Lemon Law News – FCA Recalls Grand Caravans for Hair-Trigger Airbags
Faulty airbags forced Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) to recall more than 200,000 vehicles in early June.
The manufacturer sent a safety recall report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on June 13, 2017 stating they will recall 209,135 2011-2012 Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles built between Aug. 23, 2010 and July 25, 2012.
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The Grand Caravans built within that time span can experience a trapped steering wheel wire harness between a tab in the steering wheel’s plastic back cover and the horn plate edge. The tab and the plate can rub through the wire insulation creating a short which can inadvertently deploy the driver’s airbag.
Unexpected airbag deployment can cause injury and increase crash risk. An illuminated airbag warning light, unintended wiper operation, an inoperable steering wheel switch, an inoperable speed control switch or inoperable multifunction switch could indicate the issue before the airbag deploys.
FCA’s chronology detailing their discovery and research into the issue was unavailable at time of this writing.
Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will inspect the air bag wiring within the steering wheel, replacing it if necessary. Dealers will also remove the steering wheel back cover tab and apply a protective coating to the wire, minimizing rub through or pinching. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall is expected to begin July 28, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is T33. Dodge Grand Caravan owners can also visit the NHTSA’s website and enter their VIN to see if their vehicle is included in any recalls.
Your vehicle’s manufacturer is legally required to fix any recalled problems for free. If the dealership refuses to fix the part or tries to charge you for the repair, contact the manufacturer immediately. The Highway Safety Act of 1970, which created the NHTSA, requires car manufacturers to pay for the recall and replacement of a defective part.
Lemon law attorneys help their clients by dealing directly with the manufacturer on the clients’ behalf, working to promptly resolve the issue and get their clients back on the road. Thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, attorneys can seek their fees directly from the manufacturer, meaning a client can obtain legal counsel without having to pay attorneys’ fees directly out of pocket.
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