The last Dodge Durango and Jeep Cherokee recall was for fires caused by a short circuit.
A week after Chrysler Group’s dismal finish on the initial quality survey from Consumer Reports and the firing of its head of quality control, the company recalls its best-selling Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee models for defective airbags and malfunctioning electronic stability controls. More 250,000 are involved in the latest, supplier-caused quality problems.
In one potentially deadly gaff, the so-called Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module disables the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags. The malfunction indicator light “MIL” should illuminate to warn drivers of a failure, according to Chrysler. A Robert Bosh supplied circuit board is improperly coated and corrodes and shorts resulting in the recalls.
The other Dodge and Jeep safety defect involves the software for the Steering Column Control Module (SCCM) where the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) may be disabled. “Warranty claims indicated dealers were finding newly delivered vehicles with the ESC lamp illuminated due to Steering Angle Sensor performance faults and implausible data codes, causing dealer technicians to replace the SCCM,” Chrysler said in the required NHTSA filing. It appears that metal chips during manufacturing were causing short circuits on the computer board.
Chrysler told NHTSA that it is thus far unaware of any injuries or deaths from these safety recalls.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, 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.
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 during a downshift 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.
