Attorneys are investigating complaints from Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee owners regarding a potentially defective forward collision warning (FCW) system that fails to activate in critical situations, potentially putting drivers at risk. The issue concerns vehicles from the 2021 to 2024 model years, with owners reporting that the system does not issue warnings or apply emergency braking when it should.
The FCW system is designed to alert drivers of a potential collision by displaying a warning light, and to automatically engage the brakes if the driver does not respond. However, many drivers of affected vehicles have shared concerns on online forums, describing near-miss accidents where the system did not function as expected. In some cases, drivers have reported rear-ending other vehicles due to the failure of the automatic braking system.
One driver of a 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee stated they tested the system by driving at 40 mph toward a large roll of paper, but the vehicle did not issue a warning or apply the brakes. Others have described similar experiences, including close calls where the system did not activate, despite a potential danger ahead.
Another user shared,”Over the last month since I got a Grand Cherokee 2022 Summit Reserve, I also almost got into 2 accidents in situations where my previos 2018 Cherokee would have engaged the forward collision avoidance brakes. The car simply failed to acknowledge that I was about to rear-end a car that slammed it’s brakes or T-bone another car that crossed my path. I have yet to take it to service, but I didn’t see any messages or warnings come up. It is scary thinking that a safety system is there but it actually isn’t functioning.”
According to reports, drivers who brought their vehicles to dealerships were told that the FCW system could not be tested due to safety concerns, and some were reassured that no issues were found. However, many drivers remain fearful for their safety, unsure whether the collision avoidance system is functioning properly.
Legal representatives working with ClassAction.org are exploring the possibility of filing a class action lawsuit to help affected vehicle owners recover some of the money spent on defective vehicles and possibly secure free repairs. The lawsuit could also press Jeep’s parent company, Stellantis, to address the FCW system issue and offer a solution for those impacted.
If you own a 2021 to 2024 Jeep Cherokee or Grand Cherokee and have experienced problems with the forward collision warning system, you may be eligible to participate in the investigation or join the potential class action lawsuit. Drivers are encouraged to share their experiences by filling out a form on the ClassAction.org website.
While a class action lawsuit could provide compensation to affected owners, it could also pressure the automaker to offer a fix for the problematic FCW system.
