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2020 Jeep Gladiator withstands the pressure in pre-Super Bowl commercial

With hype comes expectation, and with expectation comes pressure. The 2020 Jeep Gladiator has a lot to live up to as one of the most built-up debuts of 2018, but a new commercial promises it's ready to shoulder the burden, quite literally. The Jeep ad is set in a junkyard and opens to the jaws of a scrap crusher. A freight loader is seen putting a beautiful 1963 Jeep Gladiator into the scrapper before it begins to close on the piece of classic metal. Before it's fully demolished, the Gladiator fights back. It finds its inner strength when it transforms into one of the new 2020 models and emerges triumphant against the steel jaws of death. "Gladiator is back" ends the one-minute spot For those worried about the disappointing scene of a '63 getting destroyed, there's bad news and good news. Yes, that was a real car, not CGI, so it did indeed get smashed. But, Jeep says it was sourced from an online scrap site and was "inoperable." Why it couldn't have been restored, though, is beyond us. The Gladiator made its debut at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show as a mid-sized Wrangler-based pickup, complete with removable doors and a folding windshield. It has two Dana 44 solid front and rear axles, and is powered by a 285-horsepower V6, with a turbodiesel V6 on the way. Look to see the Gladiator in plenty of prime-time commercial slots all week leading up to the Super Bowl. Related Video:

Chrysler Recalls 350K Vehicles To Fix Ignition Switches

Chrysler is recalling nearly 350,000 cars and SUVs to fix ignition switches that could unexpectedly shut off the engines. The recall covers 2008 Jeep Commander and Grand Cherokee SUVs, Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger sedans, and Dodge Magnum wagons. All were built before May 12, 2008. Chrysler says the ignitions may not fully return to the "on" position after being started. The switches could move to "accessory" or "off." That could shut off the engine and knock out power-assisted steering and other features. Chrysler knows of one crash and no injuries from the problem. It's telling people to use the key alone in the ignition and confirm that switches have returned to "on" after starting their cars. Chrysler is investigating the cause. Customers will be notified when repairs are ready. Related Gallery The Trucks And SUVs Consumers Are Liking Most View 11 Photos

FCA recalls 894k total vehicles worldwide in two campaigns

FCA is recalling a total of 893,698 vehicles worldwide in two campaigns to fix problems with inadvertent airbag deployment, failure of the anti-lock brakes, and stability control systems in the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Liberty, Dodge Journey, and Fiat Freemont. 559,703 of these vehicles are in the US. The larger recall affects 284,089 examples of the 2003 Jeep Liberty and 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and there are also 13,411 of them in Canada, 6,277 in Mexico, and 48,212 outside the NAFTA region. Because of "electrical noise beyond the tolerance of the airbag electronic control module", part of that component can fail, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This can cause the front and side airbags to deploy and the seatbelt pre-tensioners to activate inadvertently. FCA US has seven reports of alleged injuries from this problem. To fix the situation, the Jeeps need their Occupant Restraint Control modules replaced, as well as the front- and side-impact sensors. According to the NHTSA, the replacement parts won't be available until early 2016. Still, FCA US will advise owners about the problem in a letter by the end of December and will send a second notification when the components are ready. The second campaign affects 275,614 examples of the 2012-2015 Dodge Journey in the US; plus 78,148 of them in Canada, 36,471 in Mexico, and 151,476 left-hand drive units outside of NAFTA where it's sold as the Fiat Freemont. On these vehicles, water intrusion can disable the anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control, although a warning light often illuminates when this issue occurs, and the problem doesn't affect regular braking. There are also no reports of injuries or accidents. To fix the issue, dealers will seal the ABS wiring harness and will replace any already affected components as necessary, like the ABS module or the headlamp and dashboard wiring harness. Statement: Occupant Restraint Control Modules October 30, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is voluntarily recalling an estimated 284,089 older-model SUVs in the U.S. to replace their Occupant Restraint Control (ORC) modules and front and/or side-impact sensors, as required. Within this vehicle population, FCA US became aware of seven injuries caused by inadvertent air-bag deployments and advised NHTSA accordingly. The affected vehicles are not equipped with Takata Corp. air-bags. The Company is unaware of any related accidents.