Cherokee

Make
Jeep
Segment
SUV

Manufacturer recalls are nothing new but you can never be too careful, no matter how minor the defect may seem. In this case, a recall issued by FCA for the Jeep Liberty concerns a potentially serious safety issue that could affect the suspension. Specifically, the lower control arms on the rear suspension assembly could rust and fail due to water accumulating inside. The NHTSA says this "excessive corrosion" could lead to a complete loss of vehicle control, thus increasing the risk of an accident happening.

The problem affects Jeep Liberty models built between 2004 and 2007, though the model has since been replaced by the Cherokee and Compass. It's a massive recall: FCA says there are 239,904 Libertys in the US that will need new suspension components, along with 49,712 in Mexico and 39,199 outside of North America. Jeep produced the Liberty from 2001 until 2012 across two generations. The recall affects the first-generation model, which hasn't been in production since 2007. Around 560,000 units were sold in the US during the recall period, so less than half of the models produced in that time have been affected.

The automaker says just one accident has been reported that may have been caused by this defect, but there were no related injuries, luckily. Replacement parts are expected to become available next month. Owners will be contacted at this point to be advised on when they can visit their local dealership for a free repair.