Chrysler announced today that it is recalling 867,795 sport utility vehicles due to a possible braking problem. The problem was first reported in 2013 by a customer who noticed his brake pedal had become excessively firm. In response to the problem, Chrysler will install a shield, where necessary, to protect brake boosters from water corrosion.
Affected vehicles include:
- Jeep Grand Cherokee, model years 2011-2014
- Dodge Durango, model years 2012-2013
Last month, NHTSA contacted Chrysler concerning reports of the corrosion allowing water to get into the brake booster and, in some cases, freezing. Chrysler agreed to investigate and found that water intrusion and freezing cut brake function more, increasing the risk of a crash, leading to the recall.
Dealers will inspect and replace corroded boosters and will install a shield over the booster to keep water away from the booster joints. The company did not say why the vehicles would not simply get the new, revised part that’s been installed in these vehicles since September.
Chrysler last month recalled about 25,000 of these Grand Cherokees and Durangos Cherokees from the 2012 and 2013 model years for excessive brake pedal pressure due to a defective part in their “Ready-Alert Braking” system, a safety system that prepares the brakes for a panic stop when the driver suddenly releases the accelerator.
The automaker informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the recall in a report, which was posted Wednesday on the agency’s website (PDF). The recall also includes 42,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango models in Canada, 21,000 in Mexico and almost 160,000 outside North America.
The company says it will begin notification of affected owners of the new recall next month. More information is available from Chrysler about it at 1-800-853-1403 or NHTSA at 888-327-4236 or at www.safercar.gov.