by Major Jeep Grand Cherokee recall due to rear suspension issues
In 2023, Jeep announced a recall of over 330,000 Grand Cherokee SUVs from model years 2021 to 2023. The reason was a defect in the rear suspension that could lead to the detachment of the spring coils. The manufacturer described this as a one-time problem at the vehicle assembly stage.
However, despite the measures taken, the same problem has resurfaced. Numerous owners of vehicles that have already received repairs under the recall have reported repeated failure of the same part.
Investigation into repair effectiveness
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has recorded 20 new consumer complaints about rear spring detachment specifically on those vehicles that have already undergone repair. These reports are in addition to the 21 incidents documented even before the start of the recall campaign.
The new complaints have led the Office of Defects Investigation to initiate an official investigation into the effectiveness of the previous repair. This step, known as a “Recall Query,” is rarely taken, only when there are doubts about the adequacy of the solution proposed by the manufacturer.
Why didn’t the proposed solution work?
Initially, Jeep identified the cause of the problem as an error at the production stage, not as a defect in the part itself. Dealerships were instructed to inspect the rear suspension and, if necessary, reinstall springs that may have been incorrectly positioned during factory assembly.
Now this assumption is being called into question. As part of the new investigation, experts will review complaint logs, field data, and Jeep’s own technical findings to determine whether the original repair was properly designed or whether a key factor was overlooked.
Potential consequences and risks
If the investigation finds that the repair strategy was flawed or incomplete, parent company Stellantis may be required to announce a new recall and offer a more comprehensive solution. For now, the question remains open.
A detached suspension spring is not just an ordinary breakdown. Besides worsening vehicle handling and increasing the risk of an accident, this component, if detached, can become a dangerous flying object on the road, posing a threat to other road users.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee situation highlights the complexity of ensuring long-term reliability even after official recall campaigns. For owners, it means prolonged uncertainty, and for regulators, it underscores the need for careful monitoring of the effectiveness of corrective actions, especially when it comes to critical safety systems like the suspension. The success of any recall is measured not by the number of vehicles repaired, but by the absence of repeated complaints about the same problem, and this case demonstrates that there can be a significant difference between these two metrics.
