Safety Recall W81 / NHTSA 20V-657 Front Lower Control Arm – 2021 Jeep Cherokee

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October 27, 2020 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V657000

Front Lower Control Arms May Fracture

A front lower control arm fracture while driving may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash without prior warning.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V657

Manufacturer Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

Components SUSPENSION

Potential Number of Units Affected 698

 

Summary

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude and Jeep Cherokee Limited vehicles. One or both of the front lower control arms may fracture while driving.

 

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front lower control arms and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2020. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is W81. Note: Owners are advised to not drive their vehicles until they have been inspected and repaired if needed.

 

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

 


Revision 2 January 2021

Dealer Service Instructions for:

Safety Recall W81 / NHTSA 20V-657 Front Lower Control Arm

 

Revised with new parts ordering information.

 

Remedy Available

2021 (KL) Jeep Cherokee

 

NOTE:  This recall applies only to the above Latitude and Limited vehicles equipped with Normal Duty Suspension (sales code SDA).

 

NOTE:  Some vehicles above may have been identified as not involved in this recall and therefore have been excluded from this recall.

 

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

About 700 of the above vehicles may have been built with one or both lower control arms with hardness below specification. A front lower control arm manufactured with hardness below specification may result in a fracture while driving that may result in a loss of steering control, which can cause a crash without prior warning.

 

Repair

Inspect both front lower control arms and replace as needed. FCA US recommends that owners do not drive their vehicles until they receive instructions on how to have this inspected and repaired, if necessary. Mobile Repair should be utilized for the inspection, if available.

 

Alternate Transportation

Dealers should attempt to minimize customer inconvenience by placing the owner in a loaner vehicle if inspection determines that front lower control arm replacement is required and the vehicle must be held overnight.

 

Parts Information

Upon identification of a suspect batch number (#1264206) on the front lower control arm(s), order the needed parts from the list below.

 

Left Control Arm

Part Number Quantity Description
68439685AA 1 Front lower control arm, left
06507676AA 1 Lower ball joint nut (MSQ 8)
06512169AA 1 Front lower control arm bolt
06512546AA 1 Rear lower control arm bolt (MSQ 2)
06505232AA 1 Rear lower control arm nut (MSQ 4)
06510520AA 4 Rivets, fascia lower support (MSQ 12)

 

Right Control Arm

Part Number Quantity Description
68439684AA 1 Front lower control arm, right
06507676AA 1 Lower ball joint nut (MSQ 8)
06512169AA 1 Front lower control arm bolt
06512546AA 1 Rear lower control arm bolt (MSQ 2)
06505232AA 1 Rear lower control arm nut (MSQ 4)
06510520AA 4 Rivets, fascia lower support (MSQ 12)

 

Note: VINs without control arms in this suspect batch should be claimed as “Inspected/No repair”. If both lower control arms are impacted, order parts in the appropriate quantities.

 

Parts Return

No parts return required for this campaign. Render the old control arms unusable and discard.

 

Special Tools

The following special tool is required to perform this repair:

  • C-4150A
Ball Joint Press

 

Service Procedure

A.  Inspect Lot Number

 

NOTE:  Only control arms from lot # 1264206, as determined by the inspection in Section A, require replacement.  Very few vehicles are expected to require control arm replacement.

 

  1. Raise and support the vehicle.

 

  1. Inspect the marking on each control arm for lot #1264206. If neither arm is part of this lot, lower the vehicle, and return it to the Figure 1 – Lower Control Arm Lot Number Inspection owner. If either arm is from this lot, the arm(s) must be replaced. Proceed to B. Remove Control Arm (Figure 1).

 

B.  Remove Control Arm

 

NOTE:  The following procedure is required if either lower control arm requires replacement per the inspection in Section “A.”  Very few vehicles are expected to require this repair. Upon approval of submitted photos, parts will be shipped to the dealer. 

 

  1. Lower the vehicle, and disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable. If equipped with an Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS), disconnect the IBS connector first before disconnecting the negative battery cable. Raise and support the vehicle.

