Dive Brief:
- Stellantis’ North American subsidiary FCA US has recalled over 121,000 Jeep models for second-row head restraints that may not lock in the upright position, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- The recall covers 2023-2024 Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L SUVs built from May 2023 through Jan. 30, 2024. Similar models built before and after use a different part and are not included in the recall, per the report.
- Stellantis dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the second-row head restraints, if necessary. The automaker will begin notifying customers on Sept. 5.
Dive Insight:
The second-row seat head restraints in the SUVs are designed to automatically fold forward when the rear seats are lowered flat for additional cargo capacity. But when the seats are returned to their normal position, the head restraints may not lock back into the upright position, according to the recall report.
The automaker’s Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance organization began investigating the problem on Aug. 13, 2024 after receiving reports from customers of head restraints not locking properly.
From August 2024 through May, the company’s compliance team met with engineering and manufacturing personnel to identify the problem and determine the number of affected vehicles. The investigation also included a review of customer records.
On June 11, the automaker’s safety team identified a “vehicle build issue” in some Cherokee models that may stop second-row head restraints from locking in the upright position.
On July 10, its Vehicle Regulations Committee determined that the problem may affect all vehicles and violates Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Therefore, the automaker elected to conduct a voluntary recall to address the concern.
Current FMVSS require that head restraints in all vehicles sold in the U.S. not be below 750 millimeters in height from the seat bottom to reduce whiplash injuries in a crash.
The head restraints were sourced from Grammer Americas and were manufactured at a production facility in Plymouth Township, Michigan. Grammer Americas is the U.S. subsidiary of Germany-based Tier 1 supplier Grammer Industries. An estimated 1% of the recalled vehicles have the defect, according to the report.
FCA US also issued a supplemental recall for 764 Mopar-branded head restraints intended for 2022-2025 Grand Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee L models. However, in a notification to dealers altering them of the recall, the automaker said that parts are not currently available. A remedy is estimated to become available in the third quarter, according to the recall report.
