Tag Archives: unexpected airbag deployment

2011-2015 Dodge Journey Airbag Warning

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Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2011-2015 Dodge Journey SUVs regarding an electrical problem affecting the airbag system. According to the defect report, some vehicles may experience a trapped steering wheel wire harness between the steering wheel back cover tab and the edge of the horn plate. The wire insulation could become damaged, creating a short and an inadvertent airbag deployment. Drivers may be alerted of a problem through an illuminated airbag warning light; unintended wiper operation; inoperable steering wheel switch; inoperable speed control switch; or an inoperable multi-function switch.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealerships to have the steering wheel wiring inspected and replaced as necessary. A protective cover will also be installed. For more information about the recall, owners can contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is T47 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-432.

2012 Nissan Versa Airbag Could Deploy When Door Is Slammed

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Nissan will be contacting the owners of certain 2012 Nissan Versa cars regarding a safety problem affecting the airbag system. In the subject vehicles, dissimilar metals were used in the side air bag sensor connectors. The combination could lead to oxidation on the pins and disabled communication to the satellite sensor to airbag control unit (ACU). The system is designed to enter a backup state when the signal is lost which will still allow the airbag to deploy, but lower threshold requirements may cause the curtain and seat mounted air bags to deploy unexpectedly if the door is slammed.

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a new jumper harness and replace the side impact satellite sensors. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 17V-144.

Mercedes Benz Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Problem

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Mercedes Benz will be notifying the owners of certain 2008-2009 C300, C350, C63 cars and 2010 GLK350 SUVs about a problem affecting the airbag system. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, due to insufficient passivization during the manufacturing process, corrosion could lead to a malfunction of the supplemental restraint system (SRS) control unit. The problem could result in deactivation of all SRS components with an SRS warning lamp, or the SRS components could deploy unexpectedly. Continue reading →

Multiple Airbag Defects Affect RAM Trucks

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Chrysler will be asking the owners of certain 2012-2015 RAM trucks to return to their dealerships for repairs to the airbag system, under two separate safety defects.

  • The first recall affects certain 2012-2014 RAM 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) option. In the affected vehicles, the steering wheel wiring harness may rub against the driver air bag module retainer spring. The problem could result in an electrical short that could cause the driver’s frontal air bag to unexpectedly deploy. Chrysler’s number for this recall is R36 and the NHTSA Campaign number is 15V-459.

    • Continue reading →

2011-2014 Dodge Charger Airbags Could Unexpectedly Deploy

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The owners of certain 2011-2014 Dodge Charger sedans will be contacted by Chrysler about a problem that could lead to unexpected airbag deployment. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the Occupant Restraint Control (ORC) module calibration may be overly sensitive and could activate the side curtain and seat air bags while driving on rough roads or with a door slam. Continue reading →

Takata Airbag Recall Expands Again

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Takata continues to make the news as Japans three biggest automobile manufacturers, Toyota, Nissan, and Honda, announce that they are expanding the recall for faulty airbags. Over 30 million vehicles world wide have been recalled over the defect and it has been linked to six deaths and over 100 injuries. Although it is not known for sure why Takata airbags are prone to exploding some suspect the ammonium nitrate used to inflate them can overheat, especially in high humidity, and shower passengers and drivers with shrapnel from the canisters holding them. Continue reading →

2014-2015 Jeep Cherokee Unintended Airbag Deployment

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Chrysler will be asking the owners of certain 2014–2015 Jeep Cherokee SUVs, built between January 1, 2013 to November 19, 2014, to return to their dealership for repairs. According to reports filed on the NHTSA website, the affected vehicles could experience unintended side curtain and seat air bag deployment during operation. This problem may increase the risk of personal injury and an accident. Continue reading →