 

  1. Remove the wheel mounting bolts and the tire and wheel assembly.

 

  1. Remove and DISCARD the lower ball joint nut (1) (Figure 2).

 

  1. Using the Ball Joint Press C4150A, separate the lower ball joint stud from the control arm.

 

NOTE: Make sure the ball joint boot does not get cut when separating the ball joint stud from the control arm.

 

NOTE: After separating the control arm from the knuckle, do not let it swing rapidly back up. This can tear the ball joint dust boot.

 

  1. Insert a pry bar (1) in the opening between the control arm front mounting bolt and the front fascia support beam (Figure 3).

 

  1. Pry down on the control arm (2) until the ball joint stud is clear of the control arm, then push the knuckle assembly to the side when it is clear of the ball joint stud and slowly release the control arm (Figure 3).

 

  1. Remove the supports, and lower the vehicle to access the engine compartment.

 

  1. Remove the push pin fasteners (1) and remove the radiator closeout panel (2) (Figure 4).

 

NOTE: There are several different belly pans depending on engine and drivetrain options. Some may have a fewer number of fasteners but they are all removed by the same procedure.

 

  1. Raise and support the vehicle.

 

  1. Remove the fasteners (1) securing the engine belly pan (2) (Figure 5).

 

  1. Remove the engine belly pan (2) from the underside of the vehicle (Figure 5).

 

  1. Remove the two rivets (1) (Figure 6).

 

  1. Remove the four lower support fasteners (2) (Figure 6).

 

  1. Remove the three screws (1) and position aside the wheelhouse splash shields (Figure 7).

 

  1. From inside the wheel well, release the clips and remove the front flare moldings  (1) (Figure 8).

 

  1. Remove the fasteners (1) attaching the sides of the fascia to the fenders (Figure 9).

 

  1. Disconnect the wire harness connector (1) (Figure 10).

 

  1. Remove the bolts (3) and the lower load beam extensions (2) (Figure 12).

 

  1. If equipped, locate the front axle vehicle height sensor from within the right front fender wheel house (Figure 13).

 

  1. Disconnect the actuator rod (2) (Figure 13).

 

  1. Remove the fasteners (1) and separate the sensor from the vertical bracket (Figure 13).

 

  1. Disconnect the wire harness connector (1) from the axle sensor (Figure 14).

 

  1. Remove the bolts (2) and remove the vertical bracket (1) from the side of the lower load beam (Figure 15).

 

  1. Remove the two bolts (3) (Figure 15).

 

  1. Remove the lower load beams (2) (Figure 16).

 

  1. Remove and DISCARD the front lower control arm bolt (3). Then remove the bolt attaching the lower control arm to the front suspension crossmember (Figure 17).

 

  1. Remove and DISCARD the rear lower control arm nut (1). Then remove the lower control arm bolt (Figure 18).

 

  1.  Remove the lower control arm from the crossmember.

 

C.  Install Control Arm

 

  1. Position the lower control arm in the front suspension crossmember.

 

  1. Install a NEW lower control arm rear vertical bolt and a NEW lower control arm rear vertical nut (1). Do not tighten to specification at this time (Figure 19).

 

  1. Install a NEW lower control arm front horizontal pivot bolt (3). Do not tighten to specification at this time (Figure 20).

 

  1. Insert a pry bar (1) in the opening between the control arm front mounting bolt and the front fascia support beam (Figure 20).

 

  1. Pry down on the control arm (2) until the ball joint stud is clear of the control arm, align the stud with hole in control arm then slowly release the control arm (Figure 20).

 

  1. Lower the vehicle and install a floor jack under the control arm. Raise the jack until the lower control arm is at ride height.

