Recall 11V279 covers 1,126 1994-1996 Jeep Cherokee vehicles missing the required third brake lamp. Free repair kits and mechanic instructions are provided.
Recall 11V279 covers 1,126 1994-1996 Jeep Cherokee vehicles that were imported without the required third brake lamp. The missing high-mount brake light leaves the vehicle with inadequate lighting and raises crash risk, and the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The high mount brake lamp on a 1994-1996 Jeep Cherokee is the brake light mounted higher than the main rear lamps. It turns on when the driver presses the brake pedal, giving traffic behind the vehicle an extra signal that the Cherokee is slowing or stopping. Federal lighting rules require that added brake signal.
On these imported Cherokees, the problem is not a worn bulb or a switch that fails over time. The vehicles were not equipped with the required third brake lamp. That means the rear lighting system lacks one of the brake signals other drivers expect to see, especially when following close behind or looking over traffic.
There is no warning sign before failure. Because the lamp is missing rather than failing internally, the issue is visible only by checking whether the high-mounted brake light assembly is present and working when the brake pedal is pressed.
Who's affected?
All three Cherokee model years listed here involve the same brake-light system.
| 1995 Jeep Cherokee | Brake lights |
|---|---|
| 1994 Jeep Cherokee | Brake lights |
| 1996 Jeep Cherokee | Brake lights |
| Units affected | 1,126 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific SUV.
What's the safety risk?
Inadequate lighting reduces how easily other drivers see the vehicle and increases the risk of a crash. If your VIN is included, keep the vehicle's exterior lights working and schedule the recall repair promptly. Repair will be free at any franchised Jeep dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 1994-1996 Jeep Cherokee is included in this recall.
- Check for the owner letter and repair kit before scheduling the free third-brake-lamp repair.
- Call Jeep customer service at 1-888-632-5936 with questions and reference recall number 11V279.
- Take the repair kit and instructions to a qualified mechanic of your choice for the free high-mount brake-lamp repair.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, since the missing third brake lamp reduces visibility to other drivers.
What happens at the repair
U.S. Drive Right's remedy was to notify owners and mail a kit with instructions for the missing third brake lamp. At the repair visit, a qualified mechanic of the owner's choice installs the kit so the Cherokee has the required high mount brake lamp assembly. The source says the repair is free of charge and the safety recall began on September 12, 2011. Because this record does not list the remedy status as available, confirm current kit handling before scheduling the work. The final repair path remains free once available.
Timeline
| May 6, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 12, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V279?
Recall 11V279 covers 1,126 1994-1996 Jeep Cherokee vehicles that lack the required third brake lamp. Inadequate brake-light visibility can raise crash risk. The remedy provides a repair kit and instructions for a qualified mechanic to complete the repair free of charge.
What should I do if my 1994-1996 Jeep Cherokee is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Jeep Cherokee is included in recall 11V279. If it is, arrange the free brake-lamp repair using the recall kit and instructions. Reference recall number 11V279 when you call about the repair.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the defect to be repaired at no cost. For recall 11V279, the repair kit and instructions are provided free of charge so a qualified mechanic can add the required third brake lamp.
Is it safe to drive a Jeep Cherokee without the third brake lamp?
The recall does not include a do-not-drive order. The safety issue is reduced rear visibility from the missing third brake lamp, which can increase crash risk. Confirm your VIN, then complete the free repair so following drivers can see your braking signal properly.
What if I bought my Jeep Cherokee used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the current owner. If you never received the 2011 owner notice, check your VIN to confirm whether your Jeep Cherokee is included, then reference recall 11V279 when arranging the repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V279000 |
|---|---|
| Jeep customer service | 1-888-632-5936 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V279 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V279000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →