Tens of thousands of Jeep vehicles recalled in Canada, the U.S.

In this Feb. 8, 2018, file photo, a Jeep Cherokee sits on display at the Chicago Auto Show in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

Thousands of Jeep Cherokee SUVs have been recalled in Canada due to an issue impacting the power transfer unit on some vehicles, according to a notice posted by Transport Canada.

“On certain vehicles, the power transfer unit (PTU) could become damaged and fail,” the notice read.

“If this happens, there could be a loss of power to the wheels and/or the vehicle could move when it’s parked and the parking brake isn’t applied.”

The notice, issued last week by Jeep manufacturer Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, now part of Stellantis, said the recall only impacts certain Jeep vehicles that are equipped with a two-speed PTU.

“A loss of power to the wheels or a parked vehicle that moves suddenly could create the risk of an injury and/or a crash,” it read.

The recall impacts Jeep Cherokee vehicles made between 2019 and 2023. The notice said there are 20,781 affected vehicles in Canada.

Fiat Chrysler issued a similar recall in the U.S. last week.

“A failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury,” read a recall notice posted by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

According to the notice, 61,711 Cherokee vehicles in the U.S. are affected.

In both notices, the company said it will contact impacted owners in writing with instructions, but noted that the corrective actions for the recall are still “under development.”