FCA recalls Jeep and RAM vehicles for seat belt malfunction

FCA recalls Jeep and RAM vehicles for seat belt malfunction

October 28, 2020 Rebecca Rand , , ,

Pleasanton, CA – July 27, 2022 – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (NYSE: FCAU) has remedied issues with 1.119 vehicles including the 2019-2020 RAM 1500 pickup that was dealing with front seat belt issues. Additionally, 26 of these models have been categorized as unreachable and 16 have been removed from the recall. One group of these 2019-2020 RAM 1500 pickups was remedied in 2020, 4 groups in 2021, and 1 other group was remedied in 2022 due to these seat belt locking issues.

Pleasanton, CA – Sept 25, 2020 – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (NYSE: FCAU) has recalled 2,114 SUVs and pickup trucks, and SUVs whose front seat belts may not lock properly during a crash, putting drivers and passengers at risk of injury. The recall includes:

  • 2020 Jeep Gladiator pickups
  • 2019 Jeep Wrangler SUVs
  • 2019-2020 Ram 1500 pickups
  • 2019 RAM 2500 pickups

Recall Summary  

Ever wondered why seatbelts sometimes “lock” up if you yank them too hard? This is a design feature that is meant to make the belt easy to pull over your body and comfortable to move around under but will firmly hold you if you crash. In these recalled Jeeps and Rams, a connection part called the “wave disc” may be misshapen, causing the seatbelt to have a much weaker hold on the driver and front seat passenger.

Chrysler first noticed the problem this July when a seatbelt held the crash dummy less forcefully than it was supposed to during a crash test. A part in the seat belt retractor wasn’t formed correctly, weakening the whole seat belt system.

Chrysler is not aware of any complaints, injuries, or deaths relating to this problem.

Risks

If you’re riding in a pickup truck or SUV and you crash, wearing a functioning seat belt will reduce your risk of injury by at least 60% and your risk of dying by at least 65%. A malfunctioning seat belt may not protect you and could increase your risk of getting hurt.

The repair

Owners will be notified about the recall starting on November 17 and Chrysler will replace the faulty seat belt retractors for free. The repair, however, is not yet available. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 2,000 vehicles are part of this Chrysler recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle identification number look-up tool.

Rebecca RandFCA recalls Jeep and RAM vehicles for seat belt malfunction
RAM 1500 pickup trucks recalled for faulty floor mats

RAM 1500 pickup trucks recalled for faulty floor mats

October 2, 2020 Ken Boyd

Pleasanton, CA – August 27 2020 – FCA US LLC (NYSE:FCAU) has recalled 160,229 Ram 1500 trucks that operate with adjustable pedals. The driver side floor mats may prevent the accelerator pedal from returning to an idle position, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall includes 2019 and 2020 Ram 1500 pickup.

Recall summary  

The vehicles equipped equipped with all-weather floor mats and adjustable accelerator pedals. Due to a design issue, the mats may prevent the pedal from returning to idle position after the driver accelerates. This recall does not effect the RAM 3500, 4500 or 5500 this time.

Risks 

There are several situations in which the floor mat issue can cause a crash. First, if the car is moving at a high speed, the stuck accelerator pedal would prevent the car from slowing down as expected. This may cause the driver to run a light or hit another vehicle from behind.

Secondly, during traffic congestion, the repeated use of the accelerator pedal increases the risk of the floor mat problem occurring. The risk of a crash is also higher if the floor mat is moved out of position when the driver enters and exits the vehicle.

What to do if the accelerator pedal is stuck

If you feel that the accelerator pedal is stuck, DriverEd.com recommends: 

First, shift your pickup into neutral. Then, apply the brakes to begin to slow your vehicle down. Always, keep your eyes on the road and look for a way out.

If possible you should warn other drivers by blinking and flashing your hazard lights. Attempt to drive the car safely off the road. once you have come to a complete stop turn off the ignition.

The repair

The dealer will notify owners and modify the floor mat, so that the mat does not interfere with the accelerator pedal. The recall begins October 16, and is free of charge.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 160,000 vehicles are included in this Ram truck recall. To see if your truck is one of them, use MotorSafety’s vehicle identification number (VIN) lookup tool and get help scheduling a repair with dealer today.

Ken BoydRAM 1500 pickup trucks recalled for faulty floor mats
Chrysler Recalls Jeep, Ram, Dodge Vehicles to Fix Distracting Rear-View Camera

Chrysler Recalls Jeep, Ram, Dodge Vehicles to Fix Distracting Rear-View Camera

May 13, 2020 Joe Glaser , , ,

Laguna Hills, CA – May 12, 2020 – Chrysler (NASDAQ: FCA) announced the recall of several models of Jeep SUVs, Ram pickup trucks, Dodge SUVs and Chrysler minivans equipped with 8.4” or 12” radio displays.

