FCA recalls 2 million Ram trucks over airbag issues
Sun, Jul 26 2015
The first recall affects 2013-15 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks, specifically four-door models, manufactured between June 20, 2012, and January 26, 2015. The calibration of the side impact sensor in those affected units may to be too sensitive. As a result, if the door is slammed too hard, the side-curtain airbag and seatbelt pre-tensioner may inadvertently activate. FCA reports that this issue affects an estimated 667,406 units in the United States, plus 153,011 in Canada, a further 8,272 in Mexico, and another 14,847 in markets outside of North America, amounting (in Chrysler's estimation) to less than 0.005 percent of those vehicles produced. The automaker says it is aware of two minor injuries (but no accidents) that may have resulted from the glitch, and is taking action to have the Occupant Restraint Control module recalibrated in the affected units.
The second issue also affects Ram pickups, including 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500-series models from the 2012 to 2014 model years, built between January 18, 2011, and October 7, 2014, and fitted with the optional Electronic Vehicle Information Center. The problem here stems from a wiring harness in the steering wheel that may rub against a retainer spring in the air bag control module, which in turn could cause an electrical short and deploy the driver's side air bag unexpectedly. In the United States alone, the issue is estimated to affect 1,060,531 units, which will need to be inspected and, where necessary, have their steering wheel wiring harnesses secured, with protective caps added to the ends of the airbag retainer spring.
These do not represent the first issues we've seen from Fiat Chrysler in recent days. The automaker recently issued a recall for approximately 1.4 million vehicles to have their Uconnect software updated to prevent hacking. A few days ago it also announced a recall for 350,000 Dodge Journey (and Fiat Freemont) crossovers to secure loose engine covers. And the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is expected to issue Fiat Chrysler Automobiles a $105-million fine for mishandling other recent recalls and safety issues.
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Statement: Occupant Restraint Control Module
July 25, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is conducting a voluntary safety recall to recalibrate control modules on approximately 667,406 U.S.-market trucks to prevent inadvertent side-curtain air-bag and seatbelt pre-tensioner deployment.
Modules in certain pickups may have calibrations with a low deployment threshold. The Company is aware of two potentially related injuries, both described as minor, but no accidents.
FCA US launched an investigation following customer complaints of advertent deployments, accounting for less than 0.005 percent of the population, almost all of which occurred when vehicle doors were slammed with excessive force. Further, engineers discovered the low deployment threshold is in four-door vehicles.
Affected are model-year 2013-2015 Ram 1500, 2500 and 2500 pickups. Additional vehicles numbering approximately 153,011 in Canada; 8,272 in Mexico and 14,847 outside the NAFTA region, also are included in campaign.
Affected customers will be advised when they may schedule service, which will be performed free of charge. In the interim, FCA US advises that owners of these vehicles 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 22, 2015
NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V460000
Component(s): AIR BAGS , SEAT BELTS
Potential Number of Units Affected: 667,406
Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
SUMMARY:
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks manufactured June 20, 2012, to January 26, 2015. 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 R23.
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.
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RECALL Subject : Inadvertent Driver Air Bag Deployment
Report Receipt Date: JUL 22, 2015
NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V459000
Component(s): AIR BAGS
Potential Number of Units Affected: 1,060,531
Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
SUMMARY:
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2011, to October 7, 2014, and equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center option. The affected vehicles have a steering wheel wiring harness that may rub against the driver air bag module retainer spring.
CONSEQUENCE:
This abrasion may result in an electrical short that could cause driver's frontal air bag to unexpectedly deploy. Inadvertent deployment of the air bag may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
REMEDY:
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, repair as necessary, and secure the steering wheel wiring harness. Additionally, protective caps will be added to the air bag retainer spring ends. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 19, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R36.
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.
July 25, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is conducting a voluntary safety recall to recalibrate control modules on approximately 667,406 U.S.-market trucks to prevent inadvertent side-curtain air-bag and seatbelt pre-tensioner deployment.
Modules in certain pickups may have calibrations with a low deployment threshold. The Company is aware of two potentially related injuries, both described as minor, but no accidents.
FCA US launched an investigation following customer complaints of advertent deployments, accounting for less than 0.005 percent of the population, almost all of which occurred when vehicle doors were slammed with excessive force. Further, engineers discovered the low deployment threshold is in four-door vehicles.
Affected are model-year 2013-2015 Ram 1500, 2500 and 2500 pickups. Additional vehicles numbering approximately 153,011 in Canada; 8,272 in Mexico and 14,847 outside the NAFTA region, also are included in campaign.
Affected customers will be advised when they may schedule service, which will be performed free of charge. In the interim, FCA US advises that owners of these vehicles 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 22, 2015
NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V460000
Component(s): AIR BAGS , SEAT BELTS
Potential Number of Units Affected: 667,406
Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
SUMMARY:
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks manufactured June 20, 2012, to January 26, 2015. 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 R23.
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.
###
RECALL Subject : Inadvertent Driver Air Bag Deployment
Report Receipt Date: JUL 22, 2015
NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V459000
Component(s): AIR BAGS
Potential Number of Units Affected: 1,060,531
Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
SUMMARY:
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2011, to October 7, 2014, and equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center option. The affected vehicles have a steering wheel wiring harness that may rub against the driver air bag module retainer spring.
CONSEQUENCE:
This abrasion may result in an electrical short that could cause driver's frontal air bag to unexpectedly deploy. Inadvertent deployment of the air bag may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
REMEDY:
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, repair as necessary, and secure the steering wheel wiring harness. Additionally, protective caps will be added to the air bag retainer spring ends. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 19, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R36.
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: Fiat Chrysler to get $105M fine from NHTSA for recall woes, How to update and secure a vulnerable Chrysler Uconnect system, FCA issuing software update for 1.4M vehicles to prevent hacking.