Federal regulators are putting pressure on Chrysler to accelerate production of trailer hitches needed to repair an estimated 1.6 million Jeep SUV’s. In June 2013 Chrysler and the NHTSA reported that the fuel tanks in these vehicles are more susceptible to leaks and fire during certain rear impact accidents because of the location of the tank behind the rear axle, slightly below the rear bumper. Chrysler’s repair of installing a trailer hitch for extra protection has been approved by the NHTSA despite criticisms from consumer advocates who say that hitches will only incrementally improve the performance in certain low speed rear impacts. The initial Jeep recall involved approximately 2.7 million vehicles, but Chrysler says that, given the age of some of them, only about 1.6 million remain on the road. Continue reading

Drivers of certain 2008-2010 Chrysler and Dodge minivans and crossover SUVs could experience an unexpected engine shut off while driving over rough roadway condition or when the driver accidentally bumps the vehicle key Fob. According to reports filed on the NHTSA website, when the vehicle is started, the key FOB could over travel and hang up between the ON and ACC detents of the ignition. Continue reading

An investigation into overheating window vent switches on some 2010-2014 Chrysler Town and Country and 2010-2014 Dodge Grand Caravan minivans will have owners returning their vehicles to have repairs done. The investigation began in early October 2012, after the automobile manufacturer identified seven warranty claims in which the vent switches were replaced because they had melted. There have been no reports of accidents or injuries related to the issue, but as of April 2014, Chrysler has identified approximately 36 reports of the problem. Continue reading

Owners of certain 2011-2012 Dodge Charger cars will be contacted by Chrysler to return their vehicles to a manufacturer approved repair facility for a problem that could result in unexpected loss of headlights. The vehicles affected by this problem were manufactured between May 20, 2012 through November 8, 2011, and are equipped with halogen headlamps. Continue reading

Chrysler has submitted a noncompliance report with the NHTSA containing details of a safety defect that could affect braking in certain 2011-2014 Dodge Durango and 2011-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The problem will have approximately 644,354 owners returning their SUV’s to a manufacturer approved repair facility to have them tested and repaired as necessary. Continue reading

In October 2013, Chrysler opened an investigation into reports of shifting delays in certain 2014 Fiat 500L vehicles manufactured between April 2013 to January 2014. Chrysler has determined that a safety defect exists in certain models and will be notifying owners to take their vehicle to a manufacturer approved repair facility to have the Gear Shift Module (GSM) replaced or re-flashed as necessary. Continue reading

Chrysler has alerted the NHTSA about a problem in certain 2012-2013 Dodge Durango and 2012-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles which could result in drivers experiencing longer stopping distances than expected. They will be asking owners to return their SUV’s to a manufacturer approved repair facility to have the problem fixed. Chrysler’s recall number is P05 and the NHTSA campaign number is 14V-104. Continue reading