FCA issues recall for 300k Dodge Chargers over airbag sensor
Sun, Aug 2 2015
The recall affects certain Charger sedans from the 2011-2014 model years, specifically those manufactured between May 6, 2010, and June 5, 2014. All told, that amounts to an estimated 322,078 units, including 284,153 in the United States, another 13,169 in Canada, 2,484 in Mexico, and 22,272 overseas. Owners of those vehicles will be asked to bring their vehicles in to their local dealers to have the Occupant Restraint Control module recalibrated, and are being advised in the meantime to "exercise caution when closing doors."
If this issue sounds familiar, that's because the automaker issued a similar recall for Ram trucks just last week, affecting over 667,000 four-door pickups in the United States alone. Following a further investigation into its passenger cars, FCA found a similar problem with the Charger, whose door design mandated specific calibration of the module in question for that model. The company says it is aware of three minor injuries potentially related to the issue, but no accidents.
This campaign is just the latest in a string of recall-related issues to have emerged from Auburn Hills recently. The Ram truck recall was issued in tandem with another airbag-related recall for a further million pickups. Prior to that it called in another 1.4 million vehicles to update their infotainment system software due to a security issue. Another 350,000 Dodge Journeys were called in before that to have their engine covers secured.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is expected to issue the company a massive hundred-million-dollar fine for failing to follow proper procedures related to safety and recall issues. Meanwhile, another NHTSA investigation that could have affected 4.7 million units was closed with no further action deemed necessary. And an appeal court judge in Georgia reduced the damages the company will be ordered to pay the family of a child who died in a fire in a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Statement: Occupant Restraint Control Module
August 1, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is conducting a voluntary safety recall to recalibrate control modules on approximately 284,153 U.S.-market sedans to prevent inadvertent side-curtain air-bag and seatbelt pre-tensioner deployment.
FCA US launched an investigation of certain cars following preliminary findings of a similar investigation involving certain trucks. The latter probe determined some trucks may be equipped with modules that have low deployment thresholds, a finding that triggered a recall in July 2015.
http://media.fcanorthamerica.com/newsrelease.do?id=16859&mid=
The car investigation since revealed inadvertent side-curtain air-bag deployment may occur if the vehicles' doors are kicked or slammed with excessive force. The Company is aware of three potentially related injuries, all described as minor, but no accidents.
This latest campaign is limited to certain model-year 2011-2014 Dodge Chargers. Their modules have a unique calibration, which is influenced by door design.
Also subject to recall are additional vehicles approximating 13,169 in Canada, 2,484 in Mexico and 22,272 outside the NAFTA region.
Potentially related complaints account for less than 0.01 percent of the total recall population.
Affected customers will be advised when they may schedule service, which will be performed free of charge. In the interim, FCA US advises owners of these vehicles to exercise caution when closing doors
Customers with questions or concerns may call the FCA US Customer Care Center at 1-800-853-1403.
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RECALL Subject : Inadvertent Side Air Bag Deployment
Report Receipt Date: JUL 27, 2015
NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V467000
Component(s): AIR BAGS , SEAT BELTS
Potential Number of Units Affected: 284,153
Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
SUMMARY:
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured May 6, 2010, to June 5, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the side impact sensor calibrations may be overly sensitive, and as a result, the side air bag inflatable curtains and seat air bags may unexpectedly deploy and the seat belt pre-tensioners may activate.
CONSEQUENCE:
Air bags that unexpectedly deploy increase the risk of a crash or injury.
REMEDY:
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the Occupant Restraint Control module calibration, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R35.
NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
August 1, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is conducting a voluntary safety recall to recalibrate control modules on approximately 284,153 U.S.-market sedans to prevent inadvertent side-curtain air-bag and seatbelt pre-tensioner deployment.
FCA US launched an investigation of certain cars following preliminary findings of a similar investigation involving certain trucks. The latter probe determined some trucks may be equipped with modules that have low deployment thresholds, a finding that triggered a recall in July 2015.
http://media.fcanorthamerica.com/newsrelease.do?id=16859&mid=
The car investigation since revealed inadvertent side-curtain air-bag deployment may occur if the vehicles' doors are kicked or slammed with excessive force. The Company is aware of three potentially related injuries, all described as minor, but no accidents.
This latest campaign is limited to certain model-year 2011-2014 Dodge Chargers. Their modules have a unique calibration, which is influenced by door design.
Also subject to recall are additional vehicles approximating 13,169 in Canada, 2,484 in Mexico and 22,272 outside the NAFTA region.
Potentially related complaints account for less than 0.01 percent of the total recall population.
Affected customers will be advised when they may schedule service, which will be performed free of charge. In the interim, FCA US advises owners of these vehicles to exercise caution when closing doors
Customers with questions or concerns may call the FCA US Customer Care Center at 1-800-853-1403.
###
RECALL Subject : Inadvertent Side Air Bag Deployment
Report Receipt Date: JUL 27, 2015
NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V467000
Component(s): AIR BAGS , SEAT BELTS
Potential Number of Units Affected: 284,153
Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
SUMMARY:
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured May 6, 2010, to June 5, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the side impact sensor calibrations may be overly sensitive, and as a result, the side air bag inflatable curtains and seat air bags may unexpectedly deploy and the seat belt pre-tensioners may activate.
CONSEQUENCE:
Air bags that unexpectedly deploy increase the risk of a crash or injury.
REMEDY:
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the Occupant Restraint Control module calibration, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R35.
NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
By Noah Joseph
See also: Weekly Recap: FCA hit with record fine as NHTSA crackdown continues, NHTSA closes investigation on 4.7M FCA power modules, no recall, Guy trying to sell Challenger Hellcat for $89,000 because VIN ends in '666'.