cars news 10: FCA Recalls 1.4 Million Vehicles for Faulty Airbag Wiring

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is voluntarily recalling 1.4 million U.S. vehicles for an issue with the occupant restraint control module and its sensor wiring that could prevent airbags from deploying and the seat belt pretensioner from tightening in certain crashes.

The Problem: Vehicles equipped with a specific occupant restraint control module and front impact sensor combination may have faulty wiring, which could keep the airbags from going off in the event of a crash. The seat belt pretensioner might also fail to work as a result of the problem. The recall was prompted by analysis of vehicle data and field events. FCA says three fatalities and five injuries may be related to the issue.

The Fix: The automaker will notify affected customers and let them know when they can schedule service. The parts will then be replaced free of charge. FCA stresses that it no longer uses the controllers or wiring in question. For more information, owners can call FCA customer service at (800) 853-1403.

Number of Vehicles Potentially Affected: The recall affects roughly 1.4 million Dodge, Jeep, and Chrysler vehicles in the U.S., including 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber, 2010-2014 Dodge Avenger, and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot and Compass models. In addition, 142,959 of the above models located in Canada are affected, along with 81,901 units in Mexico, which adds the 2010 Chrysler Cirrus to the list of affected cars. Another 284,051 vehicles outside of North America are affected, including the 2012-2013 Lancia Flavia that isn’t sold in our market.

Source: FCA