Safety Recall S62 / NHTSA 16V-545 Trailer Hitch – 2015-2016 Jeep Renegade

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V545
Component(s): TRAILER HITCHES
Potential Number of Units Affected: 8,561

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

 

SUMMARY:

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jeep Renegade vehicles manufactured August 25, 2014, to June 25, 2016, equipped with a factory-installed optional trailer hitch package.

The trailer hitch assembly may have been attached with only a single fastener per side, not three per side as required.

 

CONSEQUENCE:

Without the proper amount of fasteners, the trailer hitch assembly may separate from the vehicle, and any towed vehicle may no longer be properly connected, increasing the risk of a crash.

 

REMEDY:

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install two additional fasteners per side, free of charge.

The recall began on October 13, 2016.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Chrysler’s number for this recall is S62.

 

NOTES:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

 

Check if your Vehicle has a Recall

 

October 2016

Dealer Service Instructions for:

 

Safety Recall S62 / NHTSA 16V-545 Trailer Hitch

 

Models

2015-2016 (BU) Jeep Renegade

 

NOTE:  This recall applies only to the above vehicles equipped with an original equipment trailer hitch Class III Receiver Hitch (Sales Code XFJ) built from February 04, 2014 through June 25, 2016 (MDH 020400 through 062500).

IMPORTANT:  Some of the involved vehicles may be in dealer new vehicle inventory.  Federal law requires you to complete this recall service on these vehicles before retail delivery.  Dealers should also consider this requirement to apply to used vehicle inventory and should perform this recall on vehicles in for service.  Involved vehicles can be determined by using the VIP inquiry process.

 

Subject

The factory installed trailer hitch on about 8,500 of the above vehicles may have missing fasteners.  Missing fasteners may result in a loose trailer hitch-to-body attachment and could result in a rattle at the rear of the vehicle.

If the rattling condition is ignored, this could lead to a partial or complete separation of the trailer hitch from the vehicle.  Loss of the trailer hitch while driving could result in the trailer hitch and/or the trailer being towed to become a projectile, injuring pedestrians, damaging property and/or causing a crash with another vehicle(s).

 

Repair

Replace the missing trailer hitch fasteners and tighten all six fasteners to the proper torque specification.

 

Parts Information

Part Number Description
06106123AA Nut, Locking (Qty. 6 per package)

 

Wheel Flare Clips may be Required – Order as Needed:

Part Number Description
68095315AA Clip, Rear Wheel Flare Attaching  Green Color (Qty. 5 per package)
5SR17JXWAA Clip, Rear Wheel Flare Attaching  Blue Color (Qty. 10 per package)

 

 

Parts Return

No parts return required for this campaign.

 

Special Tools

The following special tools are required to perform this repair:

Tool Number Description
  • C-4755
Trim Stick
  • NPN
Snap-on FRDHM13 or equivalent (13 mm Torque Adapter) Service Procedure

 

A.  Inspect for Missing Trailer Hitch-To-Body Attachment Nuts

  1. Raise the vehicle on an appropriate hoist.
  1. Using a flashlight and mirror, inspect for any missing nuts at the trailer hitch-to-body studs on the left and right sides of the vehicle. Three nuts per side, six nuts total should be visible (Figure 1).
  1. Are all six nuts installed or are any nuts missing?
  • All six nuts are visible and appear to be fully installed tightly against the trailer hitch. Claim the inspection LOP to complete the recall and return the vehicle to the customer.
  • If any of the six nuts are missing or do not appear to be fully tightened, proceed to Section B. Install Trailer Hitch-to-Body Attachment Nuts.

Inspect Trailer Hitch-to-Body Studs for Missing NutsFigure 1 – Inspect Trailer Hitch-to-Body Studs for Missing Nuts

 

B.  Install Trailer Hitch-to-Body Attachment Nuts 

  1. Disconnect the negative vehicle battery cable.
  1. Using a trim stick or equivalent, remove the inner access covers from the left and right side quarter trim panels (Figure 2).
  1. Disconnect the wiring harness connector from the left and right side tail lamps (Figure 3).
  1. Remove the tail lamp retaining screw from the left and right side tail lamps (Figure 3).
  1. Pull the tail lamp from the outboard side in order to remove the tail lamps from the left and right sides of the vehicle (Figure 4).

Quarter Trim Access CoverFigure 2 – Quarter Trim Access Cover

 

Tail Lamp retaining screw and Wiring Harness ConnectorFigure 3 – Tail Lamp retaining screw and Wiring Harness Connector

Tail LampFigure 4 – Tail Lamp

 

Rear Fascia Lower Edge ScrewsFigure 5 – Rear Fascia Lower Edge Screws

 

  1. Raise the vehicle on an appropriate hoist.
  1. Remove the four screws from the lower edge of the rear fascia (Figure 5).
  1. Remove the four screws securing the wheelhouse liner to the rear fascia on the left and right sides of the vehicle (Figure 6).

