Stellantis recalls Dodge Durango SUVs whose spoilers may detach

Auburn Hills, MI – March 11, 2023 – Stellantis (NYSE:STLA), which owns the Dodge brand, is recalling 139,019 2021-2023 Dodge Durango SUVs because their rear spoilers may detach. This ups the risk of a crash and injury. 

This recall is an expansion of a previous one conducted for the same issue in October 2021.

Recall summary  

A spoiler is a piece of plastic trim that sits on the top of the liftgate, which is an attachment that is used to load and unload cargo. The spoilers in the listed vehicles were fitted incorrectly, causing them to come in contact with the roof edge when the liftgate is opened. This may lead to the spoiler becoming loose and subsequently separating from the vehicle.

Recall risks

As described in a similar Volkswagen recall from April 2022, a spoiler that detaches from the vehicle at speed can hit other vehicles or nearby pedestrians as it flies through the air.  

Warning signs

The driver or occupants may hear rattling if the spoiler becomes loose. 

Background of the recall 

Close to 5,000 2021 Durango SUV were recalled for the same issue in October 2021. It is not clear how the manufacturer became aware of the fact that more cars needed to be recalled.

Other Dodge recalls

Some of these vehicles may have been affected by one of the latest Dodge Durango recalls, which happened in December 2022 due to the the risk of vehicles stalling.

Other recent Stellantis recalls include one caused by a risk of tire failure and defective fuel pumps that may cause the vehicles to stall. Both occurred in November of last year.

The repair

Dealers will inspect the spoilers on affected vehicles and replace them if necessary. The repair is free of charge.

Owners will be notified on April 14, 2023. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Nearly 140,000 SUVs are affected by this Stellantis spoiler issue. To do a Chrysler recall check or a Dodge recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool

Bojan PopicStellantis recalls Dodge Durango SUVs whose spoilers may detach

Stellantis recalls Dodge vehicles over loss of drive power

Auburn Hills, MI – December 16, 2022 – Stellantis (NYSE:STLA), which owns the Chrysler and Dodge brands, is recalling 5,834 vehicles that may lose power while in motion due to faulty shifter pawls, which are pins that lock gears in place. This augments the risk of a crash.

The recall includes the following vehicles:

  • 2022 Dodge Charger
  • 2022 Dodge Durango

Recall summary

In the affected vehicles, the shifter pawls have not been properly heat-treated and may bend or fail to engage as expected when shifting between gears.  Heat-treating, as reported, is a normal part of the manufacturing process which ensures that components made of metal can withstand the test of time.

Recall risks

An improperly engaged shifter assembly may slip out of the “Drive” position, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power. This increases the risk of a crash. 

Warning signs

A warning sign associated with this issue is “a bent or misaligned shifter lever.” In some cases, the driver may even have difficulty selecting gears. 

Other recent Dodge and Chrysler recalls

In November, more than 40,000 Dodge and Chrysler vehicles were recalled over risk of tire failure. This was a follow-up recall from a July one relating to the same issue.

Prior to that in October, more than 80,000 Dodge Journey SUVs were subjected to a recall over a headlamp issue resulting in poor visibility. This was attributed to a substandard reflector. 

The repair

To fix this Dodge powertrain issues, dealers will replace the shifter assembly  free of charge. Notifications regarding the repair program will be sent to owners on or around January 12, 2023.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Nearly 6,000 vehicles are included in this recall. To perform a Fiat Chrysler recall check on your vehicle, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Senamile NkosiStellantis recalls Dodge vehicles over loss of drive power

Stellantis recalls Dodge SUVs over headlamp issue,  crash risk

Auburn Hills, MI – October 9, 2022 – Stellantis (NYSE:STLA), which owns the Dodge brand, is recalling 83,453 vehicles over defective headlamps. A substandard reflector may not reflect light brightly enough, compromising visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

The recall covers 2017 – 2018 Dodge Journey crossover SUVs.

Recall summary

The Dodge Journey’s headlamp assemblies include an amber side reflex reflector that makes the vehicle more visible to other motorists.

In the affected vehicles, the reflector does not reflect enough light.

The components involved in this recall are the front left and front right headlamp assemblies with multiple part numbers, including  05116288AC and 05116289AC. 

Recall risks

A dim reflector makes it harder for other drivers to see the vehicle and react accordingly, which can up the risk of a crash.

Other Dodge recalls 

While there have been few Dodge Journey recalls in recent years, other Dodge vehicles have been recalled.

