Jeeps Are Unexpectedly Missing Their Dashboards, and Authorities Seek Explanations | Carscoops

Jeeps Are Unexpectedly Missing Their Dashboards, and Authorities Seek Explanations | Carscoops

      Federal investigators are examining hundreds of thousands of Jeeps following reports of disappearing dashboard displays, which could lead to another significant recall.

      Over 230,000 Jeep Wranglers and Gladiators are being investigated.

      The NHTSA initiated an inquiry after receiving 89 complaints about malfunctioning dashboard displays.

      Drivers have reported blank fuel gauges and missing safety information on screens.

      More than 230,000 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles in the U.S. are now under investigation by the NHTSA due to reports of defective instrument clusters that may result in various malfunctions. Although a recall has not been issued yet, future actions may depend on the findings of the investigation.

      The Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) has officially started a Preliminary Evaluation after receiving over 89 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires indicating that the instrument display failed partially or entirely during operation.

      The increasing number of complaints prompted the agency to take action.

      What’s Going Wrong?

      If the display ceases to function, it may not indicate the fuel level, leaving drivers uncertain about their remaining fuel. In addition to the inconvenience, the lack of essential safety data could create significant risks.

      The ODI also alerts that the unexpected failure of the cluster “may divert the driver’s attention from the driving task, potentially leading to a crash.”

      In total, 232,209 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator models from the 2020 model year are being investigated. Notably, the NHTSA reports that it is unaware of any crashes, fires, injuries, or incidents associated with this issue.

      History Repeats

      Jeep has faced instrument cluster problems before. In September of last year, the company recalled over 32,000 Gladiators and Wranglers due to the central 3.5-inch cluster display potentially going blank without notice.

      If this occurs, it would fail to show critical information such as the speedometer and warning lights, which are mandated by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. It was determined that a short circuit caused that defect.

      Management at Stellantis will likely be hoping to avoid a recall for the more than 230,000 vehicles currently under investigation, as such a move would undoubtedly incur significant costs.

Jeeps Are Unexpectedly Missing Their Dashboards, and Authorities Seek Explanations | Carscoops Jeeps Are Unexpectedly Missing Their Dashboards, and Authorities Seek Explanations | Carscoops Jeeps Are Unexpectedly Missing Their Dashboards, and Authorities Seek Explanations | Carscoops

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Jeeps Are Unexpectedly Missing Their Dashboards, and Authorities Seek Explanations | Carscoops

Jeeps Are Unexpectedly Missing Their Dashboards, and Authorities Seek Explanations | Carscoops