Wheelhouse Fascia Screws Figure 6 – Wheelhouse Fascia Screws

 

  1. Perform the following steps to gain access to the rear fascia retaining screw hidden behind the rear wheel flare on the left and right sides of the vehicle (Figure 7):

a. Carefully pull    back   the wheelhouse liner only enough to gain access to the wheel flare lower attaching clips.

b. Begin with the lowest attaching clip and work upward using a socket of an appropriate size small enough to depress the retaining tabs of the attaching clips. Release the accessible wheel flare lower attaching clips from the rear fascia.

c. Using a trim stick or equivalent, carefully release only enough of the remaining upper wheel flare attaching clips in order to access the rear fascia retaining screw hidden behind the wheel flare.

NOTE: Replace any of the rear wheel flare attaching clips that may have broken while releasing of wheel flares. 

  1. Remove the rear fascia screw located behind the rear wheel flare on the left and right sides of the vehicle (Figure 7).

Rear Wheel FlareFigure 7 – Rear Wheel Flare

 

  1. Remove the rear fascia nut located in the tail lamp bucket on the left and right sides of the vehicle (Figure 8).
  1. Remove the rear fascia screws located in the tailgate opening on the left and right sides of the vehicle (Figure 8).
  1. Remove the rear fascia from the vehicle and set aside in a safe clean area to prevent scratches (Figure 9).

Rear Fascia FastenersFigure 8 – Rear Fascia Fasteners

 

Rear FasciaFigure 9 – Rear Fascia

 

Trailer Hitch-to-Body Attachment Studs Missing NutsFigure 10 – Trailer Hitch-to-Body Attachment Studs Missing Nuts

 

  1. Clean the trailer hitch-to-body attachment stud threads of any debris before installing any nuts that may be missing (Figures 10 and 11).
  1. Obtain a Snap-on FRDHM13 or equivalent 13 mm Torque Adapter and a torque wrench with a handle length of approximately 12 in. (305 mm) in order to achieve the proper torque specification while tightening the trailer hitch-to-body attachment nuts (Figure 12).

CAUTION: Using a Torque Adapter or Torque Wrench of longer or shorter dimension may result in trailer hitch-to-body attachment nuts that are either too tight or too loose.

Clean Stud ThreadsFigure 11 – Clean Stud Threads

 

Required ToolsFigure 12 – Required Tools

 

Trailer Hitch-to-Body Attachment Nuts InstalledFigure 13 – Trailer Hitch-to-Body Attachment Nuts Installed

 

  1. Install any trailer hitch-to-body attachment nuts that may be missing (Figure 13).
  1. Using the previously specified torque adapter and toque wrench, tighten all six nuts to 16 ft. lbs. (22 N·m) (Figure 14).
  1. Position the rear fascia to the vehicle (Figure 9).
  1. Install the screws located in the tailgate opening.  Tighten the screws securely (Figure 8).

Tighten Nuts to Proper Torque SpecificationFigure 14 – Tighten Nuts to Proper Torque Specification

 

  1. Install the nuts located in the tail lamp bucket on the left and right sides of the vehicle. Tighten the screws securely (Figure 8).
  1. Install the screws located behind the rear wheel flare on the left and right sides of the vehicle. Tighten the screws securely (Figure 7).

NOTE: Replace any broken attaching clips before securing the rear wheel flares.

  1. Secure the rear wheel flares on the left and right sides of the vehicle by tapping on the wheel flare by hand to engage the attaching clips (Figure 7).
  1. Install the four screws securing the wheelhouse liner to the rear fascia on the left and right sides of the vehicle. Tighten the screws securely (Figure 6).
  1. Install the four screws to the lower edge of the rear fascia. Tighten the screws securely (Figure 5).
  1. Lower the vehicle.
  1. Install the left and right side tail lamps to the vehicle (Figure 4).
  1. Install the tail lamp retaining screws to the left and right side tail lamps. Tighten the screws securely (Figure 3).
  1. Connect the wiring harness connector to the left and right side tail lamps (Figure 3).
  1. Install the inner access covers to the left and right side quarter trim panels (Figure 2).
  1. Connect the negative vehicle battery cable.
  1. Check the tail lamps for proper function.
  1. Return the vehicle to the customer.