 

  1. Tighten the lower control arm front horizontal pivot bolt to 47 N·m plus 300 degrees (35 ft. lbs. plus 300 degrees).

 

  1. Tighten the lower control arm rear vertical bolt to 37 N·m plus 106 degrees (27 ft. lbs. plus 106 degrees).

 

  1. Raise the vehicle back up to the original position.

 

  1. Position a lower load beam (2) on into the crossmember (3) and against the front end module (1) (Figure 21).

 

  1. Position the lower load beam extensions (2) and install the bolts (3) (Figure 22).

 

  1. Tighten the lower load beam extension bolts (3) to 45 N·m (33 ft. lbs.).

 

  1. Install the two lower bolts (3) and tighten to 89 N·m (66 ft. lbs.) (Figure 23).

 

  1. Install the vertical bracket (1) and install the bolts hand tight (2) (Figure 23).

 

  1. Connect the wire harness connector (1) for the axle sensor (Figure 24).

 

  1. Install the sensor onto the vertical bracket and install and securely tighten the fasteners (1) (Figure 25).

 

  1. Seat the actuator rod (2) onto the ball stud fully (Figure 25).

 

  1. Tighten the bolts (2) to 27 N·m (20 ft. lbs.) (Figure 26).

 

  1. With the help of an assistant, position the fascia to the vehicle (Figure 27).

 

  1. Seat the fascia onto the clips under the headlights (1) fully (Figure 27).

 

  1. Seat the sides of the fascia onto the fender clips (2) fully (Figure 27).

 

  1. Install the fasteners (1) attaching each side of the fascia to the fenders (Figure 28).

 

  1. Connect the wire harness connectors (1) (Figure 29).

 

  1. Position the front flare moldings (1) back and seat the fasteners fully onto the fascia (2) (Figure 30).

 

  1. Position the wheelhouse splash shields back and install the three screws (1) (Figure 31).

 

  1. Install two new rivets (1) and install the four lower fasteners (2) (Figure 32).

 

  1. Insert the tabs into the slots on the fascia and position the engine belly pan (2) to the underside of the vehicle (Figure 33).

 

  1. Install the fasteners (1) securing the engine belly pan (2) and tighten to 20 N·m (15 ft. lbs.) (Figure 33).

 

  1. Install the radiator closeout panel (2) and install the push pin fasteners (1) (Figure 34).

 

  1. Install a NEW lower ball joint nut and tighten to 30 N·m plus 95 degrees (22 ft. lbs. plus 95 degrees).

 

WARNING: Installing wheels without good metal-to-metal contact with the mounting surface could cause loosening of the wheel mounting (lug) bolts. This could adversely affect the safety and handling of the vehicle.

 

NOTE: Never use oil or grease on studs or wheel mounting (lug) bolts.

 

NOTE: Clean the wheel mounting surfaces, removing any build-up of corrosion. It is important to have good metal-to-metal contact between the wheel and vehicle.

 

  1. Install the tire and wheel assembly to the hub.

 

  1. Install and tighten the wheel mounting (lug) bolts in a star pattern to 135 N·m (100 ft. lbs.).

 

  1. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.

 

  1. Connect the negative battery cable. If equipped with an Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS), connect the IBS connector to the negative battery cable.

 

  1. Perform suspension alignment.

 


 


1 Affected Product

Vehicle

MAKE MODEL YEAR
JEEP CHEROKEE 2021

 


10 Associated Documents

ISSUED Renotification Notice

RCRN-20V657-4709.pdf 137.581KB

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Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-20V657-7533.pdf 1108.351KB

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Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-20V657-3805.pdf 290.933KB

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Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-20V657-1522.PDF 214.371KB

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Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-20V657-9098.pdf 1108.286KB

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Remedy Instructions and TSB – Dealer Service Instructions re Safety Recall W81 / NHTSA 20V-657 Front Lower Control Arm

RCRIT-20V657-6245.pdf 1620.053KB

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Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2021-1

RCLQRT-20V657-4169.PDF 211.23KB

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Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2021-2

RCLQRT-20V657-2219.PDF 211.317KB

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Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-20V657-8173.pdf 515.825KB

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Recall Quarterly Report #4, 2021-3

RCLQRT-20V657-9468.PDF 211.416KB

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Latest Recall Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=20V657&docType=RCL

 


 

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