Jeep Grand Cherokee Head Restraint Problem

On 2025-08-01 11:17:11

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) has announced a safety issue affecting certain 2023–2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. The problem addresses a serious issue with the second-row seat head restraints, which may fail to lock in the upright position. This condition poses a potential safety risk and is considered a noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 202a, which governs head restraint performance.

Details of the Head Restraint Issue

According to FCA US, some Jeep Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L models were built with second-row head restraints containing an internal locking mechanism with an interference condition. This interference may prevent the headrest from securing in the upright position, potentially reducing protection in the event of a collision.

  • Affected Models: 2023–2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee L

  • Suspect Production Period: May 16, 2023 – May 2, 2024

  • Root Cause: Internal locking mechanism interference in second-row head restraints

  • Compliance Issue: Noncompliance with FMVSS No. 202a (Head Restraints)

Vehicles outside of this period were either built before suspect parts were introduced or after production corrections were made.

Timeline of the Investigation

  • August 13, 2024 – FCA US Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance (TSRC) launched an investigation into reports of second-row head restraints not locking upright.

  • August 2024 – May 2025 – FCA US TSRC worked with engineering and manufacturing teams to review the issue, analyze customer records, and define the suspect vehicle population.

  • June 11, 2025 – TSRC confirmed a build-related issue causing potential noncompliance with FMVSS No. 202a.

  • July 10, 2025 – FCA US Vehicle Regulations Committee determined a formal noncompliance existed in affected Jeep vehicles.

Recall and Repair Plan

To address the issue, dealers will inspect the second-row seat head restraints on affected Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles and replace them as necessary.

  • Owner Notification Letters: Expected to be mailed beginning September 5, 2025

  • FCA US Recall Number: 20C

  • NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V-472

Owners are strongly encouraged to respond promptly to the recall notice to ensure their vehicle meets safety compliance standards.

What Jeep Owners Should Do

If you own a 2023 or 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee or Grand Cherokee L, you should:

  1. Watch for Notification Letters – FCA US will begin mailing letters on September 5, 2025, with instructions on how to proceed.

  2. Schedule a Dealer Inspection – If your vehicle is included, schedule an inspection and, if necessary, get the head restraints replaced.

Final Thoughts

This recall highlights the importance of regulatory compliance and consumer safety in modern vehicle manufacturing. FCA US, LLC is taking steps to ensure all affected 2023–2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L vehicles are brought into compliance with federal safety standards. If you are experiencing repeated problems with your Jeep Grand Cherokee that your dealership is unable to fix, contact an experienced Lemon Law attorney. They will be able to guide you through the process and, if you qualify, help you get your Jeep Grand Cherokee bought back.