In March 2022, for example, Stellantis issued a recall for 370,437 vehicles, including the Dodge Durango. This was over an issue with the electronic stability control’s indicator light.   

In June 2022, the Dodge Durango was again part of a recall initiated by Stellantis covering 270,904 vehicles. This was on account of a problem with the brake control system that could let the vehicle roll away.   

Repair

The manufacturer is developing a remedy for the Dodge side reflectors and will notify owners when to bring affected vehicles to authorized dealers for repairs. All repairs will be free of charge.

Affected owners will be notified on or around November 8, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 83,000 vehicles are affected by this Dodge headlamp recall. To see if your vehicle is included, run a Dodge recall check or search Chrysler recalls using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloStellantis recalls Dodge SUVs over headlamp issue,  crash risk

Stellantis recalls 300s, Challengers and Chargers over risk of tire failure

Auburn Hills, MI – July 30, 2022 – Stellantis (NYSE:STLA), which owns the Dodge and Chrysler brands, has issued a recall of 52,340 vehicles over an issue with the built-in tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), which may prevent the system from detecting low tire pressure.  This could lead to tire failure, which increases the risk of a crash. 

This Stellantis recall covers the following models: 

  • 2022 Chrysler 300
  • 2022 Dodge Challenger
  • 2022 Dodge Charger

Recall summary

A tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) notifies drivers about the pressure in each of the vehicle’s tires. When the tire pressure drops below a certain level, the system alerts drivers through a warning light on the instrument panel. This allows the driver to take prompt action, such as inflating the tire to the correct pressure, reducing the risk of tire failure or traction issues.

In the affected vehicles, the battery used by the TPMS sensor may fail prematurely. This can prevent the system from displaying accurate information about the vehicle’s tire pressure.

The component involved in this recall is the tire air pressure sensor, with part number 68487472AA.

Recall risks

If the TPMS cannot sense tire pressure, the low pressure light will not illuminate if the tires become underinflated.

Conversely, the dead sensor battery may also cause a warning light to come on and stay on even if the tire pressure is acceptable. This could mask any new tire pressure issues that arise.

Apart from reducing the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and affecting traction, tires with inadequate air pressure can wear out faster and run the risk of being damaged in a tire blowout. When this happens, drivers may lose control of the vehicle, especially at high speeds, leading to an increased risk of an accident.

Other Chrysler and Dodge recalls 

Last summer, Chrysler issued a recall for the 2020-2021 Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger over faulty windshields. The front glass was not attached securely to the frame of the affected vehicles, causing them to potentially detach from the vehicle during a crash and increasing the risk of injury. 

Older model-years of the recalled makes are subject to an ongoing Takata recall because of faulty airbags, as reported.

The repair

Dealers will inspect and replace the TPMS sensors on the affected vehicles at no cost to owners. Stellantis will reimburse customers who paid for a related repair before the recall order was issued.

Affected owners will be notified on or around September 2, 2022.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 52,000 vehicles are included in this Chrysler and Dodge tire sensor recall. To see if your vehicle is affected, run a Chrysler and Dodge recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.  

Joseph EstabilloStellantis recalls 300s, Challengers and Chargers over risk of tire failure

Stellantis recalls vehicles whose spoilers may fly away

Auburn Hills, MI   – November 20, 2021 – Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), which owns the Dodge brand, is recalling 4,837 2021 Dodge Durango SUVs with rear spoilers that may detach while driving. This creates a road hazard that may increase the risk of a crash or injury for other motorists.

Recall summary  

Vehicles that are part of this Stellantis recall have a spoiler, which is a piece of external trim whose purpose is to give the vehicle a slicker appearance.

In affected vehicles, the spoiler may have been fitted incorrectly, allowing it to press against the roof when opening the liftgate. This contact may damage the spoiler over time.

The component in question is a rear spoiler, with part number 7DY53TZZAB or 7DY56TZZAB. 

Recall risks

A loose spoiler may detach while driving and hit other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash and injury. It can also land on the road, where it becomes an obstacle that may cause other vehicles to crash. 

Warning signs

When the spoiler is touching the roof, it will create a sound that the driver and passengers can hear. Additionally, if it becomes loose, it will rattle while driving. 

Other Dodge Durango recalls 

Earlier this year, Dodge recalled some of the 2021 Durango SUVs that had a missing side airbag fastener. This may cause the airbag to deploy incorrectly in a crash, increasing the risk of an injury. 

