Fire Risk Sparks Jeep Grand Cherokee Recall

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is recalling more than 34,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel vehicles because of a defect that could cause engine fires.

An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler defect puts some diesel versions of the vehicle at risk of going up in flames, the company said in documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“Thermal fatigue may cause the EGR cooler to crack internally over time,” Fiat Chrylser told NHTSA in a defect notice.

“An EGR cooler with an internal crack will introduce pre-heated, vaporized coolant to the EGR system while the engine is running,” the company said. “In certain circumstances, this mixture interacts with other hydrocarbons and air in the system, potentially resulting in combustion within the intake manifold, which may lead to a vehicle fire.”  

The recall covers certain 2014-2019 Grand Cherokee models with a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel engine, which were sold in the U.S. and Canada. The company said -- as of October, at least -- it was not aware of any accidents caused as a result of the defect.

Fiat Chrysler expects to start notifying the owners of recalled vehicles by the end of the year. The company told NHTSA it will replace EGR coolers in recalled vehicles, free of charge.

Legal Rights for Car Owners in California

This, sadly, is not Fiat Chrysler's first rodeo when it comes to car recalls. The truth is that FCA and other major auto manufacturers recall millions of vehicles per year because of serious defects that make for serious safety hazards.

The company announced earlier this year that it was recalling some 900,000 vehicles whose steering wheel badges are prone to fly off in the event that an airbag is deployed. The “driver airbag emblems” could potentially injure people inside a vehicle, FCA said at the time.

Meanwhile, the company said in 2019 that it was recalling roughly 300,000 Dodge Darts because of a gear selector issue that could cause the vehicles to unexpectedly roll away.

Fortunately, car owners and lessors in California have some valuable rights and protections under the state’s lemon law. 

The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act requires carmakers to perform repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. The law also forces the manufacturer to buy back or replace cars that it is unwilling or unable to fix. 

Speak with a California Lemon Law Lawyer

If you are a car owner or lessor who is locked in a dispute with a manufacturer over repairs, an experienced California lemon law lawyer can provide vital assistance. An attorney can help you understand your rights and weigh options to ensure that the company is held fully accountable.

At the Bickel Law Firm, we have successfully represented hundreds of clients in defective vehicle cases in Southern California and across the state. We work tirelessly to get the people we represent the compensation they deserve.

Our offices are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco.  Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law lawyer today.