FCA recalls in the U.S. ~1.4 million Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep models to fix an airbag controller safety defect that can prevent airbag and safety belt pre-tensioner operation during crashes. The safety defect may occur when vehicles are equipped with a particular occupant restraint control module and front impact sensor wiring routing from an unnamed supplier.
FCA said the airbag recall was forced by its analysis of field events and other vehicle data. FCA is aware of three fatalities and five injuries that may be related to this safety defect. NHTSA has been extremely critical of FCA’s safety recall practices.
An additional 142,959 of these vehicles are subject to FCA recalls in Canada; 81,901 in Mexico, a population that includes the 2010 Chrysler Cirrus compact car; and 284,051 outside North America, which also includes the 2012-2013 Lancia Flavia mid-size car.
Deadly List
FCA US no longer uses the occupant restraint controller or wire routing design found in the affected vehicles:
- 2010 Chrysler Sebring midsize car
- 2011-2014 Chrysler 200 midsize cars
- 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber compact car
- 2010-2014 Dodge Avenger midsize cars
- 2010-2014 Jeep® Patriot and Compass SUVs
FCA US will advise affected customers when they may schedule service, which will be performed free of charge as required by U.S. law. Customers with questions may call the FCA US Customer Care Center at (800) 853-1403.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
