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25,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Durango SUVs recalled over brake feel

Chrysler has announced that it is recalling over 25,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango SUVs from several markets over concerns about brake feel under hard braking. The affected models are from the 2012 and 2013 model years, although the actual dates of production aren't available. 18,700 are in the US, while 825 are in Canada, 530 are in Mexico and a further 5,200 outside of North America.
According to a statement, Chrysler was informed of the issue by a component supplier for the Ready Alert Braking system, which primes the brakes in anticipation of an emergency stop. A component in the system was restricting the flow of brake fluid too much.
As Chrysler is quick to point out, the way the brakes functioned was in compliance with regulations and there are no reported cases of drivers losing braking power. Instead, the issue rests with what Chrysler calls a pedal feel that "was not consistent with customer expectations." So it would seem Chrysler is being proactive and fixing a problem not because there's a legal issue at work, but simply because it doesn't feel the way the manufacturer wants it to. Well done.

Maserati Levante crossover not Jeep based after all?

Maserati has been teasing its crossover project since 2011, which is when it first showed off the Kubang concept (pictured above). Still, the production version, rumored to be called the Levante, remains a complete mystery. The CUV was first rumored to borrow the platform from the Jeep Grand Cherokee, but new rumors indicate that the Italian, luxury crossover might actually take the underpinnings from the Quattroporte and Ghibli.
In a brief interview, Maserati CEO Harald Wester told CNN Money that the Levante wouldn't use Jeep's platform. Motor Trend spoke with an unnamed Maserati engineer who confirmed the rumor. Officially, the company says that no decision has been made.
We can add this to another long list of rumors about the Italian CUV. It was originally supposed to be built at Chrysler's Jefferson North assembly plant in Detroit. Then, plans were changed to build it in Italy.

2017 Jeep Com-Patriot looks like a mini Grand Cherokee

Jeep plans to merge the Compass and the Patriot into a single model, and today we're getting an undisguised look at the compact crossover. These images from Brazil's Autoo were captured before a photo shoot. The SUV, which retains the same shape as the prototypes our photographers captured testing earlier this year, borrows a sizable amount of styling cues from the larger, more expensive Jeep Grand Cherokee. If the SUV's badging is anything to go off of, Jeep will retain the Compass moniker for the upcoming vehicle. At the front, the SUV has a similar grille to the Grand Cherokee with seven rectangular openings, which are smaller than the ones found on the current compass, with chrome trim. The headlights and LED daytime lights are also similar to the ones on the Grand Cherokee. The black roof, which is a new touch for Jeep, is a nod toward the SUV's European competitors like the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque. The new model loses the square-like taillights on the previous model for oval-shaped ones. Overall, the SUV adds modern touches to the aging Compass and Patriot models while staying true to Jeep's iconic look. The SUV is expected to utilize a modified version of the platform found on the Jeep Renegade and Fiat 500X. Power could come from a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine that's mated to either a nine-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual gearbox. Just like the current model, the upcoming Compass will have front-wheel drive as standard with all-wheel drive as an option. The next-gen Compass will be manufactured at Jeep's new plant in Brazil, where the vehicle will also makes it official debut later this year. The baby Grand Cherokee will make its first appearance on American soil at this year's Los Angeles Auto Show. Related Video: News Source: AutooImage Credit: Autoo Design/Style Spy Photos Jeep Crossover SUV jeep compass jeep patriot