FCA (aka Chrysler) is recalling 182,308 model-year 2016-2017 Jeep Wrangler trucks because during crashes the front impact sensor wiring may be pulled until it detaches before a signal can be received by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC). Under certain crash conditions, rotation of the headlamp can cause the sensor wiring to separate from the front impact sensor. Impact sensors help determine when airbags and pretensioners should be activated. A wiring disconnect may prevent their deployment, as FCA discovered during a crash test.
Thus, both frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury. As of September 30, 2016, FCA US said it is unaware of any accidents or injuries potentially related to this issue.
Also subject to the safety defect recall are an estimated 18,011 vehicles in Canada, 3,087 in Mexico and 20,948 outside the NAFTA region.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reroute the front impact sensor wiring and relocate the impact sensor branch, free of charge as required by U.S. law. NHTSA says that FCA 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 S76.