 

Completion Reporting and Reimbursement

Claims for vehicles that have been serviced must be submitted on the DealerCONNECT Claim Entry Screen located on the Service tab.   Claims submitted will be used by FCA to record recall service completions and provide dealer payments.

Use one of the following labor operation numbers and time allowances:

Labor Operation
Number
Time
Allowance
Inspect Trailer Hitch Fasteners 13-S6-21-81 0.2 hours
Inspect and Install Missing Trailer Hitch Fasteners 13-S6-21-82 0.7 hours

 

Add the cost of the recall parts plus applicable dealer allowance to your claim.

NOTE:  See the Warranty Administration Manual, Recall Claim Processing Section, for complete recall claim processing instructions.

 

Dealer Notification

To view this notification on DealerCONNECT, select “Global Recall System” on the Service tab, then click on the description of this notification.

 

Owner Notification and Service Scheduling

All involved vehicle owners known to FCA are being notified of the service requirement by first class mail.  They are requested to schedule appointments for this service with their dealers.  A generic copy of the owner letter is attached.

Enclosed with each owner letter is an Owner Notification postcard to allow owners to update our records if applicable.

 

Vehicle Lists, Global Recall System, VIP and Dealer Follow Up

All involved vehicles have been entered into the DealerCONNECT Global Recall System (GRS) and Vehicle Information Plus (VIP) for dealer inquiry as needed.

GRS provides involved dealers with an updated VIN list of their incomplete vehicles.  The owner’s name, address and phone number are listed if known.  Completed vehicles are removed from GRS within several days of repair claim submission.

To use this system, click on the “Service” tab and then click on “Global Recall System.”  Your dealer’s VIN list for each recall displayed can be sorted by: those vehicles that were unsold at recall launch, those with a phone number, city, zip code, or VIN sequence.

Dealers must perform this repair on all unsold vehicles before retail delivery. Dealers should also use the VIN list to follow up with all owners to schedule appointments for this repair.

Recall VIN lists may contain confidential, restricted owner name and address information that was obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicles of various states.  Use of this information is permitted for this recall only and is strictly prohibited from all other use.

 

Additional Information

If you have any questions or need assistance in completing this action, please contact your Service and Parts District Manager.

Customer Services / Field Operations

FCA US LLC

 

TRAILER HITCH

 

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL
S62 / NHTSA 16V-545

 

This notice applies to your vehicle (VIN: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx).               

 

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

Dear: (Name)

FCA has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2015 and 2016 model year Jeep Renegade vehicles equipped with an original equipment factory installed trailer hitch.

The problem is… The factory installed trailer hitch on your vehicle may have missing fasteners.  Missing fasteners may result in a loose trailer hitch-to-body attachment and could result in a rattle at the rear of the vehicle.

If the rattling condition is ignored, this could lead to a partial or complete separation of the trailer hitch from the vehicle.  Loss of the trailer hitch while driving could result in the trailer hitch and/or the trailer being towed to become a projectile, injuring pedestrians, damaging property and/or causing a crash with another vehicle(s).

What your dealer will do…   FCA will repair your vehicle free of charge.  To do this, your dealer will install the missing fasteners.  The work will take about 1½ hours to complete.  However, additional time may be necessary depending on service schedules.
What you must do to ensure your safety… Simply contact your Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge or RAM dealer right away to schedule a service appointment.  Ask the dealer to hold the parts for your vehicle or to order them before your appointment.  Please bring this letter with you to your dealer.
If you need help… If you have questions or concerns which your dealer is unable to resolve, please contact the FCA Group Recall Assistance Center at either fcarecalls.com or 1-800-853-1403.

 

Please help us update our records by filling out the attached prepaid postcard if any of the conditions listed on the card apply to you or your vehicle.  If you have further questions go to fcarecalls.com.

If you have already experienced this specific condition and have paid to have it repaired, you may visit www.fcarecallreimbursement.com to submit your reimbursement request online or you can mail your original receipts and proof of payment to the following address for reimbursement consideration: FCA Customer Assistance, P.O. Box 21-8004, Auburn Hills, MI 48321-8007, Attention: Recall Reimbursement.  Once we receive and verify the required documents, reimbursement will be sent to you within 60 days. If you’ve had previous repairs and/or reimbursement you may still need to have the recall repair performed on your vehicle.

 

If your dealer fails or is unable to remedy this defect without charge and within a reasonable time, you may submit a written complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E., Washington, DC  20590, or you can call the toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to safercar.gov.

We’re sorry for any inconvenience, but we are sincerely concerned about your safety.  Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Customer Services / Field Operations

FCA US LLC

 

Note to lessors receiving this recall: Federal regulation requires that you forward this recall notice to the lessee within 10 days.

 

 

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