2021-2026 Jeep Wrangler / Gladiator Door Hem Corrosion TSB

Owners of 2021-2026 Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator vehicles may notice an issue described as "Filiform corrosion at the hem area of the door." This condition is addressed by Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 31-001-26 REV. A, issued on February 21, 2026. This bulletin supersedes a previous version, TSB 31-001-26, dated February 17, 2026.

This TSB provides a comprehensive repair procedure for the corrosion, ensuring the affected door hems are properly treated and refinished. The repair aims to resolve the Jeep Wrangler door hem corrosion and restore the vehicle's appearance and integrity.

Symptoms

The primary symptom customers may experience is the presence of "Filiform corrosion at the hem area of the door." This type of corrosion typically appears as thread-like filaments growing under the paint surface, often starting from a chip or scratch.

Diagnosis

If you observe filiform corrosion on your vehicle's door hem, a qualified technician will confirm the presence of the symptom and proceed with the repair procedure outlined in TSB 31-001-26 REV. A. The underlying cause of this issue is general corrosion affecting the aluminum body panels.

Repair Procedure Summary

The repair for Jeep Wrangler door hem corrosion involves several detailed steps to ensure thorough corrosion removal and proper refinishing. The general process includes:

1. Door Preparation: The affected door is removed and placed on a padded stand to protect its A-side surface. The trim panel and carrier plate are also removed.
2. Corrosion Removal: Factory-applied seam sealer is removed, and any pitted areas are cleaned using a 3M Clean & Strip disc or an equivalent abrasive wheel.
3. Surface Preparation: The existing OEM coating is feathered-edged beyond the bare aluminum areas using 320-400 grit sandpaper. The surface is then treated with PPG SX533 Aluminum Cleaner and PPG SX503 Aluminum Conditioner to prepare it for painting.
4. Masking: The inside of the door is masked using a reverse taping technique to prevent paint buildup.
5. Priming: One to two coats of F4921 Epoxy Primer are applied, followed by primer sealer if necessary to fill any pits or sanding marks.
6. Painting: Basecoat color is applied to achieve proper hiding and color match, blended, and then clearcoat is applied.
7. Sealing and Protection: 2K seam sealer is applied to the hinge opening areas and along the exposed hem seam. Finally, 3M Cavity Wax is applied to the inside of the door shell for long-term protection.

Required Tools or Parts

Technicians will utilize specific materials for this repair, including:

• 3M Clean & Strip Disc
• PPG SX533 Aluminum Cleaner
• PPG SX503 Aluminum Conditioner
• F4921 Epoxy Primer
• 3M Cavity Wax

Labor Operations and Material Allowance

This service action is identified by Failure Code ZZ. The following labor operations are specified:

• 23-75-53-07: JL/JT Front Lower Inner Door Hem Flange Repair. This operation has a labor time of 3.9 hours and includes a material allowance of $46.46.
• 23-75-54-07: JL/JT Rear Lower Inner Door Hem Flange Repair. This operation also has a labor time of 3.9 hours and includes a material allowance of $46.46.

What Owners Should Know

This repair for Jeep Wrangler door hem corrosion is reimbursable within the provisions of your vehicle's warranty. Owners experiencing this issue should contact their authorized Jeep dealership to schedule an inspection and repair.

NHTSA ID: 11029683