Chrysler (FCA US) is recalling 332,000 2017-2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia, 2018-2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio, 2019-2023 Fiat 500X, Jeep Renegade, and 2024 Fiat 500E vehicles because a seat belt buckle switch sensor may be improperly connected, preventing the front-seat air bag from deploying as intended. FCA US will conduct a voluntary safety recall to replace the connector by directly wiring the sensor to the harness with a solder tube.
In the required filing just made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, FCA said “A disrupted connector on the buckle switch hall effect may affect the conduction on the connectors of the seat wiring and buckle which may cause the front seat air bag to not perform as expected during a crash.” The part in question was made by ZF Group in Italy as Molex part number 98817-1025.
Chronology
- On 9 November 2023, the European Reactivity process Acceleration for Customer Enthusiasm (“RACE”) organization within the Stellantis Europe Customer Experience (“CX”) department opened an investigation as a result of after sales reports related to customer complaints of the airbag light on.
- From November 2023, through June 2024, the Stellantis Europe CX organization reviewed supplier data, connector design and change history, and determined that affected vehicles may have been built with a suspect connector on the buckle hall effect sensor.
- On 7 February 2024, Stellantis Europe S.p.A CX organization opened a safety investigation related to the buckle switch hall effect sensor.
- As of 26 June 2024, Stellantis Europe S.p.A has identified 578 field reports in North America potentially related to this issue with dates of receipt ranging from 9 November 2023 to 26 June 2024 • As of 26 June 2024 Stellantis Europe S.p.A is not aware of any accidents or injuries potentially related to this issue for all markets.
- On 27 June 2024, Stellantis Europe S.p.A determined, through the Vehicle Regulations Committee, to conduct a voluntary safety recall of the affected vehicles.
Dealers will repair the connection, free of charge as required by U.S. safety regulations. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 22 August 22, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US number for this recall is 82B. 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.nhtsa.gov about NHTSA recall 24V-510 or 24V510.
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.
FCA US Recalls 332,000 Vehicles for Bad Airbags
Chrysler (FCA US) is recalling 332,000 2017-2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia, 2018-2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio, 2019-2023 Fiat 500X, Jeep Renegade, and 2024 Fiat 500E vehicles because a seat belt buckle switch sensor may be improperly connected, preventing the front-seat air bag from deploying as intended. FCA US will conduct a voluntary safety recall to replace the connector by directly wiring the sensor to the harness with a solder tube.
In the required filing just made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, FCA said “A disrupted connector on the buckle switch hall effect may affect the conduction on the connectors of the seat wiring and buckle which may cause the front seat air bag to not perform as expected during a crash.” The part in question was made by ZF Group in Italy as Molex part number 98817-1025.
Chronology
Dealers will repair the connection, free of charge as required by U.S. safety regulations. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 22 August 22, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US number for this recall is 82B. 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.nhtsa.gov about NHTSA recall 24V-510 or 24V510.
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.