Chrysler Recalls Vehicles for Inadvertent Airbag Deployment

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) has recalled certain model year 2002-2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles which were manufactured between February 13, 2001 and May 23, 20113, and 2003-2004 Dodge Viper vehicles manufactured November 1, 2001 to June 30, 2004.  The recall is said to affect 753,176 vehicles.  

According to Chrysler, electrical noise beyond the tolerance of the air bag electronic control module (ECM) may cause a component in the ECM to fail, causing the front air bags, side air bags and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.

Chrysler admits that inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.

According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration ("NHTSA"), Chrysler will notify vehicle owners directly, and its authorized dealers will replace the air bag control module and front and/or side impact sensors as required, free of charge.  The parts are not currently available however, but an interim repair is available that reduces the risk of an inadvertent deployment.  This interim recall remedy was applied during earlier recall campaigns of the vehicles under safety recalls 12V527 and 13V040.  All owners who have not had the recall performed under safety recall 12V527 or 13V040 are strongly encouraged to have it performed and not wait for the final remedy to be available.  According to Chrysler, the replacement parts needed for the final remedy are expected to be available in the latter part of 2015.   

Owners will be mailed an interim notification in late March 2015 and will be mailed a followup notification when the new air bag control modules are available.  Owners may also contact Chrysler direct at 1-800-853-1403, and should reference recall R06. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safecar.gov.

To read more about the recall, and to read additional recall documentation, click here.

If you have a 2002-2003 Jeep Liberty or a 2003-2004 Dodge Viper, then check to see if it is included in the recall and make sure to get it into a Chrysler authorized dealer right away. To find a dealer near you, click here, click on "dealers and vehicles" in the upper right hand corner, and enter your zip code.

Beth Wells

www.BurdgeLaw.com

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