Jeep recalls more than 338,000 Grand Cherokees for crash risk, Ohioans celebrate ties to vehicle

Mary Walrath-Holdridge and Chad Murphy, Columbus Dispatch
·3 min read
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Recalled Jeeps may be more prone to a loss of driving control.
Recalled Jeeps may be more prone to a loss of driving control.

Chrysler has recalled more than 300,000 Jeeps due to the potential for loss of vehicle control, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall, submitted to the administration by Chrysler on Feb. 22, affects certain 2021-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L and 2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles produced between December 2020 and May 2023.

According to Chrysler, impacted vehicles are prone to losing control thanks to steering knuckle separation. Affected cars may experience a separation of the upper control arm ball joint from the steering knuckle, causing the wheel to fall outward and resulting in a loss of control.

Roughly 338,238 Jeeps are included in the recall. Chrysler said 2021-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles produced between Dec. 3, 2020 and May 30, 2023, are affected, as well as 2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokees produced between Dec. 19, 2021 and May 30, 2023.

How to get your Jeep fixed

Owners of affected vehicles can go to a Chrysler dealership for repairs and have the upper control arm pinch bolts replaced free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 12, 2024.

Owners may also contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 10B.

Check car recalls here: Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen among 2.3 million vehicles recalled

Check if your car is recalled

Consumers can check USA TODAY’s automotive recall database or search National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's database for new recalls using their car's vehicle identification number (VIN).

Jeep has deep ties to Ohio

Between 1941 and 1945, Willys-Overland of Toledo produced more than 350,000 jeeps for the World War II effort, according to Ohio Magazine. Soldiers loved the vehicle, and it grew into a popular brand that today employs thousands of Ohio autoworkers.

According to the magazine, on the day of the jeep prototype's demonstration to the U.S. Army in February 1941, Willys’ test driver Irving “Red” Hausmann was asked what the vehicle was called. The Toledo company referred to its prototype as the Quad. Ford Motor Co. had an army vehicle prototype called the Pygmy, and American Bantam went with BRC for Bantam Reconnaissance Car. Hausmann, though, had another name in mind.

“Why I call it a jeep,” he responded, according to the magazine. “Everybody does!”

Hausmann said he picked up the nickname from soldiers in camp, but Ford’s Pygmy was referred to as a general purpose — or GP — vehicle, and there was a character in Popeye cartoons named Eugene the Jeep. Whatever its origin, the name stuck, due in no small part to Willys’ efforts to popularize it.

Jeep still maintains its ties to Ohio — Toledo houses a 3.64 million square foot Jeep manufacturing plant, according to Stellantis.

Toledo celebrates Jeep Fest every year

Toledo Jeep Fest – held in early August each year – celebrates decades of Jeep’s partnership with the City of Toledo, according to its website. The first festival, in 2016, brought an estimated 40,000 people downtown, the most for any event since World War II, organizers claim.

Subsequent festivals drew more than 60,000 people from all over the United States, Canada, Czechia, Mexico, The Netherlands, the District of Columbia and New Zealand. The estimated economic impact for the 2023 event was $5.1 million.

This year's event is scheduled from Aug. 2-4, and includes an off-road obstacle course, parades, music, entertainment and more.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jeep recall: Chrysler recalls 338,000 Grand Cherokees for crash risk