FCA recalling 63k Jeeps, Vipers and Ram ProMaster City vans
Thu, Apr 23 2015
FCA engineers uncovered that the clutch ignition interlock switches use a kind of wire that was part of a previous recall campaign. Because of this, the company said that affected vehicles may not start, although in rare cases, "if recommended starting procedures are not followed," the affected vehicles may lurch forward after turning the key. Those recommended starting procedures "include activating the parking brake, placing the shift lever in neutral and pressing the clutch pedal before turning the vehicle's ignition key."
Recall number two affects the company's 2015 Ram ProMaster City cargo and passenger vans. Owners will need to report to dealers to have a piece of tape removed from the side-curtain airbags. The tape is added during assembly and in some cases, may not have been removed. That could prevent the airbags from deploying in the event of a crash.
Just under 59,000 vehicles are included in the first recall, including 43,874 in the United States, 11,309 outside of North America, 2,944 in Canada and 706 in Mexico. The ProMaster City recall includes just over 3,900 vehicles. FCA claims it's unaware of any injuries, fatalities or accidents related to either recall and will perform repairs free of charge.
Scroll down for the official press release on both campaigns.
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Statement: Clutch Ignition Interlock Switch
April 23, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is launching a voluntary recall of an estimated 43,874 older-model U.S.-market cars and SUVs equipped with manual transmissions. The Company will replace their clutch ignition interlock switches at no charge to customers.
The action follows an investigation by FCA US engineers that discovered these vehicles are equipped with switches that contain a certain type of wire implicated in a previous campaign. The wire, which was temporarily substituted by a supplier for the specified material, may break. As a result, the vehicles may not start, and in rare cases – if recommended starting procedures are not followed – a vehicle may exhibit unintended movement when its ignition key is turned.
FCA US is unaware of aware of any related injuries or accidents involving this population of vehicles.
The campaign covers certain model-year 2006 Jeep Liberty and Wrangler SUVs and Dodge Viper cars equipped with manual transmissions and produced between Feb. 15, 2005, and Sept. 14, 2006. Additional vehicles are affected in other markets: an estimated 2,944 in Canada, 706 in Mexico and 11,309 outside the NAFTA region.
Affected customers will be notified and advised when they may schedule service. In the interim, customers are advised to follow recommended procedures for starting their vehicles. These procedures include activating the parking brake, placing the shift lever in neutral and pressing the clutch pedal before turning the vehicle's ignition key.
Customers with additional concerns or questions may call 1-800-853-1403.
Statement: Air bag Tape
April 23, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is voluntarily recalling an estimated 2,408 vans in the U.S. to remove a section of tape from their side-curtain air bags.
FCA US engineers conducted a routine test to evaluate component function and discovered the tape, which helps accommodate air-bag installation during vehicle assembly, may prevent the devices from deploying fully. The Company is unaware of any related injuries, accidents or customer complaints.
Affected are certain model-year 2015 Ram ProMaster City cargo and passenger vans; an additional 1,504 are in Canada.
Dealers will remove the tape at no cost to customers. Affected customers will be advised when they may schedule service.
Customers with questions may call the FCA US Customer Information Center at 1-800-853-1403.
April 23, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is launching a voluntary recall of an estimated 43,874 older-model U.S.-market cars and SUVs equipped with manual transmissions. The Company will replace their clutch ignition interlock switches at no charge to customers.
The action follows an investigation by FCA US engineers that discovered these vehicles are equipped with switches that contain a certain type of wire implicated in a previous campaign. The wire, which was temporarily substituted by a supplier for the specified material, may break. As a result, the vehicles may not start, and in rare cases – if recommended starting procedures are not followed – a vehicle may exhibit unintended movement when its ignition key is turned.
FCA US is unaware of aware of any related injuries or accidents involving this population of vehicles.
The campaign covers certain model-year 2006 Jeep Liberty and Wrangler SUVs and Dodge Viper cars equipped with manual transmissions and produced between Feb. 15, 2005, and Sept. 14, 2006. Additional vehicles are affected in other markets: an estimated 2,944 in Canada, 706 in Mexico and 11,309 outside the NAFTA region.
Affected customers will be notified and advised when they may schedule service. In the interim, customers are advised to follow recommended procedures for starting their vehicles. These procedures include activating the parking brake, placing the shift lever in neutral and pressing the clutch pedal before turning the vehicle's ignition key.
Customers with additional concerns or questions may call 1-800-853-1403.
Statement: Air bag Tape
April 23, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is voluntarily recalling an estimated 2,408 vans in the U.S. to remove a section of tape from their side-curtain air bags.
FCA US engineers conducted a routine test to evaluate component function and discovered the tape, which helps accommodate air-bag installation during vehicle assembly, may prevent the devices from deploying fully. The Company is unaware of any related injuries, accidents or customer complaints.
Affected are certain model-year 2015 Ram ProMaster City cargo and passenger vans; an additional 1,504 are in Canada.
Dealers will remove the tape at no cost to customers. Affected customers will be advised when they may schedule service.
Customers with questions may call the FCA US Customer Information Center at 1-800-853-1403.
By Brandon Turkus
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