2021 Jeep Cherokee Lower Control Arm Recall (20V657)

Recall 20V657 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2021 Jeep Cherokee in recall 20V657?

One or both of the front lower control arms may fracture while driving.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude and Jeep Cherokee Limited vehicles. One or both of the front lower control arms may fracture while driving.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Is it safe to drive a 2021 Cherokee with recall 20V657?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A front lower control arm fracture while driving may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash without prior warning.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: A front lower control arm fracture while driving may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash without prior warning.

There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Cherokee shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the lower arm, have it checked before driving further.

Which vehicles are included in recall 20V657?

Recall 20V657 covers 698 vehicles: 2021 Jeep Cherokee.

NHTSA lists 698 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the Cherokee lower control arm recall?

Yes. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front lower control arms and replace them as necessary, free of charge.

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front lower control arms and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2020. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W81. Note: Owners are advised to not drive their vehicles until they have been inspected and repaired if needed.

When was recall 20V657 announced?

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) reported recall 20V657 to NHTSA on October 27, 2020.

This recall was filed 72 months ago. If your Cherokee was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my Cherokee is part of recall 20V657?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 20V657 is open on your Cherokee, it will be listed there.

Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 20V657000 is open on your Cherokee, it will be listed there, along with Jeep recall number W81. You can also ask any Jeep dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.

What should Cherokee owners do about recall 20V657?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 20V657000 applies to your Cherokee.
2. Call a Jeep dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
3. Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
4. Write down when symptoms involving the lower arm happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.

What are Cherokee owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 166 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 6 of them about the suspension, wheels and tires.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 166 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 6 of them involve the suspension, wheels and tires. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.

• 2021 Jeep Cherokee: 166 complaints in total, 6 about the suspension, wheels and tires

A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):

I was driving and felt the wheel jerk and heard a crack noise under the front end of my car immediately after my vehichle was pulled abruptly to left causing me to hit a curb.

2021 Jeep Cherokee owner, MA, NHTSA complaint 11441009, filed November 19, 2021

While breaking in heavy freeway traffic the right rear tire began to wobble heavily causing loss of control and nearly causing an accident. Took the vehicle to a dealership repair facility and they took a photograph and advised me of the “extremely hazardous” nature of their findings.

2021 Jeep Cherokee owner, WA, NHTSA complaint 11494724, filed November 23, 2022

Control Arms – lower control arm both sides of the vehicle Confirmed by the dealership service department and given an estimate of cost for repair Has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance or others. No warning lights have come on.

2021 Jeep Cherokee owner, MA, NHTSA complaint 11536142, filed August 2, 2023

Can recall 20V657 make my Cherokee a lemon in California?

Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.

Recall 20V657000 does not automatically make your Cherokee a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?

If a suspension or wheel problem on the 2021 Jeep Cherokee returns after the recall work, keep the repair orders. Repeat visits for the same defect are what California's lemon law looks at.

A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 Jeep Cherokee has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.

California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.

An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

Frequently asked questions about recall 20V657