The recall includes the following models:

  • 2020 Jeep Gladiator
  • 2020 Jeep Cherokee
  • 2019-2020 Ram 1500 Pickup
  • 2019-2020 Ram 2500 Pickup
  • 2019-2020 Ram 3500 Pickup
  • 2019-2020 Chrysler Pacifica
  • 2019-2020 Dodge Durango
  • 2019-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  • 2019-2020 Jeep Wrangler
  • 2019-2020 Jeep Renegade
  • 2019 Dodge Challenger

Recall Summary

Because of a software error, the rear-view camera image remains displayed after the vehicle shifts out of reverse, which could distract the driver and increase the risk of a crash.

In addition to the safety issue related to distracted driving, Chrysler initiated the recall to ensure vehicles meet federal standards that require rearview cameras to turn off within 10 seconds after shifting out of reverse.

The remedy will be available as early as May 22, 2020. The manufacturer will cover the cost to repair vehicles, which consists of a software update that could take up to a half day to repair at a certified service center.

Driving Risks

The rear-view camera potentially leads to a crash because once the driver shifts into drive, the vehicle is in forward motion while the navigation system displays an image in backward motion. If this were to happen while the driver pulls into traffic or an area with pedestrians, the risks of a crash increase.

The Threat Of Distracted Driving

According to the CDC, distracted drivers pose a serious problem that results in thousands of deaths each year. Several campaigns exist to bring more awareness to the problem, as well as April being designated as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

In both 2016 and 2017, over 3,000 people lost their lives in a motor vehicle crash involving distracted drivers.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) – April 2019

In 2017, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) classified 9% of traffic facilities as distraction-affected crashes, which means the driver was distracted at the time of the crash. In both 2016 and 2017, over 3,000 people lost their lives in a motor vehicle crash involving distracted drivers.

Other Recent Recalls

Earlier this year, some 2018-2020 Jeep Wranglers and 2020 Jeep Gladiators were the subjects of a recall involving the manual transmission. The recall affected almost 30,000 Jeep Wranglers and over 3,400 Jeep Gladiators. In addition to the manual transmission recall, Jeep also recalled over 33,000 Jeep Gladiators because of a clutch defect.

Is Your Vehicle Affected By This Recall?

Over 318,000 cars are included with this Chrysler recall. To find out if your vehicle is one of them, visit MotorSafety.org, where you can search for open recalls on your vehicle, set up an appointment for any needed repairs, and sign up for automatic alerts so you know when your vehicle might be not safe to drive.

Joe GlaserChrysler Recalls Jeep, Ram, Dodge Vehicles to Fix Distracting Rear-View Camera
Chrysler Recalls Jeep Compass and Ram Vehicles for Wiper Malfunction

Chrysler Recalls Jeep Compass and Ram Vehicles for Wiper Malfunction

May 1, 2020 Joe Glaser ,

Laguna Hills, CA – May 1, 2020 – A nut that does not fit properly is causing some wiper blades to loosen and not work properly on potentially hundreds of thousands of Jeep Compass and Ram 1500 pickups. The fix is fast, simple, and free, NHTSA recall information says.

  • Jeep Compass SUVs manufactured from May 12, 2019, through March 3, 2020.
  • Ram 1500 and Ram 1500 Classic pickups built from April 28, 2019, through March 3, 2020.

A nut that does not fit properly might cause wiper blades to loosen and not work properly, which could impair driver vision. 425,588 vehicles recalled, including 316,626 Ram 1500 pickups and 108,962 Jeep Compass SUVs.

No matter how well you plan ahead, something incredibly simple can trigger big problems. That is why Fiat-Chrysler is recalling hundreds of thousands of pickups and SUVs due to an incorrect nut that enables wiper blades to loosen. If you drive a Jeep Compass SUV, Ram 1500, or Ram 1500 Classic that was built in the past two years, Fiat Chrysler recalls say you might have a pending problem with your windshield wiper blades. No accidents or injuries are know to exist due to the problem, Fiat-Chrysler says.

Why Loose Wiper Blades Are a Problem

When a wiper blade becomes loose, it does not provide the proper tension to work properly. Instead of cleanly wiping the windshield clean and providing clear vision, the wiper blades just smear fluid on the windshield and obscures vision. The lights of an oncoming vehicle could blind a driver, too. Jeep Compass recalls cite the same problem affecting Jeep Compass SUVs built in 2019 and 2020 that Ram cites for its pickups built during the same timeframe.

