Tag Archives: Jeep

Jeep Wrangler 4xe Recalled Due To Bizarre Odometer Failure

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid is being recalled due to an issue with the odometer.

The automaker has revealed that some Wrangler 4xe models are equipped with digital instrument cluster software that may prevent the odometer from displaying after it hits 13,342 miles or 21,437 km.

Read Also: 2022 Jeep Wrangler Updated In Europe, Sold Exclusively As 4xe Plug-In Hybrid

The issue took place between September 8, 2020 and September 13, 2021, when vehicles on the production line received a suspect software service update. Jeep fixed the issue with a new gauge cluster software version that was implemented into vehicle production but a total of 2,903 Wranglers are now involved in the recall and all of them are thought to have the issue.

A recall notice from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that if the odometer value is not displayed, owners may miss critical vehicle maintenance periods, increasing the likelihood of components failing due to a lack of maintenance, heightening the risk of a crash.

To fix the issue, the automaker will update the software on vehicles with less than 13,342 miles (21,473 km) on the clock while those vehicles that have already passed this figure will be fitted with new gauge clusters. It has also been confirmed that any owner that has had the gauge cluster replaced due to the issue will be reimbursed.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles U.S. will begin notifying owners on or around January 28, 2022.

Jeep Owner Wanted Grand Cherokee SRT Gone, But Then Vilner Did This To The Interior

Vilner Garage continues to do what it does best – which is completely overhauling car interiors to suit their owners’ exact preferences.

The latest car to undergo the Vilner treatment is a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT, which the owner was almost ready to sell because he wanted something that felt and looked more special inside. A long-time Jeep owner, he desired a ride with a cozy and soft interior, with everything furnished to his taste.

Fortunately, the guys from Vilner made that possible without him having to sell his performance SUV. A quick look at the cabin is enough to realize this is no stock Grand Cherokee SRT. The entire interior is decorated with fine Nappa leather, including the door cards and the entire center console from the dashboard to the armrest.

See Also: Vilner Gives An Older Land Rover Discovery A Range Rover-Worthy Makeover

The perforated leather upholstery features hexagonal quilting with contrasting white stitching, while the edges are decorated with red topstitching. Rounding out the interior modifications are the bright red seat belts.

On the outside, the Grand Cherokee SRT remains completely stock, which is fine because the American performance SUV looks menacing enough from the factory. We gather the combination between a stock exterior and a highly-customized interior should provoke some interesting reactions from onlookers.

Vilner Garage did not touch the naturally aspirated 6.4-liter HEMI V8 either. Thus, it still churns out 475 HP at 6,000 rpm and 470 lb-ft (636 Nm) of torque at 4,300 rpm, which is enough for a zero to 60 mph (96 km/h) sprint in 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 160 mph (257 km/h).

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Is The Jeep Renegade A Smaller And More Refined Wrangler?

The line between crossovers and SUVs has been blurred in recent years, as it’s not defined by the platform anymore. Nowadays, you get big high-riders with unibody constructions and small ones that still boast body-on-frame architectures, like the Suzuki Jimny.

So, where does this put the Jeep Renegade? In theory, in the crossover section, as it’s based on the Fiat 500X. In practice, depending on how you spec it, you could call it a small SUV, despite the short overhangs and sturdy looking exterior.

Watch Also: CR Gives An American Take On The 2015 Jeep Renegade

Designed to look like a smaller version of the Wrangler, the Renegade is arguably one of the best-looking high riders in the small segment. It offers impressive headroom at the back and the legroom isn’t bad either, especially with two rather than three passengers. The front seats are decently comfortable, you get enough storage spaces and new tech gear, including automatic emergency braking, cruise control and navigation system, although to benefit from Apple CarPlay and Android Auto you will have to go for the higher trim levels.

The range starts with the $22,620 Sport, which packs a 2.4-liter four-pot with 180 HP and a 9-speed automatic transmission. The $24,640 Latitude has the same engine and so do the $25,270 Upland and $25,635 Altitude, whereas the $27,245 Limited is powered by the 177 HP turbocharged 1.3-liter unit. The Trailhawk and High Altitude make use of the same engine and start at $28,215 and $29,240 respectively. If you’re in the market for a Renegade, then you may want to go easy on the options, though, as it could end up costing close to $36,000, like KBB’s tester, and that is Wrangler Sport Altitude territory.

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San Leandro Rioters Stole 50 Cars From FCA Dealer, Including Nearly Every $80k Hellcat

Following our story earlier today about the ransacking of the ‘San Leandro Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM SRT’ in California on Sunday night, more details on the aftermath have emerged.

In particular, the owner of the dealership revealed that upwards of 50 vehicles were stolen from the FCA dealership in the midst of wide-spread looting throghout the local Alameda County and other parts of the U.S.

Footage of the looting, triggered by civil unrest following the death of George Floyd while under police custody in Minneapolis on May 25, hit social media on Monday, showing several Dodge Challengers and Chargers being driven off the San Leandro dealer lot.

Read: Looters Raid FCA Dealership Driving Off With Hellcats, Burn AMG GT In Mercedes Showroom

San Leandro Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

Speaking with CBS Local, the owner of the San Leandro Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership, Carlos Hidalgo, said that around 50 vehicles were stolen from the showroom and the parking lot. This included “nearly every” powerful Dodge Challenger Hellcat and Dodge Charger Hellcat model, many of which appear to have been on sale with prices ranging from just under $60,000 to upwards of $90,000. Among the vehicles stolen was a 2020 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody Daytona 50th Anniversary Edition painted white with a blue livery and a showroom price of $90,995.

“Right now we’re thinking 50 [vehicles] … Gone,” Hidalgo said. “We have trackers on them so we’re seeing which ones are out there. They’re running around everywhere. We tried calling the cops and they were too busy. They couldn’t respond. So, you know …”

How the looters gained access to the cars

Hidalgo says the rioters gained access to a key safe, hence why they were able to drive away with the vehicles. He had instructed employees to use the dealership’s cars to block the driveways after seeing looters ransacking a Nike store across the street. However, that was not enough to stop them from gaining access to the dealership.

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During the brazen theft, looters showed a total disregard for the vehicles and at one stage, drove a Hellcat parked in a corner into two other Hellcats on either side of it before stealing it. What’s more, a Hellcat displayed on the showroom floor was driven right through the glass front windows. Many of the Hellcat models stolen look to have been brand new and were still equipped with their front splitter guards.

“It’s not a cause for anybody. This is just bad thieves. It’s horrible,” said Hidalgo. “This is domestic terrorism brought upon to people that work. That’s not right.” Hidalgo added that the theft and damage caused to his dealership will hurt the 100 people that he employs who had already been struggling during the coronavirus pandemic.