Chrysler is being investigated for headlight failure after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received over 1,500 consumer complaints. The investigation will cover over 600,000 minivans made by Chrysler, starting with the 2005 model line up. Divers complaints include headlights that turn off and remain off intermittently without any pattern. Two of the reports resulted in an accident, one of which reported minor injuries. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, there have also been an additional 14,000 warranty claims reported by Chrysler that could be related to the same problem.
Category Archives: Chrysler
Chrysler And Dodge Minivans Recalled
Chrysler is recalling certain 2008 Chrysler and Dodge minivans for a problem with the air conditioning that could lead to an airbag illumination and a potential airbag deployment. A report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is blaming the problem on a leak in the heating and air conditioning system that could affect the occupant restraint conrtol (ORC) module. The vehicles involved in this recall include:
- 2008 Chrysler Voyager
- 2008 Chrysler Town and Country
- 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
The safety recall is expected to begin this month. Owners wanting more information can contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Dodge Ram Trucks Recalled For Steering
Chrysler has announced a recall for some Dodge Ram pickup trucks because the left tie rod ball stud could fracture. The problem has been reported to occur during low speed maneuvers during tight turns. If the stud should break while driving, a loss of directional stability will be noticed in the left hand front wheel. The vehicles involved in this recall are:
- 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 2500 4×4
- 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 3500 4×4
- 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 3500 Cab Chassis 4×2
- 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Mega Cab 4×4
- 2003-2008 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 that may have received the defective part during normal service
Dealers will inspect and replace the left outer tie rod and perform a front end toe alignment as required. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule, but owners wanting more information on the recall can contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Chrysler Recall 2011 Vehicles For Steering Problems
Chrysler has announced a recall that will have over 11,000 Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep owners, bringing in their vehicles to get the steering column inspected. The recall involves some 2011 model year vehicles that may have been built with a missing or incorrectly installed steering column pivot rivet. The missing or incorrectly installed rivet does not affect the steering of the vehicles under normal driving conditions, but in the event of an accident, the steering column may not be able to support the load of the airbag deployment. This condition may increase the potential for injury in the event of a frontal crash. Owners wanting more information on the recall can contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. The vehicles involved in this recall are:
Alleged Unfair Dealings At Chrysler Grow
A new dealership group know as “California Superstores” is buying up former Chrysler dealerships in California as a way to beat the high cost of real estate and rebuild Chrysler’s slow market in the United States. Complaints from existing Chrysler dealers say that the alliance between Chrysler and the New York Hedge fund is leading to an unfair advantage for existing dealerships. They have alleged that Chrysler is providing below market rent subsidies that have not been offered to them. Peter Welch, president of the California dealers association, said he is unfamiliar with the terms of the California Superstores venture, but has heard many concerns among existing Chrysler dealers.
California Superstores has already opened six stores in California, and plans to open eight more in areas where Chrysler has done poorly. The plan is to eventually open stores on the East Coast, according to Carlos Hoz de Vila, managing partner of California Superstores.
In an unrelated situation, the state dealers association has brought forward complaints against Chrysler, saying that they are operating an illegal factory owned store at Motor Village L.A. in downtown Los Angeles. The California New Motor Vehicle Board has asked the state Department of Motor Vehicles to investigate the complaint.
Chrysler has recently announced that they have paid back $7.5 billion in government loans allowing them to continued their integration with Fiat, a merger that has been in the making for almost two years now.
NHTSA Investigates Jeep Wranglers
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into some 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler vehicles after receiving almost 30 complaints of illuminated airbag warning lights. The investigation has lead the NHTSA to a defective clock spring wiring assembly that may prevent the airbag from deploying during an accident. The problem seems to be more prevalent in right hand drive Wranglers, but the NHTSA wants to investigate the problem further before issuing a recall. If the investigation should lead to a recall, about 220,000 Jeep Wranglers could be affected.
Chrysler To Pay Back Government Loans
It’s been a slow recovery, but on Thursday, Chrysler announced that they expect to pay back the $7.5 billion in Government loans by the end of next month. Although the details are still being negotiated, Chrysler hopes to sell new bonds to investors and use that money to help pay back the loans. This will allow Chrysler to strengthen its alliance with Fiat and revamp its operations to gain market shares.
According to Rebecca Lindland, an analyst with the research firm IHS Global Insight, “Tuning up their balance sheet and reducing debt will help Chrysler direct more money towards product development.” First on the list is to add more fuel efficient cars to its truck heavy lineup. The integration of Fiat and Chrysler will speed up the arrival of new Fiat based models to be sold to the American market. Without the psychological and financial drag of the loans Chrysler can start to slowly rebuild its company.
Fiat Increases Ownership Of Chrysler
On Monday, Fiat announced they will be increasing ownership of Chrysler by 16% for a total 46% of the company. Once the auto manufacturers government loans have been paid, Fiat hopes to take a 51% majority stake in Chrysler as early as by the end of this year.
Sergio Marchionne, chief executive of both auto makers, says that this is an important step towards the integration of Fiat and Chrysler, started under two years ago. The result will be the creation of a global auto maker. They have chosen to speed up the pace to bring about the birth of a single group capable of international activities. Fiat outlined its plans after reaching an agreement with Chrysler’s shareholders, which include the U.S. Treasury Department, the United Auto Workers’ health trust fund and the Canadian government. The move shows that there is confidence in Chrysler turning around and becoming a profitable auto manufacturer. It does not mean Chrysler is fixed, it does show that Marchionne believes it is on track.
