Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) will recall almost 5,000 Jeep vehicles prone to potentially dangerous floor mat problems.
The Auburn Hills, Michigan-based manufacturer notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Oct. 29, 2018 they will recall 4,822 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles built from May 22, 2017 to June 1, 2018.
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The affected vehicles are the Street and Racing Technology (SRT) and Trackhawk variants. These vehicles contain floor mats with excessive clearance between the mat and accelerator pedal. The mat can get stuck and interfere with the pedal, preventing proper operation and increasing crash risk.
FCA first learned of a potential problem from an online complaint filed Sept. 11, 2018. A consumer claimed his accelerator pedal became stuck under a floor mat multiple times. The company began its investigation two days later and eventually confirmed the floor mats have too much clearance and can entrap the pedal.
The company decided on Oct. 22, 2018 to conduct a safety recall.
FCA will notify owners and dealers will replace any of the affected floor mats for free. The recall is expected to begin Dec. 18, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is UB3. Owners can also visit the NHTSA’s website and enter their VIN to see if their vehicle is included in any recalls.
Your vehicle’s manufacturer is legally required to fix any recalled problems for free. If the dealership refuses to fix the part or tries to charge you for the repair, contact the manufacturer immediately. The Highway Safety Act of 1970, which created the NHTSA, requires car manufacturers to pay for the recall and replacement of a defective part.
If the manufacturer fails to repair, replace, repurchase, or provide your recalled vehicle’s loss value, they are violating the warranty and a lawyer may be able to help you. Lemon law attorneys help their clients by dealing directly with the manufacturer on the clients’ behalf, working to promptly resolve the issue and get their clients back on the road. Thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, attorneys can seek their fees directly from the manufacturer, meaning a client can obtain legal counsel without having to pay attorneys’ fees directly out of pocket.