Jeep Windshield Defrost Failure

Chrysler (FCA) has recently announced measures to ensure the safety and compliance of certain models within its lineup. Specifically, owners of select 2021-2024 Jeep Wrangler and 2022-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles are being notified due to a failure to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) pertaining to windshield defrosting and defogging systems. This issue, while not affecting all vehicles within these model years, necessitates immediate attention from affected vehicle owners.

This concern traces back to June 2023 when reports surfaced within FCA's Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance (TSRC) organization, highlighting potential malfunctions in the windshield defrost system of certain 2021-2024 Jeep Wrangler Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) and 2022-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee PHEVs. These reports prompted a thorough investigation into the matter to ascertain the vehicles' adherence to FMVSS guidelines.

Subsequent investigations conducted by FCA revealed that a subset of these vehicles may have been equipped with improperly programmed hybrid control processor (HCP) software. This programming flaw, occurring within a specific time frame, could lead to the inadvertent disabling of the windshield defrost system under particular conditions. For the Jeep Wrangler, the affected production period spans from September 2, 2020, to August 24, 2023, while for the Jeep Grand Cherokee, it ranges from July 23, 2021, to December 5, 2023.

The ramifications of a disabled windshield defrost system cannot be understated, as compromised visibility during critical driving scenarios poses an imminent safety hazard, potentially culminating in accidents or collisions. In light of this safety concern, FCA has taken steps initiate a safety recall encompassing the affected vehicles.

To rectify this issue, authorized FCA dealerships will conduct necessary updates to the HCP software, thereby remedying the programming error. This corrective action is designed to reinstate the proper functionality of the windshield defrosting and defogging systems, thereby ensuring optimal visibility and bolstering driving safety for affected vehicle owners and occupants alike. This recall, officially designated as recall number 04B by Chrysler, has been assigned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) campaign number 24V-111.