The problem
During assembly of the frame, a fillet weld that joins the inner steering gear attachment reinforcement to the frame rail, was omitted.
The risk
Due to high steering load events, vehicles can exhibit broken steering gear attaching bolts or frame rail cracking at the steering gear attaching point increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix
Dealers will inspect the vehicles for cracks in the frame rail. Vehicles that show cracks will be equipped with reinforcement plates. Vehicles that are found to be free of cracks will have a slot cut in the cross member and the fillet weld will be added.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 97V-069 (97V069000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) |
| Component | Steering › Gear box (other than rack and pinion) |
| Report date | April 28, 1997 |
| Owners notified | June 20, 1997 |
| Vehicles affected | 2,500 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the steering
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 97V-069 repair free?
Yes. Jeep dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will inspect the vehicles for cracks in the frame rail. Vehicles that show cracks will be equipped with reinforcement plates. Vehicles that are found to be free of cracks will have a slot cut in the cross member and the fillet weld will be added.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 2,500 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.