Incredibly Fast and Simple Fix

When it comes to the world of vehicle safety recalls, the fix could not be quicker or simpler. The solution is to tighten the nut just a quarter of a turn. That means you can get your wiper blades fixed quickly and ensure clear vision on rainy or snowy drives. They might even install new wiper blades.

Recent Jeep SUV, Ram Truck Recalls for Fire Risks

Jeep currently is recalling more than 33,000 Wranglers and Gladiators with manual transmissions due to a fire risk. The Jeeps built in 2018 through 2020 have clutch plates that might fail and leak fluid that might cause a fire. Ram recalls in 2019 targeted 498 heavy-duty Ram trucks for fire risk. The recall says the trucks have faulty fuel lines that might develop cracks and leak fuel. The leaking fuel might catch fire if it comes into contact with the exhaust manifold.

Search Recent Ram 1500 and Jeep Recalls

You can learn more about recalls for Jeep and Ram trucks at motorsafety.org and use the free vehicle recall search tool that lets you input your VIN and find out if any recalls affect your vehicle. Get peace of mind knowing whether or not these dangers exist. If they do, you can get a fix done quickly and at no cost to you.

Joe GlaserChrysler Recalls Jeep Compass and Ram Vehicles for Wiper Malfunction
Chrysler Recalls Ram 1500s Due To Restraint System Errors

Chrysler Recalls Ram 1500s Due To Restraint System Errors

June 10, 2019 Sean Reyes

Laguna Hills, CA – June 10, 2019 – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles LLC (FCA) is pulling nearly 300,000 Ram 1500 trucks – model years 2019 and 2020 – from the marketplace due to an onboard software flaw that may prevent the vehicle’s air bag from deploying in the aftermath of a crash, thus increasing the risk of injury. The automobile’s seat belt pretensioners may also fail to function due to the tech defect. The company says it will reach out to Ram 1500 owners by mail later this summer, advising them to take their trucks to their nearest Chrysler dealership so repair work can be arranged. The fix will come at no cost to drivers.

The Defect

According to documents submitted to and produced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 295,981 2019-2020 Ram 1500s are due for recall because the truck’s occupant restraint controller (ORC) system may not work properly in the event of a traffic accident. Specifically, the issue seems to affect the ORC’s flash memory, in which the computer module doesn’t reset as it’s supposed to when powering down the vehicle. This reset failure could then prevent the airbags and/or seat-belt pretensioners from operating correctly in a collision-related event.

In a statement acknowledging that the company is aware of the problem, FCA said that while they are making this move out of an abundance of caution, the chances that such a scenario occurs for motorists is highly unlikely.

“Data collected by FCA US indicate the potential for such an event is highly remote,” the Auburn Hills, Michigan-based manufacturer said in a press release. “Further, the Company is unaware of any related injuries or accidents.”

Timeline of Events

The issue came to FCA’s attention April 8, when an engineer on the manufacturer’s Vehicle Safety and Regulatory Compliance team observed a corrupted software notification that occurred when turning off the truck. A formal investigation by Fiat Chrysler occurred in the immediate aftermath, which extended to May 3. The inquiry determined that the flaw had the potential to prevent the seatbelt pretensioner or airbags from serving their purpose during an accident. However, through May 20, the company wasn’t aware of any operator complaints or injuries that occurred – in the U.S. or elsewhere – related to the software glitch. This may be due to the fact that many of the affected automobiles – up to 33% – are still at dealerships, yet to be purchased by would-be operators. Those impacted were likely assembled at some point between Oct. 31, 2018 and April 29, 2019.

FCA deemed it appropriate that a voluntary recall be ordered for the Ram 1500s, which is what prompted the safety notification to NHTSA.

The Solution

On June 1, FCA sent out letters to dealerships, informing them of the problem and that 2019-2020 Ram 1500s should be set aside for the time being. Current operators will also be made aware of the glitch, which is slated to begin on July 20. Owners are urged to bring their trucks to their nearest FCA dealer so the ORC can either be reprogrammed or replaced, whichever fix is deemed appropriate by the attending mechanics. This repair will be free of charge.

To learn more, dial 1-888-327-4236, which is NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline. You can also enter your VIN at MotorSafety.org to see if your make and model is under recall.

Sean ReyesChrysler Recalls Ram 1500s Due To Restraint System Errors
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