Statement: Air-bag Inflators

January 6, 2017 , Auburn Hills, Mich. -  FCA US LLC is recalling an estimated 86,403 older-model SUVs and trucks in the U.S., to replace certain driver- and passenger-side air bags.

An FCA US review of two ongoing campaigns revealed these vehicles, virtually all of which are no longer in production and/or were assembled at plants since-closed, are equipped with Takata-supplied air-bag inflators that have been linked to a defect. These inflators may, following long-term exposure to certain climatic conditions, deploy improperly in a crash.

The climatic conditions include high absolute humidity; improper deployment is marked by excessive force, which may send debris into the vehicle cabin. FCA US is unaware of any such events – or related injuries, or accidents – involving these vehicles, or the particular inflators therein.

Service is now available, free of charge, for vehicles that require new driver-side inflators. Affected customers will be so-advised by first-class mail, beginning Jan 11. In the interim, customers may expedite service by using various online search tools** to check the status of their vehicles, or by consulting their dealers.

Further, FCA US will also be initiating additional customer outreach, supplemented by social-media use.

Replacement inflators for this campaign are sourced from an alternate supplier and, unlike other driver-side inflator recalls, they represent a permanent remedy to the defect.

Affected are certain 2009 Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango SUVs produced at a former Chrysler LLC plant in Newark, Delaware, and certain 2010 Ram 3500 chassis cabs. Additional populations of these vehicles are affected in Canada (est. 1,166), Mexico (est. 1,250) and outside the NAFTA region (est. 4,953).

Notification for customers affected by the passenger-side air-bag recall will also begin mailing Jan. 11. Service, which will be free, is expected to become available in early second-quarter, in accordance with NHTSA’s coordinated remedy plan.

Affected are certain 2005-2009 Ram 2500 pickups produced at a former Chrysler Group LLC plant in St. Louis, Missouri. Additional populations of these vehicles are affected in Canada (est. 6,577), Mexico (est. 54) and outside the NAFTA region (est. 309).

FCA US urges customers to heed the instructions on their recall notices. Those with questions or concerns may call the FCA US Customer Care Center at 800-853-1403.

** https://www.mopar.com/en-us/my-vehicle/recalls.html
https://www.mopar.com/chrysler/en-us/my-vehicle/recalls.html
https://www.mopar.com/dodge/en-us/my-vehicle/recalls.html
https://www.mopar.com/ramtrucks/en-us/my-vehicle/recalls.html
https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls