If you own a 2014-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel, you might want to keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
The recall affects 34,334 Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel models produced from 2014 to 2019 and sold in North America, of which 28,884 are believed to be from the United States.
The issue seems to lie with the engine’s Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) coolers. A report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) specifies that the EGR coolers may crack due to fatigue and high temperatures.
Such a component with internal defects could then potentially introduce pre-heated or vaporized coolant into the system, which can be very dangerous when the engine is operational. Beyond a certain extent and in rare cases, the hot coolant may react with air or other hydrocarbons in the intake manifold, potentially resulting in a fire capable of extending to the rest of the vehicle.
If you own a Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel in the US or Canada, manufactured between 2014 and 2019, there are some ways to identify such malfunctions before it’s too late. Based on the NHTSA’s guidelines, you should be on the lookout for loss of coolant, lack of heater function, and the check engine light coming up.
However, regardless of whether the aforementioned symptoms appear or not, you should expect a formal notification from Jeep in a few weeks. Once all affected cars are identified and notifications are sent, owners will be asked to bring their vehicles in. The dealers will replace the entire EGR cooler kit, including a new EGR cooler, EGR temperature sensor, a valve, a bypass, and a vacuum actuator assembly.
As is usually the case with such safety recalls, all repairs will be made at no charge to the owners.
