Chrysler will be notifying owners of certain 2014-2015 Ram 4500 and 2014-2015 Ram 5500 trucks, equipped with 6.4L Hemi engines, about a safety problem that could result in unexpected tire failure. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the affected vehicles may have a maximum governed speed of 106 mph but are equipped with tires that are only rated for 87 mph. Operating the vehicle at speeds above the maximum tire speed rating could result in tire failure and increased chance of an accident. Continue reading
Category Archives: Chrysler
2013-2015 Fiat 500 Unexpectedly Shifts To Neutral
In April 2015, Fiat’s Vehicle Safety And Regulatory Compliance deportment began an investigation into certain 2013-2015 Fiat 500 battery electric vehicles after receiving warranty reports of loss of driving power. A review of the problem found that rapid operation of the cruise control speed adjustment switch or accelerator pedal application, while in cruise control, may set a diagnostic trouble code in the Elective Vehicle Control Unit (EVCU). This code will will force the vehicle into safe mode and automatically shift the vehicle into neutral. Once the fault code is set, a key cycle is required to allow the vehicle to shift out of neutral. Continue reading
Jeep & Dodge SUVs Investigated For Repeated Electrical Problem
According to reports filed with the NHTSA, an investigation has been opened to examine the effectiveness of a recall repair affecting certain 2011-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.
On July 1st, 2014 Chrysler issued safety recall 14V-391 (Recall #9) to remedy a wiring related fire hazard in which an electrical short in the vanity lamp wiring in the sun visors could overheat and ignite. The Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) has received 8 reports of fires occurring after the remedy was installed. Some occupants report smoke, sometimes followed by flames, coming from the headliner. If the investigation leads to a recall, approximately 661,888 SUVs could be affected.
2013-2014 Dodge Viper Electrical Door Defect
After three warranty complaints and an investigation into unexpected door openings or failure to close events on the door, Dodge has issued a defect notice for certain 2013-2014 Dodge Viper vehicles. According to the investigation report, the manufacturer of the door switches replaced the two part epoxy potting with a hot melt adhesive. This change allowed moisture to seep past the potting, shorting the switch. A driver or passenger door that opens unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion (even at low speeds), could increase the possibility of a crash and injury. Continue reading
Chrysler TIPM Investigated For Safety Defect
A petition from the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) has resulted in a defect investigation into failing Totally Integrated Power Module’s (TIPM) in certain Chrysler SUVs, trucks, and vans. The CAS alleges that TIPM failures have resulted in incidents of engine stall; airbag non-deployment; random horn, headlight, taillight, door lock, instrument panel and windshield wiper activity; failure of fuel pump shutoff resulting in unintended acceleration; and fires. The petition includes a list of 70 complaints received by CAS that are allegedly related to Chrysler TIPM failures. Continue reading
Dodge Durango & Jeep Grand Cherokee Fuel Pump Failure
A defect affecting certain 2012-2013 Dodge Durango and 2012-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV’s, will have 338,216 vehicle owners returning to their dealership for repairs. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, excessive heat could deform a contact spring within the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) resulting in failure of the fuel pump relay. Drivers may experience stalling, difficult starting, and an eventual no start condition. Continue reading
2015 Chrysler 200 Unexpected Roll-Away
During the manufacturing of the 9 speed automatic transmission of some 2015 Chrysler 200‘s, it is possible that contaminants may have gotten into the parking pawl and/or the park rod may have been broken and dislodged. The problem could result in unintended vehicle movement even though the key has been removed and the shift indicator is in “Park”. Continue reading
2015 Dodge Challenger Loss Of Dashboard Lights
Approximately twelve thousand 2015 Dodge Challenger owners will be contacted by Chrysler to return to their dealership for an instrument cluster software update. Due to an undersized microprocessor circuit trace, the current software in these vehicles could cause the instrument panel to reset and fail to perform a “bulb check” at start-up. The result would be an inoperative instrument cluster at start up that may last several minutes, the Vehicle Theft Alarm will remain illuminated, and the gauges may oscillate at zero. If the cluster becomes inoperative while driving, it could increase the risk of an accident. Continue reading
