America's Favorite Off-roader Recalled for On-road Danger

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

A key component tasked with taming the Jeep Wrangler’s front live axle might not live up to expectations, forcing Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to issue a recall on 2018 and 2019 Wrangler JL models.

The problem lies in a weld that, in about four percent of the recalled JLs, did not occur in the right place.

Confirmed by JLWranglerForums, the recall impacts about 18,000 2018-2019 Wranglers. In a dealer communiqué, FCA claims some vehicles “may have been built with a front track bar bracket weld located off the seam,” which could lead to the bracket separating from the vehicle’s frame. “The separation of the front track bar bracket from the frame may cause a reduction in the steering response, which can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning,” FCA states.

In response to the voluntary recall, FCA has issued a stop sale on afflicted vehicles. Owners of existing JLs will be notified this quarter if their vehicle is included in the recall, with all impacted vehicles inspected for the wonky weld. The automaker will re-weld the bracket if deemed necessary.

Instances of front track bars shearing off of new Wranglers first appeared on owners forums earlier this year.

In September, the new Wrangler’s popularity helped the Jeep brand reach a monthly sales record, with volume up 14 percent, year over year. Wrangler sales rose 2 percent last month, despite one less selling day than the preceding September and a number of factors that suppressed sales across the industry. Year to date, Wrangler sales are up 27 percent.

[Image: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • This is disgusting. How does something like this happen? Wow, just wow. Fiat and GM, where "quality" go hand in hand! YIKES!

  • 65corvair 65corvair on Oct 07, 2018

    If you ever worked in a factory, you wonder why this kind of thing doesn't happen more often.

  • Mikey Mikey on Oct 07, 2018

    65corvair....My thoughts exactly..

  • Conundrum Conundrum on Oct 08, 2018

    Hyundai Mobis made JK frames in a facility actually attached to the Jeep Toledo factory, but the HM plant shut down April 7 for retooling to make the JL frame, and that refitting is supposed to last into 2019. So where the current JL frame is manufactured is not clear. It's a secret, a last sacrifice from Sergio the Magnifico to the altar of quality. But likely made by two men and a boy in a shed on the back forty somewhere, judging by the crap welds you can see going to a Jeep forum. Looks hand-done by people with no skill - no robot would make such awful and inconsistently placed welds with spatter everywhere and even welding rod sticking out of the mess. Would it? If true we need have no fear of an AI future because the RoBos are incompetent yet don't know it, cutting the I part out of AI. The Speedy Muffler guys are Artistes by comparison. People should take a gander at these photos; it's beyond a joke and many owners seem worried. https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/track-bar-sheared-off-at-the-weld-i-feel-like-i’m-cursed-with-my-new-jl.6979/page-9 There you can also read about the ball-joint problems, and the steering-box problems plus all the other niggles that make Jeep JL such a paragon of rubbishity. https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/loose-steering-feels-like-it-has-play-and-drifts.3691/page-91#post-360374 Another (low) quality vehicle made only in 'Murica for the oblivious-to-reality Trumpian crowds to cheer, the most US content of any vehicle supposedly, and it's junk on wheels.

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