2021-2025 Jeep Wrangler/Gladiator Steel Wheel Quality Hold

Why This Matters: Ensuring Component Quality

Wheels are fundamental to vehicle safety and performance, directly influencing handling, braking efficiency, and overall stability. A quality concern with steel wheels, such as those identified for certain Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator models, could potentially compromise the structural integrity or long-term durability of the wheel. While this communication is an internal directive to dealers, it underscores the manufacturer's commitment to proactively addressing potential issues and ensuring that only high-quality components are used in vehicles and as service parts. This proactive measure helps prevent potential problems for owners down the line.

What's Being Addressed: Steel Wheel Quality Hold

Jeep has issued an internal communication, identified as NHTSA ID 11006887, to its dealer network concerning a quality hold on specific steel wheels. This action is part of a "Quality Inspection Request" (QIR) initiated by Mopar. The issue specifically targets steel wheels with part number 5VH22RXFAB that were manufactured before June 5, 2023. The purpose of this QIR is to prevent the installation of potentially suspect parts into new vehicles or as replacement parts during service, thereby maintaining the high quality standards expected by Jeep owners.

Identifying Suspect Parts: Date Code Location

To identify the affected steel wheels, technicians and dealership personnel must locate the manufacturing date code stamped on the wheel itself. The date code follows a MM DD YY format. For instance, a wheel stamped "05 16 23" indicates it was manufactured on May 16, 2023. The communication includes a visual guide (as seen in the attached QIR_English.pdf) demonstrating the typical location of this date code on the wheel. Any steel wheels bearing part number 5VH22RXFAB with a manufacturing date prior to June 5, 2023, are to be considered suspect and must be handled according to the return instructions. The specific cutoff date is 06 05 23 (June 5, 2023).

Manufacturer's Instructions for Dealers

Dealers have received explicit instructions to manage this quality hold. They are required to:

• Check Inventory: Immediately inspect all existing stock and any in-transit inventory for steel wheels with part number 5VH22RXFAB.
• Identify Suspect Parts: Any wheels found to have been built before June 5, 2023, are deemed suspect.
• Return Process: All suspect parts must be returned to their facing depot. The return process mandates the use of Return Code 02. This ensures proper tracking and processing of the affected inventory.
• Return Deadline: The deadline for returning all suspect parts is August 28, 2024.
• Open Orders: Dealers must also return any open orders for these suspect parts that are currently in process.
• Replacement Orders: For any required replacement wheels, dealers are instructed to place new orders. This ensures that only parts manufactured after the suspect date are supplied.
• Inquiries: Direct questions regarding these returns should be sent via email to [email protected].

This comprehensive approach aims to systematically remove all potentially affected parts from the supply chain.

Important Warnings for Owners

It is crucial for owners to understand that Jeep is NOT notifying consumers directly about this internal quality hold. This communication (NHTSA ID 11006887) is specifically an internal directive for dealers to manage their inventory and ensure that potentially affected parts are not installed on vehicles. This is not a recall campaign that would typically involve direct owner notification and a free repair for vehicles already on the road.

What Owners Should Know

If you own a 2021-2025 Jeep Wrangler or Gladiator equipped with steel wheels and have concerns about the Jeep Wrangler steel wheel quality, you may wish to contact your authorized Jeep dealer. While this is an internal dealer communication for inventory management and not a consumer recall, it addresses a quality aspect of a critical vehicle component. Your dealer can provide information regarding any potential impact on your specific vehicle, although direct consumer action or notification is not part of this particular communication. Owners should be aware that the part number in question is 5VH22RXFAB and the concern relates to parts manufactured before June 5, 2023.

Source: NHTSA communication 11006887