Stellantis recalls over 91,000 Jeep Grand Cherokees over serious software issue

In the United States, Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler, announced that it is recalling over 91,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee hybrids because of a software malfunction. This issue may lead to an unexpected loss of drive power due to an overloading of the battery pack control module microprocessor. The hybrid control processor can misinterpret signals from the battery pack, which poses a significant risk of causing a vehicle crash without any prior warning. As of August 18, the company had recorded 96 customer complaints and 110 field reports related to this issue. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) publicized the recall on a Thursday, advising that approximately 1% of the affected vehicles—around 918—are likely to have the defect. Vehicles built after the specified time frame do not include a hybrid control processor, which means they are not part of this recall. Stellantis is being proactive in handling this issue, with dealer notifications set for September 11 and owner notification letters expected to be sent out by October 23. The company’s previous experience with recalls has added complexity to the situation. Earlier in the year, the NHTSA had issued another recall for over 63,000 Jeep Cherokees due to problems with their power transfer units, indicating a pattern that could affect public trust. Furthermore, Stellantis faced a different kind of challenge as they announced layoffs for more than 1,000 employees in its Ohio Jeep assembly plant, citing a significant reduction in inventory levels to match consumer demand. This concurrent recalling process alongside workforce adjustments could strain public perception. Despite acknowledging the urgent nature of the situation, Stellantis had not reported any crashes or injuries directly linked to this problem as of the announcement date. The company’s response points to an inclination towards safety and preemptive action to safeguard consumers. However, the reality remains that even with a small percentage affected, the risk posed by software errors in hybrids can lead to potentially severe consequences on the road, making it critical for the company to effectively manage this recall and restore consumer confidence.