Botched Recall EXPLODES Into Jeep Nightmare

Traffic jam with cars emitting exhaust fumes on a city road

A suspension recall that was supposed to fix the problem is now being recalled again—because the “fix” may have left some Jeep owners driving with springs that can still come loose.

Quick Take

Chrysler (FCA US/Stellantis) is recalling 80,620 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L SUVs over a rear coil spring detachment risk.
The new action stems from post-repair failures tied to a prior June 2023 recall that covered roughly 331,400 vehicles.
NHTSA opened a query into whether the 2023 recall remedy was adequate after complaints and internal claims accumulated.
Dealers are expected to inspect and repair the issue at no cost; owner notifications were slated for February and March 2026 milestones.

A Recall Triggered by a Recall Remedy

FCA US, operating under Stellantis, reported a recall covering 80,620 vehicles after identifying that rear coil springs on certain Jeep Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L models may detach while driving. The key detail is why this recall exists: it traces back to repairs performed during a June 2023 recall campaign addressing coil spring installation errors. Regulators later received complaints that separation still occurred even after repairs.

According to the recall reporting, the current defect focus isn’t simply “bad springs.” Investigators centered on the rubber lower coil spring insulators—components meant to seat and stabilize the spring—suggesting the earlier remedy did not fully address the underlying failure mode. FCA estimated only a small portion of the recalled population actually has the defect, but the scope remains broad because the risk is safety-critical when it occurs.

What Regulators Saw: Complaints, Claims, and a Formal Query

Federal scrutiny escalated after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notified FCA US in late September 2025 about 20 complaints involving coil spring separation after the 2023 recall work. FCA responded with additional internal data, including more claims, and the pattern prompted deeper review. By December 2025, NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened a query to evaluate the adequacy of the 2023 remedy and the root causes behind post-remedy detachments.

The timeline matters because it shows this wasn’t a one-off report. FCA’s internal technical organization began investigating in 2023 after an initial detachment report. After the original recall repairs rolled out, warranty and assistance records continued to build. Even with no reported crashes or injuries in the reporting window, a suspension component separating while driving represents a clear safety concern that regulators cannot treat casually.

Which SUVs Are Covered and Why Model-Year Lists Differ

Reporting around affected model years varies slightly depending on whether outlets summarize the lines together or separate them. Multiple sources agree the recall involves 2021–2023 model-year vehicles across the Grand Cherokee family, but some lists narrow the two-row Grand Cherokee to 2022–2023 while keeping the three-row Grand Cherokee L at 2021–2023. That mismatch reflects different trims and production windows rather than a contradiction about the safety issue itself.

Geographically, the largest share of impacted vehicles is in the United States, with additional vehicles listed in Canada, Mexico, and other markets. The manufacturing context also matters: earlier reporting tied the original installation problems to assembly processes at Detroit-area facilities. Suppliers were identified for springs and insulators, but the reporting indicates the issue centered on installation and remedy execution rather than defective supplied parts.

What Owners Should Do: Practical Steps, Not Panic

FCA indicated owners would be notified on a set schedule, with dealers performing inspections and repairs at no cost. For drivers, the common-sense approach is straightforward: confirm whether your VIN is included, follow the official instructions when notice arrives, and schedule the dealer visit promptly. If you previously had the 2023 recall performed, this update is especially relevant because the new recall is tied to post-repair outcomes.

The bigger picture is accountability: recalls are the system working only when the remedy actually remedies. NHTSA’s decision to examine the adequacy of the prior fix is exactly the kind of oversight Americans expect—focused on measurable safety outcomes, not corporate box-checking. For families relying on SUVs for daily commuting, school runs, and travel, a repeat suspension recall is an unwelcome reminder to verify repair quality, not just paperwork.

Owners who want to get ahead of delays should contact Chrysler/FCA customer service and reference the campaign identifiers cited in the recall reporting, and then coordinate with their local dealer for parts availability and appointment timing. Limited public reporting exists on how quickly dealer networks will complete repairs across regions, so drivers may face scheduling bottlenecks, especially if many owners respond at once when letters go out.