Jeep Wrangler Forum banner

Justice for the clockspring finally? Jeep to recall over half a million Wranglers

35K views 54 replies 28 participants last post by  Old Dogger 
#1 ·
Just broke news...

Some 506,420 Wranglers are being recalled to inspect the clockspring, a part in the steering wheel that aids with airbag deployment.
FCA said in a statement that dust and dirt gathered from off-road driving can “compromise the clockspring and eventually prevent driver-side airbag deployment in a crash.”

Compromised clocksprings will activate the Wrangler’s airbag warning lamp, in which case drivers should notify a dealership, FCA said.
In the U.S., the recall includes 392,464 Wranglers from the 2007-10 model years and 7,435 from the 2011-16 model years with right-hand drive for special duty.

FCA estimates 35,412 of the recalled Wranglers are in Canada, 8,529 are in Mexico and 62,580 are elsewhere.

FCA said it is unaware of any injuries or accidents related to the clockspring issue. It discovered the problem following an investigation.

The automaker said it will install new steering-wheel back covers and steering-column shrouds on the affected SUVs after customers are notified.
http://www.autonews.com/article/201...ecalls-nearly-600000-jeep-wranglers-fiat-500s

I already went onto the website, but my vin doesn't seem to be part of the recall...hoping that will change since my clockspring light is on :censored:


Edit: Here is the link to check your VIN http://recalls.mopar.com/
 
#8 ·
I believe these are only RHD aka here in the US "mail Jeeps". The reasoning supposedly that mail persons have their windows down a lot and dirt gets in. What Jeep failed to realize is those of us in the southwest - our rigs see more dust and dirt in a day than a mail Jeep does but we aren't covered. My clockspring went already at about 30k. Many folks in my Jeep club have also done theirs. It's a design failure that it isn't protected somehow.
 
#11 ·
What Jeep failed to realize is those of us in the southwest - our rigs see more dust and dirt in a day than a mail Jeep does but we aren't covered.
But you have a 2014, with the post-2011 redesigned interior, no?

Though, still trying to understand if the steering column design changed in 2011.

My clockspring went already at about 30k.
Did you report it to the feds? Such should be reported, and reported as an air bag system failure.

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/
 
#14 ·
looks like the recall website was updated to yesterdays date..I wonder if that includes the recall since it hasn't been updated as of today (19th).

Also, the article mentions to call your dealer if your light is on, has anyone done this as of today even if the vin is not showing up?
 
#15 ·
New member so please forgive if this is in the wrong spot...replying about the clock spring..I just called the 1800 853 1403 number and talked to a guy named VIctor..My jeep vin # did not show up on the recall even though i have had the clock spring replaced once already .. I was told that under the x41 10 year or 150,000 mile extended warranty the clock spring would be replaced under warranty.. I have an 07 jk with 120,000 miles bought used..STILL COVERED under this warranty... Sorry for such a long write up,but thought this might help some people...
 
#18 ·
Subscribing also...

Thanks for the info...
 
#21 ·
one the recall page, there is a button to submit a refund for costs associated with the recall. This is for any recall, not just the clockspring.

just chatted with Jeep, they said this:

for the s33 recall , it has not been formally announced
once the recall is assigned to the vehicle vin numbers that are affected , customers will receive notices in the mail
they stated select models, they will be checking build dates, no timeframe at this time as they will need to give dealership repair instructions as well as secure a supplier for any parts needed for the recall
Let's wait and see :drinks:
 
#23 ·
Update:

Recall has been made official via the recall website. I checked right now and I am part of it. Hopefully they don't find some other excuse to not cover me.

Recall S33

THE CLOCKSPRING MAY INGEST DUST IF THE VEHICLE IS SUBJECTED TO EXTREMELY DUSTY ENVIRONMENTS. DUST INSIDE THE CLOCKSPRING COULD COMPROMISE AIRBAG CIRCUIT(S), CAUSING ILLUMINATION OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT. DUST INSIDE THE CLOCKSPRING COULD COMPROMISE AIRBAG CIRCUIT(S), CAUSING ILLUMINATION OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND/OR THE POTENTIAL FOR A NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AIRBAG DURING A CRASH.


THE AIRBAG SYSTEM MUST BE CHECKED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS). VEHICLES FOUND WITH CLOCKSPRING DTCS MUST HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED.

