V426000

Lemon Law Help by Knight Law Group is an automotive lemon law firm that exclusively practices in California. If you are a California resident who purchased or leased a defective vehicle from a licensed dealership in California, we may be able to help you get rid of your potential lemon and recover significant cash compensation. Model year restrictions apply: 2019–Present vehicle models only.

However, we cannot help those who reside outside of California or purchased their vehicle outside of California unless they are active duty members of the Armed Forces, nor will we be able to refer those to a lemon law firm in their states.

To learn more about the California Lemon Law and your legal rights, visit our guide on the California Lemon Law for more information.

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