Recall Alert: More Than 300,000 Jeep and Ram Vehicles

Chrysler has issued three separate recalls for 301,283 Jeep and Ram brand vehicles to address electrical, airbag and coolant issues, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The first affects 295,345 model-year 2005-10 Jeep Grand Cherokee (models manufactured from Feb. 11, 2004, through March 9, 2010) and 2006-10 Jeep Commander vehicles (models manufactured Jan. 31, 2005, through March 10, 2010). A transfer case electrical failure could make it possible to unintentionally shift the vehicle into Neutral, and the car could roll away. The automaker initiated an investigation after a customer reported that a 2007 Grand Cherokee rolled away after it was remotely started, Chrysler said in a statement. The automaker will notify affected owners starting in June and dealers will install a software update for free.

Cars.com Reviews the 2013 Jeep Wrangler and Unlimited

We could talk about the new-for-2013 Jeep Wrangler's improved efficiency, reduced noise, tamer ride and better overall livability. But who would we be indulging? Cars.com reviewer Joe Wiesenfelder figures you're either a devout follower of the cult of Wrangler or you're trivializing their heathen faith. Both the two-door Wrangler and four-door Wrangler Unlimited continue in the nameplate's rugged, rough-riding tradition, adding a more powerful 3.6-liter V-6 good for 285 horsepower and 260 pounds-feet of torque. Its ride height and obstructed rear view render the Wrangler impractical for many, but that brand of practicality takes a backseat on the off-road trail.

2013 Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited Review

Why Is the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Popular With Families?

Peek into several suburban garages to read the epilogue of a common story. Two-door-Wrangler-driving dad (or mom) needs a bigger vehicle to accommodate a growing family. The answer: upgrade to the four-door Wrangler Unlimited. It makes sense that the larger version of Jeep's rugged SUV would be better suited for family duty — but not so fast, moms and dads. The Wrangler Unlimited is one of the most un-family-friendly SUVs on the market in terms of both comfort and safety.

Although its off-road prowess is second to none, on-road comfort is low on its skills list. The Wrangler Unlimited will not deliver a car full of happy campers: a weekend carting around my family made it clear that the SUV is much better suited for the mountains and mud than garages and grocery runs.

2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited: Car Seat Check

The four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, a five-seat SUV, is often asked to pull family duty over its two-door Jeep Wrangler sibling. While its high ride height means kids will be asking parents for a boost to get into it for a long time, it did work well with our child-safety seats. For 2013, the Wrangler Unlimited received new supportive seats in both rows.

For the Car Seat Check, we use a Graco SnugRide 30 rear-facing infant-safety seat, a Britax Roundabout convertible child-safety seat and Graco high-back TurboBooster seat.

Jeep to Add Diesel to Wrangler Lineup

The next Jeep in line for a diesel engine is the Wrangler, according to Wards Auto. Jeep CEO Mike Manley told the website that the automaker plans to add the powertrain to the lineup after the Wrangler's 2015-16 redesign.

Manley believes demand for a diesel-powered Wrangler continues to grow. "I'm confident that the Grand Cherokee will show just how large a demand there is for diesel, and I think what that will do is reinforce the need for us to target Wrangler as a vehicle that can take a diesel," he told Wards.

For the 2014 model year, Jeep added a 240-horsepower, 3.0-liter diesel V-6 to the Grand Cherokee lineup. It'll also be offered on the Ram 1500. Check out our review of the new diesel Grand Cherokee here.

Related
Wrangler Diesel Likely After '15 Refresh (Wards Auto)
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2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition Video

Increased ride height, special steel bumpers and a more robust off-road system help Jeep celebrate the Wrangler Rubicon's 10th anniversary. The most rugged Jeep gets a special package for 2013 and Cars.com's Editor-in-Chief Patrick Olsen calls it the biggest, baddest Wrangler.

More 2012 L.A. Auto Show Coverage

Other additions include a power dome hood, a winch and specific badges. It goes on sale in the spring. Check out the video below.

2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary at the 2012 L.A. Auto Show

• Competes with: Toyota FJ Cruiser, Nissan Xterra
• Looks like: A beefier Wrangler Rubicon
• Drivetrain: 3.6-liter V-6; six-speed manual or automatic transmissions
• Hits dealerships: Spring 2013

To celebrate 10 years as the Jeep Wrangler's roughest, toughest variant, the Rubicon gets a 10th Anniversary Edition for 2013 to accentuate its off-road presence. The anniversary edition is more than a badge; it features new off-road gear for an additional half-inch of ride height plus steel bumpers with provisions for a winch.

More 2012 L.A. Auto Show Coverage

The increased ride height comes from new springs, and BF Goodrich KM2 off-road tires are fitted under the body. The steel bumpers also have removable end caps to reduce possible interference with obstacles and look the part of an aftermarket off-road bumper. Tenth-anniversary models also feature a new "Power Dome" hood with dual heat extractors and interior add-ons like red leather seats and anniversary badging.

August's Fastest- and Slowest-Selling Cars

The Hyundai Santa Fe Sport topped last month's fastest-selling cars — a list that mixed the usual influx of redesigns and introductions with a lot of older cars. The 2013 Toyota Corolla, Honda Fit, Mini Cooper, Audi A3 and Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen flew off dealer lots last month. All but the A3 saw sales increases, with the Corolla, Fit and Cooper up more than 25% apiece. But all five cars have been on the market for some time since their last update, and none offer major incentives. One possible factor is gas prices, which have risen 20 cents in the past month. All five cars have variants with combined EPA mileage of 30 mpg or better.

Response to the redesigned Hyundai Santa Fe has been "nothing short of remarkable," Hyundai sales chief Dave Zuchowski said in a statement Tuesday. However, sales for the nameplate — whose redesign sprouts a new Santa Fe Sport derivative that's lumped into the same sales figure — fell nearly 50% for the month. What gives?

Car Backseats to Avoid

Car shoppers without families often overlook the backseat. It can go empty weeks at a time, until friends jump in for that trip across town and find out Johnny's shiny new ride has a backseat best suited for groceries, overcoats and Hobbits. No one expects a two-door hatchback or sports car to offer much room in back, so we've picked cars that look like they should have decent room … but don't. If Johnny pulls up in one of these, call dibs for the front seat right away. You'll thank us later.

Daily News Briefs: July 9, 2012

Two California lawmakers asked Chrysler to warn Jeep Wrangler owners of the SUV's propensity to shimmy or shake at highway speeds, Automotive News reports. Chrysler, whose brands include Dodge and Jeep, contends its vehicles "meet or exceed" governmental safety standards. Any car with a solid-axle suspension can experience such shaking, which is correctable with "a change of tires or installation of a simple steering dampener," the automaker told Automotive News. Still, the Wrangler is one of the only SUVs left with solid front and rear axles, forgoing the more common independent suspension to maximize off-road capabilities. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received 402 complaints from more than half a million owners of 2005-2010 Wranglers — the model years in contention. NHTSA will continue to monitor the situation.

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