The repair

Dealers will inspect the spoilers on affected vehicles and replace them with redesigned variants if needed. Notifications about the repair will be sent to vehicle owners around December 17, 2021. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This recall includes almost 5,000 vehicles. To see if yours is affected by it or any other Chrysler recall, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicStellantis recalls vehicles whose spoilers may fly away

Stellantis is recalling vehicles over a risk of windshield detachment

Auburn Hills, MI  – August 18, 2021 – Stellantis (NYSE:STLA) – that owns both Chrysler and Dodge brands – has announced a recall for 21,258 vehicles whose windshields may have been improperly fitted. This may lead to its separation from the vehicle during a collision, which increases the risk of injury. This Dodge and Chrysler recall includes the following vehicles: 

  • 2020 Chrysler 300
  • 2021 Chrysler 300
  • 2020 Dodge Challenger
  • 2021 Dodge Challenger
  • 2020 Dodge Charger
  • 2021 Dodge Charger

Recall summary  

The vehicles affected by this recall may have been painted with a “non-conforming” coat which does not adequately bonds the windshield with the metal beneath it. As a result, the windshield could detach from the vehicle during a collision.  

Risks

A large piece of glass that is flying out of control can injure passengers inside the vehicle, other motorists and nearby pedestrians. In addition, such vehicles fail to comply with a U.S. safety standard which requires at least half of the windshield to stay in place during a collision. 

Other Dodge Challenger recalls

In April of last year, the 2019 Dodge Challenger was part of a 300,000-unit strong recall for a lingering rearview camera image which could distract the driver and lead to a crash. The 2020 model-year is not subject to any additional recalls.

Other Dodge Charger recalls

The 2018, 2019 and 2020 Dodge Charger were recalled in August of last year because the backup camera image would not display when these cars were in the so-called stealth mode, as reported. The 2021 model-year does not have any additional recalls outstanding.

The repair

Chrysler and Dodge authorized dealers will fix this issue by removing the windshield and applying a different type of urethane sealant which will ensure that the windshield will stay in place. Notifications will be sent to owners around August 27. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Chrysler and Dodge recall includes more than 20,000 vehicles. To see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicStellantis is recalling vehicles over a risk of windshield detachment

US government investigates Dodge and Chrysler vans’ sliding door issues

Washington, D.C. – July  21, 2021 –  The arm of the U.S. government that regulates vehicle safety is conducting an investigation to determine if Stellantis (NYSE:STLA) will need to recall 233,084 2016 Chrysler Town and Country and the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan vans because of faulty sliding doors. The doors may allegedly become stuck, potentially trapping passengers in the vans in the event of an emergency.

Summary  

The vans in question are equipped with power sliding rear doors that open at the push of a button inside the car or on the key fob. However, 426 drivers complained that they could not get the doors to open, even manually. This prompted the regulator – the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) – to open an investigation on July 9. 

Consumer complaints

Many of the complaints described “consumers having to remove passengers in the rear of the vehicle through the front doors, the second sliding door (if it was operational), the windows, or the rear hatch of the vehicle.”

Previous issues

Stellantis, Dodge and Chrysler’s parent company, has been aware of the issue since 2016, when they issued a bulletin to dealers instructing mechanics to replace sliding door lock actuators on vans whose doors got stuck. The automaker discovered a defect in the lock actuators that would cause the doors to get stuck, sometimes emitting a loud buzzing noise when the car was locked or unlocked.

It is not clear how big the population affected by this issue was or how many cars were actually repaired at the time.

Risks

Many complaints NHTSA received expressed concern that in an emergency or crash, vehicle occupants could become trapped inside the vehicle.  This represents a grave risk in the event of, for example, vehicle fires, where occupants need to leave a vehicle quickly.  If someone is hurt, first responders may also have a hard time getting to the patient quickly if they cannot open doors from the outside.

More dangers

Through the investigation, NHTSA is set to find out how often these rear door failures, confirm the risks that the complaints are referring to and potentially flesh out any additional dangers.

Next steps

The investigation is currently in the “preliminary evaluation” stage, which NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) usually completes within four months. If the evaluation shows a potential safety defect, the office will conduct an engineering analysis to decide whether to initiate a safety recall. That stage usually takes around a year, as reported.

Will your vehicle be part of a recall?

Over 233,000 vans could be implicated in a future Fiat Chrysler recall or Dodge recall. To see if your van is one of them, bookmark MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool and check back for open recalls in the future.

Rebecca RandUS government investigates Dodge and Chrysler vans’ sliding door issues