Stellantis is recalling 97,349 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer SUVs because the bolts holding the roof rack crossbars may not have been tightened properly at the factory. Over time they can work loose and back out entirely, at which point a metal bar can leave the roof of a moving vehicle.
Nobody has been reported hurt. But of all the ways a recall can describe a risk, "becomes a road hazard for the traffic behind you" is among the more uncomfortable.
Which Vehicles Are Affected
The recall, filed with NHTSA under campaign number 26V584, covers four closely related models:
- 2022-2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer
- 2023-2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer L — the extended-wheelbase version
- 2022-2025 Jeep Wagoneer
- 2023-2025 Jeep Wagoneer L
These are the big body-on-frame SUVs at the top of the Jeep range, not the Grand Cherokee.
The Fault
The crossbars are the bars that run side to side across the roof, and they attach to the roof rails on pivot bolts. Those bolts may have been installed below the specified torque during assembly.
An under-tightened fastener does not fail immediately. It loosens gradually, helped by vibration, thermal cycling and load, until it backs out. Once the bolts are gone, nothing holds the crossbar to the rail.
The remedy reflects that this is more than a tightening error. Dealers will replace the pivot bolts with a redesigned bolt rather than simply torquing the existing ones correctly, which suggests Stellantis concluded the original fastener design was too sensitive to assembly variation.
The Timeline
Stellantis is running a two-stage notification. The first letters go out after October 8, warning owners of the defect. A second letter follows once the redesigned bolts are available at dealers.
That gap is normal when a manufacturer wants owners informed before parts supply can cover a campaign of this size, but it means the first letter is a warning rather than an invitation to book. Owners with questions can reach Chrysler customer service on 800-853-1403.
Dealers are fitting a redesigned bolt, not just tightening the old one. That tells you where Stellantis thinks the fault really sits. On the choice of remedy
What Owners Should Do
- Check your VIN on the NHTSA recall lookup rather than waiting for the post.
- Stop using the roof rack for loads until the bolts are replaced, particularly at motorway speeds.
- Inspect the bars by hand for movement. A crossbar should be completely solid.
- Book the repair when the second letter arrives. Replacement pivot bolts are free.
- Keep the paperwork, which matters at resale and in any later warranty discussion.
The Wider Picture
This is the second large Jeep recall we have covered this month, after 328,381 Grand Cherokees were recalled over rear coil springs that can detach. Both come back to the same root cause: a fastening or seating operation on the assembly line that was not done to specification.
That pattern is not unique to Stellantis. Ford's recent F-150 fuel tank strap recall traced to periods when the camera checks verifying correct assembly were not running continuously. Modern vehicles are enormously complex, and a striking share of safety recalls still come down to whether a bolt was tightened to the right number.
For owners, the practical response is the same as always. The VIN check is free and takes two minutes, and the repair costs nothing.