Incorrect Power Distribution Center Prompts 2024 Jeep Wrangler Safety Recall

5 months, 1 week ago - 13 June 2024, autoevolution
2024 Jeep Wrangler
2024 Jeep Wrangler
A small number of Jeep Wrangler vehicles produced for the 2024 model year have been hit with a recall for having been produced with the incorrect power distribution center. This, in turn, prevents trailer lighting from operating properly.

January 22 is when FCA US LLC started looking into this matter. The automaker's Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance organization worked together with engineering and manufacturing to solve this problem and to determine the suspect population. Only four Wrangler vehicles had been equipped with the incorrect power distribution center, with said vehicles produced in the period from January 4, 2024 through January 18, 2024.

Due to inoperative trailer turn signals and stop lamps, the aforementioned vehicles do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 for automotive lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment. The Mopar-branded fuse block power distribution center bears part number 68574988AA and comes from the peeps at Aptiv.

As you might have already guessed, the remedy is to replace the power distribution center with the correct version. Dealer will be informed about said recall no later than July 26, the day recall notification letters will start being mailed to affected customers. FCA US LLC didn't bother giving a list of affected vehicle identification numbers, nor did it mention which body styles and grades have been produced with incorrect PDCs.

The document attached below does mention vehicles equipped with the trailer tow option, which carries a retail price of $1,195 as part of the Trailer Tow and Auxiliary Switch Group. This optional extra includes auxiliary switches, a receiver hitch, a seven- and four-pin wiring harness, and – of course – a 240-amp alternator.

Revealed in April 2023, the 2024 model brought many small changes to the JL-generation Wrangler, beginning with the addition of the Sport S 4xe and Rubicon X trim levels. Gifted with a redesigned grille and a windshield support-integrated antenna, the Wrangler is available with an 8,000-pound Warn winch that features 90 feet of synthetic line.

Customers in the market for a Rubicon are presented with a full-float rear axle from Dana, which is better for off-roading because the rearmost weight of the vehicle rests on the axle tube instead of the axle itself. This also enables more towing capacity, as in 5,000 pounds (2,268 kilograms) for Rubicon vehicles equipped with either the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine or the 2.0-liter Hurricane I4.

The Rubicon-lite Willys trim level sports 33-inch tires for 2024, and this additional off-road capability is complemented by a standard locking rear differential. However, as opposed to the Rubicon's 4.0:1 low-range transfer case, the Willys trim level makes do with a 2.72:1 transfer case.

As ever, Sport is the most basic of trim levels available, with prices kicking off at $31,995 for two doors or $36,595 for the more practical four-door body style. 2024 marks the bitter end of the V8-powered Rubicon 392, which is priced at either $92,140 or $100,590 for the Rubicon 392 Final Edition. The latter drops the mic with a limited production run of 3,700 units, a 0.5-inch suspension lift kit, and bronze wheels.