Fiat Chrysler Automobiles recalls nearly 750k vehicles in two campaigns

Thu, 16 Oct 2014

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is recalling a total of 747,817 vehicles in the US in two separate campaigns recently added to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration database.

The first one covers about 434,581 units of the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, Durango, and Jeep Grand Cherokee from the 2011-2014 model years with electric hydraulic power steering, the 3.6-liter V6 engine and a 160 amp alternator, according to FCA. In the affected vehicles, it's possible for the alternator to fail without warning and possibly cause the car to stall. According to the documentation submitted to NHTSA, the automaker began investigating the problem in August 2014 and has found possible evidence of one crash caused by the failures but no known injuries.

Customers will begin receiving notification about the recall next month, and obviously the repairs will be done at no cost to them.

The second recall covers a reported 313,236 units of the 2011-2013 Jeep Wrangler built between February 16, 2010, and July 19, 2013. An electrical connection could corrode and cause a short in models with heated power side mirrors. The company says that this could potentially cause a fire. However, there are no reports of crashes, injuries, fatalities or fires related to the problem known to the automaker at this time.

According to the documents submitted to NHTSA, the first reports of this came from three Wranglers in Canada in February, 2013. Testing showed that water was making contact with the connection and caused the corrosion.

To fix the problem dealers will move the connection to a new place and will add a water shield and dielectric grease to the area. The company will begin contacting owners in early December.

Scroll down to read NHTSA's reports about both recalls.

RECALL Subject : Alternator may Fail Resulting in Engine Stall

Report Receipt Date: OCT 08, 2014
NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V634000
Component(s):
Potential Number of Units Affected: 434,581
All Products Associated with this Recall
Vehicle Make Mode lModel Year(s)
CHRYSLER 300 2011-2014
DODGE CHALLENGER 2011-2014
DODGE CHARGER 2011-2014
DODGE DURANGO 2011-2014
JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 2011-2014
Details

Manufacturer: Chrysler Group LLC

SUMMARY:
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, Durango, and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured June 17, 2010, to December 23, 2013, and equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.

CONSEQUENCE:
If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

REMEDY:
Chrysler is expected to begin notifying owners of this recall on November 28, 2014. The remedy for this recall campaign is still under development. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P60.

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 : Potential for Fire in Heated Exterior Mirror
Report Receipt Date: OCT 08, 2014
NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V631000
Component(s):
Potential Number of Units Affected: 313,236
All Products Associated with this Recall
Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s)
JEEP WRANGLER 2011-2013
Details

Manufacturer: Chrysler Group LLC

SUMMARY:
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured February 16, 2010, to July 19, 2013. Corrosion in the exterior heated power mirror electrical connector may result in an electrical short.

CONSEQUENCE:
An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

REMEDY:
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will move the exterior mirror power feed to a separate connector, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 5, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P61.

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 Chris Bruce