USA - FCA expands TAKATA Airbag scandal to over 5.2 million vehicles.

FCA US LLC has identified which vehicles will be affected by expansions of ongoing voluntary recalls to replace certain air-bag inflators produced by Takata Corporation.

 

Precipitated by disclosures made by Takata to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, FCA US is consolidating two campaigns with new actions affecting model years 2003-2011. These actions bring the Company’s global Takata-related recall total to an estimated 5,224,845 vehicles.

 

FCA US is unaware of any related injuries or accidents involving the newly affected vehicles. All affected customers will be advised when they may schedule service.

 

One campaign involves an estimated global population of 4,747,202 vehicles equipped with certain driver’s-side air-bag inflators. Affected are:

 

• 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 pickups
• 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500 pickups
• 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500 pickups
• 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500 cab chassis vehicles
• 2008-2009 Sterling 4500 and 5500 cab chassis vehicles
• 2004-2008 Dodge Durango full-size SUVs
• 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C and SRT8 full-size sedans
• 2005-2010 Dodge Charger full-size sedans
• 2005-2010 Dodge Magnum full-size station wagons
• 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota small pickups
• 2006-2011 Mitsubishi Raider small pickups

Of this population, it is estimated that 4,066,732 vehicles are in the U.S., while 374,508 are in Canada. The remaining vehicles are in Mexico and various markets outside the NAFTA region.

 

This action supersedes an ongoing NHTSA-approved recall involving the same vehicles and expands the affected global population by an estimated 1,407,942 with the addition of model years 2008-2011. Inflators replaced in connection with the previous campaign will again require service.

 

The second action to which FCA US has committed involves replacing certain front-passenger air-bag inflators in model-year 2003 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickups. An estimated 437,947 are in the U.S.; 38,835 in Canada and 360 are in markets outside the NAFTA region.

 

This recall supplements two ongoing campaigns involving some of the same vehicles in certain U.S. regions subject to high absolute humidity.

 

Certain Takata air-bag inflators may deploy with excessive force, sending debris into the vehicle cabin. Vehicle age and consistent exposure to high absolute humidity are believed to factor into such deployments.

 

The Company is aware of one related injury. It involved a 2006 Dodge Charger and occurred in southern Florida, where there is high absolute humidity.

 

FCA US vehicles are no longer produced with either suspect inflator. These components also are distinct from Takata inflators cited in fatalities involving other auto makers.

USA RECALL #17 - CHRYSLER GROUP - Fuel Heater may Leak and could Increase Fire Risk

 RECALL Subject : Fuel Heater may Leak and could Increase Fire Risk

Report Receipt Date: OCT 08, 2014 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V635000 

Component(s): 

Potential Number of Units Affected: 314,704 

Manufacturer: Chrysler Group LLC

SUMMARY:

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured March 27, 2009, to September 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat.

CONSEQUENCE:

If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.

REMEDY:

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the harness side connector with a silver plated beryllium copper terminal service kit, and inspect the fuel heater for leaks, replacing it as necessary, 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 P65.

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.

USA RECALL #1 - CHRYSLER - Fuel filter housing on certain pick-ups.

Chrysler Group is voluntarily recalling an estimated 381,876 trucks globally, to upgrade certain wiring-harness terminals and replace – if necessary – their fuel-heater housings.

Restricted to vehicles equipped with 6.7-liter Cummins diesel engines, the campaign follows an investigation of two cases in which fuel-heater housings showed signs of overheating. Chrysler Group is unaware of any incidents involving fire.

Chrysler Group engineers discovered a terminal connector near the fuel heater may be subject to friction-induced corrosion. This condition may lead to overheating and potential fuel leakage.

The Company is unaware of any related injuries or accidents.

Service technicians will install new terminals made from upgraded material. Fuel-heater housings will be inspected and, if they show signs of leakage, they will be replaced. This work will be performed at no cost to customers.

Affected are certain model-year 2010-2014 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups, and 4500 and 5500 chassis cabs. An estimated 314,704 are in the U.S.; 59,432 are in Canada; 1,803 are in Mexico and 5,937 are outside the NAFTA region.

Owners of these vehicles will be notified by Chrysler Group and advised when they may schedule service. Customers with questions may call Chrysler Group’s Customer Information Center at 1-800-853-1403.

RECALL - Chrysler issues yet another recall on Ram trucks

Chrysler Group LLC will recall 91 medium-duty trucks to correct a condition that could cause power loss.

The trucks were assembled with transmissions that do not conform to design specifications. Chrysler Group will replace them at no cost to customers.

Chrysler Group is unaware of any related injuries, accidents or outstanding complaints. Notices will be sent to affected customers next month.

The anomaly, which is limited to the recall population, was discovered following consultation with a supplier.

Affected are 2012 model-year Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 chassis cabs equipped with heavy-duty automatic transmissions. Eighty-five are in the U.S. and six are in Canada.

Customer questions or concerns can be addressed by calling 1-800-853-1403.

CHRYSLER RECALL #3 - Track Bar fastener

Chrysler Group LLC will recall approximately 1,060 commercial trucks in North America – more than half of which are in dealer hands – to inspect and replace, if necessary, a track-bar fastener.

A track bar secures the axle during suspension travel. Fastened improperly, it may compromise vehicle steering.

Chrysler Group is unaware of any related accidents or injuries.

Affected customers will be notified directly and their trucks will be inspected. If equipped with an incorrect bolt, the appropriate fastener will be installed at no cost.

The campaign is restricted to trucks equipped with four-wheel drive. Affected are 747 model-year 2013 Ram 4500/5500 trucks in the U.S., and 311 in Canada. Approximately 600 are in dealer hands.

Customer questions or concerns can be addressed by calling 1-800-853-1403.