There was an unspecified design change (cost cut?) for 2004 Jeep Liberty models.
Chrysler is recalling more than 265,000 Jeep Liberty SUVs because a rear suspension arm can corrode and fracture in salt-belt states and Canada. The Jeep corrosion recall comes almost one year after the National Highway traffic Safety Administration opened a preliminary evaluation of the defect after receiving complaints from nine owners of Liberty models.The suspension failure investigation was upgraded by NHTSA to a more serious engineering analysis covering 2004 and 2005 models last September.
It appears from publicly available documents that Chrysler resisted the recall, doing so only after a meeting with safety regulators in February. The recall to replace all the suspension arms is expected to begin in April. Chrysler said in the required NHTSA filing that it is unaware of any accidents.
“The excessive corrosion is a result of extended exposure to road salt, which is why the campaign is limited to vehicles originally sold or currently registered in salt belt states as defined by the NHSTA,” said David Dillon, Head of Product Investigation and Campaigns, Chrysler Group in a media statement.
Jeep Liberty SUVs originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Canadian Jeeps are also being recalled. (209,746 U.S. and 24,727 Canada) Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
