2010 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara! Leather! Both Tops! Auto! on 2040-cars

Auto blog

The Jeep Wrangler is finally getting modern headlights for 2017

Some of Jeep's headlights leave a lot to be desired – namely light output. In particular, the halogen lamps on the Wrangler and Cherokee have been called out by the IIHS as among the worst on the market. Things should improve for 2017, as Jeep is addressing the sorry illumination by adding LED or HID headlight options for the Wrangler, Cherokee, and Renegade. Thank heavens (or, you know, the IIHS for upping its lighting requirements). In the Wrangler's case, the decision to develop an LED for a single model year of the JK before its replacement arrives – or two if you count the extended run of the current model alongside the new one – might seem strange, but we aren't complaining. The current headlights are one retro cue that sorely needed eradicating, plus this almost guarantees LEDs for the next-gen model. Any 2017 Wrangler can be equipped with the new LED headlights and fog lights – the LED lighting group will be optional on the Sport and Sport S, and standard on Sahara and Rubicon. The Cherokee is a slightly different story – HID headlights are currently optional on that model's Limited and High Altitude trims and standard on the range-topping Overland. Next year, the brighter, more focused lamps will be standard on everything but the base Sport model, where they'll be optional. For the wee Renegade, meanwhile, HIDs are a "late availability" option as part of the safety and security group on Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk trim levels. If you want a 2017 Renegade Sport with the better lights, though, you're out of luck. Jeep hasn't announced pricing for its 2017 offerings, so we don't know what sort of premium the LED and HID headlamps will add. We just know that whatever the price, it will be worth it. And you can bet each unit will have some sort of Easter egg Jeep design detail on it. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2017 Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited View 14 Photos Related Gallery 2017 Jeep Cherokee View 54 Photos Related Gallery 2017 Jeep Renegade View 49 Photos News Source: JeepImage Credit: Jeep Jeep Crossover SUV Off-Road Vehicles headlights jeep renegade

Jeep Renegade and Fiat 500X finally on the way to dealers

After a brief pause, the Jeep Renegade and Fiat 500X are on their way to dealers again. While initially reported as a software bug, the issue had nothing to do with the models themselves. According to a statement from FCA US to Autoblog, the "vehicles were built with an atypical Vehicle Identification Number that may not be recognized as valid by some computer systems." That problem has now been fixed. FCA US held the compact crossovers back from dealers until the company could rectify the bug. If the CUVs had been delivered, there would have been difficulty registering the vehicles, according to Automotive News. Before discovering the situation, about 20 of these Renegades were sold to customers. FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne originally discussed the predicament in late May. "I'm having a very bad engineering day," he said. "It's a combination of attributes of that vehicle that is making my life horrible." While the boss predicted the problem would be fixed as late as mid-June, the company apparently got things working much quicker than that. Related Video: FCA US Statement A limited number of 2015 Jeep Renegade and 2016 Fiat 500X vehicles were built with an atypical Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that may not be recognized as valid by some computer systems. This VIN issue has been resolved. FCA US has been working with governmental agencies, insurers and financial institutions with whom customers may interact to ensure successful registration, financing and insurance coverage. Renegade and 500X vehicles are being shipped and are in stock at dealerships for purchase. The VIN issue is entirely separate from the operation of the vehicle.

NHTSA investigating why Jeep recall fix is taking so long

Jeep's saga with the National Traffic Safety Administration and the voluntary campaign to repair 1.56 million vehicles for allegedly unsafe trailer hitches, is getting yet another chapter. The controversy appeared to finally be over in January when the automaker found a supplier for the replacement parts. Nothing is ever that easy, though, and the government regulator is now requesting documents from the company to clarify why the repairs are taking so long to begin.
Jeep parent company Chrysler has until July 16 to submit documents and answers to NHTSA explaining the situation. The regulator claims that despite its compromise to inspect and repair the models with improper hitches in June 2013, Chrysler didn't find a part supplier until December and didn't order the replacements until January. The government agency believes that the first components weren't manufactured until May of this year and vehicles may not actually be repaired until as late as August. According to the report, if the Chrysler doesn't supply what NHTSA is asking for, the agency could "take additional appropriate action as warranted."
Throughout this entire process, Chrysler has asserted that the vehicles met the applicable crash test standards of the time, and it has kept NHTSA abreast of the repair activity. In a recently released statement it said that the regulator analyzed eight rear impact reconstruction tests and found the replacement hitch to be safe. To keep up with the high demand for replacements, Chrysler is working with multiple suppliers, and they are running three shifts, six days a week to get the parts ready as soon as possible.