It is fairly standard practice for off-road enthusiasts to reduce tire pressure when tackling rough terrain, but this routine procedure has raised a new concern for some Jeep Wrangler owners. According to recent findings, a large number of Wranglers from the 2024 and 2025 model years may have a defect in their tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that prevents it from alerting drivers when tire pressures drop below safe levels. At the heart of the issue is a cable that can become pinched, which may stop the warning light from activating as intended.
The problem first caught the attention of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) back in October of last year, when officials opened an investigation after receiving reports of tire pressure warning lights behaving irregularly in some Wranglers. The inquiry stretched on for several months, and in July of this year, investigators and engineers finally traced the fault to a manufacturing issue.
Digging into the details, the problem stems from the remote start antenna cable, which in certain vehicles can be pinched under the left rear seat belt retractor bracket. When this happens, the system may not correctly detect when tires are underinflated. In some cases, the light could stay on unnecessarily, while in others, it may fail to turn on altogether. Both outcomes compromise the TPMS function, which is designed to help drivers maintain safe tire pressures, particularly crucial when driving on or off-road.
Given the potential safety implications, Jeep has decided to issue a recall. The campaign affects 78,989 Wrangler models built for the 2024 and 2025 model years. However, the automaker estimates that the actual number of vehicles with the defect is relatively small—around 1% of the total recalled units, or roughly 790 Wranglers.
As part of the recall process, Jeep will notify owners and ask them to bring their vehicles to authorized dealerships. At the service center, trained technicians will inspect the remote start antenna cable to determine if it has been pinched or damaged. If a defect is found, the cable will be repaired or replaced at no cost to the customer. Owner notifications are expected to be mailed early next month. However, documents filed with regulators indicate that a permanent repair solution is not yet available, and Jeep is still finalizing the official fix.
While the number of affected vehicles may be relatively low, the recall highlights the importance of even seemingly minor assembly issues, as they can interfere with critical safety systems. For Wrangler owners, ensuring their tire pressure monitoring system works correctly is essential for safe driving both on highways and during off-road adventures.