Let's hear anyone else who has been successful with the repairs :)
 
#24 ·
Um, yeah. This is Chrysler. So no. Repairs not successful. And though I had exactly this problem strangely my VIN is not under recall. (As it seems many others aren't).
I just paid $600 to have exactly this done. I was just past the warranty on my JK. Airbag warning light went off. My steering wheel squeaked. My dealer said it was the steering control module. I called Chrysler customer care to complain about the charge since I was just over 36 months. The dealer would not return their calls so customer care said there was nothing they could do. I finally picked it up and paid for it. And guess what? It was still squeaking. (But the airbag light went off). We fixed the squeak ourselves.This dealer was able to get a flash I wanted done completed under warranty (when no other dealer would) so I let it go.
Now this.
I will NEVER. EVER. buy another Chrylser product. Which is a real shame because I'd like a Grand Cherokee for when I need 4 doors and some comfort. And a real shame because we bought a Dodge Ram 2500 a little over a year ago. Don't know what I was thinking.
Service is simply beyond pathetic. Dealers are simply useless.

What model year do you have Wranglerevo?
I have a 2012 that is regularly on the trails- so much for newer models not accumulating dust.
 
#25 ·
2009 Sport X

I think the new design for the steering case will probably be better sealed from the elements (one would hope), especially since this is leading to failed airbag deployment (serious)...

It seems that 2011 onward years only covers right hand drive, sucks, but again most likely due to the interior refresh.

How did you fix the squeak?
 
#30 ·
I just called the dealer and Mine (2008 JKU with light one) is in the recall. They said the recall has only been out 3 days, so thanks to the OP.

They only had one part so he ordered one under my name and they will call me back to get it done.

That light has been on now for about 2 1/2 years. Whats another 2 weeks
AMen
 
#32 ·
Looks like it's going to be a while :beerdrinking:

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

SUMMARY:


Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Jeep Wrangler JK vehicles manufactured March 2, 2006, to August 13, 2010. The clockspring assembly may become contaminated with dust and cause the air bag circuit to fail.

CONSEQUENCE:

Failure of the air bag circuit may prevent the driver's frontal air bag from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

REMEDY:


Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clockspring, wheel back cover, and column shroud, free of charge. Remedy parts are expected to become available in November 2016. Owners will be mailed interim notices July 5, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S33.
 
#33 ·
I created an account on www.moparownerconnect.com and it shows mine is included in the recall (2007 JKU). I called my local dealer to schedule getting this fixed. They said the first visit it to check my current clock spring to see if my Jeep is included in the recall. It is next week when I get it in there (7/13). I figured it's worth taking in to see if I can get this issue fixed before it is a real issue. I'll let you know how it goes.

I think the airbag light has to be on for it to be replaced:

THE AIRBAG SYSTEM MUST BE CHECKED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS). VEHICLES FOUND WITH CLOCKSPRING DTCS MUST HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED.
 
#35 ·
So I got my first letter, where it clearly states that although the updated parts are not available, "IF THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, BRING IT IN FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CLOCKSPRING WILL BE REPLACED" as an interim fix.

Great! So I stopped by the local dealership, showed the service advisor the letter and asked about when I could get the interim fix.
He didn't even look at the letter and said "We don't have parts, come back when you get the second letter."

So I spent the next 5 minutes showing him on the letter where it states that the clockspring should be replaced even if there are no updated steering shroud parts available.

Nop. He said I have to wait for the parts. I asked him one last time if I wanted to get my clockspring replaced, did they have any in stock. No, we don't have parts.... Sure :)

So I left, and called mommy FCA. They initially said that the clockspring is being replaced only if you drive offroad a lot... They also said that the dealership has done a diagnosis, so they know its not a safety issue on my Jeep. I asked the person on the phone if the Jeep was safe to use, even if the light has been on. They initially replied "It probably is"...

I them told them that the dealer didn't even want to touch my Jeep, and shut me down immediately saying they don't have parts. So they finally agreed to call the dealer and find out what was going on. After several minutes, they come back and tell me "Ok, so the dealer DOES have parts! And that it will be an INTERIM fix".

Moral of the story, dealership employee didn't seem to want to perform the interim fix, telling me there were no parts. Insisted with FCA on the phone, and they magically found the parts and scheduled me to replace the clockspring.

Then people wonder why dealerships get a bad name :censored:
 
Top