Recalls: Jeep KJ Cherokee
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Jeep KJ Cherokee
2001 Jeep KJ Cherokee: knee bolster could separate
In March 2002, a recall was issued for all Jeep KJ Cherokee models built up to 13 September 2001. In these vehicles, the driver’s side knee bolster assembly may have been improperly installed, such that the bolster could separate from the upper instrument panel and fall onto the driver’s feet (PRA 2002/5261).
2002-03 Jeep KJ Cherokee 3.7L V6: loss of braking assistance
In April 2003, a recall was issued for 2002 and 2003 Jeep KJ Cherokee models fitted with the 3.7-litre V6 petrol engine. For these models, braking power assistance may be lost due to a collapsed brake booster vacuum hose; loss of the brake booster vacuum without warning may result in increased pedal effort required to stop the vehicle (PRA 2003/6120).
2002-03 Jeep KJ Cherokee Diesel: impaired brake booster
In May 2003, a recall was issued for 2002 and 2003 Jeep KJ Cherokee models fitted with the 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine. For these models, the vacuum control between the exhaust gas recirculation valve and the electronic vacuum regulator could become chafed or heat-affected due to close proximity to a heat shield and impair the efficiency of the brake booster (PRA 2003/6214).
2002-03 Jeep KJ Cherokee: corrosion of front ball joints
In March 2004, a recall was issued for 2002 and 2003 Jeep KJ Cherokee models due to water potentially entering the front suspension lower ball joints. This could cause the ball joint to corrode and separate, resulting in a loss of steering control (PRA 2004/6846).
2002-06 model year Jeep KJ Cherokee: corrosion of front ball joints
In October 2006, a recall was issued for model year 2002 to 2006 Jeep KJ Cherokee models due to water potentially entering the front lower suspension ball joints, causing corrosion and possible separation; separation could result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a collision (PRA 2006/8802).
2004 Jeep KJ Cherokee 3.7L V6: cap for valve cover studs and wiring re-routing
In September 2004, a recall was issued for Jeep KJ Cherokee models manufactured from 26 May 2004 to 25 June 2004 and fitted with the 3.7-litre V6 petrol engine. In these models, a protective cap was to be installed over two valve cover studs and the wiring harnesses re-routed to prevent electrical faults (PRA 2004/7238).
2005-06 Jeep KJ Cherokee: park brake may not engage
In January 2006, a recall was issued for 2005 and 2006 Jeep KJ Cherokee models fitted with a 42 RLE automatic transmission (sales code DG6) and a ‘transmission built’ date code from TK2454 through TK1235. In these models, the operation of the parking lock could be impaired by a loose cup lug which enabled the parking pawl anchor shaft to move rearward and prevent correct engagement of the ‘park’ position. In this situation, the parking brake was not applied and the vehicle could roll away without warning (PRA 2006/8258).
2006-07 model year Jeep KJ Cherokee: overheating of HVAC blower motor
In August 2007, a recall was issued for model year 2006 to 2007 Jeep KJ Cherokee vehicles due to potential overheating and possible ignition of the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) blower motor (PRA 2007/9440).
2006 Jeep KJ Cherokee: rear wheels may lock up
In March 2007, a recall was issued for Jeep KJ Cherokee vehicles that were manufactured from 18 September 2006 to 30 November 2006 (MDH 091807-113018). In these vehicles, the software programmed into the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) control module may cause the rear wheels to lock up under certain braking conditions (PRA 2007/9086).
2002-03 Jeep KJ Cherokee: airbags could deploy without warning
In January 2013, a recall was issued for Jeep KJ Cherokee models manufactured between 2002 and 2003 due to a component in the airbag control module which could fail – if this occurred, the front airbags, side curtain airbags and/or seatbelt pretensioners may deploy without cause or warning. To fix, a supplemental jumper harness was to be installed in the airbag control module (PRA 2013/13446).
2002-07 Jeep KJ Cherokee: potential fuel leak
In August 2014, a recall was issued for Jeep KJ Cherokee (sold in the USA as the Jeep Liberty) vehicles that were manufactured from 2002 to 2007. As a result of low speed collisions, fuel may leak from the fuel tank for these vehicles. In the presence of an ignition source, the leaking fuel may result in an underbody fire (PRA 2014/14240).
2002-03 Jeep KJ Cherokee: inadvertent deployment of front airbag
In February 2015, a recall was issue for Jeep KJ Cherokees that were manufactured between 2002 and 2003. In these vehicles, a defect in the occupant restraint control (ORC) module could cause inadvertent deployment of a front airbag and/or seatbelt pre-tensioner – this could pose an accident hazard (PRA 2015/14548).
2003 Jeep KJ Cherokee: inadvertent deployment of front airbag
In November 2015, a recall was issued for 2003 Jeep Cherokee vehicles because the airbag system occupant restraint control (ORC) module may cause inadvertent deployment of the front airbag and/or seatbelt pre-tensioner, posing a hazard to vehicle occupants (PRA 2015/15072).
2006 Jeep KJ Cherokee with manual transmission: unintended vehicle movement
In June 2015, a recall was issued for 2006 Jeep KJ Cherokee vehicles that had manual transmissions. In these vehicles, the clutch interlock switch may contain a return spring that fatigues. A fatigued clutch interlock switch return spring could enable the driver to engage the engine starter motor without having to depress the clutch pedal – this could result in unintended vehicle movement and cause an accident (PRA 2015/14741).
2004-07 Jeep KJ Cherokee: excessive corrosion of rear control arms
In May 2018, a recall was issued for 2004-07 Jeep KJ Cherokee vehicles. In these vehicles, the lower control arms in the rear suspension could experience excessive corrosion and break. If a control arm were to break, the driver would have reduced vehicle control and this could cause a collision. For the VINs of the recalled Jeep KJ Cherokee vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16776.
Problems and faults: Jeep KJ Cherokee
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items identified below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
Jeep KJ Cherokee: difficulty re-fuelling
In September 2009, Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 14-001-09 REV A was issued for 2005-07 Jeep KJ Cherokee vehicles with petrol engines. For these vehicles, the owner may experience difficulties when re-fuelling or the fuel pump nozzle may shut off repeatedly during re-fuelling. For these vehicles, the TSB described a diagnosis procedure which may identify the source of the problem as:
- The fuel filler tube;
- The vapour recirculation tube;
- The fuel tank itself;
- A blockage in the EVAP canister, ESIM, clean air hose or filter; or,
- The control valve to the EVAP canister tube.
Jeep KJ Cherokee: problems and faults
- Long cranking times and low fuel pressure may be due to a bad check valve in the fuel pump assembly.
- For Jeep KJ Cherokee models with the 2.4-litre petrol engine, a snapping noise in the rev range 600-1400rpm may be due to the camshaft bearing caps – this can be fixed by chamfering the caps.
- For Jeep KJ Cherokee models with the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine, the temperature gauge may incorrectly provide higher readings than normal when the engine is under load – this requires the instrument cluster to be reprogrammed.
- Refueling after a short trip to the petrol station may be difficult because the emission system may be pressurizing the fuel system; installing a flow management valve fixes the problem.
- Water from the air conditioner may leak into the footwells, requiring the evaporator drain hose to be replaced. Squeaking noises may be due to the parking brake cables in the rear rubbing on their guides.
- If the rear brakes make a groaning noise, anti-rattle strips may need to be fitted.
- If the instrument panel lights flicker, the body control module may need to be replaced.
- The transmission may provide delayed gearshifts due to a split in the fluid cooler return line filter.
