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Chrysler recalls Jeeps...Get your free trailer hitch

96K views 444 replies 140 participants last post by  AmishFury 
#1 ·
#231 ·
I spoke to my local dealership early in September. They basically told me to call back at the end of September give them the vin number if nothing comes up you SOL...I guess I am in fact sol. I don't know why but I don't get a hitch and I never had a factory hitch...just hope I don't blow up
 
#234 ·
I'm the original owner of my 98 and I haven't gotten a thing from them on this. I did get the transfer case recall on my 07 though.
Like I said, if you are concerned get not just a hitch, but a skid for the tank. It's a no brainer they should have been STANDARD....
A friend of mine has a Mercedes G-500 that has a tank design very similar to the ZJ (look under one and see). Those had the skid standard. Not all had the hitch though.

Oh and the question on MPG on the 5 speed ZJ, unloaded it might get as much at 22, my 4 speed auto one gets between 19-21. Towing I bet it would not get more than 12-15.
 
#237 ·
Response I received from Chrysler--


When NHTSA completes its evaluation of Chrysler's proposal, your vehicle
will be involved in a recall. Our first step in any recall is to
identify all of the vehicles involved, and the next step will be to
finalize specific repair instructions for the dealers. Chrysler is still
in the process of finalizing the details regarding the repair procedure.

It is our plan to notify you by mail as soon as these details are
complete. Unfortunately at this time we do not have an ETA on when this
time will be.
 
#238 ·
I own a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo w/o the tow package. A few years back I went to install a trailer hitch myself. What I found was that Chrysler in their divine wisdom they welded the hitch mounting nuts to the trailer hitch bolts to make it impossible to remove the bolts an install the hitch. The nuts are not welded to the bolt at the bottom otherwise I would just cut them off. If they were welded there, I would think that the bolts would still be long enough to install a hitch. All I can say is it was very nasty of Chrysler/Jeep to weld the nuts to the bolts. The only reason I can think of that they did this is greed to force us to purchase the tow package. My vehicle has a 5.2 liter engine which is more than capable of hauling a trailer without the additional oiler cooler. Signed, pissed.
 
#240 ·
got pics of this?

i doubt that was chrysler's doing. my ZJ didnt come with a hitch or gas tank skid plate, and when i installed them, there were holes already in the "frame" and nuts on the inside. just had to figure out what the thread was and buy some bolts
 
#241 ·
dnuccio said:
got pics of this? i doubt that was chrysler's doing. my ZJ didnt come with a hitch or gas tank skid plate, and when i installed them, there were holes already in the "frame" and nuts on the inside. just had to figure out what the thread was and buy some bolts
As shiesty as dealerships are, that doesn't sound like it would have come like that. I mean in all honesty they would have to pay someone to sit there and weld the bolts to the nuts, and if they're not going to install a hitch from the factory, why spend the man hours back to completely destroy any possibility of adding one later, at home or by Chrysler.
 
#242 ·
Has anyone actually got a letter or email from Chrysler yet about the recall. my local dealer has no info and said they would contact me if the recall comes up for my VIN. I highly doubt this will ever go threw.. heck another lawsuit will probably be set at some point towards Chrysler for taking there time in following threw.



on another note... if anyone ever gets one I would love to buy a new Mopar hitch for my zj. main reason I want the spot for the oem 7way plug
 
#245 ·
Doesn't sound like everyone agrees to the fix. Several articles

Despite the fact that Chrysler and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have compromised on last month's heated recall situation involving the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty, it looks like the matter is still far from over. The Detroit News is reporting that NHTSA could end up crash testing the repaired vehicles, some of which are receiving Mopar trailer hitches to better protect the rear-mounted gas tank from being damaged during an accident.

You won't be surprised to know that the notion stems from a group of safety advocates that recently met with NHTSA boss David Strickland. The group feels that Chrysler hasn't done all it can to make the vehicles safe, and has gone so far as to request that these vehicles be crash tested using the guidelines in place for the 2007 model year, despite the fact that every Jeep vehicle under investigation met safety requirements for the year in which it was sold.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, on the other hand, seems satisfied with the situation, saying the proposed fix "will keep people safe." That being said, the article points out that the NHTSA investigation has not yet been closed.

I have not found ANY articles that state all parties agree as to what the fix is. Nor Can I find anything is going forward on this problem.

So every month that passes, the number of vehicles under this recall is reduced.........

Stat tune for further developments............

AL
 
#246 ·
I got a letter the other day that said they would be adding a trailer hitch to help mitigate low speed crash forces on the fuel tanks.
It said I would get another letter when the part was available and I could then set up a time to have the recall done.

There not going to do any thing to my ZJ.
I have already added a good used rust free Mopar hitch and the OEM gas tank skid plate.
So I'm not concerned to much with this any more.
 
#248 ·
I just got my letter today. Now, I have a factory hitch that is rotted around the plug. Should I pull that one off before I bring it in, or will they replace the hitch regardless of if it's factory or not? It seems they should know I have a factory installed hitch if they have my vin, but I will be getting my follow up letter when my parts come in.
 
#249 ·
Hey new 95 Grand Cherokee and first time jeep owner here I was wondering if anyone could tell me if this hitch recall affects Canada too? Because I'm Canadian eh and also where do I go to update Jeep that I am now the owner and they need to send recall information to me. I looked all over there site and could find nothing but I did manage to get some build sheet info online but not sure if it is right or not. I have attached the pdf file I did receive and it has my vin number on top so if anyone could find me more info for me I would be very happy and grateful

Still trying to figure out what I have and will update my profile as I confirm things but I do know it is a ZJ Laredo model
 

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#251 ·
Hey new 95 Grand Cherokee and first time jeep owner here I was wondering if anyone could tell me if this hitch recall affects Canada too? Because I'm Canadian eh and also where do I go to update Jeep that I am now the owner and they need to send recall information to me.
Units built for sale in the Canadian market likely aren't included. You'll need to contact Chrysler Canada for information about recalls, etc pertaining to your Jeep.

Ken
 
#253 ·
Actually went to the local lot today with a buddy to ask about it and they said he'd be getting a letter, after the title was transferred into his name, explaining the nature of the recall and then a 2nd letter once parts were being shipped to dealers so they can actually perform the recall
 
#254 ·
I called Jeep today on mine-I never got a letter. They set up a "dummy" apointment and according to the service advisor will order the kit in and call me when it arrives.

I'm not holding my breath.
 
#259 ·
Haha i checked my VIN and i also have the trailerhitch recall.
Wonder if the dealers here will accept it?
I also have a recall for the steeringshaft thats incomplete, what do they do with it?
 
#261 ·
I am the original owner of my 98 and never received a letter. I would not just install the hitch and call it good. I'd get either an OE tank skid or an aftermarket one as I feel both are needed to protect the tank. The OE skid is very stout and is strong enough to jack it up from. I installed both a few months after buying this one brand new.
 
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