Jeep Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L SUVs Recalled for Faulty Taillights
The rear lamps that are supposed to glow constantly when the headlights are on may not work properly
By Keith Barry
Owners of 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2021 and 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L SUVs should check to determine whether their vehicle has been recalled to fix faulty taillights that don’t illuminate at night.
The issue has to do with the vehicles’ side marker assemblies—the taillights that continuously glow red when the car’s headlights are on—and not the brake lights that illuminate when the brake pedal is pressed. This defect decreases visibility at night and increases the chance of a crash. It also means the vehicles don’t meet federal motor vehicle safety standards.
About 100,000 vehicles are included in the recall, which is due to a faulty batch of taillights installed on SUVs built between Dec. 3, 2020, and Nov. 23, 2021. Not all vehicles had the faulty taillights installed, so dealerships will inspect recalled vehicles before replacing any parts.
A Jeep spokesperson told CR that the automaker is not aware of any crashes or injuries related to this recall.
The Details
Vehicles recalled: Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs manufactured from May 17, 2021, through Nov. 18, 2021, and Jeep Grand Cherokee L SUVs manufactured from Dec. 3, 2020, through Nov. 23, 2021.
The problem: Some taillights may have been damaged before they were installed in new vehicles. As a result, they might not illuminate.
The fix: Jeep dealerships will inspect and, if necessary, replace the vehicles’ brake lights, free of charge.
How to contact the manufacturer: Jeep will notify owners of affected vehicles by mail starting Sept. 16, 2022. Owners may also contact Jeep at 800-853-1403.
NHTSA campaign number: 22V544. Jeep’s own number for this recall is Z50.
Check to see whether your vehicle has an open recall: NHTSA’s website will tell you whether your vehicle has any open recalls that need to be addressed.
If you plug your car’s 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) into NHTSA’s website and a recall doesn’t appear, it means your vehicle doesn’t currently have any open recalls. Because automakers issue recalls often, and for many older vehicles, we recommend checking back regularly to see whether your vehicle has had a recall issued.
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