Jeep has issued another recall for certain Gladiator and Wrangler equipped with manual transmissions, this time due to a problem with the clutch pressure plate.
In the description of the defect, the NHTSA notes that under certain circumstances, the clutch pressure plate could overheat through friction, leading to possible fracture.
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Should this happen, it could damage the transmission case, leading to the loss or propulsion and generating debris on the road. In more extreme cases, the heated debris could contact ignition sources, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
Lab analysis revealed that the pressure plate is “a competent ignition source”, as it can reach 2,012F (1,100C). Drivers could experience excessive or abnormal clutch pedal travel and/or smell burnt clutch, prior to the failure.
The automaker is aware of 35 warranty claims and 1 minor injury related to this condition, which were reported before February 20. On December 17, the FCA conducted a scene examination of a car fire that appeared to be tied to this problem, and one month later, they reviewed a warranty returned transmission and clutch “with catastrophic damage”.
The 2018-2020 Wrangler, made from August 23, 2017, to February 13, 2020, and 2020 Gladiator assembled between December 21, 2018, and February 20, 2020, are included in this safety campaign that covers a total of 33,237 vehicles – 29,818 Wranglers and 3,419 Gladiators.
At the time of writing, FCA was still working on a fix and was planning to inform dealers and owners from April 22.
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